Gwen Foster ‘67
Distinguished Achievement Award

Gwen Foster built a formidable career on the educational foundation she received at Mills, and she has never forgotten this. Much of her success has stemmed from her calm and patient attitude and her caring dedication to holistic health and well-being. She has worked collaboratively and shared her expertise with individuals, communities, agencies, and policymakers, positively influencing thousands of individuals and community members. Since graduating from Mills College in 1967 with a major in Psychology, and going on to earn a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from UCLA in 1971, Gwen has had a full career in social work, education, philanthropy, and a consulting practice with nonprofits.

Gwen has served the Mills community as an active alumna, including volunteer leadership positions from 1993-1995 and then as an AAMC Governor from 2019-2022, a Co-Chair of the Alumnae of Color Committee (AOCC), and current Co-Chair of the Travel Program. She has served on almost all Reunion Committees for her class. She has been an ongoing Mills donor and has encouraged others to do the same.

Gwen began her career as a clinical social worker and administrator in children’s mental health programs in the Bay Area. She pivoted from social work into academia as a field work consultant and lecturer at the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare. She taught courses and developed internships for graduate students in public and nonprofit mental health settings. Next Gwen served as a grant maker at Zellerbach Family Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and The California Endowment, working with community residents, agency leaders, advocates, and policymakers throughout California.

After leaving the field of philanthropy in 2009, Gwen served as the founding Director of Mental Health Programs at the California Social Work Education Center, UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, until 2015 when she retired. In this role, she administered a statewide stipend program to prepare a diverse and culturally responsive workforce for public and nonprofit behavioral health settings.

Gwen has a long history as a volunteer Board member with local and national organizations, in addition to AAMC. She currently serves on the Seneca Family of Agencies Board of Directors. She is the past Treasurer and current Membership Secretary of the Bay Area Association of Black Social Workers. Gwen is a co-founder of Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy and served on many committees of Northern California Grantmakers. 

The AAMC Distinguished Achievement award recognizes Mills alumnae who have served with distinction in their professional lives locally, nationally, and/or internationally, with notable community contributions and recognition. With her many distinguished achievements over a lifetime of effort, in securing, educating, and nurturing social workers to serve their communities, generating philanthropic resources for worthy causes, and in years of dedicated volunteerism, we recognize Gwen Foster for all she has accomplished.