Filipina is new VP for California Wellness Foundation

LOS ANGELES — A Filipina has recently been named to a key position in the California Wellness Foundation (Cal Wellness), a private, independent organization that seeks to improve the health of the people of California through grant-making efforts for health promotion, wellness education, and disease prevention.

Fatima Angeles, a 16-year veteran at Cal Wellness, was appointed as vice president of programs “effective immediately,” according to a press statement issued by the Foundation. Since August 2013, Angeles has served as interim vice president of programs, and previously as Cal Wellness’ director of evaluation and organizational learning. Angeles also served as a program director for the Foundation’s Children and Youth Community Health Initiative (CYCHI) and oversaw grantmaking for two issues: environmental health, and work and health.

Prior to working for Cal Wellness, Angeles was an advisory committee member for CYCHI and was a program associate at Hasbro Children’s Foundation in New York City. She earned her master’s degree in public health from Columbia University and her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Asian American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Angeles’ other philanthropic experience includes work with The Commonwealth Fund and the corporate philanthropy program of Pfizer Inc. Angeles is also vice chair of the board of Grantmakers In Health and also serves as secretary of the board of Northern California Grantmakers.

“I am beyond thrilled and grateful to be able to serve in this capacity,” Angeles said to Asian Journal in an email interview.

“The Foundation’s values are aligned with my own – I feel so lucky to have a job that allows me to work towards goals and ideals that I believe in: equity, justice and health. It is such a privilege to support California organizations that are working so hard to improve health and wellness in [the state],” Angeles added.

Her responsibilities include day-to-day management of the grants program department, which includes oversight on the current grants programs, and working with the Board and staff on the strategic planning and implementation of the Foundation’s next grants program, which is set to launch on Oct. 1, 2014. In assuming this new role, Angeles hopes to lead the Foundation’s grants team in designing and implementing relevant and effective grantmaking strategies to improve the health of Californians.

“I also want to promote the notion that philanthropy is a powerful partner for positive change,” Angeles said.

“Fatima brings tremendous talents and skills to this position,” said Judy Belk, president and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation in a statement. “She is a longtime member of the Cal Wellness family and has immense experience in the public health field, as well as experience working with nonprofit organizations addressing health, wellness and disease prevention.”

As a vice president for Cal Wellness, Angeles believes that her background as a Filipino immigrant provides her a unique perspective on the issues that the Foundation works to address.

Angeles moved to San Francisco from the Philippines at age 11, along with her family and two younger brothers.

“My family moved primarily because of my mother’s health. Her asthma was difficult to manage in the Philippine climate,” Angeles said.

Like many immigrants, her parents also felt that there would be more opportunities for them here in the US. The transition was a difficult one, especially for Fatima’s parents. It was a new environment for them, with new jobs and new identities.

“Thankfully, we were supported by family and friends who had come over and settled here previously,” Angeles said. “As a Filipina and as an immigrant, I understand many of the issues that Californians of color face, and share their hopes and aspirations.”

Angeles also believes that the field of philanthropy is able to respond better to the needs of communities if the field reflects the population. Philanthropy, Angeles said, is most effective when it embraces diversity in all forms, including gender and race.

(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend August 9-12 Sec A pg.9)