Catalina Ruiz-Healy, Principal, helps individuals and families turn their philanthropic interests into a clear direction and meaningful action. She meets clients where they are, whether they are beginning to explore giving, refining an established approach, or ready to put a new idea into motion. With 30 years of experience advising philanthropists, leading a family foundation, and building a nonprofit of her own, she brings informed judgment, creative thinking, and a practical understanding of what it takes to put funding to work. Clients work directly with Catalina from strategy to grants, finding joy along the way in discovering possibilities, building meaningful relationships, and seeing their values take shape.
She brings deep expertise in democracy, education, arts, technology, land conservation, and health. Curious about both what clients hope to change and how change happens, she helps them assess opportunities and decide where their support can make a difference. She also advises select nonprofits on strategy, positioning, and funder engagement, keeping her connected to the realities of leading organizations and the decisions funders face.
Previously, as Vice President at Hirsch Philanthropy Partners, now Third Plateau, Catalina advised families stewarding more than $300 million in philanthropic assets, where she partnered with clients to shape giving after liquidity events, renew the focus of established portfolios, and prepare rising-generation trustees to participate with confidence. As founder and CEO of GradGuru, she built an education technology nonprofit serving community college students, grew it to 40 institutional customers across California, and guided its acquisition. That experience informs how she assesses leadership, recognizes promising ideas, and considers the resources an organization needs to succeed.
A Certified 21/64 Advisor, Catalina brings warmth, attentive listening, and clear direction to family conversations about values, responsibility, and legacy. She helps generations understand one another, work through differences, and make decisions together. Working closely with families and their trusted advisors, she pairs candid counsel and discretion with hands-on support.
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