Laguna Beach Community Foundation announced this week that Dan Pingaro will serve as the organization’s new executive director. Laguna Beach Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that encourages philanthropy, assists local charities, connects donor passions with nonprofit needs, and works with local professional advisors in assisting their clients in giving back to the greater Laguna Beach community.
A long-time resident of California, Pingaro has strong ties to the Laguna Beach area – having grown up in Huntington Beach and served as a lifeguard at Aliso Creek and as a state lifeguard at Crystal Cove. He is a passionate and enthusiastic entrepreneur who built his career serving as a strategic advisor to organizations on issues related to the environment, sustainability and ocean health.
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Community Foundation board chair Rick Balzer said, “We responded to Dan’s experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, grant making, entrepreneurship, environmental commitment, communications style and his ability to promote the growth of philanthropy in Laguna Beach. We look forward to his ability to engage fully with our community and promote the benefits of working with the Community Foundation. We think that Dan will be a wonderful addition to the Laguna Beach philanthropic community.”
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Most recently, Pingaro was CEO of Sailors for the Sea, a nonprofit organization focused on educating and engaging the boating community in the worldwide protection of oceans. Pingaro directed Sailors for the Sea from a local east coast organization into a global brand with multiple programs that involve well over 100,000 participants annually. He created dozens of global partnership alliances and a diversified funding base of foundation grants, special events, individuals, and corporations.
Prior to his position with Sailors for the Sea, Pingaro spent ten years with the US Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco where he gained extensive experience in grants management, financial reporting, environmental planning and program development.
In 1999, Pingaro founded the innovative CLEWGEAR apparel brand, a foul weather gear sailing company with multinational distribution and global brand recognition.
”I am beyond excited to be taking on this new role and becoming part of the fabric of the Laguna Beach community. The level of expertise and commitment from the Community Foundation board of trustees and past leadership provides a strong base which I intend to grow and expand well into the future,” said Pingaro.
Other appointments that Pingaro will draw upon in his new role are serving on the board of trustees for the Marine Science Institute, advisory council of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, representative with the World Bank Global Partnership for Oceans and former member of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary advisory council.
He served on the 34th America’s Cup Sustainability subcommittee and was the inaugural recipient of Surfrider Foundation Thomas Pratte Memorial Scholarship.
Dan and his wife Kim are relocating from Mill Valley to Laguna Beach and look forward to meeting the diverse and engaging citizens of Laguna and enjoying the fabulous beaches in town.
