Philip Arca has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to social justice that involves direct support of individuals, systemic change, sustainability, creativity and the joy of allowing all to realize their fullest potential.
On a practitioner level, he is a seasoned turnaround leader with broad and deep experience. And his strategic consulting professional expertise with a groundbreaking start-up and a deep history in the voluntary sector contribute to a holistic vision of communities and systems, including published articles and nonprofit management book in process.
He is capable of crossing the public, private and independent sectors, navigating the dynamic between funder and service provider, advocacy and practice, vision and implementation and sensitive to the needs of employers given his leadership in the creation of various training programs. He is deeply committed to the importance of work, and use of talents for the dignity of every individual – whatever their talents and challenges may be.
Most recently, he has been Interim Executive Director for a foster youth program, senior nutrition services, a youth science outreach effort in the East Bay, a law center in Marin, consulting with various real estate/social enterprise projects in Oakland, and on the Advisory Boards of the Sustainable Business Alliance, The International Toy Museum and with The Inspire Awards.
He is formerly the Executive Director of a $7 million, 85 employee, 800 volunteer, faith-based social services organization working throughout Alameda County. In other positions, he has led turnaround of large cultural facility – The Oakland Zoo, startup of a new U.S. fair trade coffee initiative and the strategic alignment and growth of a statewide communications organization focused on children’s issues. Philip can walk the streets of San Pablo Avenue in West Oakland and connect with those in the midst of substance abuse, homelessness, then meet with REDF in the offices of Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts, and gather with Board and Staff to work through the specifics of a Taproot project – all in the same day.
Recently has been involved with OpenIDEO, the SF MeetUp organizing team and is a fan of human centered design. He was on the Editorial Board of the Social Enterprise Reporter. He has taught classes at Cal State Hayward Nonprofit Management Extension Program and in the Graduate Museum Studies Program at JFK University. He has published articles in Advancing Philanthropy and The Nonprofit Times. Previously he was Assistant Director of the Oakland Zoo and also helped jumpstart TransFair USA, the US fair trade coffee initiative. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University with an MPA from USC.