Registration

Event Description

Communities across the country – especially those continuing to struggle with economic and health impacts from the pandemic – are hoping to access part of the billions of dollars in economic recovery dollars deployed to support economic recovery. However, it is groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, including rural, historically underserved, and BIPOC communities, that need to secure the funding that will have a generational impact on community climate resilience, public health, and other crucial systems.

California will receive over $136 billion in new and upcoming economic recovery public investments. The allocation of these Federal and State funds, as well as the design and implementation of economic development plans, will mainly fall to state and local jurisdictions. The urgency to ensure these once-in-a-lifetime public investments are deployed equitably is without precedence, especially for those who have historically been left out from accessing funding.

Philanthropy can play a critical role in ensuring that historically underserved communities have the opportunity to benefit from these significant investments and impact the decision-making process. Join the institutions behind the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI) and community leaders to learn how community-based organizations, government, and philanthropy are mobilizing to ensure the equitable distribution of these funds. Panelists will also share how to strengthen the ability of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Native, and disability communities to build their own sustainable futures. 

Speakers

Veronica Garibay

Veronica Garibay

Co-Founder & Co-Director, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability

Veronica Garibay immigrated from Michoacan, Mexico, at a young age with her family. She grew up in the small farmworker city of Parlier in Fresno County. As a first-generation college student, Veronica attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology, and Law and Society. Upon graduation, Veronica joined the California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.’s Community Equity Initiative as the program’s first Community Worker. Veronica earned a Master of Public Administration from Fresno State. As co-founder and co-director of Leadership Counsel, Veronica leads the team in advocating for sound policy to ensure equal access to opportunity for all Californians.
A Black man with short gray hair, wearing a blue button down and black rectangular glasses.

Chet Hewitt

President and CEO, Sierra Health Foundation

Chet P. Hewitt is President and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation and its nonprofit intermediary, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. Since beginning his tenure at the Foundation, Chet has worked with his board of directors to develop and launch a bold collective impact strategy focused on promoting health equity and social justice in underserved communities to improve the well-being of children, youth and families. Recognized for his strategic thinking and his willingness to take thoughtful risk, Chet has received national attention for his emphasis on making the Foundation’s partnerships with local communities and public and private funders the centerpiece of the organization’s strategy for change.

Prior to joining Sierra Health Foundation, Chet held several senior positions including Director of Alameda County’s Social Services Agency, Associate Director for the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, and Director of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice in San Francisco.

Chet has received numerous awards for his service to children and families, including the 2017 Terrance Keenan Leadership in Health Philanthropy Award, the Grantland Johnson Intergovernmental Leadership Award, Congressman Robert T. Matsui Community Service Award, and the Sylvia Siegel Consumer Champion Award. Chet is an Annie E. Casey Children and Families Leadership Fellow, and serves on several boards including Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, Public Policy Institute of California, Advance Peace and CalNonprofits.
Caucasian man with short gray hair, wearing a blue suit and tie and a warm smile.

Don Howard SCG Member

President & CEO, The James Irvine Foundation

Don Howard is The James Irvine Foundation’s President and CEO, leading the foundation to focus on ensuring all low-income California workers the power to advance economically. Previously, Don advised leaders at The Bridgespan Group, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Scient Corporation. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Stanford University.
White women with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a necklace and a blue shirt

Megan Thomas

President & CEO, Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

Megan currently serves as Catalyst’s president & CEO, providing strategic leadership and partnership to the entire Catalyst staff, board, members, and community partners. She provides strategic and logistical support to strengthen San Diego communities through shared learning and pooled and aligned funding strategies. Megan brings 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields to this role, having most recently served as Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper where she built partnerships among the nonprofit, business, and public sectors to advance environmental goals across San Diego County. Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and her Masters in Business Administration from Yale School of Management. She serves on the long-term vision advisory committee for Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees and previously served on the board of directors of Hope Horse Ranch, United Way of San Diego County; advisory council for The San Diego Foundation’s Center for Civic Engagement; and the Port of San Diego Environmental Advisory Committee.

Presented in Partnership with

Related Events

View More