Edna Yohannes, MBA.

Edna Yohannes is a mission-driven executive leader with over 15 years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising, and strategic partnerships across healthcare, academia, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. As Executive Director of Development at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, she leads efforts to advance institutional priorities through transformational giving and donor engagement. Edna has raised more than $77 million in philanthropic support and played a key role in a comprehensive campaign that generated over $300 million. She has developed and secured thousands of successful proposals, including numerous six- and seven-figure gifts. Her expertise lies in pattern recognition, partnership development, and building sustainable donor pipelines that ensure consistent and long-term funding growth. Her experience spans partnerships with individuals, foundations, and corporations, and she has served in C-suite and board leadership roles across both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, bringing a cross-sector perspective to growth, strategy, and impact. She is the founder of Global Bridges, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing social mobility and financial resilience, and the founder of GlobalPods, a platform focused on expanding access to knowledge, funding, resources, and community-driven growth. Deeply committed to the power of philanthropy, Edna believes that funding is the engine that brings visions to life. She is passionate about leveraging resources to uplift communities, expand opportunities, and translate bold ideas into measurable impact. Edna holds an MBA from Biola University and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.