Raphael House is excited to announce a new board chair: Tom Poser, Senior Managing Director at Newmark

Tom is a Bay Area native and has been a dedicated community builder and fundraiser.

As a board member for the past five years, Tom has shown great leadership. Most recently, Tom spearheaded the formation of Raphael House’s Executive Leadership Council, a growing network of Bay Area professionals and philanthropists who serve as advocates and ambassadors for families experiencing homelessness, helping to grow the reach of our programs through their professional experience and connections.

Tom was drawn to Raphael House while looking for an opportunity to help address the homeless crisis in San Francisco and also provide support to local families and children. “As a father, it’s painful to see kids struggling and suffering. And it makes me want to help in any way I can.” A friend introduced him to a Raphael House board member, and then it all fell into place very naturally. “Raphael House is a great place to make a difference in a meaningful way.”

Tom is especially moved by Raphael House’s dedicated staff and consistently high success rate. “I am a team-oriented person, and what we have right now is a strong group of people working well together, and our efforts are highlighted by our 95% success rate, which is so impressive in the non-profit space.”

Tom is a natural coach and leader. Prior to his real estate career, he was a professional basketball player, and played at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Tom currently lives with his wife and their three children in Marin County, where he also volunteers as the co-director and coach for a youth basketball league.

The most meaningful part of our mission for Tom is that we offer families and children an opportunity to make real, lasting change well into their futures, and it’s generational: their children’s children will have better lives because of the work that is being done at Raphael House.

As board chair, Tom’s main goal is to help introduce more community members to Raphael House. “More of our community needs to know what an amazing place Raphael House is and the difference they make in the lives of San Francisco families.”