Posted on April 15, 2003

Irvine Foundation Appoints New President & CEO

The San Francisco-based James Irvine Foundation has announced the promotion of James E. Canales to president and chief executive officer. Canales, who has served as the foundation's vice president and corporate secretary for the past four years, will replace Mary G. F. Bitterman, who is resigning at the end of the month.

Canales, 36, joined the staff of the foundation in 1993. In his most recent position, he oversaw the foundation's programs, evaluation, and communications functions as well as its grants administration activities. Canales also holds leadership positions on the boards of several regional and national nonprofit organizations, including KQED Public Broadcasting, the Stanford Alumni Association, BoardSource, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. A native Californian, he holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in education, both from Stanford.

"The foundation is fortunate to have an outstanding leader for the future in Jim Canales," said James C. Gaither, chairman of the Irvine Foundation's board of directors. "He possesses a comprehensive understanding of California's challenges, knows the foundation and its partners well, and brings to the role the right set of skills to lead us forward."