Daniel Silverman

Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Silverman was appointed Chief Operating Officer in June 2019, having previously served as Vice President for Strategic Services for three years, and as Director of Communications for nine years. He has also served as Corporate Secretary since 2007. As Chief Operating Officer, Daniel oversees much of the day-to-day operations of the Foundation, including the work of five departments: communications, finance & administration, impact assessment & learning, talent, and technology.

As Vice President of Strategic Services, Daniel created and implemented a new business model that integrated non-program departments with program strategies and grantee supports. As Director of Communications, Daniel integrated and aligned the organization’s communications and grantmaking strategies, led the transition to digital communications, and transformed the Foundation website to create greater transparency about Irvine’s work and impact.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Daniel served as Senior Vice President at Fenton, the largest public interest communications firm in the country. He provided communications counsel to a wide range of foundations and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on strategy development, communications campaigns, and communications training. Clients included the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Goldman Environmental Foundation, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Wangari Maathai.

Prior to joining Fenton in 2000, Daniel served as National Media Director for the Sierra Club and as National Field Director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.