Private institutions and private individuals can change our region for the better, the leader of the Central Valley Community Foundation told an audience at Fresno Pacific University.
“We have the opportunity to write the next chapter of this Valley,” Hugh Ralston said to about 50 people at “The Non-Profit & Philanthropy Landscape” on February 18, 2016, in the BC Lounge on the main campus. The breakfast meeting was part of the “Strengthening the Economy of the San Joaquin Valley” leadership series sponsored by the FPU School of Business and organized by Andrea McAleenan, Ph.D., associate professor of business.
Ralston is president & CEO of CVCF, formerly the Fresno Regional Community Foundation. Prior to moving to Fresno, Ralston served as the president & CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation and has been a corporate and private banker as well as board member of California non-profit institutions focusing on education, arts & culture and philanthropy. He is also a third-generation farmer with family ties in the San Joaquin Valley.
Private institutions can do things public institutions can’t, Ralston said, while people have the power to say “not good enough.” “No change ever started without someone, often in a church basement, saying those words,” he added.
In addition to Ralston, the event featured a response panel comprised of:
- Robert Watts Jr., Psy.D., founder, president and chief solutions officer for Watts and Associates. A corporate consultant, executive coach and university professor, Watts’ clients have included small and large businesses, colleges and universities and charitable organizations. The former NFL player is the author of People Are Never The Problem—Refuse to Play the Blame Game and Swim SidewayZ—Living and Learning Through the Strong Currents of Life and Business.
- Randy White, D.Min., executive director of the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, part of FPU. Founder of the Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership (FIFUL), White headed the Bakke Graduate University global doctoral degree programs. His books include The Work of Our Hands and Encounter God in the City. In addition, he advises Fresno’s mayor and serves with the Central Valley Justice Coalition and No Name Fellowship.
- Lupe Jaime, director of early care and education at the Fresno County Office of Education, overseeing early-learning programs. Prior to this Jaime was deputy director of Central Valley Children’s Services Network (CSN). She is a member of the Fresno County Child Care & Development Local Planning Council and is on the board of the California Child Development Administrators Association (CCDAA).
Moderator: Jacqueline L. “Jackie” Ryle, Ph.D., owner of Ryle Resources/Empowerment Strategies. Her book, All I Want Is A Little Peace, is used by World Vision crisis intervention teams. She serves on the advisory council for the California State University, Fresno Humanics Program and on the board of the Association for Conflict Resolution Fresno Chapter. She was Fresno City Clerk for 28 years.