Board of Commissioners

A 25-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor supports California Volunteers. Its role is to carry out the mission and objectives of California Volunteers and fulfill the statutory responsibilities for State Commissions under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.

Commission members do not receive a salary, function as “Ambassadors of Service” in their local communities to promote service opportunities, and to encourage service by all Californians. Commissioners also participate in the following activities on behalf of California Volunteers:

  • Approve grant-making policies, procedures, and funding proposals submitted to the Corporation for National and Community Service;
  • Advise and participate in the work of California Volunteers including policy, communication and program decision making, and special initiatives, by attending meetings and participating on committees, working groups, and task-forces;
  • Reach out to specific constituencies such as government, nonprofits, business, labor, and communities of faith to seek their participation in and support of California Volunteers activities and programs;
  • Coordinate with other state agencies and volunteer service programs to ensure a comprehensive and integrated service system within the state;
  • Promote community service throughout the state by representing California Volunteers at service-related events and venues;
  • Support California Volunteers funded programs by participating in site visits and speaking at launch or graduation activities;
  • Participate in the development of the annual state service plan often called the Unified State Plan

The Commissioners

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Honorary Chair – First Partner of California
Lindsay Callahan Fox, Commission Chair – CEO of The Sojourner Group
Jesse Melgar, Commission Vice Chair – Senior Advisor, Strategy and Public Affairs at the UC Possibility Lab
Rima Barkett – Founder/President A Tavola Together Foundation
Gregory Bradbard – Chief Executive Officer, IEHP Foundation
Rodrego Byerly – President & CEO, EVITARUS Inc.
Benjamin “Benji” Carvajal – Property Manager, Becks Motor Lodge
Rebecca Curtis – Senior Portfolio Manager, AmeriCorps
Chrysanthy Demos
Richard Goldman
Shelly Guyer
Jeff Hoffman – President, Jeff Hoffman & Associates Global CSR & Philanthropy
Rene Jones – Partner and Chief of Social Impact, UTA
Sloane Keane – CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Orange County & The Inland Empire
David SK Lee
Wendi Lizola Gomez, #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Fellow
Michael Lynch
Ben McCue – Executive Director, Outdoor Outreach
Kathy McKim – Principal, Hawksbill Advisors
Catherine Milton – Executive Director of Save the Children, U.S
Araceli Mohamed – Founder and CEO, Volunteer with Cheli and Account Manager, National University
Dan Newman
Darren Dow Ocasio – Battalion Chief – Rank and File Director, CAL FIRE- CAL FIRE Local 2881
Yvette Radford – Vice President, External and Community Affairs, Kaiser Permanente
Vicente Sarmiento, Supervisor, Orange County Board of Supervisors
Tony Thurmond – State Superintendent, California Department of Education
Sean Varner – Managing Partner, Varner & Brandt LLP

Commission meeting agendas can be found on our Public Notices page.