Champions for Public Schools

Keaton Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant, education advocate, Spark donor, and Project, Release, and Production Support Manager at Dodge & Cox. For the past five years, he’s served on the California Masonic Foundation’s Public Education Advisory Council—guiding district-wide giving—and, as a dedicated monthly Spark supporter, he champions an education system built on inclusion and opportunity.

“Public schools are often the only places where all kids can belong and thrive.”

Keaton’s commitment is deeply personal. As a father of an SFUSD student with autism, he knows how vital it is that every child is welcome. His son began pre-K at Tule Elk and Rosa Parks, flourished at Sherman Elementary—where Keaton served three years on the PTA board and two as School Site Council chair—and now learns alongside peers in Marina Middle School’s inclusive classrooms. Supporting Spark’s district-level work means lifting every student’s chance to succeed, regardless of background or ability.

Read Keaton’s full Q&A to discover how he partners with SFUSD, what drives his generosity, and his vision for an equitable future where all San Francisco students can shine.

Q&A with Keaton Nguyen

1. Who is a teacher or educator at your pre-K–12 school who made a lasting impact on your life, and why?

“I grew up in Washington, and the teacher who made the biggest impact was Malcolm Williams. I had him for three years—he taught French and later English honors—and he was extremely intelligent. He made us think and introduced us to French culture, even bringing in foods out of his own pocket. After I graduated, he became the lead coordinator for the International Baccalaureate program at our high school—the first IB program in Washington.”

2. What is the most important thing public school education can provide?

“Of course, education itself. But more broadly, opportunity—in so many ways. For low-income students or refugees and immigrants (I came here from Vietnam at age five), public school is where you learn to read, write English, and gain life skills. Great teachers push you, and extracurriculars—like my high school wrestling—stretch your interests and build character.”

3. What’s one thing you want today’s public school students to know?

“Get good grades—especially in your first year—because your cumulative GPA is hard to climb if you start low. But it’s not just about grades: explore extracurriculars to show you’re a well-rounded leader. Colleges and programs value initiative—fun fact: many schools list all their seniors as ‘captains’ so they look great on applications.”

4. What role do public schools play in shaping San Francisco?

“They create an intelligent, inquisitive, enlightened population. Students who challenge the status quo—who question ‘Why do we do it this way?’—become the community, business, and political leaders who identify inefficiencies (‘friction points’) and find better, smoother solutions for everyone.”

5. What is your personal connection to Spark and the SFUSD system?

“I’ve been a recurring donor, but my deeper involvement began through the Masons. The California Masonic Foundation’s Public Education Advisory Council invited me to events with Spark leaders like Dr. Vince Matthews, and I’ve served on that council for about five years. Personally, as the parent of a son with autism and an IEP, I’ve seen how critical public schools are for students with disabilities—support that most private schools can’t sustainably offer.”

6. How have your experiences as a parent and advisory-council member shaped your passion for public education?

“Serving on my son’s PTA and school councils has shown me the impact of local advocacy. As a Mason and council member, I help award scholarships and grants—especially to first-generation and low-income college students—because raising everyone up, not just the top 5%, strengthens our entire community.”

7.  Why do you believe it’s important to give to Spark specifically?

“Spark is the district-level fundraising arm that channels resources where they’re needed most across SFUSD. I support both Spark and individual schools so that we can address needs at every level—from my son’s K-12 experience to supporting the entire district.”