Santa Monica, CA – August 28, 2025 – Meals on Wheels West is proud to announce the appointment of Kaylee Hawkins as its new Executive Director. Hawkins, a seasoned nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience driving community-based programs, brings a strong record of strategic growth, fundraising, and coalition-building to the organization.
Hawkins previously served as Director of the Pacific Region for Best Friends Animal Society, where she spearheaded statewide initiatives, secured transformational funding — including a $50 million grant to improve lifesaving in California’s animal shelters — and built coalitions that improved outcomes for underserved communities. Most recently, she led urgent care expansion efforts at VCA Animal Hospitals, developing outreach strategies that strengthened local partnerships and improved access to care.
Hawkins succeeds Chris Baca, who has been at the helm of Meals on Wheels West since 2014. During his tenure, Chris has not only built strong relationships with several local and national organizations but also produced a 249% growth and expanded the service area to include Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Venice, and Marina del Rey. The Board expresses its deep gratitude to Baca for his years of service and stewardship and wishes him a rewarding and fulfilling retirement.
“Kaylee is a dynamic leader whose career reflects both vision and compassion,” said Leonard Lanzi, Chair of the Meals on Wheels West Board of Directors. “Her experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and cross-sector partnerships will be invaluable as we expand our mission of delivering not just meals, but independence, dignity, and human connection to our homebound neighbors.”
As Executive Director, Hawkins will lead Meals on Wheels West in advancing its mission to provide vital nutrition, social connection, and support services to homebound individuals across Santa Monica and the Westside.
“I’m honored to join Meals on Wheels West and serve the community I call home,” said Hawkins. “This organization is a lifeline for so many, and I’m excited to work alongside our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters to grow our impact and ensure every neighbor feels nourished and seen.”
About Meals on Wheels West
Meals on Wheels West is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, health, and independence of homebound neighbors by delivering nutritious meals and supportive services. Serving Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, and Venice, Meals on Wheels West empowers individuals to live independently with dignity in their own homes.
YMCA Metro Los Angeles Welcomes John Horn as VP of People, Culture and Development
Los Angeles, CA (August 7, 2025) – The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles proudly announces the appointment of John Horn as the new VP of People, Culture and Development.
John Horn is an accomplished human resources and nonprofit executive with nearly three decades of experience leading mission-driven organizations. Most recently, he served as Chief Impact & People Officer at LA Family Housing, one of Los Angeles’ largest homeless services providers. During his tenure, John led major initiatives to expand workforce engagement, develop diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and implement the organization’s first total rewards system, positively impacting hundreds of employees. He has managed multi-million-dollar budgets, built high-performing teams, and championed employee wellness and professional development throughout his career.
"I'm thrilled to join the Y Team and help be a part of the work that has uplifted communities for nearly 145 years across the Los Angeles Region,” John said. “This association is so successful because of the team who makes it happen, and I'm honored to now be in that group."
With Horn’s appointment, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing a positive employee culture, supporting professional growth, and sustaining the organization’s legacy of impactful community service.
"Team members are what make the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles so special – it's how we connect with our communities,” said Nevin Stanton-Trehan, Chief People Officer. “We are thrilled to have John Horn join our team to help our team continue to be the best they can be.”
About YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access and opportunities for all generations through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As the Center for Community Well-being, the Y provides programs and services that support people at every stage of life. From early childhood education to senior wellness programs, from swim lessons to mental health support, the Y is a place where everyone belongs. With a network of centers across Los Angeles, the Y connects individuals to resources, relationships, and opportunities that transform lives and strengthen neighborhoods. For more information, visit ymcala.org or follow on social media @ymcala.
About Envision Consulting
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row.
San Gabriel Valley, CA – July 31, 2025: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat) is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Bridges as its new Senior Director of Development.
Michael brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with a strong track record of building high-impact partnerships and driving community-centered growth. Most recently, he served as Director of Development at Parks California, a statewide nonprofit partner of California State Parks, where he successfully increased both institutional and individual giving, expanded donor engagement, and launched innovative revenue-generating events and partnerships.
“I am thrilled to join San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and to help build homes, hope, and community,” says Michael. “I love seeing philanthropy in action, especially when funding is multiplied by volunteer action, decades of organizational experience and expertise, and a committed group of mission-driven professionals and partners to deliver life-changing impact and positive lasting change.”
Through home construction, repair programs, and housing advocacy, SGV Habitat partners with local families to create affordable pathways to homeownership. SGV Habitat believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live—and is committed to making that a reality in the communities it serves.
“We are very excited to welcome Michael to the SGV Habitat team,” says Bryan Wong, CEO. “His extensive expertise and vast experience align with our vision for growth. I look forward to many new partnerships under his leadership as we expand our impact in the communities we serve.”
About San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1990, SGV Habitat is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serving communities across the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Habitat partners with individuals and families to build and improve homes through affordable homeownership and critical repairs. With the help of donors, volunteers, and community partners, SGV Habitat works toward a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. For more information, visit: https://www.sgvhabitat.org
About Envision Consulting
Based in Los Angeles, Envision Consulting, LLC specializes in providing leadership strategy and search solutions exclusively to nonprofit organizations. After both founding and running nonprofits for a combined 20 years, our founders built a company that supports and guides the same organizations they were so inspired by and has blossomed into a suite of comprehensive services designed to empower nonprofits to better leverage existing resources for stronger results. Envision often partners with organizations experiencing significant transition, such as programming, leadership, and operational growth, restructurings, and changes in business models including mergers and acquisitions.
