Picerne_ED_Candidate_Profile_2026

CANDIDATE PROFILE

POSITION TITLE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PRIMARY LOCATION

CREATED FOR SANTA MONICA

PICERNE FAMILY FOUNDATION

about the picerne family foundation

The Picerne Family Foundation develops and supports innovative programs that provide opportunities for individuals to increase their abilities, knowledge, talent, and understanding in ways that will help them better contribute to creating active and healthy communities.

our mission

The Foundation’s mission is to develop and support innovative programs that provide opportunities for individuals to increase their abilities, knowledge, talent and understanding in ways that will help them better contribute to creating active and healthy communities. The Foundation focuses support on education, the arts, health, the elderly, mental health, promoting equity, affordable housing and the environment. To that end, the Foundation creates and manages unique programs such as The Artist Outreach Project and the Global Sustainability Project. The Foundation also supports other nonprofit organizations with highly engaged grantmaking through the Social Entrepreneurial Fund, Vision Initiatives Program and Major Institutional Giving. our values

Thoughtful and passionate commitment to philanthropy

Innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to address social needs

Leveraging investments to gain greater social impact

Creating opportunities for talented individuals to excel and give back to their communities

Building healthy communities where The Picerne Group (TPG) does business, but operating on regional, national and international levels as well.

The Palisades Community renewal center

The Palisades Community Renewal Center (PCRC) is a Picerne Family Foundation funded community-focused nonprofit based in Santa Monica, California, established to support people affected by the January 2025 Palisades wildfires. The PCRC provides free, trauma-informed services aimed at healing and rebuilding community connection, including individual and group counseling in partnership with the Maple Counseling Center, creative arts classes through P.S. ARTS, as well as wellness workshops, mindfulness activities, and community gatherings that foster resilience and belonging.

Designed as a welcoming space for residents who lived, worked, studied, or served in the impacted areas, the PCRC blends mental health support, creative expression, and social engagement to help community members recover emotionally and socially from wildfire-related loss and disruption. The PCRC serves as a gathering place for the Pacific Palisades community to heal and rebuild their social connections as they move toward a brighter future.

PCRC Programming/ Overview

counseling services

In collaboration with the Maple Counseling Center, we offer trauma-informed mental health support both in-person and virtually. Participants can receive 12 free individual or group therapy sessions with licensed professionals.

arts programing community events

Through our collaboration with P.S. ARTS, we offer inclusive, no-cost classes in visual arts. From drawing and painting to weaving and origami, classes are designed to nurture creative expression for youth and adults alike regardless of experience.

Beyond counseling and creative classes, the PCRC introduces wellness workshops, mindfulness activities, and local events that build connection and resilience. Programming can grow and change in response to the needs of our neighbors and community partners.

Position Overview

The Executive Director is a newly created role offering a rare opportunity to lead the PCRC while shaping the Foundation’s broader presence and long-term impact across Los Angeles communities. This position calls for an entrepreneurial nonprofit leader ready to build and steward a growing, community-centered initiative at a pivotal moment in its evolution, while simultaneously advancing a bold and sustainable vision for the Foundation’s future.

Reporting directly to the Foundation Board, the Executive Director will supervise the PCRC Business Director, ensuring strong alignment with Foundation priorities and the delivery of exceptional programs and services. The ideal candidate is a seasoned nonprofit executive with deep roots in Los Angeles, strong community credibility, and a demonstrated track record in fundraising, partnership development, and organizational growth This leader will thrive in start-up environments, combining creativity with disciplined execution, striving to build a sustainable program and scale the Foundation’s long-term, countrywide impact.

Organizational Leadership

Greater Community Engagement, Awareness and Advocacy

Organizational Strategy

Operations Management

Programmatic Innovation

Strategic Planning

Fundraising & Donor Cultivation

New Grantee Relationships

Organizational Growth

Staff Management

First Year GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Conduct a listening tour with Board of Directors, PCRC staff and partners, and the Palisades community

Deepening PCRC as a high-quality healing model, including managing operations, programming and staff

Foster relationships with new and existing community members, donors, and Foundation grantees

Create strategy and vision to build the Picerne Family Foundation into a recognized philanthropic force in Los Angeles

roles & responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and strategy for PCRC

Provide clear, steady, and mission-driven leadership during a pivotal growth phase

Define and articulate the PCRC’s near-term strategic direction and long-term growth pathway

Strengthen governance alignment and cultivate strong Board relationships

Support thoughtful succession planning and long-term institutional sustainability

Reinforce a healthy, accountable, inclusive organizational culture grounded in DEI principles

Ensure clarity of roles, lines of authority, and staff alignment with evolving organizational needs

Develop and maintain positive, effective Board relationships; provide timely and appropriate information to the Board on external issues affecting the PCRC and its work

Program Stabilization & Innovation for pcrc

Strengthen and stabilize existing PCRC programs and operations

Ensure programs remain trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and community-centered

Adapt services thoughtfully in response to changing community needs

Evaluate program effectiveness and utilization to ensure highquality delivery

Explore replication or expansion of the PCRC’s healing-centered model in additional communities for the Foundation

Community Engagement, Advocacy & Visibility for pcrc and the foundation

Deepen the PCRC’s presence as a recognized and trusted community asset; ensure services are accessible, relevant, and responsive to community demand

Conduct outreach and regularly assess evolving community needs

Strengthen relationships with nonprofit, academic, civic, and philanthropic partners

Serve as a visible, relational ambassador for the Foundation in Los Angeles

Operational Excellence & Infrastructure for pcrc

Improve systems, infrastructure, and administrative processes

Oversee budgeting, fiscal management, and financial accountability

Strengthen vendor relationships and external partnerships

Implement evaluation metrics and impact measurement systems

Ensure strong risk mitigation, participant safety, and responsible growth

roles & responsibilities

Fundraising & Resource Development for the PCRC and the foundation

Lead strategy for growth in unrestricted funding and diversified revenue

Expand major donor engagement and new donor relationships, including foundations, corporate partners, and other key funders

