James Becker joined Richmond Community Foundation in 2005, becoming its President and CEO in 2014. Prior to RCF, James served as the Executive Director of Housing California, Inc. He served on the Berkeley Global Campus Community Working Group and co-chairs the Ensuring Opportunity Campaign in Contra Costa County. He was recognized in 2013 as a Contra Costa County Man of Merit and in 2015 received the United Way of the Bay Area’s Dream Award for his work. In 2016, the Richmond Community Foundation received the Foundation of the Year Award from the East Bay Leadership Council.

Prior to RCF, James served as the Executive Director of Housing California, Inc. He brought this experience to the foundation to create a housing renovation program financed by the region’s first successful social impact bond.

James’ career began at the Minneapolis YMCA, and he has worked to strengthen families and build communities for more than 30 years. He chaired the Contra Costa Tobacco Prevention Task Force, writing one of the first smoke-free workplace ordinances in the United States. At the request of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, he served on a children’s services panel with First Lady Hillary Clinton and served on the State Advisory Board for Child Development and Home Instruction with California First Lady Sharon Davis.