Carla Javits - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact InvestingFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

Carla Javits was REDF president and CEO from 2007 – 2021.

Inspired by the leadership of REDF’s founder, George R. Roberts, Carla focused on achieving measurable results.

Under Carla’s leadership, REDF expanded nationally, and was awarded two federal Social Innovation Fund grants by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and helped to create CA RISE, the first state initiative in the US to deploy capital to employment social enterprises. Carla was appointed in 2018 by the Governor to California’s Future of Work Commission, which brought together leaders in technology, labor, business, education, and venture capital to develop a new social compact for California workers focused on economic equity.

Before joining REDF, Carla was President and CEO of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national intermediary providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to build the field of permanent supportive housing. She was a Program Analyst with the California Office of the Legislative Analyst and Director of Policy and Planning for the San Francisco Department of Social Services.

Prior to that, she worked in two social enterprise bookstores, and in hospitality.

Carla holds a BA and Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and an AA in Hotel and Restaurant Management from San Francisco City College. She serves on the board of directors of KQED, and Third Sector Capital Partners, co-chairs the Regional Impact Council of All Home – a Bay Area initiative to address homelessness, and serves as President of the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation.