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Satonya Fair, JD

Satonya's headshot in a black blouse with silver jewelry.

Principal Strategist & CEO

Satonya (she/her) has extensive knowledge in nonprofits and philanthropic ecosystems, leadership development, governance, compliance, risk management, change management, racial equity and inclusion, grants management and operations, community engagement, partnership development, fiscal and investment management. Courage, creativity, and a collaborative spirit are core to how she navigates every task. 

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Satonya works to ensure philanthropic institutions collaborate equally with nonprofit leaders, combining their expertise for greater impact and progress toward shared goals.  

​"In my professional life, I always prioritize transparency, even when it’s challenging. I don’t align myself with partisan ideologies; instead, I focus on ethical leadership. While some may label people like me as 'woke,' I believe in being conscious of social issues and acting with compassion. For me, caring for the wellbeing of others is a minimum requirement for those of us working in the social sector."

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Through The We Collective, Satonya hopes to bring her experience alongside other experts - working collectively - to help visionary organizations and leaders build possibilities and potential into something that matters.

Visionary. Strategist. Philanthropy Enthusiast.

Career Highlights

PEAK Grantmaking

Grew organizational revenue from $2.5M to $6M and membership from 280 to 600 organizations. Secured a $3M MacKenzie Scott investment — the organization’s largest-ever single-donor commitment — citing Satonya’s leadership and forward vision. Expanded volunteer engagement by 110% in three years and positioned PEAK as a sector-wide policy collaborator, innovator, and thought leader.

 

The Executive Leadership Council

Built philanthropic strategy centered on Black executive development, HBCU investment, and nonprofit capacity building. Led the CEO GameChangers Conference, a national convening focused on closing the C-Suite representation gap for Black executives.

 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Directed a five-person grants team managing more than $100MM annually and 1,000 grant and consultant contracts. Architected a custom enterprise grants management system and online grantmaking portal that reduced grant approval timelines from six months to under 30 days — revolutionizing the foundation’s responsiveness to the nonprofit community.

 

CitiFinancial & Citi Global Community Development

Managed $15MM in annual grants to 400+ nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada. Built a train-the-trainer financial literacy model that reached more than 10,000 people annually across 48 states and Canada. Served as key personnel for Community Reinvestment Act audits and regulatory compliance.

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My Philosophy

On People Over Projects

The most durable organizations are not built on strategic plans. They are built on people who feel seen, supported, and structurally empowered to do their best work. Every engagement at The We Collective begins there.

On Power and Philanthropy

The gap between funder power and nonprofit labor is not incidental — it is systemic. Closing it requires more than good intentions. It requires honest practice, values alignment, and the willingness to do uncomfortable, necessary work.

On Ecosystem Fluency

Most consultants advise one side of the philanthropic relationship. The We Collective has inhabited both. That dual perspective — inside foundations managing $100MM in annual grantmaking, inside membership organizations advocating for operations staff, inside nonprofit C-Suites navigating funder power dynamics — is not incidental to this work. It is the work. Understanding what funders are actually thinking, what nonprofits are actually experiencing, and where those realities diverge is the precondition for honest, effective advising.

Credentials & Affiliations

Education

  • JD, University of Cincinnati College of Law

  • BA, Political Science & Psychology, Miami University (Ohio)

 

Certifications

  • FutureGood Studio

  • Racial Healing Certification (Community Philanthropy Fellowship), University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

  • PROSCI® Change Management

  • Council on Foundations Career Pathways Executive Leadership

  • Court Appointed Special Advocate

 

Current & Recent Board Service

  • Treasurer & Finance Chair, The Communications Network (2024–Present)

  • Advisory Board, Bowie State University Philanthropy Initiative (2024–Present) 

  • Senior Advisor, Maryland Institute College of Art — Photography + Media & Society MFA Program (2023–Present)

  • Board Co-Chair, PEAK Grantmaking (2016–2020)

  • Board Member, Maryland Philanthropy Network (2017–2021)

  • Board of Directors, Technology Association of Grantmakers (2018–2020)

  • Bridges Baltimore, Volunteer and Program Advisor (2010–2023)

working collectively matters

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