Mejía will drive the Weingart Foundation’s grantmaking strategy for Orange County
Nancy Mejía
“Nancy brings an impressive background in advancing health equity and social justice for Orange County’s most vulnerable communities,” said Joanna S. Jackson, President and C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation. “We’re looking forward to continuing our work investing in movement building and systems change in Orange County, guided by Nancy’s deep knowledge of the region and its nonprofit ecosystem.”
Mejía brings nearly two decades of experience working with underserved communities of color advancing justice through grassroots advocacy campaigns, coalition-building, research, and direct service. She most recently served as Chief Program Officer at Latino Health Access, an Orange County nonprofit and pioneer of the promotor/Community Health Worker model, where she advocated for, and designed systems and processes that center communities most impacted by inequity to drive solutions and decision-making.
“I have been in the Orange County nonprofit sector for over a decade and have witnessed the passion, grit, and commitment in our community to bring about transformative change,” Mejía said. “I am humbled at this new opportunity to be a partner in philanthropy and am thrilled to join the Weingart Foundation, which has demonstrated continued investment in community-driven solutions and power-building as vehicles to advance justice and equity.”
Mejía was a founding Board member of THRIVE Santa Ana Community Land Trust, co-established the Santa Ana Streets Coalition, and is a lecturer for the U.C.I. Urban Planning and Public Policy Department. She holds a M.P.H. and M.S.W. from Columbia University and B.A.s in Sociology and Latin American Studies from U.C.L.A. Mejía was born in El Salvador and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of six.
ABOUT THE WEINGART FOUNDATION
Founded in 1951 by Ben and Stella Weingart, the Weingart Foundation is a private grantmaking organization advancing racial, social, and economic justice for all in Southern California. Since its founding, the Foundation has granted over $1 billion in grants and loans to organizations, coalitions, and collaboratives, providing critical services and building power in communities most impacted by racial and socioeconomic injustice. In 2017, the Weingart Foundation committed to aligning its entire investment portfolio with its mission through mission related and program related investments that drive equity. The Foundation also partners with philanthropic, public sector, and community leaders to advance shared solutions that advance justice.