Tia Dwyer
Chief Operating Officer
Think Together
Tia Dwyer is an innovative leader with 17-plus years of organizational leadership resulting in significant growth of revenue, providing fiscal and strategic leadership. From her roots as a teacher in the Los Angeles area, her journey reflects a commitment to educational equity. In her teaching career, Dwyer quickly saw the students she was teaching needed more support outside the regular school day to overcome the various challenges they faced. When California started to fund afterschool and summer programs with the historic passage of Prop 49 in 2002, she applied to become the administrator of that program in her district. Under her leadership, the program became a state model.
In 2009, Dwyer was introduced to Think Together, one of the area’s leading afterschool program providers. Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids and delivers nationally recognized expanded learning programs and school improvement. She joined the organization as director of summer learning during a period of rapid expansion and built a national summer learning model in the Santa Ana Unified School District. Over the years, Dwyer progressed in leadership roles, overseeing Orange County as general manager and later all of California. By 2017, she was appointed to the role of chief operating officer to oversee the expansion of Think Together throughout the state. The organization has grown into programs in over 400 California schools – from San Diego to San Francisco – serving over 200,000 students.
Today, Dwyer leads the organization’s Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Organization Development, Program Design & Implementation, Data & Evaluation and Business Development for Think Together. By focusing on the processes and operations of the organization, her strategic vision continues to shape educational landscapes and elevate opportunities for countless students statewide. With the receiving of additional funding through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), Think Together experienced a period of unprecedented growth amid nationwide staffing shortages.
Dwyer has built a 50-person talent acquisition team, hiring over 5,000 people this last year. This strategic move propelled Think Together’s revenue from $80 million to over $250 million, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing large nonprofits in the U.S.
NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVE - SOCIAL ADVOCACY FINALISTS
Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith
President & CEO
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Dr. LaSharnda Beckwith holds two doctoral degrees and two master’s degrees, and her distinguished career includes executive roles in the military and academia, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership. As vice president of the Army and Airforce Exchange Service, she managed a $6.4 billion operation. Dr. Beckwith’s recent positions as dean and provost at Orange County universities highlight her strategic leadership in higher education. Beyond academia, she supports financial literacy and mentors women in professional roles. As head of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC), she oversees diverse programs addressing community health and equity issues. During the pandemic, Dr. Beckwith adapted programs and launched a $38M housing project to combat homelessness. Her initiatives, including Orange County’s California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) and Mobile Wellness Units, address system gaps and community inequities.
Ronnetta Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Waymakers
Ronnetta Johnson, president and CEO of Waymakers, is a stalwart leader with over 35 years of nonprofit experience. Since joining Waymakers in 1995, she has steered the organization’s remarkable growth, overseeing a budget exceeding $30 million and impacting over 100,000 individuals annually. Her strategic vision has expanded Waymakers’ services to include sheltering children and youth, supporting crime victims, counseling families, resolving conflicts and educating communities. Committed to fostering an inclusive environment, Johnson prioritizes staff well-being and spearheads diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Beyond her role, she mentors future leaders by being a current member of the CCVAA Training Committee and a core member of the curriculum development and implementation team for coordinators, entry level, advance advocate and crisis response trainings for victim service providers throughout the State of California.
Janice L. Frechette-Artinger
Executive Director
Parentis Foundation
Janice Frechette-Artinger, executive director of the Parentis Foundation, discovered her true calling in 2016, leading to the foundation’s inception as the nonprofit arm of Parentis Health Senior Care. She initiated a partnership with the AARP Foundation Experience Corps, establishing the Orange County chapter of the intergenerational literacy program. Collaborating with over 200 older adult volunteer mentors, they have helped over 1,100 struggling youth achieve grade-level reading proficiency in seven years. Frechette-Artinger’s impact extends to her role as an executive board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, earning her prestigious volunteer awards such as the Champions of Youth Award and the 2021 Spirit of Volunteerism Award. With a diverse professional background encompassing business sales, education and community outreach and a psychology degree, she seamlessly integrates her dedication to youth development and senior advocacy into her life.
Adrienne Kessler
Chief ExecutiveOfficer
Speech and Language Development Center
Adrienne Kessler, an advocate for individuals with disabilities, has pioneered innovative programs and partnerships. With a Doctor of Education from the University of La Verne and a graduate certificate from Harvard Business School, she brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic leadership. As CEO of Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC), she revitalized the organization into a premier provider of education and therapies. Under her guidance, SLDC saw a surge in referrals and a significant expansion of clinical services, addressing needs in Riverside and Orange counties. Kessler fosters community partnerships, evident in collaborations with Cox Charities and the Anaheim Ducks Power PLAY! Foundation. She also champions academic collaborations, hosting graduate students for diagnostic practicums and engaging in research with leading universities. Beyond SLDC, Kessler influences policy and business strategy, serving on multiple boards.
