Our Team

Perry Chen (Board Secretary)

Perry Chen
Director of Social Impact, Blue Shield of California

As Director of Social Impact for Blue Shield of California, Perry Chen directs the corporate grantmaking and sponsorships, signature program initiatives, employee engagement programs in volunteering and donations, and community emergency responses. He also designs and implements strategies to contribute toward the Blue Shield’s social responsibility goals in community benefit and impact and environmental sustainability and support the company’s values with becoming a Great Place to Work and Standing for What’s Right.

For more than two decades, Perry has worked in the field of education and youth development, with a particular focus on equity and quality for children and families in California. Starting out as an undergraduate teacher and executive director for CityStep, a youth arts organization, he has since held leadership roles in nonprofits, school districts, and philanthropy – all driven by the vision of opportunity, access, and quality education for all.

From 2015-2019, Perry was the Chief Strategy & Operating Officer for the Stuart Foundation and oversaw strategic planning, impact and learning, and operations. Prior to joining the foundation, Perry served as the Chief of Staff for several Superintendents of the Oakland Unified School District. From 2000-2005, Perry was the Executive Director of OASES, a community organization based in Oakland Chinatown serving Pre K-12 youth who have limited resources. During his tenure, Perry was awarded the Eureka Communities/LeaderSpring Fellowship for nonprofit executive leadership and later served on its board and chaired the alumni board (2005-2011).

Over the years, Perry has become recognized as a leader for education, youth services, and public/private partnerships. He is currently the chairperson of the Partnership for Children and Youth, and a board member of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and the Asian Law Caucus. He also has a background in law and social justice, and has served as a litigation attorney (Morrison & Foerster LLP), a policy advocate (Children Now), a political action chair (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance), and a law professor (New College School of Law).

For his leadership in the social sector, Perry has received the Wells Fargo Community Leadership Award, the Waitt Family Foundation Fellowship, the Hearst Foundation Fellowship, and the 21st Century Future Leaders Award (Alameda County). He graduated with honors from Harvard University and Harvard Law School.