John E. Kobara is known and respected nationwide throughout the philanthropic and nonprofit communities. As chief operating officer of the California Community Foundation, he was responsible for all of the development, marketing, administrative, grant-making, civic engagement, and donor relations functions of the foundation.

He joined CCF in 2008 to head the external and donor relations department. From 2003 – 2008, he was on its board of directors while serving as head of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. For 35 years, John has been leading and managing innovative nonprofit organizations, companies and technology startups, and actively involved in advancing social justice by increasing access to educational opportunities in Los Angeles.

In 2007, John received the City of Angels Award for his service on behalf of children and families. He was a Coro Fellow in Los Angeles and earned a bachelor’s from UCLA, a master’s in business administration from USC and a master’s from Occidental College.