Joseph Koret was born in Odessa, Russia, in 1900, and his family emigrated to New York about the time of his first birthday. The family of Stephanie Shapiro, who would become Joe’s wife, emigrated from Romania to California when she was a small child. Both families, and many thousands like them, left their homelands in search of a more prosperous and secure future. Stephanie and Joe went on to achieve the American dream, building a successful business and a very good life.

During their marriage, Stephanie and Joe became entrepreneurs in the San Francisco tradition, designing and selling women’s sportswear, and, most importantly, developing a new process for permanent press fabrics. Because the Korets had no children, creating the Foundation became their legacy. Stephanie passed away in 1978, and Joe followed in 1982. Tad Taube, a close friend and business partner of the Korets, was instrumental in leading the Foundation and growing its assets from around $35 million to the nearly half a billion dollars it is today. Mr. Taube served as the Foundation’s board president until 2016, retiring from the board in early 2017.

The Koret Foundation is led by a highly involved Board of Directors comprised of community and business leaders, and a seasoned professional staff.