OUR MISSION
OUR STORY
The Foundation was established in 2019 by Mark Wittcoff to honor the legacy of his father, Raymond Wittcoff, whose life reflected a deep commitment to civic leadership, volunteerism, and community service. In addition to his accomplishments in business, Raymond Wittcoff devoted decades to public service as a university trustee, medical center board chair, and community leader. He was also the volunteer co-founder and early leader of public television in the United States.
Mark Wittcoff, Chairman and CEO of Foresight Real Estate Investment Fund, has continued his father’s tradition of service through decades of leadership and philanthropy. Over the years, he has served on nine nonprofit boards and has helped raise substantial support for organizations and causes he believes in. The Foundation’s guiding principles of allowing recipient organizations to determine how funds are best used, avoiding naming recognition, and helping raise more than it gives, are a direct reflection of Raymond Wittcoff’s values. Mark has led charitable and civic efforts in his community for more than four decades and has received numerous honors for his service and leadership.
Nancy Christiano joined the Wittcoff Family Foundation as CEO and Managing Trustee in 2024. Her work is grounded in many years as a philanthropy advisor and volunteer, dedicated to connecting organizations and donors in ways that strengthen mission and expand impact. Raised in a military family, with a father who served as an Air Force officer and a mother who was a pharmacist, Nancy spent part of her childhood living abroad and continues to travel extensively. Her philanthropic work with organizations across four continents reflects the Foundation’s commitment to global citizenship, human dignity, and meaningful partnership.
We believe in the butterfly effect — that small, thoughtful actions can create far-reaching impact. By connecting donors and organizations in thoughtful and often unexpected ways, the Wittcoff Family Foundation seeks to create ripples of good that extend far beyond the moment of giving.
Mark Wittcoff is Chairman & CEO of Foresight Real Estate Investment Fund and brings more than 40 years of experience in investment real estate management, serving as a principal, asset manager, broker, and property manager of syndicated commercial property portfolios nationwide.
In addition to having founded the Wittcoff Family Foundation, he was nominated by President Biden to serve as U.S. Special Representative to the Council for Ukraine Reconstruction; is recipient of the World Children’s Transplant Fund’s Heart of Gold Award; a member of the Harvard Kennedy School Dean’s Leadership Circle; member of Foundations 20 (F20); and member of the Advisory Board of Global Tech Advocates.
Mark founded KW Commercial Landmark, a commercial property investment and brokerage firm affiliated with Keller Williams Beverly Hills. Previously, he served as Managing Director of Investor Relations for Standard Management Company, a real estate syndication firm founded by his mentor, Sam Freshman. Earlier in his career, he was Senior Portfolio Manager at Black Equities Group and began his professional journey with Tishman International Companies.
He holds the Certified Fund Manager (CFM) and Real Property Administrator (RPA) designations, earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed the Public Leadership Credential at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Nancy Christiano is a global philanthropy advisor who creates partnerships in social impact areas of human rights, empowerment of women, climate change, protection of wildlife, and global healthcare, all with an emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pacific West Ventures, a consulting firm that advises corporations, family foundations, and nonprofit organizations and connects them to resources, partners, and initiatives that advance the well-being of people, animals, and the planet we share.
Nancy serves as an appointed Advocate of Global Tech Advocates, Senior Advisor to Amini.ai, co-founder of AfyaRekod; a member of the Harvard Kennedy School Dean’s Leadership Circle; member of Foundations 20 (F20); and Associate Producer of Artists for Amazonia.
She previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Medicines for Humanity; an advisor to the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania; consultant to Population Media Center; advisor to Ecoflix; consultant to FINTECH.tv; consultant to CureDuchenne; and co-producer of TEDxLosAngeles.
Nancy is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Chapman University, where she was named Most Inspirational Student in the School of Communications.