Gregg Chavaria

Since 1997, I have worked in the non-profit sector. I began with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Washington D.C. As a Consultant and Development Associate, I helped to identify and secure new funding sources that supported vital social and legal services to legal child immigrants and asylum seekers detained within California and New Jersey facilities.

This work led me to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), an organization the advocates for foster youth within Contra Costa County, my home. While here I served as Director of Development and was primarily responsible for securing grants from various foundations, corporations and government agencies. I spent almost fifteen of my best years at this organization and enjoyed every minute.

I completed my non-profit tour of duty as Development Officer for the Diablo Valley College Foundation. As a former student, it seemed fitting that this institution that started me on my journey should be the place I end that journey. By creating new scholarships and expanding the foundation's presence within the county, I hope it inspired some to seek a bigger experience.

Just in case you care, my educational background includes a BA from University of California at Berkeley and a Masters (M.Litt) degree from the University of Oxford. While at Oxford, I worked with refugee youth in Uganda and conducted field work examining the efficacy of refugee education in Uganda during the mid-90's.