Los Angeles (CA) – Richard Tate has been named executive vice president of The California Wellness Foundation after serving as the foundation’s vice president of public affairs since 2016. In his new role, he will join the foundation’s executive office and serve as chief deputy to president and CEO Judy Belk, playing a key role in aligning Cal Wellness’ board, management and staff on organization-wide efforts to advance the foundation’s mission and vision.
“Richard is an invaluable strategic partner to me, the executive management team, and the board, and I’m so gratified to acknowledge and formalize his partnership and responsibilities in his new role of executive vice president,” said Judy Belk, Cal Wellness president and CEO. “During his time at Cal Wellness, his influence and credibility as an effective leader has grown both inside and outside the foundation.”
As executive vice president, Tate will lead strategy development, learning, and innovation and will continue overseeing public affairs. He will also represent the foundation’s executive office in external relations activities. In his previous role as vice president of public affairs, Tate built the foundation’s first integrated public affairs department, a multidisciplinary team responsible for communications, community relations and public policy activities. He has led the expansion of Cal Wellness’ digital communications strategy and infrastructure; its grantmaking related to media, journalism and events; its organization-wide learning and innovation capacity; and its advocacy efforts to advance access to healthcare, immigrant rights, gun violence prevention, and racial justice.
“I’m honored to take on this new leadership role and to continue my partnership with Judy and the Cal Wellness team to extend the reach and impact of our work even further,” said Richard Tate. “Working with the Cal Wellness staff, board and grantees inspires and motivates me to contribute all I can to advance wellness in our state, particularly in these unprecedented times.”
Prior to joining Cal Wellness, Tate served as vice president of communications and marketing at Hopelab, the health-focused nonprofit organization of the Omidyar Group, and as a director of communications at Chiron, a global biotechnology company. Tate’s background includes more than 20 years of cross-sector leadership experience in business (pharmaceuticals, technology, media and journalism) and philanthropy.
Tate is currently board secretary of Northern California Grantmakers and board chair of OUTWORDS. He has lived and worked in California since 1991 and is based in Cal Wellness’ Oakland office.
Read Richard Tate's bio here.
About The California Wellness Foundation
The California Wellness Foundation’s mission is to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California by increasing access to health care, quality education, good jobs, healthy environments and safe neighborhoods. Since its founding in 1992, Cal Wellness has awarded more than $1 billion in charitable contributions and 9,200 grants.