The Common Counsel Foundation, after a national search, is pleased to announce the hiring of Ronald M. Rowell as CEO.

“I am very excited to see Ron come on as CEO. His years of experience in both philanthropy and organizational leadership make him an excellent choice,” said Patricia St. Onge, board member of the Common Counsel Foundation. “His warmth and generous spirit are great assets in a community where he is well-connected in philanthropic circles and is beloved among foundation staff, grantees and donors.”

Rowell brings a wealth of experience as he takes leadership at the Common Counsel Foundation. In addition to consulting with philanthropists, he spent the last 9 years as the Program Officer for Social Justice at The San Francisco Foundation. The focus of his work
was civic engagement, civil and human rights, and legal services with a particular emphasis on criminal and juvenile justice, voter participation, foster youth, immigrants, and marriage equality.

He was also the founding Executive Director of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, where he served for 13 years. He holds an MPH from the University of California, Berkeley in Community Mental Health.

“I look forward to partnering with new families who share the Common Counsel Foundation’s progressive values of equity and social justice,” said Rowell. “By doing so, we will expand the resources available to support grassroots social and environmental justice organizations.”

In addition, Rowell plans to make the Common Counsel Foundation’s work more visible within the social sector. “We must do all we can in concert with our nonprofit and philanthropic colleagues to strengthen democracy, protect the environment, and promote social justice,” he said.

Rowell also serves as an officer at the following organizations: Friendship House Association of American Indians (SF), Northern California Grantmakers (SF), Native Americans in Philanthropy (Minneapolis), Funders for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues (NYC), and French-American Cultural Society (SF). He is also active in the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Alliance for Justice, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Funders Committee for Civic Participation, and the National Congress of American Indians.

The many awards Rowell has received include:
- KQED American Indian Heritage Month Local Hero Award 2007
- Circle of Life Award, Native American Health Center, 2003
- Marty Prairie National Native American HIV/AIDS Award, 2001
- Wordcraft Circle, Native Writers & Storytellers, Prose Writer of the
Year Award 1997
- Indian Health Service Distinguished Service Award 1993

On March 18th, from 5-7 pm, the board of directors of Common Counsel Foundation will host a welcome reception for Ron Rowell at Ginn House in Oakland’s Preservation Park. This event is open to the public.