CLIENTS (Chronologically)
CURRENT
2024: Teaching Artist, Muckenthaler Cultural Center Arts In Corrections Program
2024-Present: Charitable Ventures & The Orange County Business Council- Sector Investment Coordinator, The Catalyst Program for the California Jobs First Initiative (Statewide Workforce Investment Program)
2017- Present: California Polytechnic Institute Pomona- Instructor/Designer, Nonprofit Management Certificate and Corporate/Government Leadership Certificate
2014- Present- Trainer, OneOC and Jericho Road Pasadena
PAST
Oct 2024: Speaker, Lightbringer Project/City of Pasadena, Pasadena ArtNight
Nov 2024: Facilitator, Altadena Library Foundation Board Retreat
Feb-Aug 2024: Interim CEO for HOPE Center of The Arts (Cut expenses and added new a new program that doubled income)
July 2024- (Volunteer) Grant Peer Panelist- CA Arts Council (my 30th grant panel!)
Jan- Jun 2024: Strategic Planning for POP (Pasadenans Organizing for Progress)
Jul- Aug 2024: Strategic Plan for SCHOOL-Yoga
2021-2024: Fullerton College, Adjunct Professor of Business Leadership
2021-2024: Friends of Fullerton College Foundation, Founding Director (restarted foundation after former foundation went defunct; raised over $2M in 2 years and restored and doubled the endowment.)
2018- 2023: California State University Fullerton, Adjunct Professor of Marketing & Management
2019- 2023: Rotary International District 5320- Emcee, Speaker & Event Producer
2023: Native Daughters of The Golden West- Strategic Plan
2018-21: (Fulltime) Gianneschi Center for Nonprofits- Interim CEO & Trainer (Started new Fellowship training program, podcast, and conference. Made program sustainable and self-funded in 2 years)
2020: Bendix Rooftop Concert Series- Producer (Rooftop concerts of World Music for charity)
2020: Buena Park Collaborative, “Lemonade” Strategic Plan (Post Covid plan)
2019: Children’s Center, Covina, Executive Search (CEO Search)
2019: Children’s Advocates- Board Development
2019-20: Antelope Valley Health Partnership, Strategic Plan
2018: Harbor Community Benefit Foundation- Coaching & Consulting
2017-18: CharityHowto.com, Instructor (Webinars on Program Design & Fundraising)
2017: Utah Community Action Partnership Poverty Conference- Keynote Speaker
2017: TEDx Bakersfield- Conference Producer
2017: Spotlight Theatre Foundation- Strategic Plan
2017: Riverside Arts Council, Grants, Trainer/Artist, Correctional Program Designer
2017: Orange County Educational Arts Academy- Interim CEO, Evaluation
2017: Kern Alliance of Nonprofits- Strategic Plan
2017: Fresno Arts Council /Arts In Corrections- Correctional Program Design
2017/2023: Cultural Alliance of the Pass- Coaching
2017: The Olin Group- Executive Coaching, St. Joe's Health Initiative- Victor Valley
2017: Beverly Hospital, Keynote Speaker
2017: Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale, Auctioneer
2017: A Better Way (Victorville Domestic Violence Shelter), Coaching/Consulting
2017: Arts Connection, San Bernardino, Planning Consultant (through CA Arts Council Development Grant)
(2007-2016: Fulltime Muckenthaler Cultural Center CEO)
2016: California Association of Museums, Panelist, Virtual Museums Panelist
2016-17: (Fulltime) Kern County Museum- Interim CEO
2014-17: Fullerton Union School District- STEAM Program Design
2014-20: Fullerton Boys & Girls Club- Emcee, Auctioneer, Board Development, Strategic Planning
2014-16: California State University Long Beach, Instructor/Designer, Nonprofit Management Certificate
2007-2016: Muckenthaler Cultural Center, CEO (400% increase in programs, funding, endowment, and audience during the great recession)
2014: CF Dance- Dancing Angels Program- Strategic Plan
2012-16: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Orange County- Keynote Speaker
2005-07: Culture Shock LA-Strategic Plan & Board Development (Founding board)
2005-06: (Fulltime) City of Long Beach Homeland Cultural Center, Interim CEO (Built a recording studio, added new income, cleared the way for a new Theatre to restart construction and open)
2004-05: (Full-time) Unusual Suspects Theatre Company- Interim CEO (created a new curriculum, 5 new sites, and $580K in programs for new annual budget)
2004: Outback Studios- Strategic Plan
2003-04: (Fulltime) Mountain Arts Network- Founder and Interim CEO (Founded as Crestline Arts Network in 2002)
2002: Zhena Folk Chorus- Strategic Plan
2002: San Pedro Ballet- Fundraising
2002: (Fulltime) Boys & Girls Clubs of South Bay, Interim COO (Opened new club building, staffing, and programs)
2002: Bethune TheatreDanse, Strategic Plan
TESTIMONIALS
““We are grateful for Zoot’s efforts in putting HOPE on a positive trajectory!””
“Under Zoot’s leadership, the Foundation doubled the size of its endowment, streamlined scholarship processes, created an alumni club, established community and industry connections leading to donations and grants from the Los Angeles Rams, the OC Farm Bureau, Federal Aviation Administration, and several grants to advance Drone Technology. Finally, Zoot led a year-long fundraising campaign with extensive community support in recognition of honorable alumnus, Cruz Reynoso. He is a well-respected member of our campus community, an incredible liaison with community institutions, and a true champion for the diverse communities served by the College.”
“I heard nothing but rave reviews about your comments, suggestions, and ideas. Thank you for participating, and your experience and expertise!”
“I’m excited for whomever gets to consult with Zoot Velasco next.”
“Your keynote speech on ‘CBOs in the 21st Century’ was the perfect start to our conference!”
AFFILIATIONS
Amazon Publishing, Author
Arcadia Publishing, Author
Association of Fundraising Professionals (CFRE- 2011)
California Arts Council Artist, Consultant, Past Grantee, Past-Fellow, Grant Panelist, and Affiliate
California State University Long Beach & Cal Poly Pomona, Nonprofit Management Certification/Leadership Instructor
California State University Fullerton Mihaylo School of Business Gianneschi Center for Nonprofit Research, Lecturer and Curricula Developer
Fullerton College, Business Division, Business Leadership Instructor
Kendall-Hunt Publishing, Author
Orange County Community Foundation, Panelist and Pitch Coach
Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club and USA Bowls, Member
Rotary International, Member
ALSO...
Culture Shock LA (Advisory Board)
Hope International University (MBA Alumnus)
Mountain Arts Network (Founder)
Screen Actors Guild (Member)
St. Mary's College of California (Dance Performance/LEAP Alumnus)