At a time when communities across the nation are navigating misinformation, political division, rapid technological change, and growing questions surrounding public trust, Jim Boren brings decades of experience at the intersection of journalism, democracy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Boren currently serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State and teaches advanced reporting within the university’s Communications and Journalism Department, where he mentors the next generation of journalists and civic storytellers.

Following an extraordinary 48-year career in journalism, Boren retired in 2018 as Executive Editor and Senior Vice President of The Fresno Bee. Throughout his career, he helped shape newsroom strategy, guide editorial excellence, and navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape during some of the most transformative years in modern journalism.

Earlier in his career, Boren served as a national political reporter covering presidential campaigns and six national political conventions, while also reporting extensively on California state and local politics. His leadership and contributions to journalism earned national recognition, including being selected twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes—one of the profession’s highest distinctions.

Beyond the newsroom, Boren has remained deeply committed to education, community engagement, and strengthening democracy through informed public dialogue. At Fresno State, he founded the Media Institute and launched the Journalists of Color student training program to expand opportunity, promote diversity in media, and cultivate future leaders within journalism.

As communities increasingly face the challenge of navigating complex information environments, Boren has also become a leading voice in media literacy education—helping individuals better understand how information is created, shared, interpreted, and trusted.

His message is especially relevant to the mission of NWPC Fresno. Strong democracy depends on informed communities, thoughtful civic engagement, ethical leadership, and the ability to critically evaluate information shaping public policy and public perception.

This conversation will explore the vital role media literacy and public trust play in strengthening communities, empowering civic participation, and protecting democratic institutions for future generations.

We invite our members, guests, educators, advocates, and community leaders to join us for what promises to be a timely and meaningful discussion.

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Join us for a meaningful conversation on how education, leadership, and opportunity shape real outcomes for families—and how stronger, more connected systems can create lasting success in our communities.

In today’s evolving social and economic landscape, individuals and families are navigating increasingly complex systems in education, workforce development, and community support. While opportunities exist, many continue to face barriers that impact long-term stability and success.

Pha Mouavangsou will explore how education, leadership, and access to opportunity directly shape outcomes within our communities. Drawing from his experience as an educational leader and systems thinker, he will offer insight into how individuals enter and move through these systems, where gaps continue to exist, and how those gaps can impact families across generations. His perspective highlights how more connected and responsive systems can create stronger and more sustainable outcomes.

Pha is an experienced educational administrator and community leader currently serving at the University of California, San Francisco, where he leads operations within the Department of Medicine and supports campus life services.

Throughout his career, Pha has held leadership roles across higher education, including serving as a Dean, Director of Student Services, and Grant Director, focusing on student success, retention, and workforce readiness. His work has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of how individuals access education, navigate challenges, and transition into real-world opportunities.

His experience also includes working with individuals navigating critical life transitions through re-entry and transition programs with Merced Community College, including work connected to Valley State Prison. This work provided him with firsthand insight into the challenges of reintegration and how systems directly impact long-term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Pha has served as a Board Member for the Fresno Center for New Americans and the Children’s Services Network, and has been recognized as one of the Fresno Business Journal’s Top 40 Professionals Under 40.  He is also a graduate of Leadership Fresno (Class 27) and has contributed to initiatives through the Adult Education Taskforce and the Fresno County Human Resource Advisory Board, supporting efforts that strengthen education access, workforce development, and community resources.

Pha lives and works in California and remains committed to strengthening systems that support individuals, families, and the broader community.

The post Dinner Meeting May 5, 2026 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

In today’s social and educational landscape, more families are navigating autism, developmental differences, and the complexities of accessing care. As prevalence continues to rise—with 1 in 31 children diagnosed in the U.S.—this moment calls for more than awareness. It calls for informed, compassionate leadership in our schools, organizations, and communities.
 
Gina will discuss the growing prevalence of autism and what it means for our communities, while offering a lens on behavior as communication and connection rather than defiance. She will explore how healthcare, education, and policy systems intersect, and how gaps within these systems can impact families.
 
