New leadership announced for Orange County Grantmakers

Orange County Grantmakers has announced their incoming 2022 Advisory Board Slate and welcomes new Board Chair Cathleen Otero, vice president of Donor Relations and Programs with Newport Beach-based Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF). 

In 2021, Orange County Grantmakers underwent a comprehensive, year-long strategic planning process that redefined how the organization approaches its role in the community and called out their commitment to equity and transformational leadership. 

Courtesy of OC Grantmakers

Incoming Board Chair Cathleen Otero

Incoming Chair Otero brings with her a wealth of experience and leadership on a variety of issues aligned with Orange County Grantmakers including health equity, systems change and representation of underserved populations.

“As the founding chair of Orange County Grantmakers, I understand how closely aligned our organizations are in our missions to advance health, education and economic opportunities for Orange County residents through the power of philanthropy.” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “I am confident that Cathleen will contribute her unique knowledge and experience to advance these efforts in new and exciting ways.”

Under Otero’s leadership, OCG will embark on a journey meant to bring advance equity for all Orange County residents. The public launch of a new strategic plan will be introduced in February 2022. 

Joining Otero on the board will be:

–Vice Chair: Tiffany Alva, First Five Orange County 

–Membership Chair: Joanna Kong, Sun Family Foundation 

–Program Chair: Nithin Jilla, Sun Family Foundation (adviser) 

–Public Policy Chair: Adriana Galdamez, Cox Communications 

–Summit Chair: Christine Fontana, Edwards Lifesciences 

–At-Large Member: Ben Drutman, Simon Scholars 

–At-Large Member: John Guastaferro, Anaheim Community Foundation 

–At-Large Member: Nate Brown, PIMCO 

–Past Chair: Jason Lacsamana, St. Joseph Community Partnership Fund 

If you are interested in becoming an OCG member, funders, philanthropists and grantmaking organizations must fund a minimum of $100,000 in Orange County. To join, visit www.ocgrantmakers.org and email OCG Executive Director Taryn Palumbo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The OCG is a funder collaborative committed to advancing social impact by supporting, strengthening and building adaptive leadership across the nonprofit and philanthropic community. To learn more about Orange County Grantmakers, visit www.orangecountymakers.org.