Dec
6
Day One: SCG’s 2024/2025 Family Philanthropy Conference: Bridging Possibilities
Image
Carrie Avery
Advisor, Trust-Based Philanthropy Project
Carrie Avery retired in 2023 after serving 30 years as President of the Durfee Foundation in Los Angeles, California. The Foundation focuses on leadership by providing fellowships, grants to new grassroots organizations with dynamic leadership and sabbaticals to long-time nonprofit leaders. She chaired the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, where she continues as an advisor. She served on the boards of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the Berkeley Repertory Theater. She is a past board chair of the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Northern California Grantmakers, and co-chaired the board of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco. Carrie lives in Berkeley, California with her husband Jon Tigar. They have two grown sons.
John Babcock SCG Member
Trustee, The John Jewett & Helen Chandler Garland Foundation
John is a trustee of the Greenwood Foundation and the John Jewett & Helen Chandler Garland Foundation. He has served on the board of numerous local and national nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, NOLS, Polytechnic School and the Huntington Medical Research Institutes.
John has been a venture capitalist for over 20 years, first as a Partner at Rustic Canyon Partners, then as a private investor. Before Rustic Canyon, Babcock was an executive at the Los Angeles Times, working in both the print and online businesses. Previously, he founded The Delta Group. As a venture investor, John has served on the board of startups and private companies.
John has been a venture capitalist for over 20 years, first as a Partner at Rustic Canyon Partners, then as a private investor. Before Rustic Canyon, Babcock was an executive at the Los Angeles Times, working in both the print and online businesses. Previously, he founded The Delta Group. As a venture investor, John has served on the board of startups and private companies.
Christine Essel
President and CEO, SoCal Grantmakers
Christine Essel joined SCG as President and CEO on February 1, 2013. As president, she sets the strategic direction and priorities for the organization, overseeing programming, communications, member services and public policy. Prior to joining SCG, Essel held leadership roles in the government, corporate, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, where she has shaped legislation and public and corporate policy. She brings a wealth of experience to SCG including a deep knowledge of the region and a passion for forging creative solutions to complex community challenges, along with extensive relationships and expertise in corporate philanthropy, finance, real estate development, government and community relations. For over three decades, she worked at Paramount Pictures, serving as Senior Vice President, Government and Community Affairs, a department she built from the ground up. In that role, she was responsible for the studio’s philanthropic efforts and for shaping Paramount’s civic presence while managing all political and legislative activity, corporate social responsibility and fundraising activities. During her tenure she was also responsible for overseeing in excess of $500 million in real estate development projects on the studio lot.
Most recently, she served as CEO for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), with an annual budget exceeding $600 million, a staff of 260 employees and 32 project areas throughout the City of Los Angeles. In response to a statewide call by the legislature, Essel's leadership helped lay a critical foundation for the dissolution of the agency, leading to a successful redistribution of resources for schools and local governments, while ensuring the completion of many crucial affordable housing projects and other developments vitally important to the economic growth of the region.
She has been named to numerous Boards and Commissions over the years, serving as chair of the California Film Commission, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, the Hollywood Community Advisory Council, Alternative Living for the Aging and Central City Association. She also served as Vice‐Chair of the California Workforce Investment Board and FilmLA and was a member of the powerful Los Angeles World Airports Commission, Grand Avenue Project Joint Powers Authority and Los Angeles Development Fund. Essel has been honored by esteemed organizations such as City of Hope, National Women’s Political Committee, Alternative Living for the Aging, Weingart Center Partners, Central City Association and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, she received the Leader of the Year Award from the Southern California Leadership Network. She has been named to the Non‐Profit Times “Power and Influence Top 50” for the past two years (2016 and 2017).
Most recently, she served as CEO for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), with an annual budget exceeding $600 million, a staff of 260 employees and 32 project areas throughout the City of Los Angeles. In response to a statewide call by the legislature, Essel's leadership helped lay a critical foundation for the dissolution of the agency, leading to a successful redistribution of resources for schools and local governments, while ensuring the completion of many crucial affordable housing projects and other developments vitally important to the economic growth of the region.
She has been named to numerous Boards and Commissions over the years, serving as chair of the California Film Commission, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, the Hollywood Community Advisory Council, Alternative Living for the Aging and Central City Association. She also served as Vice‐Chair of the California Workforce Investment Board and FilmLA and was a member of the powerful Los Angeles World Airports Commission, Grand Avenue Project Joint Powers Authority and Los Angeles Development Fund. Essel has been honored by esteemed organizations such as City of Hope, National Women’s Political Committee, Alternative Living for the Aging, Weingart Center Partners, Central City Association and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, she received the Leader of the Year Award from the Southern California Leadership Network. She has been named to the Non‐Profit Times “Power and Influence Top 50” for the past two years (2016 and 2017).
Daniel Estes SCG Member
Program Director, Specialty Family Foundation
Seeing first-hand what our grantees are doing on a daily basis to help and empower others is truly amazing. They are the ones in the trenches, fighting every day for those less fortunate. I am not only impressed, but humbled by their generosity and love. I am blessed to go to work every day knowing that what we do helps enable those heroes to do their jobs and have an impact on our community. This work has meaning and purpose. I take great pride in that.
Jan Kern
Senior Philanthropy Advisor, Southern California Grantmakers
Jan Kern supports SCG's Family Foundation Information Exchange Groups. She also leads SCG's Family Philanthropy Advisory Council, the Family Foundation Advisory Group, and coordinates the annual Family Foundation Conference. With more than 25 years of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, her expertise includes strategic program development and execution, staff management, team building, and relationship development.
