We bid a heartfelt farewell to Earl Lui, who has stepped down from his role at The California Wellness Foundation after nearly two decades of dedicated service.
Earl joined Cal Wellness as a Program Director—his first position in philanthropy and a grantmaking role where he quickly made his mark. He supported grant partners working to expand health care access, protect the environment in underserved communities, improve conditions for low-wage workers, and strengthen civic engagement. Earl also helped launch our program-related investing work—using low-interest loans and other financial tools to support mission-aligned organizations beyond traditional grants. In recognition of this impactful work, Earl was later named Cal Wellness’ first-ever Managing Director of Programs.
Throughout his tenure, he played a key role in guiding the foundation’s response to critical moments in California’s recent history. Following the 2016 election, Earl was part of the team that led the Advance and Defend Wellness campaign, helping shift priorities to meet emerging needs across the state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he guided the foundation’s rapid response efforts, including expanded grantmaking to support the communities most impacted by the crisis.
In recent years, Earl oversaw two of the foundation’s core portfolios: Equity in Access, which included funding to protect and advance immigrant rights, and Economic Security and Dignity, supporting efforts to help families and communities build stable, healthy lives. As part of the Equity in Access portfolio, he helped lead Cal Wellness’ support for the Health4All campaign, which successfully expanded health coverage for all income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status.
Earl was known for his strategic mindset and calm presence, and was a trusted advisor to colleagues and grant partners alike. He brought not only a deep commitment to equity but also a belief in sustaining the people doing the work—championing rest, resilience, and long-term well-being across the nonprofit sector.
We are deeply grateful for all that Earl brought to Cal Wellness—for his integrity, vision, and steady hand. His legacy will continue to shape our work for years to come. We wish him joy and success in all that lies ahead.