An Evening of Gratitude: Celebrating the Leadership Circle
In 2023, AltaMed Foundation established the Leadership Circle to recognize a special group of donors—those who give $25,000 or more each year. These leaders, 70 members strong and growing, are partners in building healthier communities across Southern California.
On April 17, 2026, we were proud to host the Inaugural Leadership Circle Appreciation Night, an evening dedicated to celebrating their impact.
Held at The Alta, the AltaMed Art Collection’s new arts and cultural space in Montebello, the event brought donors together for a meaningful and creative experience. Guests participated in a guided paint-and-sip activity led by Los Angeles-based artist Ixchel Amor. Using watercolors, each attendee created their own “gratitude tree,” a reflection of the connections and care that define the AltaMed community.
For many, the evening created space to pause and reflect.
Ashley Hood shared, “It’s something I’ve never done before, but it really makes you ground yourself and think about what’s important—what your words of affirmation are and what truly matters in your life.”
That sense of purpose is what defines the Leadership Circle experience.
Throughout the evening, guests heard directly from AltaMed Foundation leaders about the impact of their support. Sharlene Risdon-Jackson, Vice President of Foundation Development, spoke about the Foundation’s role in addressing needs beyond the clinic.
“Our work focuses on what happens outside the clinic walls,” she said. “Because health is shaped by so many factors beyond a single visit. Your support allows us to meet those needs and continue to evolve as a health care organization.”
That evolution includes innovative programs, expanded access to care, and even the integration of art into healing spaces — ensuring patients see themselves reflected in the places they receive care.
Vincent Cortes, Chair of the AltaMed Foundation Board of Trustees, reflected on the mission that drives this work forward.
“The leaders of AltaMed, Castúlo (de la Rocha, President and CEO, AltaMed Health Services) and Zoila (D. Escobar, CAO, AltaMed Health Services and President, AltaMed Foundation), there’s a certain energy from them. You can’t put it in a bottle, you can’t buy it. You can’t go to a school and learn it.” he said. “It’s that energy that is making dental sedation for kids with special needs accessible. It’s that energy that is developing nurses and doctors. It’s that energy that has built AltaMed into a network of over 60 clinics.”
For attendees, the evening also reinforced the scale and significance of that work.
“AltaMed has a unique and inspiring story,” Hood shared. “Learning that it started with just one or two clinics and has grown to more than 60 is a powerful example of what’s possible when people come together to serve the community.”
That growth, and the impact behind it, is made possible in part by the Leadership Circle.
In 2025 alone, Leadership Circle members:
- Raised $11,013,409 to support patients and communities across Southern California
- Funded 30 impactful programs, including AltaMed’s Fire Relief Fund and Immediate Impact Fund
- Helped launch new health care career pathways in partnership with the Annenberg School of Nursing
These achievements reflect lives changed, communities strengthened, and futures made possible.
The Inaugural Appreciation Night was a celebration, but it was also a reminder. When people come together with purpose, they can create something lasting.
Learn more about the Leadership Circle and how you can get involved. Contact us at [email protected] today.
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