Bess Bendet

Bess Bendet serves as director of Blue Shield Against Violence at Blue Shield of California Foundation. She leads the Foundation's work to end domestic violence through strategic initiatives, grantmaking, and collaboration with leaders in the field. This includes the Foundation’s Strong Field Project, a four-year effort launched in 2010 aimed at building a strong, coordinated network of domestic violence service providers in California.

With 20 years of nonprofit and foundation experience, Ms. Bendet brings to Blue Shield of California Foundation expertise in designing and leading innovative programs and organizations. Ms. Bendet previously served as the founding executive director of Three Guineas Fund, a public foundation investing in education and economic opportunity for women and girls. Prior to this, she managed teacher education programs at the Exploratorium, led gender equality programs at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, and led organizational development and strategic planning for Tides, a national social justice organization based in San Francisco.  

Ms. Bendet earned a master’s in education from Stanford University School of Education, a master’s of science in management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a bachelor of arts degree in Anthropology from Brown University. She brings to the Foundation a passion for social justice and a commitment to nonprofit excellence.