Resume

James E. Herr
Culver City, CA 90230 | JamesEHerr@gmail.com | (310) 283-1107
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameseherr/

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPY PROFESSIONAL
Seasoned professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in various philanthropic-related and nonprofit management positions including: corporate social responsibility/corporate citizenship, social impact, state & local government relations, communications, and public and private philanthropic sectors.

EXPERIENCE
JAMES E. HERR CONSULTING, Los Angeles, CA 7/2016 – Present
Principal Strategist and Consultant
Provide a portfolio of philanthropic services for foundations and nonprofit organizations—strategic grantmaking, strategic planning, meeting facilitation, diversity, equity, & justice training, development planning, board development and training, leadership & executive coaching, surveying & data collection. Authored a survey and report on the needs of the philanthropic sector during the COVID-19 crisis including family philanthropists and wealth managers & advisors. Clients include:

Annenberg Foundation
Stuart Foundation
Jewish Community Foundation
Roy & Patricia Disney Family Foundation
California Community Foundation
Long Beach Community Foundation
Center for Cultural Innovation
Cal Humanities
Pasadena Art Council
Community Works Consulting
Los Angeles County Center for Strategic Partnerships
The Nonprofit Partnership
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
L.A. Urban Philanthropy Network
Los Angeles Jr. Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Maritime Institute
Los Angeles County Arts Commission
Inclusive Action for the City (formerly LURN)
API Forward Movement
Arts for LA
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA
EduCare Foundation
GetLit-Words Ignite
Visual Communications
Avance Academia
Ready to Rise Collaborative
Global Eye Entrepreneurs

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION, Los Angeles, CA 11/2018 – 5/2020
Program Officer
As part of the Community Grantmaking team provided support for one of the nation’s largest family foundations. Managed grantmaking process across several portfolios: arts, environment, education, early childhood education, youth development, transition-aged youth, housing and homelessness, health and public policy.
• Managed external participation in formal funder collaboratives and initiatives including: Youth Organizing, Early Childhood Education, LA n Sync, and LA Arts Education Collective
• Managed grantee support for Catchafire skills-based volunteer platform.
• Developed diversity-centered grantmaking approach.
• Supported the Annenberg Alchemy program for grantees and CNN Heroes.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, Los Angeles, CA 5/2013 – 2/2016
Program Officer
Managed Arts Portfolio focusing on core operating support and reporting for small to mid-sized, community-based arts organizations. Support includes grants, strategic planning, and financial management consulting.
• Managed Building Equity in the Arts—capitalization and finance consulting for arts non-profits.
• Managed the CCF Fellowship for Visual Artists program from including application through selection processes, professional development retreats, alumni engagement and fundraising.
• Increased external funding for the Fellowship leading to the largest class selected to date.
• Managed the Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation application and grant recommendation and award process for K-8 Arts Education service providers.
• Managed Transition Aged Youth portfolio focusing on support for organizations providing supportive, basic needs programs for youth aging out of foster care or probation systems.
• As a team member for the Preparing Achievers for Tomorrow program, supported grantmaking, technical assistance, capacity-building support, and reporting for donor-directed program focusing on sports, recreation and music programs for youth in South Los Angeles.
• Raised funds for various portfolios from institutional and individual giving sources.
• Worked with donor-advised fund holders to advance their philanthropic goals through research, briefings, and connections to grantmaking opportunities.

THE BOEING COMPANY, Seal Beach, CA 4/2008 – 5/2013
Senior Manager Global Corporate Citizenship—Western Region
Managed a team of Community Investors in California and Arizona developing important external relationships as well as engaging employees in volunteer programs. Managed a $6 million charitable and sponsorship budget for the region. Specific responsibility for Arts, Civic Engagement and Environmental Portfolios. Managed weekly, monthly and quarterly internal communications and reports for senior management and employees as well as ad hoc communications around issues and events impacting employees.
• Created mechanisms and procedures for measuring grant-related outcomes and impact.
• Developed new and innovative processes for community-needs analysis, strategic investment planning and grantmaking bringing together internal and external stakeholders.
• Represented company regionally and nationally on company issues related to public policy in STEM and Arts Education, the Environment and Employee Volunteerism.
• Served as lead regional executive for Global Corporate Citizenship covering over 30,000 employees.
• Worked with Government Relations to advise on public policy issues related to the company’s charitable investments and to help educate elected officials on the strategies.
• Developed region-wide and site-specific internal and external communications strategies to leverage community investments; build support from local communities and stakeholders and encourage employee support for community activities.
• Doubled the number of dollars invested in the environmental sector through a variety of outreach methods including a detailed RFP process engaging both internal and external stakeholders in the selection process.
• Led local GCC integration with Government Relations and Communications
• Advised the Boeing Employee Community Fund (ECF) to help engage employees in support of the Fund as well as to assist ECF with fundraising, investment strategies and leveraging opportunities.

