Born into a prominent San Francisco family, Madeleine Haas Russell (1915-1999) was orphaned at the age of 12 and raised by her aunt and uncle. The early loss of her parents left both Madeleine and her brother, William Haas, a substantial inheritance. Rather than retreating to the comforts of their upbringing, the siblings viewed their fortune as a means to serve others, in keeping with their family’s longstanding tradition of civic engagement and commitment to community.

A shared sense of purpose culminated in 1940 with the founding of Columbia Foundation – one of California’s earliest philanthropic institutions. At a time when family foundations were rare, with only two established in the West Coast prior, Madeleine and William made a deliberate decision to pioneer an organization that charted a new course for philanthropy. The foundation initially supported a wide-range of causes, from scientific research to civil liberties. After William passed away in 1943, Madeleine shifted focus to the intersection of philanthropy and public life, channeling the foundation’s resources towards progressive political causes including nuclear disarmament, educational access and civil rights.

Madeleine’s commitment to community engagement extended well beyond her work with the foundation. In recognition of her civic dedication, she was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to lead the State Department Reception Center in San Francisco, overseeing invited guests during their official visits to the United States – a role she held for seven years. To her, civic engagement was not separate from charitable work. Rather, it was a natural extension of it – another avenue of shaping a more just and inclusive society.

Since Madeleine’s passing in 1999, her legacy has continued to resonate across the cultural, political and civic landscapes she helped shape. Although Columbia Foundation closed in 2013, its more than seven decades of endless support to the world has maintained a lasting impact. Today, she is remembered not only for her pioneering role in progressive philanthropy but also for the intention she brought to every part of her life.