Women's Foundation of California Announces Search for Chief Executive Officer to Advance Women's Economic Security in California

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Women's Foundation of California (www.womensfoundca.org) announced today that it is launching a national search to recruit a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a new strategic plan to advance women's economic security through public policy training and advocacy, collective philanthropy, grantmaking and workforce development. 

The timing of the Foundation's work is imperative. Due to the combined impact of the Great Recession, five years of state budget cuts to the programs that help low-income families make ends meet, and the skyrocketing cost of living, California's poverty rate has risen at seven times the national rate. One in three single mother heads of household are living in poverty and one in four children are poor.

"We must seize the moment. Recent reports from sources such as the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality and the Public Policy Institute of California reflect increased awareness of the intergenerational and irreversible harm caused by poverty and income inequality – not just in California, but in the United States," said Nicole Vazquez, chair of the Board of Directors of the Women's Foundation of California. "The time is ripe for us to dedicate ourselves to ensuring that appropriate levels of public and private dollars are invested in women so they can positively improve their lives and their children's lives."

For the past five years, the Foundation has been led by Judy Patrick. Under Ms. Patrick's leadership, the Foundation has refined its strategic direction to include a strong emphasis on policies that increase women's economic security. To preserve and leverage Ms. Patrick's knowledge, relationships and expertise, she will be appointed the Foundation's Director of Public Policy, effective once the Foundation has hired a CEO.

The incoming CEO will provide strategic vision and leadership to implement the new strategic plan, which comprises four core programs:

• The Women's Policy Institute, a nationally-renowned program that trains community-based women leaders in public policy and budget advocacy. Building upon the Institute's 10 years of success, 20 legislative wins, and continuing influence on policy, the Institute has expanded to include a county-level institute in Los Angeles and Riverside counties;
• The Bridge to Economic Security, a new workforce development initiative. By combining research, policy advocacy and grantmaking, this initiative strives to attach women to stable employment and living wage jobs, as well influence policies that help low-income women become self-sufficient. The initial rollout of the program will focus on the health care sector;
• The Giving Circle Network, which builds out the Foundation's successful collective philanthropy model in which giving circles have collectively awarded $10.4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations working on behalf of low-income women and families; and
• Stand with Women, the Foundation's platform for research, policy advocacy and strategic communications about the importance of investing in programs that provide women and families with the tools and financial assistance to move out of poverty and achieve economic security.

The search is being led by The Hawkins Company. To review the full job description, click here.

About the Women's Foundation of California:
The Women's Foundation of California is a publicly supported foundation with a $7 million operating budget, $10 million in assets and a statewide board. For the past 35 years the Women's Foundation of California has pioneered the use of strategic investments, women's leadership development and public policy to elevate issues such as domestic violence, human trafficking, reproductive rights and the impact of California's budget cuts on safety net programs.

SOURCE Women's Foundation of California

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