Jasmine Thomas

Jasmine Thomas (she/her) is a Senior Director at Microsoft within its Technology for Fundamental Rights group. Jasmine serves on the team called Innovation + Society, which aims to promote a future where innovation advances our humanity and protects fundamental rights. She leads a pillar focused on People or Talent Ecosystem Partnerships where they work with universities and higher education associations to support inclusive, multidisciplinary talent initiatives designed to meet future demands for responsible innovation in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing. She joined Microsoft in 2021 and served on the Airband team that helped exceed the company’s initial commitment to expand high-speed, internet access in rural communities.   

Before joining Microsoft, Jasmine was the Director for Business Partnerships within the Community Investing & Development group at Citi based in their New York headquarters. She led the bank’s corporate relationships and engagements on civil rights, advocacy, and economic inclusion. In 2011, Jasmine initially served as an International Program Officer for Citi Foundation managing nonprofit and corporate partnerships across 100+ countries outside of the US. Prior to Citi, she was a program officer at Surdna Foundation and launched Strong Local Economies, a national investment portfolio that prioritized community and economic development as well as wealth-building initiatives for low- and middle-income families. Jasmine began her career in philanthropy at The New York Community Trust and managed a range of designated-funds and high-profile initiatives, including grantmaking and reporting for The September 11th Fund, Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, Appalachian Fund, and the New York City AIDS Fund, a collaboration with VOGUE magazine and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Jasmine currently serves on the Board of Directors of Pacific Community Ventures, a community development financial institution (CFDI) based in California’s Bay Area. She also serves on the board and Finance Committee of Social Impact Fund, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor based in Los Angeles for the entertainment and creative industries to achieve their charitable giving goals. She previously served on board of directors for the American Bankers Association Education Foundation and Funders Concerned About AIDS. Jasmine earned a B.A. in Government & Politics with a minor in Afro-American Studies from University of Maryland College Park where she was also honored with the University President’s Award. She has an Ed.M. from Teachers College Columbia University and an M.S.W. in Clinical Social Work from New York University. Jasmine also completed an MBA from both Columbia Business School and London Business School in 2020.