Trent Sunahara

Trent Sunahara brings a wealth of experience in strategic development, stakeholder engagement, and public relations to his role as Assistant Director of Development for the Office of Research at UC Davis. In this capacity, Trent is dedicated to identifying, cultivating, and stewarding individual prospects capable of making significant contributions to advance the university's diverse research initiatives.

Before joining UC Davis, Trent served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Success for a national software company. In this role, he led a dynamic team in developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies, significantly enhancing brand visibility and driving substantial revenue growth. His strategic approach and effective management skills ensured successful outcomes in complex projects and initiatives.

Trent also has extensive experience in the public sector, having served as District Director for Assemblyman Ken Cooley and as a Field Representative for Congresswoman Doris Matsui. In these roles, he managed community outreach programs, facilitated stakeholder engagement, and communicated complex policy issues, fostering strong relationships with local, state, and federal entities.

With a commitment to building enduring public trust and support for UC Davis researchers, Trent is passionate about connecting donors with opportunities to contribute to high-impact projects and units that span multiple disciplines and drives innovation.

Trent holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California, and is a proud veteran of the United States Army.