Perry Chen is a consultant and serves as the Board President and Senior Advisor at the Partnership for Children and Youth, an advocacy and capacity-building organization that champions high-quality learning opportunities for underserved youth in California, with an emphasis on after school, summer learning, children and families in public housing, socialemotional learning, and community schools. For more than two decades, Perry has worked in the field of education and youth development, with a particular focus on equity and quality for children and families in California. Starting out as an undergraduate teacher and executive director for CityStep, a youth arts organization, he has since held leadership roles in nonprofits, school districts, and philanthropy – all driven by the vision of opportunity, access, and quality education for all. Over the years, Perry has been recognized as a leader for education, youth services, and public/private partnerships.
From 2015-2019, Perry was the Chief Strategy & Operating Officer for the Stuart Foundation and oversaw strategic planning, impact and learning, and operations. Prior to joining the foundation, Perry served as the Chief of Staff for several Superintendents of the Oakland Unified School District. From 2000-2005, Perry was the Executive Director of OASES, a community organization based in Oakland Chinatown serving Pre K-12 youth who have limited resources. During his tenure, Perry was awarded the Eureka Communities/LeaderSpring Fellowship for nonprofit executive leadership and later served on itsboard and chaired the alumni board (2005-2011).
Perry is a board member of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP). He has a background in law and social justice, and has served as a litigation attorney (Morrison & Foerster LLP), a policy advocate (Children Now), a political action chair (Gay Asian Pacific Alliance), and a law professor (New College School of Law). For his leadership in the social sector, Perry received the Wells Fargo Community Leadership Award, the Waitt Family Foundation Fellowship, the Hearst Foundation Fellowship, and the 21st Century Future Leaders Award (Alameda County).
Perry graduated with honors from Harvard University and Harvard Law School.