Dr. Kelly Bowers, the well-respected outgoing Superintendent of Schools for Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD), has been named as the new CEO and President of Three Valleys Community Foundation, (3VCF) effective August 8, 2022.
Bowers, who will be transitioning from her position at LVJUSD at the end of July 2022, succeeds Nelson Fialho, who has served in an interim role for the Foundation since January 2022. A long-time educator, collaborative manager and vibrant community leader, Bowers was with LVJUSD for more than 23 years – serving in a myriad of educational and managerial roles before her appointment as Superintendent in 2010. Bowers was also cited as the longest serving unified school superintendent in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties when she announced her retirement in early June 2022. She is a resident of Livermore.
“We are thrilled to have Kelly Bowers join Three Valleys as our new CEO and President,” said John Sensiba, chair of the Board of Directors. “Her strong leadership, community commitment and compassion for so many will help us highlight the philanthropic needs in our region.”
“As a lifelong public servant, I am humbled, honored and excited about the opportunity to grow a community foundation for our region. It’s a challenge I wholeheartedly embrace. Sustainable philanthropic transformation for our area is vital. Along with our committed board and advisors, I am confident Three Valleys can effectively and successfully connect the corporations and individuals in our area with the dedicated nonprofits working to support the greater good.”
~ Dr. Kelly Bowers
In her new role, Bowers will work with community leaders, corporations, donors, financial advisors, and partners to strengthen the region’s philanthropic presence. Three Valleys Community Foundation is one of 750 place-based foundations in the nation – dedicated to supporting the issues specific to the Tri-Valley region and serving as a geographic anchor for individuals, corporations, and local governments to help those who need it most. While the Tri-Valley (580/680 corridor) economy is projected to remain strong, the core needs of many individuals in the area have significantly increased. Over the next year, Bowers will develop opportunities for corporate and community investments that align with the foundation’s values of integrity and transparency; equity and inclusiveness; and collaboration and innovation. She will also work 1:1 to connect donors and nonprofit leaders to support the areas of greatest need.
“I am deeply invested in our Tri-Valley Region and what I admire most is the underlying spirit of generosity, an ethos of empathy and evidence of compassion in action wherever one goes in our respective communities,” said Bowers. “Our region’s most distinguishing trait is that so many want to contribute, restore, lift-up, and improve – they just need a catalyst and reliable conduit in order to translate their altruistic intentions into actions and tangible and meaningful actions. That is what I want to tap into and the genuine appeal of working on behalf of 3VCF.”
~ Dr. Kelly Bowers
In addition to her tenure at Livermore Valley Jt. Unified and New Haven Unified School Districts, Bowers has been the recipient of numerous community, academic and professional awards, including the California Education Champions Award in 2018 and CSUEB Distinguished Alumna Award in 2016, along with numerous Superintendent and Teacher of the Year awards. She received her BA in English from UC Berkeley, and her MS in Educational Leadership from CSU East Bay. She also received her Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity from UC Berkeley – where she also currently serves as the Superintendent in Residence for UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education Leaders for Equity & Democracy Ed.D. Program.
Three Valleys launched in November 2021, after more than a year of development and planning. As a place-based organization connecting local donors with local needs, the foundation offers a local alternative to traditional, nationally-based donor advised funds (DAFS) and endowment fund services – with a special focus on local grantmaking and helping donors find worthy causes to support.
Alameda County Supervisors David Haubert and Nate Miley pledged their early strong support – with contributions of $50,000 each. The cities of Dublin and Pleasanton also committed $50,000 to help launch the organization. These one-time funds will help Three Valleys develop the critical infrastructure necessary for long-term success.
In Fall 2021, just as the organization launched, 3VCF partnered with The Pleasanton Weekly on the 2021 Holiday campaign – managing the annual grantmaking cause completely free of charge. In Spring 2022, 3VCF opened the Dublin Fallen Officers Fund, honoring Sheriff’s Deputy Aubrey Phillips. And in June 2022, 3VCF partnered with We Are Pleasanton to successfully raise more than $250,000 for various capital projects at Foothill High School.
With the announcement of Kelly Bowers in her new executive leadership role, interim CEO Nelson Fialho will return to an advisor role with 3VCF. “I want to thank Nelson Fialho for his successful tenure as interim CEO,”
noted Sensiba. Thanks to his leadership, we have sound fiscal, operational and general business practices that will set the stage for strong growth. We are grateful he will remain with the organization as a trusted advisor.
In addition to Sensiba, the Board of Directors of Three Valleys Community Foundation includes Susan Houghton, (Secretary) founder of Sunflower Hill; Patrick O’Brien, (Treasurer), Leisure Sports; Kenneth Cooper, Las Positas College Foundation, Colleen Gregerson, Battery Powered; Margaret Liang, APAPA; Steve McCoy-Thompson, Pleasanton Partners in Education; Tim Sbranti, Innovation Tri-Valley and Christine Wente, Wente Family Estates.
Key Advisory Council members include Catharine Baker, Hoge Fenton; Chris Carter, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center; James Paxson, Hacienda; John Freeman, California Water Service; Scott Roberts, Mass Mutual; Wendy Fukamaki, Ross Stores; Joe Cristiano, Bank of San Francisco; Melanie Sadek, Valley Humane; Reena Gupta, Mom Relaunch and Nelson Fialho, Renne Public Management Group.
For more information, email info@3vcf.org.
For immediate release: July 8, 2022
Contact: Susan Houghton
(925) 321-5757
shoughton@3vcf.org