Envision Consulting Recruits CEO for Aviva
January 6, 2023 – Pasadena, CA-based search firm Envision Consulting recently placed Amber Rivas as president and CEO for Aviva in Los Angeles. This follows the recent retirement of Regina Bette, who served as in the top role for 11 years. The appointment of Ms. Rivas comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by board chair Jonathan Werner and the search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting. “We are very excited to welcome Amber Rivas as the next leader of Aviva,” said Mr. Werner. “Amber will carry on Aviva’s legacy of transformative programming to improve the lives of youth and families in our community. Her leadership experience, skills, and passion for serving youth and families in the Los Angeles community makes her the leader we’ve been looking for.”
Ms. Rivas most recently served as COO of St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles, a role she held for six of her 17 years at the organization. While there, Ms. Rivas led a number of significant achievements, including opening a new permanent supportive housing complex, transitioning their group home to a short-term residential therapeutic program, and expansion of Early Head Start services into the city of Lynwood, all while managing the daily operations of the organization.
At Aviva, Ms. Rivas will continue to serve children, youth, and families in Los Angeles County as its leader. “I am incredibly honored to be named the new president and CEO of Aviva,” said Ms. Rivas. “This organization has a strong history of service and a track record of successfully meeting the ever-changing needs of the Los Angeles community. I am both humbled and excited to serve as Aviva’s next leader, to work closely with their exceptional leadership staff, and to have the opportunity to influence and implement decisions that strengthen our community and lead to positive outcomes for the disenfranchised and vulnerable, both within Aviva and at the county and state level.”
Founded in 1915, Aviva provides support to at-risk children and families through its main programs of crisis intervention, mental health services, foster care and adoption, and supportive housing for women and children. Aviva serves over 2,400 clients and 8,900 family members in Los Angeles each year.
Minority-Owned Firm
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, its partners and consultants are former non-profit executive leaders who now use their collective experience and inspiration to uplift non-profits and the communities they serve. Envision Consulting’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, and a focus on anti-biased decision making.
Envision Consulting Finds New Leader for A Place Called Home
Envision Consulting recently placed Norayma Cabot as the new chief executive officer of A Place Called Home (APCH), a non-profit that provides a safe, nurturing environment and a variety of programs for young people in South Central Los Angeles. She assumes the role effective next Monday. Ms. Cabot joins the organization from the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, where she served as executive director for three years. The appointment of Ms. Cabot comes after an extensive search and recruitment process lead by Gareth Schweitzer, APCH board chair, and the group’s search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting.
In 2021, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color. In 2022, Envision was named a Top 60 Executive search Firms Serving the Non-Profit Sector by Hunt Scanlon.
Envision Consulting was founded by Matt Kamin and Allison Fuller in 2006. Mr. Kamin, managing partner, has been working and volunteering in the non-profit world for over 18 years. He previously served as executive director of Palisades Emergency Residence Corp. in New York, Children’s Nature Institute in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Youth Network in Hollywood. Mr. Kamin has also been a consultant to organizations serving populations ranging from disabled adults, domestic violence, children in non-public schools, and the geriatric community. He is co-founder of Youth for Charity, an organization bringing together teens of different faiths to raise awareness for families living in poverty, as well as founder of Eleventh Commandment, which has grown into JQ International.
Ms. Fuller, managing partner, has worked in the non-profit sector for more than a decade. Her interest in non-profits began as a volunteer, leading her to co-founding her own charitable organization. In the non-profit sector, she has held numerous staff and executive leadership positions, including executive director. As a former escrow officer, Ms. Fuller brings extensive planning and logistical experience into overseeing many aspects of management organization, contract administration, strategic planning, and operations. In addition, as a graphic designer and web marketer, she brings in unique talents to non-profits, expanding resources and efficiency while substantially increasing fundraising revenues. She also has a passion for helping youth and has worked with several major non-profit organizations, including Autism Speaks, YWCA, and Step Up Women’s Network.
Related: Envision Consulting Recruits Chief Development Officer for Children’s Bureau
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
