Abigail Stewart-Kahn

Abigail Stewart-Kahn is the Managing Director of the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, a role she has held since January 2023. With over 20 years of experience, she is recognized as an executive leader, strategist, and clinical social worker. Her career has focused on clinical interventions, system innovations, and advocacy for disadvantaged communities.135

Professional Background

Before joining Stanford, Stewart-Kahn served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) starting in 2017. In this position, she was responsible for communications and public relations and was appointed Interim Director during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing a budget of $900 million and overseeing over 130 personnel. She developed the Homelessness Recovery Plan to address the crisis's impacts on the community.12

Education and Training

Stewart-Kahn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Religion from Swarthmore College and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. She is a licensed clinical social worker in California.14

Leadership and Impact

Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration and emotional intelligence, which helps her foster change by integrating data and actively listening to community needs. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at supporting children and families, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.125

Stewart-Kahn's work has been recognized through her selection as a fellow at the Presidio Institute, where she participated in a program designed to enhance collaborative leadership skills among executives tackling complex societal challenges.1