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.

Kafi D. Blumenfield

Founder, Alisyo; Chair, Leadership Awards Selection Committee

Tony Brown

CEO, Heart of Los Angeles; 2017 Leadership Award Recipient

Connie Chung Joe

Chief Executive Officer, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California

Dr. Alex Davis

Chief Executive Officer of the Intermediary Development Corporation

Charles Sidney Fields

Executive Vice President of Programs, The James Irvine Foundation

Nicole Lim

Executive Director, California Indian Museum and Cultural Center

Teresa Matsui

President and Chief Executive Officer of Matsui Nursery, Inc.

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

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