Ginny Fang’s Leadership Shapes Future of San Francisco Education

Ginny Fang has taken the helm of Spark SF Schools during a challenging period for the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). As president of the nonprofit arm of SFUSD, Fang is navigating significant budget deficits and funding cuts impacting education. She is approaching the end of her second year in this role, a tenure marked by fiscal challenges and a renewed focus on educational equity.

Fang attributes her resilience to her family, particularly her late grandmother, Tse-Hsia Lei Wang. Wang fled China during the communist revolution and became an educational leader in Taiwan. Fang draws inspiration from her grandmother’s experiences, saying, “I think about her stories of escaping the Japanese bombing. I think about what it means to rebuild a country, like she helped do in Taiwan.”

In 2025, Spark SF Schools will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Since its founding in 2015, the organization has raised over $140 million in private donations to support critical programs for San Francisco public schools. Under Fang’s leadership, Spark has initiated programs aimed at improving math and literacy rates, addressing chronic absenteeism, and enhancing mental health services for students.

SFUSD Superintendent Maria Su commended Fang’s contributions, stating, “Under her tenure, Spark has strengthened community investment and elevated visibility for the district’s high-priority initiatives, fueling lasting improvements across San Francisco’s public education system.”

Fang emphasizes the potential for further success, particularly as the district faces an uncertain fiscal future. She believes that the achievements of the past decade are only a precursor to what is possible. “It’s more about what that showed us we can do in the next 10 years,” Fang remarked.

The organization’s largest donor, Salesforce, contributes approximately $5 million annually. Fang sees this partnership as a model for future collaborations that could bolster funding for educational initiatives. Her positive outlook is infectious, with colleagues noting her unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

Rebecca Kroll, Chief Operating Officer at the San Francisco Ed Fund, highlighted Fang’s ability to inspire. “If something is hard in front of her, she thinks creatively about how to tackle it. She’s got this incredible can-do attitude,” Kroll said.

Fang’s journey into education began after a career shift. Initially pursuing medicine, she graduated from Dartmouth College but realized her passion lay elsewhere. “Being an immigrant to the country and listening to stories of my grandmother, you have to pursue what is uniquely yours,” she explained.

Her previous roles, including her leadership in ChinaSF and Golden Gate Global, promoted economic ties between San Francisco and various international entities. When she joined Spark at the beginning of 2024, she stepped into a tumultuous time for SFUSD, marked by the resignation of Superintendent Matt Wayne and widespread federal cuts to education funding.

“It’s such a hard time,” Kroll acknowledged, recognizing the strain on students, teachers, and families. The recent budget cuts have made it increasingly difficult for nonprofits and schools to maintain resources.

Despite these challenges, Fang remains committed to fostering an educated populace, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in education. “That’s what our democracy rests on,” she stated.

Wang’s legacy of resilience and community service continues to influence Fang’s approach. After immigrating to the U.S. with her husband, Wang remained active until her passing in 2023 at the age of 100. Fang credits her grandmother for instilling the belief that one must seize opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

As Fang leads Spark SF Schools into its next decade, her vision for the future aligns with her grandmother’s enduring spirit. “The fight for personal freedoms, equity, and justice is ongoing,” she says. “When things are peaceful, when things are more challenging, it’s something that we all have to engage in.”

Fang’s leadership at Spark SF Schools exemplifies the power of determination and community commitment in shaping the future of education in San Francisco.