About Us
Our Mission
The Early Wealth Partnership ensures that all children—and particularly those furthest from opportunity—benefit from California’s $2.2 billion investment in their early wealth-building accounts. We coordinate implementation of the California Early Wealth Accounts System Plan, aligning CalKIDS, HOPE Trust Accounts, and local Child Savings Account (CSA) programs to close equity gaps and deliver meaningful financial opportunity.
Our Role
The Partnership raises and strategically invests philanthropic resources to help children in under-resourced communities fully benefit from all of the early wealth-building accounts for which they are eligible. We fund local awareness activities using “trusted messengers” at scale, while improving program infrastructure through expert partnerships to ease family participation. The initiative tracks effectiveness through data and storytelling.
Leadership Team
Amanda Feinstein
Executive Director
Amanda leads the Early Wealth Partnership as its Director. Most recently, she was the Director of the California Child Savings Account Coalition and led the development of the California Early Wealth Accounts System Plan. Having held leadership roles in the public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, Amanda brings deep expertise in systems alignment, cross-sector collaboration, and implementation of wealth-building strategies that advance economic mobility for under-resourced children and families.
Susan Mernit
Development Director
Susan supports the Partnership as Development Director, with decades of experience advancing philanthropic investment strategies at the intersection of technology, social impact, and systems change. She played a key role in shaping the California Early Wealth Accounts System Plan’s communications framework and led the development of multiple national funder proposals.
David Sayas
Communications and Operations Manager
David supports the Partnership as Communications and Operations Manager, with over ten years of experience advancing strategic communications at the intersection of digital marketing, community engagement, and social equity. Having worked in the non-profit and private sectors, David brings deep expertise in strategic communications, multimedia production, and data-driven marketing and communication that help equity-focused organizations build trust with communities.
Advisory Committee
Cassandra DiBenedetto
Executive Director, Scholarshare Investment Board, Office of the California State Treasurer
Cassandra provides essential state leadership and deep implementation expertise as the leader of California’s largest early wealth-building program.
Rebecca Loya
Research Director, San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment; Chair, California Child Savings Account Coalition
Rebecca is an accomplished researcher in the asset-building field and brings deep practical experience from local CSA program implementation.
Shimica Gaskins
President & CEO, End Child Poverty California (GRACE); Member, HOPE Advisory Board
Shimica brings decades of advocacy and equity-centered strategy, ensuring the HOPE Trust Account rollout reflects community needs.
