On June 30, the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County will welcome Christine Dawson as its new CEO replacing Heidi McPherson, who retired at the end of January.
Dawson brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership to the county, having most recently served as senior vice president of philanthropic services at the Community Foundation for Monterey County.
In announcing the appointment, Community Foundation Director of Grants & Programs Michelle Fries said that Dawson’s passion for community, mindset, and knowledge of philanthropy make her “an exceptional fit for leading our next phase of growth and impact across the Central Coast.”
During her tenure in Monterey, Dawson helped grow the foundation’s assets from $130 million to more than $420 million, increasing grantmaking to $45 million annually.
“Her ability to connect donors to community needs and elevate the role of philanthropy is both inspiring and energizing,” according to Fries. A longtime Central Coast resident, Dawson is settling in Atascadero.
The Community Foundation will be hosting a series of gatherings across the county to introduce Dawson to the community.