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Meet our Advisory Board Members!

02.25.22
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Today, Catalyst California is excited to announce our new Advisory Board. These diverse leaders, advocates, and community partners will play a fundamental role in shaping Catalyst California’s next steps towards securing racial equity and economic justice for communities of color across our state.  

“I look forward to working with our new Advisory Board to elevate the organization’s mission and vision to transform the systems that leave so many communities of color behind,” said John Kim, Executive Director of Catalyst California. “We have worked diligently to ensure this new Advisory Board represents a wide breadth of experiences and expertise to position the organization for 2022 and beyond. Stay tuned, as we will be announcing additional Advisory Board members in the near future.” 

Learn more about them and their commitment to social justice below: 

  • Fred Ali, Philanthropic Consultant – For over 40 years, Fred Ali has held senior leadership positions with nonprofit, philanthropic, educational organizations, and government. In 2021, he stepped down as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Weingart Foundation and currently serves as a consultant and strategic advisor on projects and initiatives focused on advancing racial equity and justice, as well as organizational effectiveness.
  • Chrissie Castro, Co-Founder, California Native Vote Project – Chrissie Castro, Diné and Chicana, is the co-founder and Executive Director of the California Native Vote Project. She is the Vice-Chairperson of the Los Angeles City and County Native American Indian Commission and co-led the change to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day in the City and County of Los Angeles. 
  • Sandra Celedon, President and CEO, Fresno Building Healthy Communities – For over 15 years, Sandra Celedon has been a noteworthy leader in the public health sector. She is currently the President and CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities, a coalition of community and faith-based organizations, residents, and young people working together to foster and encourage thriving communities where all children and families can live healthy, safe, and productive lives.  
  • Stephen English, Founding Co-Director, Catalyst California – Steve English was a business litigation lawyer for 23 years, spending most of that time as a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Los Angeles. He left that firm in 1998 to co-found a public interest firm, English, Munger & Rice, as well as Advancement Project, now known as Catalyst California. 
  • Barry Litt, Civil Rights Attorney, McLane, Bednarski & Litt, LLP – Barry Litt is a founding partner of Litt & Stormer, Litt & Marquez, Litt & Associates, and now McLane, Bednarski & Litt, LLP. Barry began his career as a criminal defense attorney and worked on the Pentagon Papers and the Chicago Conspiracy appeals. He has been lead or co-lead counsel in four law enforcement-related class actions with settlements over $10M. 
  • Molly Munger, Founding Co-Director, Catalyst California – Molly brings an extensive background of legal expertise to Catalyst Ca, including twenty years as a federal prosecutor and business litigator. Together with Catalyst California Co-Directors Connie Rice and Steve English, Molly launched a coalition lawsuit, Godinez v. Davis, which won approximately $1B for new school construction in Los Angeles and other urban areas. 
  • Alberto Retana, President and CEO, Community Coalition – Alberto has developed initiatives to build Community Coalition into a mass-based community organization that involves thousands of South Los Angeles residents in the practice of creating change. Under his leadership, Community Coalition most recently created the People First Platform, a comprehensive policy agenda informed by over 4200 adults and youth, to equitably move resources to the highest-need communities, re-imagine our criminal justice system, and transform the built environment in South Los Angeles. 
  • Anthony Thigpenn, Founder and President, California Calls – Anthony Thigpenn is currently president of California Calls, an ongoing alliance of 31 organizations in 21 counties around California committed to achieving systemic reform of the state’s broken tax policies and budget to ensure equity and economic justice for all Californians.  
  • Tom Unterman, Founding Partner, Rustic Canyon Partners – Tom is the Founding Partner of Rustic Canyon Partners, one of Los Angeles’ leading venture capital firms. He has served on or led the board of numerous non-profit organizations including the California Community Foundation, Public Counsel, MOCA, and Heal the Bay, and otherwise actively supports progressive causes.
  • April Verrett, President, SEIU Local 2015 – April Verrett serves as President of SEIU Local 2015, California’s largest local union and the nation’s largest long-term care union. The union represents more than 400,000 long-term care providers working in nursing homes and private homes throughout California.

“Catalyst California is on the cutting edge of using data, advocacy, and centering people’s voices to advance equitable and just policy change,” said Alberto Retana, President, and CEO of Community Coalition. “It’s an honor to serve alongside some of California’s best practitioners of racial justice.” 

“For twenty-plus years, Catalyst California has made steady progress in its collaborative efforts to bring more justice and equity to our communities,” said Stephen English, Founding Co-Director. “Its skills, credibility, and outreach have increased apace. I see great things ahead.” 

“It is a great honor to join the Catalyst California Advisory Board. Catalyst California is a tremendous advocate for racial and socioeconomic equity and an important partner in uplifting the power of diverse communities in California,” said Sandra Celedon, President and CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities. “I’ve worked closely with Catalyst California for many years and I’m looking forward to helping shape their future work to advance justice and ensure all Californians thrive.” 

We look forward to sharing more news about our Advisory Board and the organization’s work.