Southern California Grantmakers Announces New Board Members

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 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 three new members to its Board. SCG's new Board members are: Melissa Harman, partner at Moss Adams, LLP and senior manager of the Moss Adams Foundation; Deidre Lind, director of corporate affairs for Mattel, Inc. and executive director of the Mattel Children's Foundation; and Deborah M. Ives, vice president and treasurer of the Weingart Foundation.   

"This is an exciting time for SCG," said Board Chair Carl Ballton. "Our new Board members bring diverse, inspiring perspectives and wide-ranging philanthropic experiences, as well as significant achievements in their fields of expertise." Ballton added, "Each of these highly qualified individuals will be invaluable as we continue to build a bold new vision for our organization."

In her role as a certified public accountant, which she has held since 1998, Melissa Harman provides professional services to a broad variety of nonprofits, primarily institutions of higher education, private foundations and other nonprofit organizations.

Deidre Lind is responsible for leading Mattel's global sustainability programs and philanthropic presence both nationally and internationally in support of building Mattel's reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. She previously served as Kaiser Permanente's California Division associate director for government and community relations and worked on social policy for the chief of staff to Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

Currently vice president and treasurer of the Weingart Foundation, Deborah Ives has served at the Foundation since 2002 and possesses more than 22 years of nonprofit financial management experience. Prior to her role with the Foundation, she worked at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, starting as vice president of finance and administration in 1992, and becoming the Association's president in 2001.

The SCG Board's 2013 officers are: Chair Carl A. Ballton, president and chief operating officer, Union Bank Foundation; Vice Chair Kafi Blumenfield, president and chief executive officer, Liberty Hill Foundation; Treasurer William H. Ahmanson, president, The Ahmanson Foundation; and Secretary Jennifer M. Lynch, director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Paramount Pictures. The SCG Board recently announced the appointment of Christine Essel as the organization's new president, effective February 1, 2013.

About Southern California Grantmakers

Founded in 1973, Southern California Grantmakers (SCG) is a membership association comprised of private sector grantmakers, which includes independent foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, community foundations, public foundations, private operating foundations and individual philanthropists.

SCG 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. www.socalgrantmakers.org.

SOURCE Southern California Grantmakers