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Margaret Brodkin is one of the nation’s most respected children’s advocates. She served as Executive Director of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth in San Francisco for 26 years, where she helped pass and reauthorize the San Francisco Children’s Fund, securing millions of dollars for youth and family services. In 2004, she was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to lead the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, where she pioneered innovative models for coordination, service delivery, and civic engagement.

In 2013, Margaret founded Funding the Next Generation to promote local, sustainable funding streams for children and youth in cities and counties across California. Under her leadership, the initiative has engaged hundreds of advocates in 41 cities and counties and developed essential tools, presentations, and manuals—including the first how-to guide for creating local children’s funds.

Margaret holds degrees from Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University, is a licensed clinical social worker, and currently serves as President of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Commission.