Executive Team Archives - Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Executive Team

Headshot of Ross DeMont

Ross DeMont

Ross DeMont is the Chief Investment Officer for the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. He is responsible for the development, administration and management of the Foundation’s investment portfolio and overall investment program. Before holding this position, Ross was the Director of Research ensuring the Rainin Foundation’s long-term financial sustainability through the pursuit of investments with compelling, risk-adjusted […]

Headshot of Laverne Matias-González

Laverne Matías-González

Laverne Matías-González is Chief of Organizational Effectiveness for the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. Laverne creates strategies to help all staff be effective in their roles and leads the design and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic plan. Before holding this position, Laverne was Director, Employee Experience and Culture at the Foundation. In that role he developed initiatives […]

Headshot of Miyesha Perry, a black woman with long, straight black hair. She's smiling at the camera, wearing a green blouse, black blazer and houndstooth framed glasses.

Miyesha Perry

Miyesha Perry is the Chief Program Officer for the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. She serves on the Foundation’s executive and leadership teams to support a diverse grantmaking portfolio and foster collaboration, evaluation and learning, and impact. Before holding this position, Miyesha was the Director of Grants Management & Learning from 2019-2024. In this role she guided […]

Headshot of Jen Rainin, a white woman with wavy brown hair. She’s smiling at the camera, wearing a black blouse and a pendant necklace.

Jennifer Rainin, PhD

Jen Rainin launched the Kenneth Rainin Foundation in 2008, and has served as CEO since that time. She previously worked as a teacher and literacy specialist, earning her doctorate in education from the University of Illinois, Chicago along the way. Under Jen’s leadership, the Foundation has adopted a targeted approach to grantmaking, developing several major […]

Headshot of Karina Ryan, a white woman with curly brown hair. She’s smiling at the camera, wearing Tortoiseshell glasses, a black blouse, a camel blazer and a pendant necklace.

Karina Ryan

Karina Ryan is the Executive Team Officer for the Kenneth Rainin Foundation providing essential administrative support to the CEO and Executive Director, serving as the liaison for the Board of Directors, facilitating efficiencies in operations and enhancing the Foundation’s effectiveness. She collaborates with the Executive Team on project planning and implementation, helping to manage change […]

Headshot of Shelley Trott, a white woman with long, wavy auburn hair. She’s smiling at the camera, wearing a burnt orange dress, hoop earrings and glasses.

Shelley Trott

Shelley Trott is Executive Director of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. She works closely with the CEO to implement the Foundation’s vision and lead the organization in fulfilling its mission. Since joining the Foundation in 2009 as one of its first employees, she has held multiple leadership roles, playing an integral role in our evolution. Shelley […]

Headshot of Lauren Webster.

Lauren Webster

Lauren Webster is the Chief Financial Officer for the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. In her role on the executive and leadership teams, she focuses on promoting strategic growth and achieving greater impact while maintaining solid financial and operational systems. Lauren has more than three decades of experience and extensive knowledge of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. […]