This December, Kailesh Karavadra and Tim Yamauchi joined the College Futures Foundation board of directors.   

Karavadra brings a unique global business perspective and economic justice mindset to his worldwide work. Born in Uganda, Karavadra left Africa as a refugee and was raised in both India and the United Kingdom. His decades-long career in the financial sector started in the United Kingdom, where he first joined Ernst & Young (EY) as a chartered accountant. He then moved to the Bay Area in the 1990s during the dot-com era.    

Kailesh Karavadra

As the former managing partner for EY’s San Jose office, Karavadra supported the growth and success of companies in the Silicon Valley for over 25 years. He has led EY’s Growth Market Strategy and, as a global coordinating partner, he currently manages services around the world ranging from auditing and accounting to human resources and strategy. As a College Futures board member, Karavadra plans to draw on years of fostering growth and innovation to support the foundation’s vision of unlocking upward mobility for California learners.    

“I am thrilled to join the College Futures team in pursuit of a California where learners can thrive—now and for generations to come,” said Karavadra, who was also selected to be the 2022 Chair of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce in California. “Ensuring prosperous futures for all in this great state requires that we increase opportunity for economic mobility, and I share in the Foundation’s belief that we must be bold and future-facing, and tap thinking and leadership from across sectors, in our efforts to do so.” Karavadra’s favorite quote is, “People don’t care what you know until they know you care,” believing that we need to show and act on that care now for communities who are underserved to succeed. 

Karavadra currently sits on the EY Social Justice Fund Board and the Bangor University Council/Board focused on education transformation. His previous board tenures include United Way, Joint Venture Silicon Valley and the NKF Innovation Fund. As well as an Angel Investor, he is one of the owners of the United Kingdom professional soccer team, Luton Town FC. 

Tim Yamauchi

Yamauchi, a principal for Inside the Mountain Consulting, brings 30 years of expertise in strategy development, innovation initiatives, capital sourcing, and higher education, which he intends to leverage in furthering the Foundation’s mission of centering the needs and aspirations of learners who are underserved.  

“I have followed the work of College Futures for years and I am honored to join company with others dedicated to the social and economic success of Californians from all backgrounds,” shared Yamauchi. “The Foundation’s commitment to meeting diverse learners where they are on their individual educational and career paths—and thinking in innovative ways about how to do that—is what we need to see more of in these rapidly changing times.”   

Over his career, Yamauchi, who was named CFO of the Year by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2009, has taken a lead role in several successful startups and early-stage, high-growth companies and organizations across the country. He served as executive vice president for PRIDE Industries, one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, and as a member of the founding board of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.   

An ardent believer in the value of postsecondary education, Yamauchi has also served on the advisory boards for California State University, Sacramento, San Francisco State University, and Drexel University. He was also a Whittier College trustee.  

“Tim and Kailesh have shown a strong commitment to championing equity and diversity throughout their illustrious careers, and they exhibit the kind of innovative thinking needed to create inclusive economic opportunity in the future,” said Donna Lucas, chair of the College Futures board of directors. “I am truly inspired by their passion for the work we do to support California learners in reaching their dreams.” 

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have these two leaders on our board,” said Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president and CEO of College Futures. “Kailesh and Tim are visionaries. They are both deeply invested in the success of Californians and they’re eager to see and support big changes to ensure all learners achieve the upward mobility they deserve. We look forward to their partnership as we advance our new mission and vision.”   

Members of the College Futures Foundation Board of Directors are as follows: 

Donna Lucas (Chair), Ashley Swearengin (Vice Chair), Arnoldo Avalos, Martha Escutia, Kailesh Karavadra, Lenny Mendonca, Linda Oubre, Willa Seldon, Richard Whitmore, Tim Yamauchi, and Betty T. Yee. 

To access the directors’ bios, click here: https://collegefutures.org/about/board-of-directors/ 

About College Futures Foundation  

At College Futures Foundation, we believe in the power of postsecondary opportunity. We believe that securing the postsecondary success of students facing the most formidable barriers will ensure that all of us can thrive—our communities, our economy, and our state. We believe that the equitable education system of the future, one that enables every student to achieve their dreams and participate in an inclusive and robust economy, will be realized if we are focused, determined, and active in our leadership and partnership.