Ashley Swearengin
President and CEO
Meet the CEO
Oversees the overall management and direction of the Central Valley Community Foundation, ensuring that CVCF makes progress every day towards accomplishing our mission: to cultivate smart philanthropy, lead, and invest in solutions that build stronger communities.
Ashley Swearengin is president and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, a charitable foundation serving the six counties of Central California and providing over $100 million in funding to over 650 community benefit organizations over the last decade. Prior to joining CVCF, she served as Mayor of the City of Fresno from 2009 through 2016. As mayor, she implemented substantial changes to improve the delivery of city services, revitalize the downtown and urban core, promote business and job growth, address chronic homelessness, and stabilize the city’s financial position. Before becoming mayor, Ashley led a number of economic development initiatives in the Fresno region, including the Central Valley Business Incubator, Fresno State’s Office of Community and Economic Development, and the Regional Jobs Initiative. She holds MBA and BS degrees from California State University, Fresno.
Ann-Marie Padilla
Programs Associate
Works externally with applicants and grantees and internally with program, finance, and legal staff to structure and complete processing of grantmaking and scholarship requirements.
Claudia Ruiz-Alvarez
Director of Donor Services
Focuses on providing exceptional and differentiated service to donors, prospective donors, nonprofit organizations, and colleagues. Claudia carries out CVCF’s mission by facilitating the establishment and effective operation of donor-advised, designated, scholarship and agency funds.
David Johnson
Special Projects/Crop Gifting
Implements and directs initiatives related to donor stewardship, fiscal management, and project management.
Elliott Balch
Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O.)
Coordinates grantmaking, community engagement, and policy work; recruits staff talent; and designs and implements strategies for program growth.
Gretchen Moore
Director of Community Engagement
Directs community engagement and communications activities in cooperation with CVCF staff, community partners, funders, and grantees.
Jessica Revis
Executive Assistant
Provides high-level administrative support to the CEO and assists with various projects. This includes the overall management of the CEO’s schedule and various correspondences. Often referred to as the gatekeeper, Jessica oversees all incoming requests and inquires for the CEO.
Kerri Horn
Chief Finance Officer (C.F.O.)
Provides accountability of the financial affairs of CVCF and serves as the chief financial advisor regarding fiscal resources and outlays. Kerri directs, administers, and coordinates policies and procedures related to: finance and investment management, safeguarding of assets, and compliance with internal controls.
Laura Maciel
Community Engagement Manager
Facilitates and implements CVCF’s strategic communications plan, including developing original content that helps tell the story of the Central Valley.
Nikki Henry
Policy Director
Directs and implements the Foundation’s projects focused on the Central Valley’s human capital. Nikki works with community leaders across the Valley on improving systems and outcomes in the areas of education, workforce, early care, public health, mental health, and homelessness alleviation.
Phuong Bui
Staff Accountant
Executes a variety of administrative, data, and accounting tasks to support grantmaking and finance.
Sarah Moffat
Director of External Affairs
Responsible for attracting and engaging CVCF’s six-county region on portfolio issues pertaining to economic development. Supports key CVCF signature programming including Council of Business Sponsors and the Central Valley Legislators Roundtable.
Travis Jeffus
Senior Staff Accountant
Executes a variety of accounting and financial control monitoring duties for CVCF. Travis ensures proper accounting for gifts, grants, and other financial transactions, thereby safeguarding the integrity of CVCF’s funds.
Yen Kilday
Programs and Evaluation Manager
Yen is a key system administrator who works collaboratively with colleagues throughout the organization, grant and scholarship review committees, and grantee partners to oversee and implement grantmaking by CVCF.