Madelynn Hirneise, CEO of Families Forward and Katy McInnes, Director of Partnerships at Child Creativity Lab were sworn in to serve on the First 5 Orange County Board. Madelynn and Katy bring valuable experience, strong community ties, and a deep commitment to children and families.

Madelynn participated int he 2019 Senior Management Learning Group, was coached in the 2020 Executive Coaching Program, and participated in the 2021 Executive Learning Group; Katy participated in the 2023 Senior Management Learning Group.

Shelley Hoss celebrates her 25th year of leading the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF). The Orange County Business Journal highlighted her steadfast career where Kate Duchenne, OCCF board finance chair and incoming vice chair, calls her “one of the most inspirational leaders I’ve ever known. She has a huge heart and cares about the issues impacting the community. Her heart and brain operate together.”

You can read the entire article here.

Sbelley participated in the 1999 Executive Learning Group.

The Arab American Civic Council hosted the Layali Little Arabia Festival at Anaheim’s Modjeska Park, drawing thousands of people to celebrate culture, resilience, and community pride on the third anniversary of Little Arabia’s historic designation. The festival included recognitions from local elected officials, cultural performances, and more than 50 food and retail vendors.

Read more here. 

Rashad Al-Dabbagh, Executive Director, was coached in the 2021 and 2023 Executive Coaching Program and participated in the 2022 Executive Learning Group.

Congratulations to our Network Members who were nominated for the Orange County Business Journal 2025 Women in Business Awards: Elizabeth Andrade, 211OC, Orange County United Way; Isabel Becerra, Coalition of OC Community Health Centers; Alison Edwards, Groundswell; Pamela Estes, Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Becky Firey, American Red Cross of OC; Anne Grey, Make-A-Wish OC and IE; Holly Hagler, Meals on Wheels OC; Madelynn Hirneise, Families Forward; Mara James,, Extraordinary Lives Foundation; Ronnetta Johnson, Waymakers; Taryn Palumbo, Orange County Grantmakers; Bonni Pomush, Working Wardrobes; Dawn Reese, The Wooden Floor; Maricela Rios-Faust, Human Options; Lucy Santana, Girls Inc. of OC; and Brenda Walters, Innovative Housing Opportunities.

Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director, United for Financial Security, Orange County United Way, was a panelist for the 3rd Cultures United Session: Unlocking Opportunity Through Financial Education. The panel of Orange County business leaders explored how financial literacy can break down systemic barriers, empower youth through early education, and strengthen generational resilience in our communities.

You can view the discussion here.

Andrew Fahmy is a current participant in the 2025 Executive Learning Group.

Maricela Rios-Faust, CEO of Human Options and Taryn Palumbo, Executive Director of Orange County Grant Makers were recognized in Riviera Orange County Magazine in their 2025 Dynamic Woman issue.

You can view the entire article here.

Maricela participated in the 2007 Senior Management Learning Group and was coached in the 2010 Executive Coaching Program; Taryn participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2022 Executive Coaching Program.

Dreams for Schools was honored to partner with UCI Alumni for their annual Anteaters in Service Day. Nearly 60 alumni gathered at their office and together completed 1,789 projects that will directly support Fall programming for local students.

Nithin Jilla, Founder and Executive Director, participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

Orange County Children's Therapeutic Art Center (OCCTAC) was honored as the Outstanding Arts Organization at Arts Orange County’s 25th Annual Arts Awards. This recognition comes as OCCTAC celebrates 25 years of providing innovative, artistic, educational, and therapeutic programs that inspire and transform children, at-risk youth, and their families to reach their fullest potential.

Ana Jimenez-Hami, Founder & Executive Director, participated in the 2006 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2010 Executive Coaching Program.

Donella Cecrle, Founder & President of The Purpose of Recovery, in five years, has raised over $4.6MM! TPOR is a peer-led, nonprofit Recovery Community Organization (RCO) dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges. They offer free, bilingual peer recovery coaching, group support, family education, and resource navigation—all led by certified Peer Support Specialists and Community Health Workers with lived experience.

Donella was coached in the 2024 Executive Coaching Program and is a current participant in the 2025 Executive Learning Group.

Nora Mendez, Executive Director of the Orange County Community Housing Corporation (OCCHC)–Stepping Up, and Yesenia Ochoa, CEO of the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) and current OCCHC–Stepping Up Board Chair, were part of the Westward Home: A Gala to End the Cycle of Poverty,

The event raised more than $260,000 to support affordable housing and educational opportunities for underserved families in Orange County.

Reflecting on the organization’s 48 years of impact, Nora shared how OCCHC helps transform lives, saying: “We can help a family go from ‘We can’t’ to ‘We did,’ and a student from ‘I’m not sure’ to ‘I’m college bound.’”

Nora participated in the 2006 Senior Management Learning Group the 2025 Executive Learning Group; Yesenia participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

2025-26 Leadership Reading Group

(left to right) Robin Sinclair, Fieldstone Leadership Network; Ellen Roy, Catholic Charities of Orange County; Christy Cornwall, Friendship Shelter; Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Facilitator; Ronnetta Johnson, Waymakers; Tom Mizera, RSI Foundation; Anne Grey, Make-A-Wish Orange County & Inland Empire; Debbie Finster, Pacific Marine Mammal Center; Tami Thompson, Discovery Cube; Betsy Flint, Collaborative to End Human Trafficking; Brandon Hendriks, Every Generation Ministries; Naty Pacheco, Young Life.

Not pictured: Bill Carson, Wellness & Prevention Center; Kim Moeller, National Christian Foundation; Katie Russell, Ronald McDonald House Orange County.

We are excited to share a new collaboration with OneOC through our Executive Coaching Program at this quarter's Fieldstone@4. Together, we’re strengthening the support available to nonprofit leaders by connecting them with coaches who truly understand the sector. Through this partnership, OneOC members will receive a 15% discount off of their tuition.

We love when our Fieldstone Network leaders come together at Fieldstone@4—learning, sharing, and building stronger connections to support one another in leadership and impact!