Ashley Swearengin will become the new CEO of the Central Valley Foundation on Jan. 16, 2017, after completing her second and final term as Fresno’s mayor.

---

The Fresno Bee first reported the news over the weekend and the official announcement was made in a press release issued by the City Monday morning.

The Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), founded in 1966, was formerly known as the Fresno Regional Foundation. 

“The Central Valley Community Foundation is an incredibly important organization in our region,” Swearengin said. “For almost 50 years, the foundation has been dedicated to improving the lives of the people in this area. I’m honored to assume its leadership in January when I finish my term of office. It’s a natural fit for me and will allow me to continue doing what I love most — working to improve the Central San Joaquin Valley by attracting resources and economic opportunity to the part of California that needs it the most.”

The CVCF currently has $65 million in assets. In 2015, the foundation awarded $8 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits.

“We could not be more pleased,” said Dr. Alan Pierrot, chair of the CVCF board of directors. “Mayor Swearengin has all the attributes necessary to double or triple the asset size of the Foundation which, in turn, will allow us to do so much more for the Central Valley. She is a natural, savvy, energetic leader, a skilled fundraiser and a results oriented manager who, during her two terms as mayor, has experienced the challenges and the opportunities of this region.”