Whittier, CA – July 22, 2025: The Whole Child is thrilled to announce that Harlyn Santos has joined the executive leadership staff as their new Chief Operating Officer. Harlyn brings over two decades of leadership in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Executive Director of Think Together, where she oversaw a portfolio of 60 school sites across Riverside County.
Harlyn is a seasoned executive known for driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and team development across complex, multi-site organizations. At Think Together, she led a transformative expansion, tripling regional revenue from $11 million to $35 million in just three years, while maintaining operational integrity, program quality, and stakeholder trust. Her ability to integrate data-driven planning with mission-focused execution has consistently positioned organizations for scale and sustainability.
“Harlyn’s deep operational expertise, strategic mindset, and commitment to strengthening communities make her an exceptional fit for this next chapter at The Whole Child,” said CEO Constanza Pachon. “She brings not only a strong track record of results but also a collaborative spirit that aligns with our values and mission. I’m confident she will be a trusted thought partner to me, our Board, and our leadership team as well as a true champion for our staff and the children and families we serve. Her keen eye for systematization and operational efficiency will be invaluable as we continue building on the tremendous growth of the last seven years, strengthening our infrastructure and positioning The Whole Child for long-term sustainability and impact.”
As COO, Harlyn will lead the operational backbone of The Whole Child in advancing organizational infrastructure, aligning policies and procedures with strategic goals, and fostering a culture of performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Her areas of focus will be strengthening cross-functional systems, supporting staff development, and stewarding the continued growth and innovation that have defined The Whole Child over the past seven years.
“I am honored to join an organization with such a powerful mission and impeccable track record of impact,” said Harlyn Santos. “The Whole Child’s work resonates deeply with my own values as a servant leader. I look forward to partnering with the team to build on the strong foundation in place and help position the organization for even greater reach and resilience.”
Harlyn holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She is also fluent in Spanish and brings a lived understanding of the communities we serve.
About The Whole Child
Founded in 1957, The Whole Child is dedicated to empowering vulnerable families, especially those experiencing housing instability, by providing comprehensive, holistic supports. They offer mental health counseling for children and families, interim housing and family stabilization services, parenting education and home visits, plus nutrition and physical wellness programs. Their mission is “to help families raise emotionally and physically healthy children and have a place to call home,” striving to integrate healing, education and stable housing under one roof.
About Envision Consulting
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in Los Angeles, Denver, and New York, Envision’s commitment to nonprofit excellence is integrated throughout its practices, which include structured hiring practices, data-informed processes, and collaborative decision-making. Our team includes seasoned nonprofit executives and strategic advisors with decades of frontline experience, bringing a deep understanding of sector challenges and opportunities. We are proud to support clients with a holistic approach to leadership placement, strategic planning, and long-term partnership development—equipping mission-driven organizations to thrive in complexity and scale their impact with clarity and confidence.
Jasmine Griffis Named Senior Director of Programs at Connections for Children
Los Angeles, CA (June 24, 2025) - It is with great excitement that Connections for Children, a steadfast advocate for the nurturing and educational needs of children and meeting the changing demands of the community, announces the appointment of Jasmine Griffis as its new Senior Director of Programs. Ms. Griffis’ leadership philosophy is rooted in achieving the best possible outcome measures for program participants by fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth and aligning team strengths with strategic objectives.
In her capacity as the Senior Director of Programs, Ms. Griffis will be responsible for leading program growth, ensuring program contract compliance, and setting standards for program data collection and results. She will be the principal advisor and key partner to the Chief Program Officer. Jasmine Griffis is a mission-driven leader in human services with a strong foundation in organizational leadership, trauma-informed care, and strategic program development. She has successfully directed multi-million-dollar initiatives supporting vulnerable youth, including unaccompanied minors and foster care populations, by fostering high-performing teams and ensuring regulatory compliance. Currently pursuing her doctorate in Human Services, Ms. Griffis continues to elevate service delivery through data-driven practices, cross-sector collaboration, and a deep commitment to empowering communities.
“I’m grateful to be entrusted with this incredible work. For me, it’s a form of stewardship of my gifts, my faith, and the communities we serve. I’ve always believed we are called to serve where we are most needed, and I’m honored to answer that call in this new role. I’m thrilled to be part of Connections for Children’s beautiful history and its diverse community of helping professionals. My leadership continues to be guided by values deeply rooted in faith and service”, said Jasmine Griffis.
"Jasmine's passion for our mission and commitment to serve the CFC community is evident with every individual she interacts with. We are excited to continue the growth of Connections for Children with Jasmine as an integral member of our Leadership Team", said Dr. Jessica Reynaga, EdD, MSW, Chief Program Officer
With Jasmine Griffis on board, Connections for Children will continue to champion quality improvement by standardizing care practices and ensuring programs meet high service standards for families and childcare providers. With strong leadership collaboration, they will ensure community engagement to strengthen the agency’s impact and sustainability. Jasmine Griffis was chosen as the next Senior Director of Programs after an extensive search led by Connections for Children and facilitated by Envision Consulting. For more information about Ms. Griffis’ appointment or Connections for Children, please contact Melissa Montoya, Director of Search Services at Envision Consulting.
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row.