MBA Alum leads SoCal Center for Nonprofit Management

Efrain Escobedo, MBA ’22, has been named President & CEO of the Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM). The Center is a “nonprofit for nonprofits,” dedicated to supporting the organizational development and strength of Southern California’s nonprofit sector. Through consulting, training, and events programming, CNM’s ultimate goal is to strengthen the communities their nonprofit clients serve. 

Regina Birdsell, CNM’s outgoing chief executive, says “I am excited about the choice of Efrain as CNM’s new leader. He brings tremendous skills and talents to this unique position, and I know that the organization and its partners are in terrific hands.” 

Escobedo is committed to transforming systems through focusing on human-centered approaches. He plans to bring this commitment to the nonprofits served by CNM. He previously served as Vice President of Public Policy and Civic Engagement at the California Community Foundation, as Manager of Governmental and Legislative Affairs for the LA County Registrar of Voters, and as Senior Director of Civic Engagement for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund. 

“I chose the University of La Verne because their core values of ethical reasoning, diversity and inclusivity, lifelong learning, and community engagement all resonated with me,” Escobedo says. “In my MBA coursework, we continually explored how to make these values work in real organizations, something I’m proud to now bring to CNM. What I studied at La Verne aligns closely with my own values and ongoing desire to lead with integrity, inclusivity, and community-mindedness.”