“All I’ve ever done has focused on children, youth and families and the belief that all children can thrive,” says Jake Leos-Urbel.
The son of a teacher and a social worker, Leos-Urbel has approached equitable outcomes for children from a variety of angles, including by serving in the Peace Corps in Namibia and teaching and researching child and youth policy in university-based settings. Now, as the senior director of learning and evaluation for Oakland Thrives — a collective-impact strategy designed to improve the health and well-being of Oakland’s children, families and communities — he supports partners in collecting and using data to inform and strengthen their work.
“As a backbone organization [for collective work], we have a lot of influence, but not a lot of authority,” says Leos-Urbel. “We work to meet the goals the community already has.”
One of the project’s biggest initiatives is Rise East, a cradle-to-career effort supporting young people throughout every stage of life, from early childhood through adulthood, in a 40-by-40-block area of East Oakland, spurred by a $50 million national philanthropic investment and $50 million in local funds. The effort is steered by four Black-led community organizations in East Oakland, and Leos-Urbel guides learning and evaluation.
The Fellowship is helping him lead with intention and awareness. “I’m focused on collaborative leadership that values the experiences of a lot of people,” he says. “I want to show up authentically. I’m already getting helpful feedback in the Fellowship about how to do just that.”
Explore the full class of 2025–27 Children and Family Fellows