Welcoming Charlie Meade as the Next Director of Development

We are delighted to announce that Charlie Meade will be joining the Friends community this summer as our next Director of Development. Charlie is a seasoned development leader with more than 25 years of experience at both independent schools and impact-driven organizations in the Bay Area.  We can't wait to welcome over the next few months. You can read Pankti's full letter to the community below. 

 

Dear SFFS Community, 

We are delighted to announce that Charlie Meade has been appointed the next Director of Development for San Francisco Friends School. Charlie is a seasoned development leader with more than 25 years of experience at both independent schools and impact-driven organizations in the Bay Area. In the coming months, Charlie will join us on campus for community events as he prepares to officially assume his new role on July 1, 2025. 

Charlie stood out to the search committee from the very start for his curiosity, wisdom and his deep understanding of the community relationships that underlie advancement work in schools.  As we got to know Charlie, we were struck by his depth of experience as a development leader in both independent schools and the nonprofit sector. Charlie is a relationship-builder and believes deeply in the mission of San Francisco Friends School. Our interviewers noted “Charlie’s proven success in building community and fostering a culture of philanthropy makes him the ideal candidate to drive our efforts at SFFS.” 

Most recently, Charlie was the Chief Development Officer for the Shanti Project, a San Francisco-based nonprofit focused on building human connections to enhance health and well-being. Previously, he held director of development roles at San Francisco School and The Bay School where he led annual fund campaigns, spearheaded a capital campaign and built authentic, long-term relationships with parents, board members, major donors, alumni, volunteers and staff. 

I’d like to extend a special thank you to the search committee members for their service and leadership in this process. These dedicated members of our faculty,  administration and Board designed and facilitated a highly inclusive process, ensuring that students, parents, faculty members, and administrators met our finalists. The committee considered both the current opportunities and long-term strategic priorities of the school as they created thoughtful criteria to identify the skills and expertise we were seeking in the new Director of Development. 

In the months ahead, Charlie and Deb Rockwood, our Interim Director of Development will work together to support a smooth transition. 

Please join me in welcoming Charlie to our community!

In friendship, 

Pankti