Ron Gallo will explore the vital role that the not for profit sector plays in the life of community.

Whether it is the offering of beauty and culture or compassion and justice,

the non-profit sector of our community is an important pillar of our democracy.

It is also an important economic engine and a leading employer of our residents. 

Ron asks and discusses three questions:

"How can we encourage this sector to have a stronger and more unified civic voice? 

How can the nonprofit sector be an effective convener of the other central parts of our community, i.e., business, government, media, and faith institutions? 

 Is our best collective future through aligned action?"

Ron Gallo's role as the CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation makes him well qualified to provide insight into this topic that impacts the quality of our life as the Santa Barbara community.

Ron Gallo came to Santa Barbara bringing 15 years of experience leading one of the nation's largest community foundations, the Rhode Island Foundation. In that role he was responsible for tripling the assets of that community foundation and spearheading innovative philanthropic alliances and strategies. Soon after Ron's arrival in Santa Barbara, in the midst of an economic downturn, his proactive strategy created the Community Economic Recovery Fund. Ron is a leader who has worked to bring about social change through compassion and innovation.

He has a passionate commitment to sustaining equitable community development and supporting community-based leadership.

Please join us.

The Conversations for the Common Good is a series of lectures and dialogues to serve the common good of our community. We invite you to join with us to hear important voices on critical issues of our time and to spend time in conversation about how we can work to impact positively those issues for our community and beyond.