Five Los Angeles Nonprofit Leaders Spotlighted in 2026 Profiles
Five Los Angeles Nonprofit Leaders Spotlighted in 2026 Profiles
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Key Points
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Goodwill Southern Los Angeles County was the only Goodwill member in California to increase its share of the thrift market, despite rising competition, higher labor costs and falling market prices.
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Lisa Von Eschen has more than three decades of employment-law experience, and she emphasizes that for nonprofits, money spent on legal disputes is money diverted from their missions.
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Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles is Los Angeles County’s only year-round marine mammal rehabilitation center and rescues more marine mammals per mile of coastline than any other organization in the United States.
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The Coalition for Responsible Community Development was co-founded in 2005 by Mark Anthony Wilson Jr. and Ruth M. Teague, Noemi Soto, Fernando Miranda and Hugo Ortiz; it initially focused on young people in Vernon-Central.
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Stephanie Yan brings more than 25 years of public-accounting experience to her private-foundation advisory work and is bilingual, with global experience that informs an inclusive and international perspective on philanthropy.
Five Los Angeles nonprofit and philanthropy leaders are reshaping the region's communities through bold organizational growth and operational expertise. Los Angeles Business Journal spotlighted these leaders for 2026, highlighting their work in workforce development, marine conservation, housing, legal services and accounting — areas vital to LA's nonprofits and foundations.
Goodwill's Sales Growth Defies Market Pressure
Donna Snell steered Goodwill Southern Los Angeles County to a 20% sales increase while cutting operational costs by 5%. The nonprofit was California's only Goodwill member to grow market share despite rising labor costs, falling prices and intense competition. This growth expanded career training and job placement to 10,000 people annually.
Marine Mammal Center Rescues More Wildlife Per Coastline Mile
John Warner strengthened Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles' finances and operational capacity as the organization tackles recurring threats like domoic acid outbreaks. The center is Los Angeles County's only year-round marine mammal rehabilitation facility and rescues more animals per mile of coastline than any other US organization.
Coalition Expands to 250 Staff and $60 Million Budget
Mark Anthony Wilson Jr. co-founded the Coalition for Responsible Community Development in 2005 with Ruth M. Teague, Noemi Soto, Fernando Miranda and Hugo Ortiz. The organization has grown to roughly 250 employees with a $60 million annual budget. It now spans housing, education, employment, small business support and neighborhood investment — far beyond its original Vernon-Central youth focus.
Legal and Accounting Experts Guide Nonprofit Missions
Lisa Von Eschen brings three decades of employment-law experience to nonprofits and philanthropic institutions. She stresses that legal disputes drain money from mission work. Stephanie Yan combines 25 years of public-accounting expertise with bilingual skills and global perspective to advise private foundations and museums.
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