Staff
Bess Bendet
Director, Blue Shield Against Violence
bess.bendet@blueshieldcafoundation.org
Bess Bendet joins Blue Shield of California Foundation as Director of Blue Shield Against Violence, leading the Foundation's work to end domestic violence through strategic initiatives, grantmaking, and collaboration with leaders in the field.
With almost 20 years of nonprofit and foundation experience, Ms. Bendet brings to the Foundation a deep commitment to gender equality, as well as years of experience designing and leading effective grantmaking and program strategies.
Ms. Bendet previously served as the founding executive director of Three Guineas Fund, a public foundation focused on improving education and economic opportunity for women and girls. At Three Guineas Fund, Ms. Bendet designed and managed a strategic philanthropic program that reached girls and women across the United States and overseas. She also launched and led the Fund's operating projects, including the Young Women's Technology Cluster and the Nonprofit Incubator. With Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, Ms. Bendet designed and managed gender equality programs, and worked directly with hundreds of girls and teachers in schools and community-based settings across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Prior to joining Blue Shield of California Foundation, Bess led a year-long organizational development and strategic planning process for Tides Network, a family of national social justice organizations based in San Francisco.
Ms. Bendet earned a Masters in Education from Stanford University School of Education, an MS in Management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a BA in Anthropology from Brown University. She brings to the Foundation a passion for social justice and a commitment to nonprofit excellence.
