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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2002

Contact:
Diana Ip, i.e. communications, LLC
 (415) 616-3930

Cecilia Laiché, TCWF
(818) 702-1900

THE CALIFORNIA WELLNESS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

Woodland Hills, CA – Luz A. Vega-Marquis and Douglas X. Patiño, Ph.D., have been named chair and vice chair, respectively, of The California Wellness Foundation’s (TCWF’s) board of directors. They were approved by the Foundation’s board and began their terms in December 2001.

“This announcement coincides with the 10-year anniversary of TCWF’s efforts to improve the health and wellness of Californians,” said Gary Yates, TCWF president and CEO. “The Foundation’s successes would not have been possible without the extraordinary leadership of the board of directors. I have worked closely with Luz and Douglas since they joined the board, and I look forward to their continuing support in their new roles.”

Vega-Marquis joined TCWF’s board in 1996 and served as the vice chair from December 1999 to November 2001. She is the president of the Casey Family Grants Program, a newly endowed foundation focusing on youth, children and families. Previously, Vega-Marquis was the executive director of the Community Technology Foundation of California in San Francisco, an organization providing grants for the technological needs of underserved communities. She also serves on the boards of the Neighborhood Funders Group, the Rural Development Finance Corporation and Hispanics in Philanthropy.

“Based on the current social, economic and political climate, I think grantmaking institutions are facing a critical moment in history,” said Vega-Marquis. “TCWF has always taken innovative approaches to address changing times and changing needs. I am honored to assist in guiding such an outstanding charitable organization.”

Patiño has served on TCWF’s board of directors since 1997. He is vice chancellor emeritus for the California State University (CSU) system, a professor of social welfare at CSU Los Angeles and president of the Patiño Group. Among his many community service activities, Patiño is a trustee of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a presidential appointee to the Enterprise for the Americas Board, and a member of the board of directors of Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Casey Family Grants Program. He has won numerous honors and awards for his work including the Education Leadership Award of the Long Beach League of the United Latin American Council, and the Azteca Award for Public Service to United States Farm Worker Families.

“TCWF has affected the health and well-being of Californians from many corners of the state,” said Patiño. “As someone possessing a commitment to help others, I look forward to serving as vice chair.”

The California Wellness Foundation is an independent, private foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation provides funding in eight priority areas: Diversity in the Health Professions, Environmental Health, Healthy Aging, Mental Health, Teenage Pregnancy Prevention, Violence Prevention, Women’s Health, and Work and Health. It also provides health-related funding through its Special Projects Fund. The Foundation has awarded 2,551 grants totaling more than $345 million since 1992.

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