Leverage strong knowledge of Southern California donors and grantmakers

Align fundraising efforts with long-term program sustainability and growth priorities

Lead the full cycle of mission-aligned nonprofit grants, including research, sourcing, assessment, proposal review, contracting, monitoring and evaluation

Long-Term Vision & Growth for the foundation

Position the Foundation as a significant and relevant philanthropic leader in Los Angeles

Ensure the Foundation’s work remains adaptive, communityinformed, and mission-driven

Explore new charitable programs and philanthropic investment initiatives aligned with community needs

Build toward sustainable organizational growth grounded in stability and excellence

qualifications

Minimum of 10 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience, program management, grantmaking and/or community outreach

Proven expertise in program strategy, operations, staff leadership, and community engagement

Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills, adept at long-range planning while addressing daily operational needs

Successful track record of fundraising and partnership development, funding relationships with foundations, donors, or other funding entities

Demonstrated success managing teams, supervising staff, and fostering a productive, motivated work environment

Highly organized and detail-oriented; skilled in planning, budgeting, coordination, and managing multiple priorities across partners and initiatives

Flexible, resourceful, and effective in dynamic environments, working both independently and within a collaborative team

Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and external-representation skills

Background working with trauma-impacted communities strongly preferred

A deep commitment to the mission and core values of The Picerne Family Foundation

compensation & benefits

Compensation package is commensurate with experience. The Picerne Family Foundation offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation and sick time, plus a 401K and insurance offerings. This full-time, in-person position is based in Santa Monica, CA and requires local travel.

The Picerne Family Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans.

the ideal candidate

The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced nonprofit leader who thrives at the intersection of vision, community, and execution. They are energized by building something meaningful in a startup environment and bring both strategic thinking and practical followthrough to their work. They enjoy creating systems, processes, and plans that help programs and people succeed without losing sight of the human impact at the center of the mission.

This leader is a collaborative partner to the Foundation Board, translating big ideas into clear priorities, sustainable operations, and well-run programs. They are comfortable taking ownership, making thoughtful decisions, and balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day leadership. They bring sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and a steady presence to complex, evolving work.

Deeply relational and community-centered, the ideal candidate builds trust with artists, clinicians, nonprofit partners, and community members. They value partner expertise, support program autonomy, and seek to reduce unnecessary administrative burden while maintaining accountability and impact. They lead with a trauma-informed, inclusive approach and are committed to creating accessible, welcoming programs and a healthy organizational culture.

CAREER TRACK leading to Executive director

The Executive Director is likely a seasoned senior nonprofit leader. You may have led programs, operations, or community initiatives with responsibility for strategy, budgets, and partnerships, particularly in growing or startup organizations.

You may also come from a related field where you have managed complex, people-centered work. You bring strong leadership and communication skills, comfort

working with diverse communities, and readiness to take ownership of an organization’s next stage. Professionals we may look for:

Executive Director

Deputy Executive Director Director of Development Program Officer

ABOUT PACIFIC PALISADES

Pacific Palisades offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty, community connection, and civic pride. Set between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the Palisades is known for its coastal trails, neighborhood parks, and strong sense of place. The community values wellness, creativity, and connection, reflected in its active arts programming, schools, and local institutions that bring residents together across generations. Its proximity to Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles provides access to cultural, educational, and economic opportunities while maintaining a closeknit, village-like feel.

At the same time, Pacific Palisades has faced profound challenges in the wake of recent wildfires, which disrupted homes, routines, and a sense of security for many individuals and families. The impacts of displacement, loss, and trauma have underscored the need for accessible mental health support, creative outlets for healing, and spaces where community members can reconnect.

While resources exist, navigating recovery has not been equally easy for all, revealing gaps in support systems and the importance of coordinated, community-centered responses. Despite these challenges, the Palisades is home to a resilient and deeply engaged community committed to recovery and renewal. Local organizations, artists, clinicians, and volunteers are working collaboratively to support healing and rebuild social ties. By investing in programs that prioritize mental health, creativity, and inclusivity, Pacific Palisades has an opportunity to not only recover from crisis but to model how communities can respond to trauma with compassion, innovation, and long-term vision. The area is poised to emerge stronger grounded in connection, shaped by care, and committed to supporting its residents for years to come.

the search process

Envision Consulting has been retained by the Picerne Family Foundation to conduct the search for their incoming Executive Director. We follow a comprehensive and structured approach that begins with a needs assessment to understand the organization's position and culture. We source candidates using various strategies, such as leveraging networks, industry-specific databases, and targeted research. Our evaluations are designed to assess qualifications, experience, cultural fit, and leadership potential.

After two stages of interviews with Envision, we work with the organization's search committee to select the individuals they wish to meet and then curate that interview experience We support the final selection process, including negotiation and offer formulation and offer onboarding support to ensure a smooth leadership transition with a oneyear guarantee. To ensure candidate success, we offer ten (10) hours of executive coaching throughout the first year of employment.

The Picerne Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.

search team for The picerne foundation

JESSIE STEGNER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions With offices in Denver, New York, and Los Angeles, our partners and consultants are former executive leaders within nonprofit organizations who are truly inspired by our collective power to lift up the communities we serve Our broad spectrum of services helps increase revenues, expand awareness and strengthen service delivery to the clients who need us the most. Learn more at www.envisionnonprofit.com.

Are you a great fit for the Picerne Family Foundation’s next Executive Director?

We invite you to apply and share your experience with us!