JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION
LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards recognize Californians who are implementing effective solutions to critical state issues. The awards advance innovative, proven and replicable solutions, and contribute to better public policies and practices in the field.
The Foundation provides each award recipient’s organization with $350,000 to support their work, and assists in sharing promising approaches with policymakers and practitioners.
“For more than a decade Talking Eyes Media has helped bring The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards to life through their exceptional video production services. Their ability to distill complex stories into powerful and engaging visual narratives is truly remarkable. We are grateful for their partnership in highlighting the inspiring stories of the Award recipients and capturing the heart and soul of their impactful work.”
— Melissa Granville, The James Irvine Foundation
MEET THE 2025 GRANTEES
SHANTAY DAVIES-BALCH
BLACK WELLNESS AND PROSPERITY CENTER
Shantay Davies-Balch founded the BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center to promote health and well-being in Fresno’s Black community. Her flagship training program, the Black Doula Network, has been in the forefront of addressing the disparities for Black women in perinatal health and offering systematic change to create more opportunities for all women throughout California to access high quality perinatal care.
NAYAMIN MARTINEZ
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NETWORK
The Central California Environmental Justice Network, led by Nayamin Martinez, mobilizes community members to address environmental and social justice issues in the Central Valley. Through grassroots organizing and advocacy, residents learn about their rights and how to take action to protect themselves from pesticides, water contamination, air pollution, and extreme heat.
SKYE PATRICK
LA COUNTY LIBRARY
When Skye Patrick was appointed director of LA County Library, that serves 86 locations across 49 cities, she quickly realized that people in Los Angeles needed more than books. Under her leadership, libraries have transformed into community hubs offering not just book lending, but a plethora of innovative programs that address the complex social, educational, and health needs of the county’s residents.
CUTCHA RISLING BALDY & KAITLIN REED
ROU DALAGURR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY LAB AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGES INSTITUTE
As co-directors of the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute, Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed mentor students, teach courses, and lead workshops and community programs centered on indigenous foods and practices. With a focus on food sovereignty, they offer ways for communities to reconnect with traditional foods and improve Indigenous health.
STACY L. SMITH
ANNENBERG INCLUSION INITIATIVE
Founded and led by Stacy Smith, the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative aims to improve diversity and inclusion in media through research, advocacy, and policy development. By leveraging data-driven solutions and building networks across the entertainment industry, Smith drives initiatives that expand representation on and off screen.
HELEN IRIS TORRES
HISPANAS ORGANIZED FOR POLITICAL EQUALITY (HOPE)
For 25 years, Helen Iris Torres, has led one of the state and nation’s most influential Latina organizations. Hispanas Organized for Political Opportunity (HOPE) has prepared thousands of Latinas for civic leadership by helping them earn seats on decision-making bodies and equipping them for advocacy on issues affecting Latino communities.