Gina Vue is the CEO and Founder of Innovative Minds ABA, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and an International Behavior Analyst specializing in trauma-informed, developmentally responsive care for children with autism and developmental differences. She also serves as the Interim Director of Behavioral Services at Easterseals Central California, where she supports the development and strengthening of ABA services within a long-standing nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities.
 
With over 20 years of experience in education, behavioral health, and family advocacy, Gina has dedicated her career to building systems of care that prioritize dignity, connection, and meaningful progress. She provides training to clinicians nationally and internationally and is a strong advocate for underserved and culturally diverse communities.
 
Gina lives and works in California and remains committed to strengthening community awareness, empowering families, and advancing compassionate, ethical practices in autism care.

The post Dinner Meeting April 7, 2026 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

In today’s political and social climate, many women are navigating stress, burnout, and increasing demands on their leadership. Sustainable advocacy requires not only passion, but resilience and connection to self. 

Joanne Lai will discuss trauma-informed care and somatic healing, and how reconnecting with the body strengthens authentic leadership. She will explore how stress and past experiences shape the way women show up in public spaces, and why grounded, regulated leaders are essential to building strong movements.

Joanne is the CEO and founder of Spiral & Bloom Embodiment Sanctuary and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner specializing in holistic, trauma-informed psychotherapy. She supports women navigating stress, burnout, cultural identity, and relational challenges through body-centered approaches that build resilience and lasting growth.

She is the recipient of the Top Ten Professional Women Award from the Marjaree Mason Center and serves as President of Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW). Her work has been featured in the documentary Final Fight: When the Trauma of War Comes Home, as well as in Fig Garden Magazine, Bold Journey, and on ABC30 News.

Joanne lives and works in the Central Valley and remains committed to strengthening leadership and community resilience.

The post Dinner Meeting March 3, 2026 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Based on our brainstorming session at the January meeting, one of the most popular topics was the Dakota EcoGarden. In February our speakers will be sharing the vision and work of the Dakota EcoGarden.

In July of 2012, homeless advocate Nancy Waidtlow purchased a 0.6 acre lot in West Central Fresno, where she founded the Dakota EcoGarden in late 2013.  It’s the original site of the Eco Village Project of Fresno and the first of its kind in the city.  There are many resources for the homeless in Fresno, but what makes it unique is the uplifting environment and democratic approach to developing a community.

The Dakota EcoGarden is open to people of all walks of life – regardless of gender, race or creed.  The mission of the Dakota EcoGarden, which is part of the Eco Village Project of Fresno, is to empower formerly homeless individuals with the skills needed for self-sufficient lifestyles that enable happiness, health and success.

The Dakota EcoGarden represents Nancy’s version of Fresno Architect Arthur Dyson’s original vision for an eco village.  Although the Dakota EcoGarden does not include a standard community building, the home on the property provides the same basic elements of a shared kitchen, living space and bathrooms. Tiny home residences, and tent structures provide living spaces for others in need.

The Eco Village and EcoGarden provide residents with places to live and the needed resources for residents to learn new skills or to further develop their existing skills.  Residents raise their own fruits and vegetables and they have access to computers for their use in seeking educational opportunities or to find employment.

Hope you will join us on February 3rd to learn more about this unique program in our
community!

The post Dinner Meeting February 3, 2026 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Ashlee Wolf is an accomplished fundraising and marketing professional with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits and mission-driven organizations grow their impact through strategic development, donor engagement, and brand storytelling.

With a passion for building strong community partnerships, Ashlee has led successful campaigns that have raised millions in philanthropic support across the Central Valley. Her expertise spans major gifts, annual giving, fundraising events, digital marketing, and strategic communications—always with a focus on aligning purpose with measurable outcomes.

Currently serving as Director of Philanthropy and Communication for the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno, CA, Ashlee is recognized for her collaborative leadership, strategic creativity, and unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of survivors of domestic violence and advocating for those impacted by abuse. She thrives on connecting people to purpose and elevating the visibility of organizations doing transformative work.

Ashlee holds Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Fresno State and is an active participant in the local business and nonprofit community.

