After a series of start-up experiences in both for-profit and non-profit arenas, I became passionate about helping organizations and individuals reach their potential. I evangelize about what I call the Mentoring and Networking Lifestyle. ~A perspective that values and nurtures the interconnections between and amongst us all. Recently delivered presentations and workshops for ESPN, Pepsi, IBM, Johnson and Johnson, NAMIC, FritoLay Canada, Price Waterhouse, Rising Stars, Coro Los Angeles, and Gavina Coffee. My role at the California Community Foundation allows me to further my career as a social entrepreneur to develop and implement the promise of social venture philanthropy, by linking charitable investors/donors to the extraordinary needs in the community.
FORMAL BIOGRAPHY
John E. Kobara
Ex. VP and COO
California Community Foundation
In 2009, John was appointed Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer for the California Community Foundation (CCF). He is responsible for all of the development, marketing, administrative, grantmaking, civic engagement, and donor relations functions for the 48th largest foundation in the nation. The California Community Foundation is L.A.’s foundation. CCF has been around since 1915, with more than $1 billion in assets. Since 2004, CCF granted more than $1 billion in grants to non-profits and charities in Los Angeles and beyond. CCF specializes in assisting high net worth families, individuals, corporations and non-profits to pursue their philanthropic visions.
For more than thirty five years, John has been leading and managing diverse and complex non-profit and for-profit organizations. John has been engaged in three successful start-ups traversing a broad spectrum of industries during his career. He regards himself as a social entrepreneur who specializes in cause marketing and social advocacy. Prior to his appointment at CCF, John was CEO of the CK12 Foundation, a nonprofit technology startup that provides no-cost textbooks to K-12 market. He also served as President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles , Senior VP of Online Higher Education for Sylvan Learning Systems Inc, President/CEO of OnlineLearning.net, Vice Chancellor of External Affairs at UCLA, Executive Director of the UCLA Alumni Association, and Vice President and General Manager of Falcon Cable TV.
John has given hundreds of workshops and presentations for Fortune 500 corporations, leading businesses, universities, professional associations, non-profits, and community organizations all over the world. He speaks on career and life development, pursuit of passion, philanthropy, and mentoring and networking. He posts his ideas, thoughts and recommendations about Adopting the Mentoring and Networking Lifestyle on his blog @ johnkobara.com
He received the 2010 Crystal Eagle from the Coro Foundation for distinguished public service and 2007 City of Angels award from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his service on behalf of children and families. He was a Coro Fellow in LA and earned degrees from UCLA, USC, and Occidental College.
