Pasadena, CA, April 7, 2025 – The Planetary Society is proud to announce the appointment of Larry Brogan as its new Chief Financial Officer.
Larry has held a variety of senior financial positions during his professional tenure, which spans more than 25 years. Since February 2020, he has served as CFO of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), a non-profit research institute in Los Angeles. Immediately prior, Larry was CFO of the business-to-business division of Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD). Larry has also spent time as a finance executive at Warner Bros. Entertainment and as head of corporate planning at Yahoo! More recently, he has held executive roles at Autoweb (NASDAQ: AUTO) and Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB). Larry has been an advisor / interim CFO to early-stage technology start-ups as well as a staff consultant at KPMG.
"I'm so excited to begin working with The Planetary Society,” Larry says. “I look forward to being a part of this amazing team and helping promote space, science and exploration."
Since its founding in 1980, The Planetary Society has been promoting education of the Cosmos and helping the public take an active role in space exploration. Under the leadership of CEO Bill Nye, it is the world’s largest and most influential non-profit space organization, engaging in a global community of more than 2 million space enthusiasts.
“Everyone at The Planetary Society is excited to welcome Larry to the team,” says Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Vaughn. “His expertise and leadership will be invaluable, and we look forward to the positive impact he will make on our organization.”
About The Planetary Society
With a global community of more than 2 million space enthusiasts, The Planetary Society is the world’s largest and most influential space advocacy organization. Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman and today led by CEO Bill Nye, we empower the public to take a meaningful role in advancing space exploration through advocacy, education outreach, scientific innovation, and global collaboration. Together with our members and supporters, we’re on a mission to explore worlds, find life off Earth, and protect our planet from dangerous asteroids. To learn more, visit www.planetary.org.
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, Lexington 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.
Los Angeles, CA, March 19, 2025 – Ability First is proud to announce the appointment of Michuan Fleming as its new Chief People Officer.
With over 18 years of experience in human resources leadership, Michuan has a proven track record of enhancing organizational culture and aligning HR initiatives with strategic goals. In her previous role as Chief Innovation Officer at Safe Place for Youth, Michuan spearheaded programs in talent acquisition, safety, real estate, compliance, and employee development. Her expertise in fostering inclusive workplaces and driving operational excellence will be invaluable to Ability First as they continue to empower individuals with disabilities.
"I’m excited for the opportunity to be joining the Ability First team,” Fleming says. “I am eager to contribute to their mission and collaborate with the team to achieve new milestones."
Since 1926, AbilityFirst has been providing a variety of programs designed to help members of the disabled community achieve their personal best at every stage of life. Through targeted programming and a focus on eliminating barriers to service, Ability First is able to help individuals from all economic and social backgrounds successfully transition from childhood to adult life.
“I am delighted to welcome Michuan Fleming to AbilityFirst as our Chief People Officer!” says CEO Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi. “Dynamic and engaging, with a profound commitment to people, Michuan brings tremendous acumen to the position and will elevate our Human Resources Department in support of our workforce and in alignment with organizational strategies and goals.”
About AbilityFirst
AbilityFirst stands for, and alongside, people with developmental disabilities and their families. They create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. The programs offered through are person-centered and tailored to individual interests and needs. They are grounded in individual choice, autonomy, community participation, with a focus on creating social connections and a sense of belonging. For more information, visit https://www.abilityfirst.org/
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, Lexington 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.
Los Angeles, CA, February 27, 2025 – Foothill Unity Center, Inc. is proud to announce the appointment of Jhoana Hirasuna as their new Executive Director.
Jhoana Hirasuna brings extensive experience in community service and non-profit leadership to her new role as Executive Director of Foothill Unity Center. Her career includes serving vulnerable populations for over 20 years, including work with Pacific Clinics Passageways and the Salvation Army Pasadena. She most recently led Shepherd's Pantry as Executive Director. Jhoana is a past president of the Pasadena Host Lions Club and a member of the Glendora Kiwanis Club. She holds degrees from CSU Fullerton (B.A.) and Arizona State University (MSW) and lives in Covina with her family.
"I am honored to be the new Executive Director of Foothill Unity Center and work alongside its dedicated team of staff, board, volunteers, and community partners. I am deeply committed to Foothill Unity Center’s mission of empowering neighbors in crisis to achieve self-sufficiency.," said Hirasuna. "By working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve, providing vital support with love and dignity."
