What Do We Do Next? Recalibrating Philanthropy in Post-Election California

Unpack what we’re learning about voters, the results for racial equity, and the election’s effect on the state budget. This is the last in a series of three programs focused on the potential of the 2020 election to advance racial equity and social justice in California.

As the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division, Dr. Lisa García Bedolla oversees Berkeley’s almost 12,000 graduate students and is the chief advocate for graduate education and research at Berkeley. She is a member of academic and administrative leadership groups convened by the Chancellor and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. She works with the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate on policies that sustain the world-renowned excellence of more than 100 graduate programs.

Dr. García Bedolla obtained her BA in Latin American Studies and Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and her Ph.D. in political science from Yale University.  She is a Professor in the Graduate School of Education and previously, she served as Director of the Institute of Governmental Studies. Dr. Garcia Bedolla’s body of research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of political and educational inequalities in the United States, using multi-disciplinary approaches to examine disparities that cut across the lines of ethnicity, race, gender, class, and more. 

Ludovic Blain is the Executive Director of the California Donor Table. He was hired as its first full-time staff-person in 2009. Previously, Ludovic was a leader in building people of color-centered movements around closing the racial wealth gap, environmental justice, media justice, campaign finance, and voting rights. Ludovic has also led capacity-building work in Haiti, Canada, Denmark, and The Gambia. Ludovic is a graduate of the City College of NY, as well as leadership programs including the Rockwood Leadership Institute. He serves on several boards, including the Proteus Fund.

 

 

Crispin Delgado serves as Public Policy Director at Northern California Grantmakers. As a native of Richmond, CA, Crispin’s childhood experiences shaped the path for a career focused on helping disinvested communities like his own. With over two decades of experience, Crispin brings to NCG rich lived and professional experience and a vision for advancing equity and social justice through an exciting policy agenda for our organization, our members, and the community we serve. A seasoned philanthropic professional, Crispin served as program officer for Blue Shield of California Foundation where he worked to advance value-based care policy efforts in California and led signature programs, including the Clinic Leadership Institute. He arrived at philanthropy following several years as a leader within San Mateo County’s safety-net healthcare system. He most recently ran a thriving consulting practice where he developed philanthropic strategies to improve access to and quality of care for low-income communities.

 

Chris Hoene became the Budget Center’s executive director in October 2012, bringing to the organization 15 years of leadership in state and local policy research and analysis. He leads the strategic direction of the organization, acts as primary spokesperson, and works with the board of directors and community partners to implement our vision and mission. Before joining the Budget Center, Chris was director of the Center for Research and Innovation at the National League of Cities in Washington, DC, leading efforts to analyze trends in local and state government and promote constructive policy action on issues including public finance, economic development, housing, poverty reduction, infrastructure, and governance.  Chris also previously worked for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, DC, and the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science of the College of Idaho. In 2011, in recognition of his service to the state and local community, Chris was elected as a Fellow into the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)

 

Dwayne S. Marsh became President and CEO of Northern California Grantmakers on September 9, 2020. He brings 27 years of experience in the public, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors with a career commitment to advancing racial and economic equity. Dwayne recently completed a four-year turn as co-Director of the   Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) and Vice President of Institutional and Sectoral Change at Race Forward. During his tenure, the membership network of local, regional, and state entities committed to advancing racial equity through the policies, practices, and public investments grew from just over 20 to nearly 200 participating jurisdictions.

Marsh brings to the movement his expertise and considerable experience in coalition building for regional equity and leadership development for policy change. He provides technical assistance and capacity building knowledge to equitable development initiatives that address continuing disparities in affordable housing, transportation investment, and environmental justice. Before HUD, Marsh spent a decade at PolicyLink, the national organization committed to economic and social equity. Before PolicyLink, he directed the FAITHS Initiative for eight years at The San Francisco Foundation, building a nationally renowned community development and capacity building program that continues to this day. His career has been defined by supporting communities traditionally marginalized from full participation in our economy and society to build power and leverage lasting systems transformation.