Central Valley Community Foundation

In 2017, the Foundation formed its Council of Business Sponsors, a cohort of corporate philanthropic partners and thought leaders tasked with providing insight, strategic connections, and solutions to help advance our work on inclusive economic development in the region.

Working together with our board and staff, Council members activate their networks, meet with community partners to learn about the challenges they face, and advise the Foundation on how to establish equitable, long-term solutions to lift up our community, particularly in the areas of job creation, small business development, education, workforce development, and increasing affordable housing in the Central Valley.

The Council of Business Sponsors is an important connection point between the Central Valley and other economic regions in California who are committed to inclusive economic development. Quarterly meetings frequently include representatives from state government and civic business leaders from Northern and Southern California. 

Members

  • Adventist Health
  • Bank of America
  • Chevron
  • Citi
  • Community West Bank
  • Educational Employees Credit Union
  • OK Produce
  • Southern California Gas
  • The Wonderful Company
  • Wells Fargo
  • Valley Children’s

Ad Hoc Members

Statewide

  • Tara Lynn Gray, Director
    Office of the Small Business Advocate, State of California
  • Micah Weinberg, CEO
    California Forward
  • Laura Seaman
    League of California Community Foundations
  • Lenny Mendonca, Chair
    California Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force

Regional

  • Ian LeMay
    California Fresh Fruit Association
  • Michael McGeary
    UC Merced
  • Dr. Ram Nunna, Dean
    Lyles College of Engineering, Fresno State University

Local

  • Dr. Cassandra Little, CEO
    Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
  • John Ellis
    City of Fresno / Office of Mayor Jerry Dyer
  • William Oliver
    Fresno County Economic Development Corporation
  • Sonja Dosti
    County of Fresno
A man holding a microphone, talking.
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Past Speakers for the Council of Business Sponsors:

  • Dilawar Syed – U.S. Department of State Special Representative for Economic & Business Affairs
  • Dee Dee Myers – Director of Governor’s office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz)
  • Sam Assefa – Director of Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR)
  • Tara Lynn Gray – Director of Governor’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (OSBA)
  • Karen Ross – Secretary of California Department of Food & Agriculture
  • Stewart Knox – Undersecretary of California Department of Labor & Workforce Development
  • Micah Weinberg – CEO of CA FWD
  • Lenny Mendonca – Governor Newsom’s Former Chief Economic & Business Advisor
  • The Brookings Institution
  • The Urban Institute
  • Bay Area Council Economic Institute

For more information

Kristina Solberg
Community Relations Senior Manager
kristina@centralvalleycf.org