When she’s not advocating for those in need, Ashlee enjoys spending quality time with her family—which often means cheering from the sidelines of a soccer field or supporting from the stands at a wrestling match. With both of her children involved in competitive sports, her evenings and weekends are a whirlwind of practices, tournaments, and road trips, alongside her husband, Kent—all of which she embraces with the same passion and energy she brings to her professional work.

Ashlee Wolf will present on the critical intersection of advocacy, policy, and philanthropy in the fight against domestic violence in Fresno County. Representing the Marjaree Mason Center—Fresno County’s primary provider of domestic violence services—Ashlee will share how shifting public policy and funding priorities directly impact the resources available to survivors.

Members will gain insight into recent changes to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), long-term implications for service providers nationwide, and what the State of California is doing at the local level. Ashlee will also highlight the importance of sustained lobbying efforts at the state and federal levels, and offer actionable ways for political advocates to support survivor-centered legislation, ensure funding stability, and amplify the voices of those who often have none.

The post Dinner Meeting October 7, 2025 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Socorro has been serving as the Central Valley director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte for over six years. She oversees the Stanislaus to Kern County regions. In her role she has been instrumental in working with elected officials to strengthen and grow support of PPMM at the state and local level.

She has diversified and grown Planned Parenthood’s support base to include people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and faith leaders. She strongly believes she is an example of how empowering it can be for people to have autonomy over their own bodies.`

The post Dinner Meeting September 2, 2025 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

An educator for 23 years, Ruiz represents CTA members in Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Fresno and Madera counties. She has deep activist roots with the Fresno Teachers Association, where she was president for two years. She is a past FTA treasurer, negotiations team member, organizing committee activist and school site representative. 

The daughter of farm workers, and the mother of four children, Ruiz is proud that her husband and family understand how committed she is to CTA. 

“I care deeply about this organization, about our students, and about our educators. I care deeply that my family understands that quality education is important. This is what motivates me to do the work I do every day.” 

Her CTA work includes serving on the union’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, chairing the Health Benefits Advisory Committee, and serving as a delegate on the CTA State Council of Education for seven years. For her dedication to union work, she received a CTA “We Honor Ours” (WHO) Award in 2017. Her national work includes serving for several years as a California delegate to the annual NEA Representative Assembly. 

She is fluent in Spanish and a founding member of the California Latina Democrats of Fresno County group. Ruiz holds a bachelor’s in liberal arts from California State University, Fresno. 

She lives in Fresno with her family.

The post Dinner Meeting August 5, 2025 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC) is a Fresno-based nonprofit organization working to eliminate persistent health disparities impacting the Black community—especially Black moms and babies. Through a combination of strategic partnerships, infrastructure building, research, and advocacy, BWPC is improving maternal, infant, and community health outcomes. 

While BWPC centers on the needs of Black families, services are open to all. Programs like BLACK Pregnancy Care Support, the BLACK Doula Network, and Community Health Advocate services connect families to essential resources, culturally affirming care, and evidence-based health education before, during, and after pregnancy.  

The organization is actively working to establish full clinical services for women and infants and collaborates with hospitals, insurers, policymakers and other trusted stakeholders to dismantle systemic inequities in care.

BWPC envisions a future where every woman and birthing person, especially those from historically marginalized communities, has equitable access to the high-quality care and support necessary to thrive.

The post Dinner Meeting July 1, 2025 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Our speaker will be Alicia Arakelian. Alicia is a dedicated REALTOR® with Real Broker, specializing in residential real estate across Fresno, Clovis, and the surrounding Central Valley areas. With a passion for equity and inclusion, Alicia helps clients buy, sell, and invest in homes while advocating for fair and inclusive housing practices.

She serves as President of the Central Valley Chapter of the National LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and is an active member of the Fresno Association of Realtors’ Fair Housing and Diversity Committee. A committed community leader, Alicia will share insights on the ongoing challenges of advocating for fair housing for the LGBTQ+ community amid today’s complex political climate.

The post Dinner Meeting June 3, 2025 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.