Elizabeth Fitzsimons Receives CEO of the Year Award

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons smiles with her Rising Star Award. June 2023.

SAN DIEGO — At the core of ECS’ mission to break barriers and transform communities is the passionate leadership of its CEO, Elizabeth Fitzsimons. Her commitment to this cause has not gone unnoticed. Fitzsimons was recently recognized as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s (SDBJ) CEO of the Year Award, and on June 27, she was honored with the Rising Star CEO of the Year Award. This achievement has filled the ECS board and staff with immense pride.

With a quarter of a century’s experience as a San Diego business professional and two years at the helm of ECS, Fitzsimons has demonstrated transformative leadership with solid business acumen. Her unwavering dedication to ECS’ purpose of cultivating a strong, vibrant, and just San Diego region is evident in her work.

ECS Leadership Team celebrates with Fitzsimon. From left to right: Hazzy Pipo, VP of Administration; Elizabeth Fitzsimons, CEO; Adrienne Wilkerson, Communications Director; Sherri Kelly, Chief of Staff; Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, Director of Early Education & Family Services; and Timothy Whipple, Development Director. June 2023.

Under Fitzsimons’s direction, ECS has seen substantial growth, including the launch of a new safe haven for unhoused individuals grappling with mental and behavioral health issues. She has also boosted the brand’s recognition and credibility in the community, fostered an inclusive work environment, and made it a point to visit various ECS program locations every Thursday. These are just some highlights of Fitzsimons’s effective servant leadership.

Upon receiving the award, Fitzsimons graciously acknowledged SDBJ for spotlighting the positive strides in the San Diego community. She thanked other finalists, ECS board and staff members for their collaborative efforts, ECS clients for their trust, and her husband for his unwavering support.

In her words, “I always leave these awards feeling so good about our community and all the good things that are happening.”

As Fitzsimons celebrates this well-deserved recognition, ECS looks forward to her continued contributions to the organization and the broader San Diego community.

From left to right: Tony Manolatos, Fitzsimon’s husband; Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS CEO; and Jessica Grounds, CEO of Corporate Directors Forum prior to the SDBJ CEO of the Year Awards Ceremony. June 2023.

ECS CEO Fitzsimons hugs Girl Scouts of San Diego CEO Carol M. Dedrich after receiving their awards. June 2023.

Moonlight Ball 2023: Transforming Communities

ECS supporters gather together at the Moonlight Ball gala. May 2023.

SAN DIEGO — We are humbled by the overwhelming outpour of compassion and generosity that radiated throughout the evening as ECS friends and supporters rallied together to support our services and programs.

ECS leadership enjoy the event. May 2023.

We are profoundly grateful for the overwhelming response and the remarkable turnout we witnessed. Each guest who honored us with their presence showcased an unwavering dedication to breaking barriers and transforming communities. Your collective support has left an indelible mark that fuels our determination to continue making a lasting impact, and for that, we are eternally thankful.

A fun filled evening focused on continuing ECS’ mission to break barriers and transform communities. May 2023.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons, Mayor Todd Gloria, and ECS Assoc. Director of Strategic Partnerships Angel Ibarra pose for a photo at the gala. May 2023.

Episcopal Community Services Achieves Award-Winning Status

Step into a world of impact and inspiration with Episcopal Community Services (ECS), the proud recipient of the 2023 Kaleidoscope Award for Good Governance. Presented by The Nonprofit Institute (NPI) at the University of San Diego (USD), this award recognizes ECS' exceptional board governance and commitment to creating a better future for the community it serves.

At the 19th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium in January, ECS was celebrated for its strategic planning efforts and innovative approaches. Our board and staff members attended the event to receive the award, network with peers, and gain new insights to bring back to the organization. With a collaborative approach, ECS' board and staff work together to drive growth and impact through thoughtful planning and effective decision-making.

ECS never settles for the status quo; we're constantly evolving and changing to stay ahead of the curve. This includes implementing a self-perpetuating board, a focus on diversity and representation, regular committee charter updates, and a commitment to expanding our reach and impact. With a shared vision of creating an abundant and equitable society where everyone has the potential to succeed, our dedicated board members are making a difference every day.

Are you ready to take your community impact to the next level? Join ECS as a board or subcommittee member and make a difference in your community. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email efitzsimons@ecscalifornia.org.

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Celebrate with us at the annual Moonlight Ball on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the beautiful Humphreys Half Moon Inn. This elegant fundraiser will feature fine dining, live music, dancing, and exciting auctions, all while raising critical funds for ECS programs serving individuals and families facing homelessness, behavioral health issues, substance use disorders, and early childhood education needs. Purchase your tickets at www.ECScalifornia.org/moonlightball. 

ECS board & staff members attend the 19th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium to receive the Kaleidoscope Award for Good Governance. Watch the ECS Kaleidoscope Award Video. January 2023.

Thank You for Supporting Family-to-Family for the Holidays

Santa’s little helper happily receiving her family’s gifts. December 2022.

Family-to-Family for the Holidays was a success in spreading Christmas cheer to many San Diego families in need. December 2022 marked the second year of Family-to-Family, which is our version of the popular Adopt-A-Family holiday program. 67 families, with at least 250 individuals combined, were supported through this campaign. Each family included at least one client who receives services from our early childhood education, mental and behavioral health clinic, or substance use disorder treatment programs.

More than 47 individual donors and groups came together to make this possible. We extend a special thank you to the following organizations who sponsored one or more families: ColRich, St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Girl Scouts San Diego, and ECS Board of Directors.

If you’d like to participate in the 2023 Family-to-Family program, please notify aibarra@ecscalifornia.org.

ECS staff and clients receiving their gifts. December 2022.

Grace Episcopal Church volunteers attend wrapping party to prepare gifts for the three families they sponsored. December 2022.