FILM INDEPENDENT, Los Angeles, CA 11/2007 – 4/2008
Director of Diversity
Developed the Center for Diverse Filmmaking at Film Independent—a research, employment services and talent development center—to help increase diversity in the film and television industries.
• Conducted fundraising activities to fund the Center and provided grants to emerging artists.
• Worked with government agencies, public officials, and the private entertainment sector to advocate for the need for programs to develop unique and diverse voices.
• Spoke on panels pertaining to diversity and arts development.
• Provided guidance and support for Film Independent’s own internal diversity initiatives.
• Organized special events—job fairs/recruiting events, screenings, artist receptions, etc.

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT, Culver City, CA 12/1997 – 9/2007
Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility
Managed corporate social responsibility programs, employee matching gift and volunteer program, a cultural outreach program to employees and the community and diversity initiatives. Previously worked in corporate development / motion picture finance and accounts payable.
• Developed and managed strategic relationships with community organizations and diversity development organizations and programs.
• Pursued opportunities for corporate partnerships with organizations and special events.
• Represented the company on various community boards and public functions.
• Published two monthly employee newsletters.
• Developed and manage large-scale events for the company including Sony Global Volunteer Day and SPE’s children’s holiday outreach.
• Developed a program of mentoring opportunities for employees called “Passing the Torch,” partnering with local and national organizations.
• Managed annual Entertainment Industry Foundation giving campaign and community funding boards.
• Created a program of monthly cultural events for employees including on-lot gallery exhibitions, screenings, speaker series and ticketed opportunities to attend events.
• Supported public relations efforts with respect to charitable outreach surrounding national and international releases of motion pictures titles.

EDUCATION
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing Management

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Masters of Liberal Arts

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Political Science
Studies in General Science/Physics Education

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• National Urban Fellows / University of Kansas—America’s Leaders of Change Fellowship (2011)
• GCS Korean Leadership Exchange (2007)
• Southern California Leadership Network—Leadership Southern California (2006)
• Boeing Senior Management Leadership Program; LEAN+ Training

AFFILIATIONS AND BOARD SERVICE
• LA Arts Funders—COVID Relief and Recovery Working Group—Chair
• Southern California Leadership Network—Board Chair, Executive Search Chair, Strategic Planning Chair
• City of Los Angeles—Human Relations Commissioner (Appointed)
• Liberty Hill Foundation—Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Fundraising Committee
• Visual Communications—Board of Directors
• East West Players—Board of Directors
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles—Board of Directors
• Film Independent—Advisory Board Project:Involve Diversity Initiative
• Visual Communications—Programmer Los Angeles Asia Pacific Film Festival
• Los Angeles Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee (Appointed)
• Co-chair of L.A. Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Committee
• CaliforniaVolunteers Business Partner Council
• Los Angeles Corporate Volunteer Council—Core Committee Member
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire—Big Brother
• Para Los Niños—Co-Chair of the Los Amigos Council
• Entertainment Industry Foundation Grant Allocations Committee/ Industry Volunteer Council
• Liberty Hill Foundation—Fund for a New Los Angeles Grant Review Committee
• California Humanities Community Stories Grant Review Panel
• Arts for All Pooled Fund Member

AWARDS
• Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year
• “Partner of the Year Award”—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
• “Corporate Partner of the Year Award”—Exceptional Children’s Foundation
• “Outstanding Volunteer Organization”—Association of Fundraising Professionals
• “Service Above Self”—Stuart Ketchum Downtown YMCA

PUBLICATIONS
Herr, James E. (lead), Hass, Carol A., Samala, Roselma, and Miao, Jean. (August 2020). “New Challenges, Greater Callings: Exploring the Needs of Philanthropy in Time of Change.” Community Works Consulting, and

“New Challenges, Greater Callings: Exploring the Needs of Philanthropy in Time of Change—The Individual Donor Sector Addendum.” Community Works Consulting

Callow, Elisa. Herr, James, Ito, Leslie. (Winter 2016). “Building Equity in the Arts: From Financial Equity to Access Equity.” Grantmakers in the Arts GIA Reader, Vol. 27 (No.1), 20-23.

PRESENTATIONS
• Panelist: “Accessible DEI—The Importance of Including Disability in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in Philanthropy,” Change Philanthropy Unity Summit 2019
• Moderator and Presenter: “Funding the Arts for Social Justice,” Southern California Grantmakers Annual Conference 2019
• Presenter: “Strategic Framework for Funding in the Arts,” Southern California Grantmakers Annual Conference 2019
• Panelist: “Accessible DEI: The Importance of including Disability in Philanthropy” Change Philanthropy Annual Conference, 2019
• Presenter: LEAD INNOVATE—B-STEM Project, CBS Diversity & Inclusion, December 2016
• Presenter: “SoCal’s Industry Engagement in STEAM,” U.S. News STEM, June 2015.
• Presenter: “Building Equity in the Arts,” Conference Session, Grantmakers in the Arts, October 2015.

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