Robin Kramer SCG Member
Managing Director, The Smidt Foundation
Robin is managing director of The Smidt Foundation. She brings to The Smidt Foundation and Harbor Freight Tools for Schools broad experience in public, private and nonprofit leadership and inventiveness. Robin served as chief of staff to two Los Angeles mayors, Antonio Villaraigosa and Richard Riordan—the first woman in the history of the nation’s second largest city to serve in this post.
Robin has also held senior positions at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, the Broad Foundation and the California Community Foundation. She has worked extensively as an independent consultant for entities focused on advancing access, equity, and engagement in civic life, public education, philanthropy and the arts. Robin has been a port commissioner, chief deputy for two Los Angeles City Council members, and the executive director of two nonprofit organizations.
A trustee of the John Randolph Haynes & Dora Haynes Foundation and advisor to the Public Policy Institute of California, Robin has an MA in urban studies from Occidental College, and a BA in political studies and journalism from Pitzer College.
Robin has also held senior positions at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, the Broad Foundation and the California Community Foundation. She has worked extensively as an independent consultant for entities focused on advancing access, equity, and engagement in civic life, public education, philanthropy and the arts. Robin has been a port commissioner, chief deputy for two Los Angeles City Council members, and the executive director of two nonprofit organizations.
A trustee of the John Randolph Haynes & Dora Haynes Foundation and advisor to the Public Policy Institute of California, Robin has an MA in urban studies from Occidental College, and a BA in political studies and journalism from Pitzer College.
Rachel Roth SCG Member
President, Roth Family Foundation, Executive Director, The Crail-Johnson Foundation
Having just celebrated 11 years, Rachel Roth is the Executive Director (and sole staff) of the Crail-Johnson Foundation. She is responsible for all aspects of the Foundation, with the exception of investment management.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rachel attended University of California, Irvine for two years, transferring to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she received her B.A. in Philosophy. After living in Portland for 10 years, Rachel returned to Los Angeles and received a Certificate in Graphic Design from Otis College of Art & Design. She pursued freelance design and then in 2003 was selected as the next Executive Director of her family’s foundation, Roth Family Foundation. She served in that role until December 2012, and currently serves as President. In 2016, she led the Foundation in the planning and implementation of a special anniversary grantmaking program which celebrated the Foundation’s 50th.
Rachel is active with several nonprofits in LA that focus on animal rescue and youth homelessness; she is a member-at-large and former Chair of the Executive Committee of the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment and serves on the Investors Committee; she co-chairs a donor-advised fund at Liberty Hill Foundation and serves on the Family Philanthropy Advisory Council for SoCal Grantmakers, as well as the Advisory Committee for the 2024 Annual Conference. She often speaks on funders’ panels as well.
In past years, she served as an Advisory board member of Peer Health Exchange – Los Angeles; served on the board of directors of P.S. Science, as well as the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, while also volunteering as a sex/health education high school speaker with the organization. She also served on the Advisory Committee for Liberty Hill Foundation’s annual CHANGE LA event and the former Membership Committee of Southern CA Grantmakers.
Rachel currently lives in Leimert Park, with her two rescue dogs, Levi & Charlie,
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rachel attended University of California, Irvine for two years, transferring to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she received her B.A. in Philosophy. After living in Portland for 10 years, Rachel returned to Los Angeles and received a Certificate in Graphic Design from Otis College of Art & Design. She pursued freelance design and then in 2003 was selected as the next Executive Director of her family’s foundation, Roth Family Foundation. She served in that role until December 2012, and currently serves as President. In 2016, she led the Foundation in the planning and implementation of a special anniversary grantmaking program which celebrated the Foundation’s 50th.
Rachel is active with several nonprofits in LA that focus on animal rescue and youth homelessness; she is a member-at-large and former Chair of the Executive Committee of the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment and serves on the Investors Committee; she co-chairs a donor-advised fund at Liberty Hill Foundation and serves on the Family Philanthropy Advisory Council for SoCal Grantmakers, as well as the Advisory Committee for the 2024 Annual Conference. She often speaks on funders’ panels as well.
In past years, she served as an Advisory board member of Peer Health Exchange – Los Angeles; served on the board of directors of P.S. Science, as well as the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, while also volunteering as a sex/health education high school speaker with the organization. She also served on the Advisory Committee for Liberty Hill Foundation’s annual CHANGE LA event and the former Membership Committee of Southern CA Grantmakers.
Rachel currently lives in Leimert Park, with her two rescue dogs, Levi & Charlie,
Jeff Schaffer SCG Member
Senior Advisor, JMC Philanthropic Advisors
As President of JMC Philanthropic Advisors, Jeff Schaffer leads the firm’s provision of management and advisory services for family foundations, corporate donors, and philanthropic individuals. With 30 years of experience in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, Jeff believes in building partnerships between donors and grantees. He previously served in senior positions with Enterprise Community Partners, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Shelter Partnership. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree in political science and Spanish literature at the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California, where he served as a long-time adjunct faculty member for the Price School of Public Policy. Jeff serves on the boards of the TK Foundation, Little Tokyo Service Center and the California Conference for Equality and Justice. His wife, Reina, is a recently retired elementary school principal and they have two grown sons living in New York.