Sofia has been involved in philanthropy since 2006 when she joined the staff of Social Venture Partners Seattle and developed programs for partner engagement and learning. In her current day job, Sofia is managing director at Phīla Engaged Giving, an award-winning, values-driven philanthropic advisory firm that works exclusively with donors interested in leaving a philanthropic legacy and achieving equitable social impact. As the former lead strategist and deputy director overseeing the Giving Pledge for nearly 10 years, she has helped more than 200 of the world’s most generous individuals and families navigate the global giving landscape.
Sofia is also an avid writer who creates thought-provoking pieces about current trends in giving, best practices, and novel donor collaborations. Sofia is increasingly convinced that we are at a significant inflection point for the field of philanthropy, and that donors are being called to develop greater trust and mutually beneficial relationships with changemakers and communities, and transform themselves along the way.
Before moving into the social sector, Sofia practiced corporate law. She has a J.D. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from Stanford. She and her husband John Ciochon, who is an educator with a Masters in Teaching from Antioch, have been Seattle partners since 2013. Sofia previously served as the board chair of Social Venture Partners International and has visited at least 16 SVP affiliate cities and made lifelong friendships in this global community.
Sofia, John, and their son Harben Alex are a little obsessed with costumes and scavenger hunts. You can find Sofia year-round every Friday morning cold water plunging in the Puget Sound (or wherever she is traveling).