Accomplished philanthropic and social justice leader brings more than two decades of experience championing equity, empowering communities, and driving lasting change.

The Board of Directors of the Y&H Soda Foundation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Doua Thor as the Foundation’s new President. Doua brings more than two decades of transformative leadership experience spanning philanthropy, nonprofit advocacy, and federal government, with a longstanding commitment to advancing racial and economic justice and amplifying the voice and power of immigrant and historically marginalized communities. 

“The Board enthusiastically welcomes Doua Thor to lead the Y&H Soda Foundation into its next chapter,” said Diana Bermudez, Board Chair of the Y&H Soda Foundation. “Her expertise in philanthropy and public policy, collaborative leadership, and bold vision for advancing equity make her an exceptional choice. We are excited to build on our legacy and deepen our impact under her leadership.” 

Doua’s prior roles include advising on strategy and capacity building at two consulting firms: GAEL Collective and Everyday Impact Consulting where she partnered with foundations, nonprofits, and public sector organizations. At Sobrato Philanthropies, she served as the Vice President of Strategy and Influence and oversaw grantmaking across portfolios including racial equity, education, and climate during a time of significant organizational growth and strategic evolution. She previously served as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the Obama administration and as Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), a national immigrant and refugee rights organization. Through these roles, she has built a distinguished track record of uniting community organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic institutions to advance equitable policies and strengthen community leadership.

Doua joins the Foundation at an important moment in its history, bringing both a personal commitment to social justice and a vision for building on its legacy.  Established in 1964, the Foundation has long invested in community organizations working to expand opportunity and improve the lives of low-income individuals and families in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. 

“I’m truly honored to join the Y&H Soda Foundation and build on its long history of supporting communities across the East Bay,” said Doua. “I believe lasting change starts with listening to the people and organizations doing this important work every day. I look forward to building relationships and working together to create more opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.”

As a Hmong refugee, Doua brings a deep personal understanding of the resilience, strengths, and contributions of immigrant communities, and a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. Her leadership is grounded in empathy, humility, inclusion, and a belief that philanthropy can make a meaningful difference by investing in community leaders and giving those most affected by challenges the resources and support to shape solutions.  

Doua currently serves as Board Chair of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and as a Board member of the New Breath Foundation. Through these and other roles, she helps shape how philanthropy invests in and partners with historically underserved communities nationwide.

The Board looks forward to working with Doua as the Foundation deepens its partnerships and pursues new ways to build a more just and equitable region.

Our Approach:

We recognize the need to be responsive to these unprecedented times and to be an ally to our communities calling for social change. Our grantmaking strategies and priorities are guided by our values and informed by the close, trusted partnerships we have built in the Alameda and Contra Costa communities. Our strategies are designed to address rising income and wealth inequality and improve the lives of immigrant communities. 

The global pandemic and movements for racial justice pushed us to center equity in our work. This means prioritizing efforts that identify and address systemic and structural barriers harming immigrants and people of color in the East Bay. We strive to ensure that our grantmaking offers meaningful resources to East Bay organizations committed to these issues.  

We employ two complementary funding strategies: