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José A. Quiñonez: Visionary Leader and Advocate for Economic Justice

José A. Quiñonez is a trailblazing leader and the founder and CEO of Mission Asset Fund (MAF), an award-winning nonprofit organization established in 2007 to create pathways to prosperity for low-income communities. Under his visionary leadership, MAF has pioneered innovative financial models that empower individuals and families to transition from the financial shadows into the financial mainstream. His unwavering commitment to economic justice has earned national recognition, including being named a MacArthur Genius in 2016—a testament to his innovative approach to fostering financial inclusion and equity.

In 2014, José championed legislation that positioned California as the first state to regulate and recognize credit-building loans as a powerful tool for financial empowerment. This landmark achievement reflects his deep commitment to systemic change and his belief in the transformative power of financial inclusion.

Beyond his work at MAF, José also serves as an advisor to major financial institutions, including Capital One, Experian, and U.S. Bank, bringing his expertise to consumer finance and financial inclusion. In addition to his advisory roles, José is a member of the Community Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Board and the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Sobrato Family Foundation and co-chairs the transition team for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. From 2012 to 2014, he served as the inaugural chair of the Consumer Advisory Board for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where he helped shape policies to protect and empower consumers.

José earned an MPA from Princeton University and a BA from the University of California, Davis. His distinguished career is further enriched by his dedication to governance and leadership across numerous boards and advisory councils.

When not at MAF, you can find José enjoying time with his family—his wife, Jenn, their children, Amelia and Giles, and their newest addition, a rescue pup (from Egypt!) named Llama.

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Leadership and Board Service

José’s influence extends across multiple sectors, where he plays a critical role in shaping policy and fostering community impact. His current and past board and advisory roles include:

Current Roles:

  • Co-Chair, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Transition Team (2024–Present)

  • Member, Community Advisory Council, Federal Reserve Board (2024–Present)

  • Member, Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, U.S. Department of the Treasury (2022–2024)

  • Member, Board of Trustees, Sobrato Family Foundation (2021–Present)

  • Member, Board of Directors, KQED (2020–Present)

  • Member, Advisory Council, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (2019–Present)

  • Member, Leadership Award Selection Committee, The James Irvine Foundation (2019–Present)

  • Member, Advisory Council, U.S. Bank (2017–Present)

  • Member, Advisory Council, Capital One (2016–Present)

  • Member, Advisory Council, Experian (2013–Present)

Previous Roles:

  • Member, Board of Trustees, St. Paul’s Episcopal School of Oakland (2020–2023)

  • Member, Board of Directors, Mission of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (2019–2022)

  • Chair, Advisory Council, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (2017–2021)

  • Inaugural Chair, Consumer Advisory Board, CFPB (2012–2015)

  • Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Credit Builders Alliance (2010–2016)

  • Member, Board of Directors, Opportunity Fund (2010)

Honors and Recognitions

José’s contributions have garnered numerous accolades, celebrating his innovation, leadership, and impact on economic justice. These recognitions reflect his unparalleled dedication to social equity and his ability to drive meaningful change.

  • Honorary Doctorate of Letter, University of San Francisco (2024)
  • Most Admired CEO, San Francisco Business Times (2020)
  • MacArthur Fellow, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (2016)
  • Edward P. Bullard Distinguished Alumnus Award, Princeton University (2016)
  • Irvine Leadership Award, James Irvine Foundation (2013)
  • Aspen Institute Fellow, Emerging Nonprofit Leaders (2012)
  • Ashoka Fellow, Ashoka (2012)

Educational Background

  • Master in Public Affairs (MPA), Princeton University, Development Studies (1998)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of California, Davis, Chicano Studies (1994)
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