Southern California Grantmakers Announces Appointment Of Wendy Garen To Board

LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Southern California Grantmakers (SCG), a regional association of philanthropic leaders working to support and advance effective grantmaking and drive innovative strategies for community problem solving, is pleased to welcome Wendy Garen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation to its Board.

"We are looking forward to working with Ms. Garen, who previously served on our Board in the late 1990s," said Board Chair Carl Ballton. "She brings a wealth of insight, knowledge and extensive leadership experience to our team and we are delighted that she is returning to SCG's Board."

Garen joined the staff of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation in 1986, and was appointed its President and Chief Executive Officer in 2008, after working for the Foundation in increasing levels of responsibility for more than 20 years. In addition, she was a founding staff member of the children's nonprofit Crystal Stairs, and also headed the Los Angeles Child Care and Development Council.

"I am extremely honored to work with SCG's outstanding leadership team," Garen says. "I look forward to sharing my experiences, listening and responding to the needs of our members and contributing to the future direction and growth of the organization."

Garen has served on the boards for numerous organizations including the Broad Stage, Harvard Kennedy School Women's Leadership Board, and currently serves on the California Advisory Board of the Milken Institute. She also joined delegations visiting South Africa and Egypt, is a member of the Philanthropy Leadership Group, The Trusteeship, and was a Senior Fellow at the School of Public Policy at UCLA in 2004.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Garen holds a master's degree in urban planning from UCLA and is a frequent speaker and panelist at both local and national meetings for philanthropy.

About Southern California Grantmakers

Southern California Grantmakers (SCG) is a membership association that serves as a common voice for a diverse and vibrant community of philanthropists, bound by a shared desire to make a difference by strengthening underserved communities, enhancing people's lives and building a better future. Members represent Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties.

Founded in 1973, SCG's members are comprised of private sector grantmakers, including independent foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, community foundations, public foundations, private operating foundations and individual philanthropists. www.socalgrantmakers.org.

SOURCE Southern California Grantmakers