Michael Burke is Vice President of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, an Omaha-based foundation that invests in the first five years of learning, where public education is most underfunded. Michael has more than 30 years of experience in politics, public relations and philanthropy. His work at the Buffett foundation focuses on building the coast-to-coast network of high-performing Educare schools while also providing guidance on efforts to improve state and federal policies affecting young children and their families. Before joining the foundation in 2007, Michael supervised public affairs and communications for several children’s organizations, including: Ounce of Prevention Fund, Voices for Illinois Children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also managed media relations for two political campaigns in rural Illinois.

As SVCF's Director of Early Childhood Development, Christine Thorsteinson works to ensure that all young children in Silicon Valley have access to the care, education and resources they need to grow and flourish. Recognizing the critical importance of the first years of a child’s life, and the subsequent impact on future success, Christine strives to support local, state and federal efforts to dismantle the systemic barriers that stack the deck against our youngest and most vulnerable. Christine joined SVCF in 2016 and her earlier work included efforts to bridge the gaps between preschool and TK – 12 education systems and develop early learning leadership competencies. Christine graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English and Psychology and a Bachelor’s of Education, with a specialization in secondary English and Mathematics. As a passionate believer in the value of high-quality public education, her previous work experience includes serving as the early learning program consultant for Pacifica School District, executive director of Pacifica School Volunteers and president of the Burlingame Community for Education foundation.

Jeff Sunshine joined the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in 2007, where he serves as the Program Officer and Manager of the early learning, after-school and summer enrichment grantmaking portfolios in the Children, Families, and Communities Program. Prior to joining the Packard Foundation, Jeff was the director of programs at The Silicon Valley Community Foundation overseeing its domestic and global grantmaking activities and initiatives. He also served as the executive director of the Volunteer Center of Alameda County and as director of volunteer programs for the Archdiocese of the City and County of San Francisco. Jeff is trained as a special education teacher and as a mental health clinician. He practiced as a family therapist for 15 years both in Boston and in the Bay Area.