Bringing Our Best

LA County’s Acting Chief of Strategic Initiatives (CSI) and Chief DOJ Compliance Officer

Maggie Carter

Maggie Carter is LA County’s Acting Chief of Strategic Initiatives (CSI) and Chief DOJ Compliance Officer. As Acting CSI, Maggie is part of the Chief Executive Office’s top leadership team. She is charged with overseeing high-priority County initiatives—including a new Disaster Recovery Oversight Team to support recovery and rebuilding efforts from the January 2025 wildfires; the Jail Closure Implementation Team; DOJ Compliance; Probation Compliance; the Center for Strategic Partnerships; and the Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative (ARDI)—and ensuring alignment with the CEO’s strategic goals. As Chief DOJ Compliance Officer, Maggie leads LA County’s wide ranging, cross-departmental efforts to fully meet court-approved goals under a U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement to improve conditions in the County’s jail system for those with mental health conditions. 

Maggie is a seasoned executive and veteran attorney with litigation experience as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, and internal investigations lawyer in both the public and private sectors. She has served on boards for nonprofits and grant-funded organizations, including the Phillips Brooks House Alumni Association, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation, Radio Bilingue, Inc., and KIPP Academy of Opportunity. 

Chief Officer, Policy and Programs, California Community Foundation

Cielo V. Castro

Cielo V. Castro is Chief Officer of Policy and Programs at the California Community Foundation (CCF), where she leads program strategy and policy advocacy across key issue areas including civic engagement, education, health, housing, immigration, and arts and culture. She oversees major initiatives such as the PIVOT pooled fund and public-private partnerships that advance trauma prevention, youth development, and economic resilience.

Previously, Castro held leadership roles at Fairplex, guiding the transformation of its 500-acre campus into a mixed-use community hub with affordable housing, commercial space, green areas, and transit access. She also helped establish the Pomona Emergency Intake Site for unaccompanied minors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a career dedicated to public service, Castro has worked at the local, county, and federal levels—including at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama Administration—and in national nonprofit organizations like NALEO and the National League of Cities.

A proud Angeleno and daughter of immigrants, Castro holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University and an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School. She is a 2024 Eisenhower USA Fellow and serves as Chair of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.

President & CEO, Southern California Grantmakers

Christine Essel

Chris Essel is President and CEO of Southern California Grantmakers. Since her appointment in February 2013, Chris has led SCG to triple its membership base, foster relationships with government agencies, innovate on programming, and build a strong advocacy arm. 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.

Executive Director, David Bohnett Foundation

Michael Fleming

Michael Fleming is the Executive Director of the David Bohnett Foundation, a grantmaking foundation charged with “improving society through social activism”. Fleming has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Los Angeles Board of Water Power Commissioners―the five member panel that oversees the nation’s largest public utility. He previously served as the President of the East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission and as a Commissioner on the Board of the Los Angeles Convention Center. In 2010, President Barack Obama named Fleming to the White House Council for Community Solutions. He is the past Chairman of the Board of public radio powerhouse KCRW and an adjunct professor of organizational development and public policy at UCLA.

President and CEO, Weingart Foundation

Joanna S. Jackson

Driven by her commitment to racial and social justice, Joanna has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic and public sectors. Joanna joined Weingart Foundation in 2008 and after five years on the leadership team, Joanna was appointed President & CEO as of June 7, 2024.

Prior to joining Weingart Foundation, Joanna held roles at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, The California Endowment, the City of San Jose, and several other nonprofit organizations. Joanna currently serves on the boards of Southern California Grantmakers and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO).

Joanna earned a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College, The City University of New York, where she was a National Urban Fellow. She is also a proud HBCU graduate having received her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from New York, Joanna lives in Mid City Los Angeles with her husband and children, who are the joy of her life.

Director, Strategy Policy, & Partnerships, Ballmer Group

Kim Pattillo Brownson

Kim Pattillo Brownson is the Director of Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships in Los Angeles at Ballmer Group, where she oversees the education work across early childhood, K-12 and higher education in service of economic mobility for children and families. She also serves as a member of the California State Board of Education and the CA Early Childhood Policy Council. Kim brings a unique blend of expertise across grantmaking, strategic partnerships, and policy and advocacy, particularly for communities impacted by economic and racial disparities. Previously, Kim served as Vice President at First 5 LA and the Managing Director at the Advancement Project (now Catalyst California).

President & CEO, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation

Jennifer Price-Letscher

Jennifer joined the Foundation in 2011, bringing a broad range of nonprofit and philanthropic experiences, including leadership and capacity-building roles at the Sterling-Dorman and Whitecap foundations, and various positions in arts, education, the environment, and youth development.  She holds an MSc in positive organizational development and change management from Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, and professional certifications in appreciative inquiry, sustainability, coaching, and college counseling.  Jennifer serves on the boards of Westside Neighborhood School, SEED School LA, and Southern California Grantmakers, as an advisory council member for East West Players, and on the LA County Arts Commission as a Supervisor Barger appointee.  She was a 2017 Council on Foundations Career Pathways Program Fellow.

President, Specialty Family Foundation

Joseph B. Womac

Having joined in 2012 as Executive Director, Joe Womac now serves as President of Southern California’s Specialty Family Foundation, overseeing its mission to “alleviate the conditions that lead to persistent poverty”. To this end, Joe helps lead SFF’s collaborative, entrepreneurial approach to finding systemic solutions to the region’s housing and educational crises, with particular emphasis in the outcomes impacting low-income children, families, and TAY.

In addition to serving on the Advisory Board of the Center for Strategic Partnerships, Joe currently sits on various other governance boards, including Southern California Grantmakers (SCG), Queen of Angels Housing Alliance, the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), and Foster Together Network (FTN).  Joe is the recipient of the Obama Administration’s Champion of Change, University of Notre Dame’s Michael Pressley Award for Excellence, the University of Portland’s Oddo Alumni Service Award, and the NCEA’s Presidential Award. He previously taught and coached middle school and high school in Louisiana. Mr. Womac holds a B.A. in Communication and Political Science from the University of Portland, a M.Ed. from Notre Dame, and a J.D. from Seattle University.