Desert Charities News - Jan-Feb-Mar 2024

Dave Cummings Think Together Chief Digital O‹cer Making A Di erence In the newly created role of Chief Digital O®cer, Dave will guide Think Together through deploying emerging digital technologies that can best serve the mission of partnering with schools to change the odds for kids. “I was drawn to Think Together because I’m passionate about dealing with inequities and hold a deep personal alignment with the mission, goals and values of this organization.” Before joining Think Together, Dave has been in a variety of C-suite roles for companies, most recently as the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital O®cer for Finning International. Geo Corbin Cathedral City Senior Center President / CEO Making A Di erence In my role, I’m privileged to collaborate with dedicated visionaries from across the desert, actively shaping our valley’s future. At Cathedral City Senior Center, our mission is to redefine the concept of ’golden years’. Our approach has evolved to cater to the distinct needs of today’s seniors, speaking their language. We o¦er a lifeline through programs like ‘Device Advice’, ensuring digital literacy and connection in the modern age. Our focus on well-being extends to gatherings that celebrate food, friendship, and fun. Additionally, we’re excited to announce our upcoming Mid-Valley Center for Emotional Wellness, o¦ering access to a comprehensive array of mental health and social services partners. Clifton D. Cooper CHAMP Executive Director Making A Di erence I founded CHAMP to harness the shared love for the game of basketball as a means to support the whole child on and o¦ the court. We do more than develop basketball skills as we aim to improve mental health and social competencies. Through varied initiatives like Open Gym, Lunch and Learns, and Trotters, we meld physical activity with mentorship and community involvement. CHAMP o¦ers a balanced and supportive atmosphere that encourages healthy relationships among adolescents. This comprehensive approach equips young individuals to combat isolation, foster resilience, and cultivate a positive mindset, within a community dedicated to their holistic development. Paul Clowers The Development Department Principal Making A Di erence The Development Department works with organizations to achieve sustainable fundraising, empower agencies, and improve the lives of their constituencies. Providing long-term development strategies while making an immediate impact, implementing giving programs to attain goals, and o¦ering the support needed to realize funding benchmarks is what I do to make a di¦erence. Felice Chiapperini Desert Oasis Healthcare Community Development Specialist Making A Di erence Partnering with local nonprofits, senior centers, and other community agencies, Desert Oasis Healthcare continues to provide both financial support and health services to help improve the lives of our residents. Our Mobile Health Clinic travels to partner locations throughout the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin, providing important health screenings, flu vaccines and boosters, all at no cost. We continue to grow our commitment to helping support our nonprofit partners who do so much good for so many in our community, including the 60,000 members of Desert Oasis Healthcare. Je Petrovic Jeff Petrovic, Chief Development Officer of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, began his professional career as a radio Air Personality and Marketing & Promotions Director in Tucson, Houston and Denver. It was during that time he developed his affinity for nonprofits and giving back to the community. Prior to working at The Living Desert, his nonprofit experience was focused on health and human services at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. He moved to the Coachella Valley in March 2023. “It’s an honor to serve the Coachella Valley as the Chief Development Officer at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Working at a zoo has always been a childhood dream of mine and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live in Greater Palm Springs.” The Living Desert is first and foremost a conservation organization, on the frontlines of species survival and habitat preservation. Celebrating 53 years, the Zoo welcomes over 600,000 visitors annually, and is currently in the midst of a $90 million capital campaign “Pride of the Desert” to build a new restaurant, splashpad, event center, and lion habitat. This project will strengthen the organization’s ability to teach future generations to conserve and share our planet’s precious resources with all living creatures. Jeff Petrovic graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is also a 2020 graduate of the Nonprofit Executive Leadership program at the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Jeff Petrovic, Chief Development Officer The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens 47900 Portola Avenue Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-346-5694 jpetrovic@livingdesert.org www.LivingDesert.org M EN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 3 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS SPOTLIGHT David Catanzarite Green Room Theatre Company Coachella Valley Executive Artistic Director Making A Di erence David Catanzarite is a veteran stage director, activist, and educator. He has directed more than 150 professional and college productions in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Prague, and Cape Town. Fifteen years ago David and his wife Karen co-founded Green Room Theatre, the only company in the region that provides a¦ordable professional theatre performances for people in their desert neighborhoods. The company also maintains a dynamic education program with theatre and ballet folklorico classes for kids ages 5 to 15. Green Room’s supporters annually underwrite numerous internships for emerging young artists from Desert Hot Springs to Thermal and Mecca..