The California Stewardship Network (CSN) is an alliance of regional leaders who are committed to improving government and creating inclusive, sustainable growth for all. CSN organizations lead innovative regional solutions that can be scaled up to solve some of our state’s most pressing economic, environmental, and social well-being challenges. By creating thriving regions, we can ensure a thriving state.
CSN was founded in 2008 by the Morgan Family Foundation as a civic venture. In 2019, CSN joined California Forward, who serves as the backbone of the organization.
With more than 25 organizations throughout the state – and growing – CSN represents the state’s diverse regions. From top to bottom, east to west, coastal and inland, urban and rural – CSN is built upon a foundation of collaboration to move triple-bottom-line solutions that balance equity, the environment and the economy. While each of California’s regions are distinct, there are also many things that bind us together. It is through sharing resources, ideas, innovations and best practices that CSN lifts up solutions that can be implimented throughout the state.
To ensure stewards continue to be identified and trained to lead in each region, CSN leaders serve as mentors to emerging stewards through its Becky Morgan Steward Leadership Program.
OUR SHARED VISION
An aspirational thought or concept in which a group of people commit to being forward-looking and envisioning possibilities in a shared view of the future.
Who We Are

Oscar Chavez
Co-Chair
Assistant Director, Sonoma County Department of Human Services

Heidi Hill Drum
Co-Chair
CEO, Tahoe Prosperity Center

Kate Roberts
Vice-Chair
President, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership

Bill Allen
President & CEO, LAEDC
Former CSN Co-Chair

Loreli Cappel
Senior Project Director, Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC)

Michelle Decker
President & CEO, Inland Empire Community Foundation

Rosanne Foust
President & CEO, San Mateo County Economic Development Association

Steve Frisch
President, Sierra Business Council

Paul C. Granillo
President & CEO, Inland Empire Economic Partnership

Glenda Humiston
Vice President, University of California – Agriculture and Natural Resource

Chelsea Irvine
Community Resource Manager, 3CORE

Melissa James
President & CEO, REACH, Central Coast

Marian Kaanon
President & CEO, Stanislaus Community Foundation

Kate Meis
Executive Director, Local Government Commission

Sarah Moffat
Director of External Affairs, Central Valley Community Foundation

Kathy Moxon
Director, Redwood Coast Rural Action

Cynthia Murray
CEO, North Bay Leadership Council

Deb Nankivell
CEO, Fresno Business Council

Araceli Palafox
Deputy Director, Lift to Rise

Sheba Person-Whitley
Executive Director, Sonoma County Economic Development Board

David Rattray
President & CEO, UNITE-LA

Lauree Sahba
Chief Operating Officer, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp

Lisa Wittke Schaffner
Executive Director, The John Jordan Foundation

Evan Schmidt
CEO, Valley Vision

Jason Schwenkler
Executive Director, CSU Chico – North State Planning and Development Collective

Bruce Stenslie
President & CEO, Economic Development Collaborative
Former CSN Co-Chair

Ahmad Thomas
President & CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Heather Vaikona
President & CEO, Lift to Rise

Kristen Beall Watson
President & CEO, Kern Community Foundation

Jim Wunderman
President & CEO, Bay Area Council
Where We Are
Explore our interactive map to learn more about the organizations that make up the California Stewardship Newtork.

Jim and Becky Morgan
“What keeps me going is the expressions of enthusiasm from stewards in the regions caring for their place. No one else is doing it in this way.”
– Becky Morgan
Interested in joining CSN?
If your organization is interested in learning more about how to join the California Stewardship Network, please reach out to Ismael (Ish) Herrera at ish@cafwd.org.
