The Zellerbach Family Foundation today announced the appointment of California philanthropy leader James W. Head to its Board of Directors.
“James has demonstrated over many years, and in multiple ways, his deep commitment to supporting and lifting up vulnerable populations,” said Thomas Zellerbach, President of the Zellerbach Family Foundation and Chairman of its Board of Directors. “We are fortunate and honored to have him join our Board and look forward to his thoughtfulness, experience and guidance as we continue pursuing our mission to catalyze constructive social change and support efforts that strengthen families and communities.”
Head is President and Chief Executive Officer of the East Bay Community Foundation. Before coming to the Foundation in 2014, he served for 10 years as Vice President for Programs at The San Francisco Foundation, where he spearheaded initiatives on race, equity, poverty, housing, economic development, and youth development. Prior to joining The San Francisco Foundation, he was president of the National Economic Development and Law Center for 18 years.
“Strong families are the bedrock of strong communities and in today’s social and political climate, the Zellerbach Family Foundation’s work is more important than ever”, said Head. “ZFF has a long-standing commitment to improving the public systems that strengthen families and communities and I am thrilled to help advance its mission and be a catalyst for constructive change.”
Head has also served as legal counsel of the California Community Economic Development Association and has been a member of numerous foundation advisory boards, including the Open Society Foundation of New York and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation of Michigan. James served as a Commissioner on the Port Authority of Oakland from 2008 through 2015; leading the Commission as President from 2010 – 2011. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law. He has been an adjunct professor at University of California at Berkeley’s Boalt School of Law, University of California at San Francisco’s Hastings School of Law, and University of Santa Clara’s School of Law.
About the Zellerbach Family Foundation
Since its inception in 1968, the Zellerbach Family Foundation has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area to be a catalyst for constructive social change and invest in efforts that strengthen families and communities. The Zellerbach Family Foundation has granted over $113 million, including to support human services systems, immigration and refugees, culture and community arts in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @zfforg.
Press Contact:
Layla Crater
layla@change-llc.com
(310) 804-3107
