We are so glad to share that Brion Oaks has joined our Board of Directors. Brion’s career has taken him through city government, health systems, and now philanthropy, and everywhere he’s gone, he’s carried the same conviction: equity isn’t a statement on a website, it’s a practice. We sat down with Brion to talk about that practice, what drew him to TNP, and what’s keeping him grounded these days. Here’s what he shared:
You’ve built your career making equity real throughout your career. What does it actually take to move equity from a value people talk about to something that changes how an organization works?
For me, equity isn’t a program or a statement on a website — it’s how decisions get made every day. It shows up in who has a voice, who holds power, where resources flow, and who benefits from those decisions. I’ve learned that organizations don’t become more equitable simply because they have good intentions. It takes leaders who are willing to examine their own systems, listen to the people most impacted, and sometimes make uncomfortable changes. The organizations that make the greatest progress are the ones that treat equity as a way of operating, not an initiative with an end date. When equity becomes embedded in hiring, governance, budgeting, partnerships, and accountability, it becomes part of an organization’s culture, not just its messaging.
Austin’s history shapes who gets access and who doesn’t. How does that inform your work here, and what drew you to TNP?
Austin is a city full of innovation, creativity, and opportunity, but it’s also a city with a long history of policies and decisions that have shaped who has access to opportunity, who has been left out, and who had to bear the burden. You can’t build a more equitable future without understanding that history and recognizing how it still influences our communities today.
Throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by helping institutions acknowledge that history while working alongside communities to create something better. What drew me to TNP is its belief that philanthropy is about more than serving on a board or writing checks. It’s about investing in people, building leadership, and opening doors for those who have historically been excluded from positions of influence. That vision aligns deeply with my own belief that lasting change happens when communities step into their power to help shape the decisions that affect them.
What are you most excited to help The New Philanthropists build in the years ahead?
What excites me most about TNP is that it reflects a value I’ve carried throughout my career: the people closest to the problem are often the ones with the best solutions. Over many years in Austin, I’ve seen so many talented and well-intentioned people step up to serve on nonprofit boards because they genuinely want to make a difference. At the same time, I’ve also seen how boards can miss important perspectives when the people with lived experience or those most directly impacted by an issue aren’t represented around the table.
That’s what makes TNP so exciting to me. The organization recognizes that representation matters, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it leads to better decisions, stronger organizations, and greater impact. By helping nonprofits build more inclusive boards and connecting talented leaders with opportunities to serve, TNP is changing how organizations approach problem-solving and how they deliver services to our communities. I’m excited to help grow a movement that strengthens nonprofit leadership and creates boardrooms that better reflect the diversity, experiences, and wisdom of the people they serve.
Tough equity work can be heavy. What keeps you grounded and makes you laugh at the end of a long day?
The people keep me grounded. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside community leaders, advocates, and friends who continue showing up for one another, even when progress feels slow. Their resilience reminds me why this work matters and gives me hope for what’s possible.
Outside of work, my family keeps me rooted. My kids have an incredible ability to remind me that no matter how many meetings I’ve had or problems I’ve helped solve, I’m still just Dad at the end of the day. Whether it’s taking my kiddos to soccer and swim practice or spending time giving them a beat down in Madden Football, those moments help me recharge and stay connected to what it’s all about.
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We’re honored to have Brion’s experience, honesty, and heart at our board table. His belief that the people closest to a problem hold the best solutions is exactly the spirit we try to build into every boardroom we touch. Welcome, Brion, we’re excited to make equity real alongside you.