Ashley Swearengin, President and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, was appointed to the College Futures Foundation board of directors this summer.

Swearengin will help oversee the College Futures Foundation’s strategic development and guide investments to improve college access, persistence, and degree attainment for low-income California students. Currently, Swearengin is President and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, which has provided over $100 million in philanthropic investment in the Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Kings counties of Central California over the last decade.

Previously, Swearengin served as mayor of Fresno from 2009 to 2016. During her tenure, she implemented changes to improve the delivery of city services, revitalize the downtown and urban core, promote business and job growth, address chronic homelessness, and stabilize the city’s financial position.

She has 20 years of experience with community and economic development in the Fresno region, including as leader of the Central Valley Business Incubator, Fresno State’s Office of Community and Economic Development, and the Regional Jobs Initiative. She received MBA and BS degrees from California State University, Fresno.

“I am so pleased to join College Futures Foundation’s efforts to expand opportunity for our young people and help ensure a thriving future for our communities and our state,” said Swearengin. “Improving opportunity and outcomes for students is a responsibility shared by many. That requires building strong relationships across institutions and sectors. I look forward to working with College Futures to support such efforts.”

“Ashley is an outstanding, thoughtful leader and effective advocate for students. She understands that improving student success is an issue of civic, social, ethical, and economic importance—and she brings a critically important perspective and experience to our organization,” said Russ Gould, chair of the College Future Foundation board.