Leading with Purpose: Gabrielle Hedlund Steps Into Board Chair Role

August 28, 2026

When Gabrielle Hedlund joined Golden State Opportunity’s board in 2025, she saw an opportunity to support a cause she believed in. She soon discovered something more; the closer she got to GSO’s purpose and the people who make it possible, the more determined she became to help lead it forward.

“The more I’ve gotten involved, the more committed I’ve become,” Hedlund said. “When I started on the board, I knew some about [GSO’s] work and felt it was important. But over time, I’ve really become more committed the more I’ve learned.”

A longtime educator, philanthropist, and advocate, Hedlund was first introduced to Golden State Opportunity through her friendship with President Amy Everitt. Her path to GSO was shaped in part by her years as an educator. After a career in marketing and journalism, Hedlund left the technology industry to become a teacher, combining her interests in communication and social justice. She taught English at Bay Area middle and high schools, where she saw firsthand how differently young people can experience opportunity depending on the circumstances surrounding them.

That experience gave her a particular perspective on the connection between financial security, opportunity, and the well-being of children and families. For Hedlund, supporting families economically is also about giving children a stronger foundation from which to learn, grow, and imagine their futures.

As she learned more about GSO, Hedlund saw a moment when her leadership could contribute more broadly.

“Having worked alongside this amazing group of people as a board member, I wanted to help shape what comes next for GSO,” she said. “We have an incredible opportunity to build on what’s already here and create a foundation for the organization’s future. I wanted to be part of that, and I am so excited to work closely with Amy and the team.”

Hedlund steps into the role at an important moment for Golden State Opportunity. The organization has already built a strong foundation through 11 years of work, helping 3.4 million California households access over a billion dollars in tax credits every year while advancing policies that make financial security more attainable.

“Gabrielle has a rare ability to see both the big picture and the people at the center of the work,” said Amy Everitt, President of Golden State Opportunity. “She understands why economic security matters to California families, she asks the right questions, and she leads with both generosity and intention. I can’t think of a better person to help guide GSO through this next phase and bring more people into the work.”

What inspired her most was seeing how financial security is shaped by so much more than income—from access to resources and opportunity to the systems and policies that determine whether families can build stable lives.

“We tend to think about helping people through medical care, housing or food because those needs are visible,” Hedlund said. “Helping people with taxes might sound mundane, but financial security is one of the underlying issues that affects everything else.”

As board chair, Hedlund hopes to help Golden State Opportunity turn that strong foundation into an even greater impact. Her priorities include expanding the diversity of voices around the board table, engaging leaders from across the state and inviting more people to invest their time and money in the organization’s future.

“We have an incredible opportunity to bring together people from different industries, professions, and communities who share a belief in what’s possible for working Californians and their families,” she said. “I’m excited to help steward this next phase of GSO’s work—strengthening our governance, championing our strategic direction, and building the partnerships and resources we need to deepen our impact across California.”

Her leadership style also extends beyond the boardroom. After attending a Tacos & Taxes event, Hedlund noticed that volunteers often arrived hours before the first appointment to set up and help families—sometimes going much of the day before they had a chance to sit down and eat the provided tacos. Since then, she’s made it a point to provide funds for snacks and refreshments for volunteers, making sure they have something easy and accessible to keep them going throughout the day.

“It didn’t seem like a complicated decision,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the little things that let people know they’re valued.”
The gesture was modest but it reflected something fundamental about her leadeship–she pays attention, finds the place where she can help, and acts.

Outside of her board service, Hedlund is preparing to launch a mobile bookstore with plans to create a nonprofit that distributes free books to middle school students, helping foster literacy and critical thinking.

Whether she’s helping children discover a love of reading or helping families achieve greater financial stability, Hedlund believes lasting change begins by reaching the people who need these resources. It’s about helping everyone access what they’ve earned and worked hard for already.

Golden State Opportunity has already demonstrated what is possible. As its new board chair, Hedlund is ready to help widen that impact—and bring more people into the work.

“This is an organization with a strong foundation, a clear purpose and tremendous potential,” she said. “I’m excited to help more people understand what’s possible—and invite them to be part of what comes next.”