SAN JOSE, Calif.– October 12, 2026 – Pivotal, a Silicon Valley nonprofit dedicated to meeting the educational and career needs of young people in and from foster care, has named community leader and philanthropist Lisa Sobrato Sonsini as the recipient of its 2026 Elise Cutini Hope & Opportunity (ECHO) Award. 

The ECHO Award recognizes members of the Pivotal community whose commitment has created lasting hope and opportunity for young people in and from foster care. Sonsini is being honored for more than 25 years of board leadership, philanthropy, advocacy, and personal commitment to Pivotal scholars. 

Pivotal CEO Matt Bell presented the award, joined by Elise Cutini, the award’s namesake and former Pivotal CEO. 

“Lisa’s incredible passion, commitment, and leadership has helped shape what Pivotal is today,” Bell said. “Among her many attributes, it is her genuine belief in young people that has opened doors for countless scholars and strengthened our organization for generations to come.” 

Sonsini served on Pivotal’s board of directors for more than 25 years, providing sustained leadership as the organization and its programs evolved to meet the changing needs of young people from foster care. Throughout her service, she helped connect Pivotal scholars with new opportunities while keeping young people at the center of every decision.  

“The Pivotal you see today, providing real, wraparound support to young people from foster care, exists in no small part because Lisa stood up when it counted most,” said Cutini. “Because of her leadership and generosity, doors that were about to close swung wide open. Opportunities that might have been out of reach became pathways to college, careers, and confidence.” 

During her tenure, Sonsini helped guide Pivotal through periods of growth and transformation while remaining focused on expanding opportunities for young people in and from foster care. Her impact is also reflected in the individual relationships she has built over the years. At Pivotal’s 35th anniversary celebration, she introduced supporters to Pivotal alumna Rita, who Sonsini supported as a court-appointed special advocate while Rita was in foster care. Sonsini was among the first people to encourage Rita to envision college and a future beyond the circumstances she was navigating. 

“She saw in me the potential to thrive past my circumstances. She wasn’t going to let my past define my future,” Rita said. 

With Sonsini’s encouragement and support from a Pivotal scholarship, Rita attended community college before transferring to San Jose State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies. Today, she serves as a program manager for the County of Santa Clara. 

In addition to her board service, Sonsini and her husband, Matthew, have been among Pivotal's most generous supporters. Sonsini also became an inaugural member of Pivotal’s Legacy Society, supporting the organization’s long-term ability to provide individualized, trauma-responsive academic and career coaching, college scholarships, and connections to resources. 

Sonsini’s advocacy and relationships have helped raise millions more in support of the organization’s mission. Pivotal leaders said her legacy is reflected not only in philanthropic support, but also in the scholars who have been encouraged to imagine new possibilities and the organization she has helped strengthen throughout her years of service. 

Pivotal congratulates Sonsini on receiving the 2026 ECHO Award and thanks her for her enduring belief in young people from foster care, her continued partnership with Pivotal, and her ongoing commitment to helping young people build the futures they deserve. 

About Pivotal  

Pivotal is the only nonprofit in Silicon Valley focused exclusively on meeting the educational and career needs of young people in and from foster care. For more than 35 years, Pivotal has provided trauma-responsive, individualized support that helps students build stability, pursue their goals, and move confidently from high school to college and into the workforce. Through academic and career coaching, college scholarships, professional development, and connections to resources, Pivotal partners with young people as they navigate key transitions and build the futures they envision. To learn more or support Pivotal’s mission, visit www.pivotalnow.org. 

Media Contact:  

Maria D’Souza 
maria.dsouza@pivotalnow.org   
408 465 3707