Meet our passionate team advancing the most promising poverty-fighting solutions.

“Wars of nations are fought to change maps. But wars of poverty are fought to map change.” - Muhammad Ali

Liz comes to Tipping Point as an old friend, having worked alongside the team for years as both a grantee and funding partner. Most recently, she served as the Chief Finance and Growth Officer at First Place for Youth, launching the Affiliate Network to expand the organization outside of California. Prior to her time at First Place, Liz was a Senior Portfolio Associate at the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, where she was responsible for the Foundation’s sourcing efforts and supported several grantees as they expanded to serve more youth and deepened their outcomes and evidence. Liz received her BS in Finance from Boston College and earned an MPA in Nonprofit Management and an MA in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University. When she’s not in the office, Liz loves trail running on Mt. Tam and taking her dog to Crissy Field to frolick.

“To whom much is given, much is required.”

Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, Sam Cobbs moved to the Bay Area in 1991 and has been fighting poverty by working to create economic opportunities for individuals ever since. In January 2020, Sam became CEO of Tipping Point Community, a leading philanthropic organization that finds, funds, and strengthens the most promising poverty-fighting solutions in the Bay Area. Since being at the helm, Sam has expanded Tipping Point’s approach by pairing effective direct service grantmaking with policy work to disrupt the conditions that hold poverty in place. Read more about Sam.

“It’s incredibly powerful to think about bringing together the most effective organizations with the resources and expertise needed to multiply that effect across the entire community. That’s when dramatic change happens.”

Jake joined Tipping Point in 2014 after six years leading Dartmouth College’s fundraising in the Bay Area, and with more than 10 years’ experience in the social sector. Prior to working for Dartmouth, Jake was a program manager and development officer for Management Leadership for Tomorrow, a national organization that develops the next generation of minority business leaders. Before switching to the non-profit world, he worked in software product management and business development. Jake earned his BA in Studio Art from Dartmouth College. He doesn’t make as much art as he should, and instead channels his creative energy into cooking, travel, and biking around Marin County.

“Despite the success and growth of the Bay Area over the last decade, an unacceptable number of families live in poverty. I joined Tipping Point to help harness the resources of our community to support those in need.”

Nora joins Tipping Point after four years working in Stanford University’s development office. At Stanford, Nora worked to educate and cultivate the university’s pipeline of next generation donors. Before her work as a fundraiser, Nora worked for a non-profit and philanthropic consulting firm in Silicon Valley. Nora earned her B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University focusing on social psychology and education. In her spare time, Nora feels fortunate to volunteer for causes that she cares deeply about, Camp Kesem and the Abramson Cancer Center. Originally from the east coast, Nora is outdoors enjoying the California sunshine as often as possible.

"I believe that to be truly compassionate, one must directly support their neighbors who are struggling with poverty and also work to change and improve the systems that have allowed that poverty to exist."

Ali joined Tipping Point to more directly serve her community while also continuing to work on the critical system changes necessary to ensure meaningful reductions in poverty. Prior to joining Tipping Point, Ali served as the State of California’s Deputy Secretary for Homelessness where she oversaw the state’s interagency council on homelessness and several large state homelessness grant programs. Earlier in her career Ali served as a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on a range of anti-poverty programs within the Administration for Children and Families. Ali graduated with a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California – Berkeley, and received her B.A from the University of Iowa. When not working to alleviate poverty, Ali can be found hiking, backpacking or reading a good book…outdoors!