Selection Committee

Each year, an independent Selection Committee of California leaders identifies the recipients of The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards. Distinguished for their extensive contributions to California communities and institutions, Selection Committee members work in diverse fields and reflect the ethnic and regional diversity of California.

Paulette Brown-Hinds

Founder, Voice Media Ventures; Chair, The James Irvine Leadership Awards Selection Committee

Connie Chung Joe

Chief Executive Officer, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California

Alex Davis

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Rancho Santiago Community College District

Nicole Lim

Executive Director, California Indian Museum and Cultural Center

Mona Pasquil Rogers

President, The California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Institute

José A. Quiñonez

Founder and CEO, Mission Asset Fund; 2013 Leadership Awards Recipient

Dr. Hendry Ton

Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UC Davis Health

Dora Westerlund

President & CEO, Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation; 2017 Leadership Award Recipient

Charles Sidney Fields

Executive Vice President of Programs, The James Irvine Foundation

Program Management

The James Irvine Foundation established the Leadership Awards in 2006 and continues to fully fund and support the program. Since 2021, the Sacramento-based public affairs firm, Capitol Impact, has managed the Leadership Awards program in close partnership with Irvine Foundation Program Officer, Cindy Downing.

Click to contact the Leadership Awards team or to receive updates about the Leadership Awards program.

Team