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"We are fortunate to live in an area where giving and caring play such an important role. At NVCF, we consistently witness how good things happen when people with big hearts share ideas and collaborate."

 — Alexa Benson-Valavanis, NVCF president and CEO

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Keynote Speaker:

Wednesday, Nov. 19
Noon-2 p.m.
Sierra Nevada Big Room
1075 East 20th St., Chico

Join us for the first quarterly gathering of the Philanthropy Council, featuring an inspiring keynote speaker, networking opportunities with community members and lunch.

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Kären Woodruff, Wells Fargo

As the senior vice president for philanthropy and community impact at Wells Fargo, Kären's caring nature and heartfelt concern provide a helpful antidote for communities that are facing challenges.

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Our Mission

The Philanthropy Council unites leaders from the nonprofit, public and private sectors to network, inspire one another and foster innovation. This alliance of community members creates a space for meaningful dialogue, builds partnerships and encourages collective action to make our communities better.

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Our Mission
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Keynote Speaker: Kären Woodruff 

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Kären Woodruff is a dynamic and strategic leader with over 30 years of

experience in corporate philanthropy, community impact, and stakeholder engagement. As Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo, she leads the company’s philanthropic strategy across Northern, Coastal, and Central California, overseeing multimillion- dollar investments and cultivating high-impact partnerships with nonprofits, civic leaders, and community stakeholders.

 

Kären is known for her ability to align corporate social responsibility with enterprise goals, delivering measurable outcomes that enhance brand reputation, promote equity, and strengthen community resilience. Her leadership has driven initiatives that support small business growth, housing stability, financial health, and disaster recovery, positioning Wells Fargo as a trusted partner in community transformation.

A seasoned public speaker, Kären presents at regional and national conferences, panels and leadership forums on topics including strategic philanthropy, cross-sector collaboration and inclusive economic

development. Her voice is sought after for its clarity, authenticity and ability to inspire action across diverse audiences. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Kären held senior leadership roles at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, UC Davis Health System and Amdocs, where she led transformational efforts in fund development, brand strategy and corporate engagement. Her unique blend of private-sector discipline and nonprofit insight enables her to navigate complex systems and deliver sustainable impact.

A graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in finance, Kären is currently pursuing a Corporate Social Responsibility certification from Boston College’s Center for Philanthropy. She serves as board chair of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and sits on the executive boards of the California Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Los Rios Foundation. She is an active member of Northern California Grantmakers, Women in Philanthropy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

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Philanthropy Council Planning Committee 

Alexa Benson-Valavanis

President and CEO

Megan Smith

Senior Digital Content Creator

David Little

Executive Vice President 

Nadia Hill

Digital Content Creator 

Morgan Warnock

Engagement Coordinator

The Foundation Building

1811 Concord Ave., Suite 220

Chico, CA 95928

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Office hours:

Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m

NVCF DIGEST

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©2025 North Valley Community Foundation

A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, EIN 68-0161455. All rights reserved.

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