Jonathan Zeichner
I have helmed three nonprofits in Los Angeles, with a focus on uplifting disenfranchised youth, families, veterans and others living in the margins and facing adversity.
Bio
As a nonprofit founder and CEO, Jonathan worked for 33 years to improve the lives of underserved, homeless, and mentally ill youth, families and veterans in Los Angeles. He retired in September 2022 after 13 years at A Place Called Home, and before that co-founded and helmed the nationally acclaimed Inside Out Community Arts, recipient of the National Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and the NEA; and prior to that was Director of the Imagination Workshop at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute. Zeichner is a recipient of the Executive Service Corps Megan G. Cooper Leadership Award; and is a Durfee Fellow. He has served on nonprofit boards and has been a speaker and instructor in diverse educational, psychiatric, social service and nonprofit settings. In 2009 he received the Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management’s Award for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation. He has written, directed and acted for film, television and theater. As a consultant, he supports nonprofit executive leaders in their work and transitions.
My Approach to the Work
As a nonprofit founder and CEO with 30+ years of experience leading social benefit organizations, I am passionate about supporting others whose missions uplift social justice, equity and well-being for all peoples and for the planet. My services
are best suited for executives who are committed to honest introspection, constant improvement and intentional evolution.
- I believe that authenticity and transparency support productivity and meaningful results
- I will be curious about what makes you tick and your aspirations, meaning I will ask a lot of questions
- I will be direct and also kind with my recommendations, and I don’t expect you to take them all
- I will support your networking efforts to the best of my ability, though I cannot make any guarantees, I love introducing people for mutual benefit. If you work with me, you will have access to organizations and individuals in my network that may be able to support your vision and mission
- I will guide you on a path to what I believe will achieve your desired outcomes, but I will not drag you and I can’t do your work for you
- I am an informal person and I enjoy integrating humor and warmth into our work, without compromising our standards of professionalism and excellence.
- CESAR CHAVEZ