About Foothill Unity Center, Inc.
To learn more about Foothill Unity Center visit: https://foothillunitycenter.org/
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, Lexington 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.
Los Angeles, CA February 11, 2025 – Connections for Children is proud to announce the appointment of Patricia Oliver as their new Chief Operating Officer.
Patricia Oliver is an experienced nonprofit leader with over two decades of leadership expertise in education, public relations, and community development. She most recently served as Chief Operations Director for Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA), an organization providing community and sources to public school students. A South Los Angeles native, Oliver holds an M.S. in Management and Leadership and has executive-level expertise in operations, human resources, and financial management.
“I am honored to join Connections for Children and contribute to its incredible mission of supporting early childhood education and care,” Oliver says. “I look forward to applying my skills and passion to strengthen operations, empower families, and create opportunities for every child to thrive”
Connections for Children is a resource and referral agency serving parents and childcare providers in West Los Angeles and South Bay. For over 50 years, the organization has been committed to helping children reach their full potential by connecting them to resources, education, and economic support.
“We are thrilled to welcome Patricia to CFC’s Executive Leadership Team,” says Executive Director Jennifer Cowan. “Not only does Patricia bring a wealth of experience, but she is also deeply committed to CFC’s mission and desire to increase our impact on children, families, and the early care and education community.”
About Connections for Children
What began as a small team of women hoping to offer their community childcare information services has now grown into a thriving resource for West Los Angeles and the South Bay. Connections for Children offers professional childcare referrals, financial assistance, workforce development and family engagement, all under the mission of building stronger parents, education providers and early age communities which in turn strengthen the future possibilities for each child it touches. For more information, visit: https://www.connectionsforchildren.org/
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, Lexington 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.
Los Angeles, CA, February 4, 2025 – Center for Caregivers Advancement is proud to announce the appointment of Quintilia Ávila, MPA as their new Senior Director of External Affairs.
Quintilia brings over two decades of experience in public policy, community engagement, and social equity as Senior Director of External Affairs at the Center for Caregivers Advancement (CCA). With a passion for fostering collaborative partnerships and driving meaningful change, Quintilia leads the organization’s communications, development, and data/research initiatives to support the vital work of long-term healthcare workers across California.
Throughout their career, Quintilia has championed efforts to improve social determinants of health and civic engagement and empower underrepresented communities. She has worked extensively with public entities, leveraging their skills to enhance organizational effectiveness and promote equitable development strategies. Her leadership was instrumental during the 2020 Census, where they played a key role in statewide outreach and engagement efforts.
Deeply committed to social justice, Quintilia also serves as a Commissioner on the Riverside County Behavioral Health Commission, advocating for policies that promote behavioral health and equitable access to care.
Inspired by personal experiences—having seen the critical role in-home support service workers played in her own family—Quintilia is dedicated to advancing the mission of CCA. She is passionate about elevating the voices of caregivers, strengthening workforce development, and ensuring that long-term healthcare workers receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
Her narrative as a formerly undocumented immigrant and a first-generation college graduate infuses her professional endeavors with a unique and invaluable perspective. She earned her undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies from UC Santa Barbara and holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
About Center for Caregivers Advancement
The Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) is building the workforce of highly trained caregivers that many Californians can’t live without. For over two decades, CCA has been at the forefront of an equity-driven movement for quality training and quality jobs. CCA is one of the largest providers of training for long-term caregivers in California– training over 35,000 home care and nursing home caregivers in the past 20 years. We are pioneers in home care training and are the only organization in the country to show the value of evidence-informed training programs on both the workforce population and the low-income older adults and people with disabilities for whom they care, with curriculum licensed in four other states.
CCA develops quality training programs for both IHSS home care workers and Skilled Nursing Facility workers. We have a deep partnership with SEIU Local 2015 - the labor union that represents IHSS and SNF workers across California. Our Labor Management Training Partnership for nursing home workers is grounded in partnership systems in which skilled nursing facility employers collaborate with SEIU Local 2015 in order to benefit the workforce and provide higher-quality care to residents through high-quality courses, certifications, and apprenticeship programs.
To learn more about CCA, visit: https://advancecaregivers.org/
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, Lexington 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.