Sal Islam was a longtime Board Member of TSF and current staff lead at The Somerville Foundation (TSF), where he brings over 16 years of service to the Somerville community. Having first engaged in local initiatives as a teenager, Sal has cultivated deep community ties and a broad public sector background spanning municipal, state, and federal roles. He has played a central role in shaping TSF’s transition from an education-focused foundation to a community foundation rooted in equity and local empowerment. As TSF’s first Executive Director, Sal leads the organization’s strategic growth, supports infrastructure development, and ensures TSF remains a central force in Somerville’s nonprofit ecosystem.

Raf was The Somerville Foundation’s first full-time staff member, initially serving as General Manager, where he built the foundational infrastructure and network that helped elevate TSF’s visibility and operational capacity. With a diverse background in firefighting, youth leadership, and environmental science, he brings a blend of discipline and front-line experience to the organization. Now, as TSF’s Director of Partnerships, Raf serves as the primary liaison between the Foundation and its fiscally sponsored partners, including Books of Hope and Creative by Nature. He also supports day-to-day operations such as payroll and internal systems, helping ensure TSF’s continued growth and responsiveness to community needs.