Contact: Charee Gillins

951.255.4254

cgillins@iegives.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22, 2026 

Inland Empire Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members and Announces New Committee Chair

Riverside, CA – Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors: Patrick Ellis, Jack Fitzsimmons, Daniel Little, and Marisa Yeager. Each will serve a four-year term, contributing their expertise and leadership to advance the Foundation’s mission of strengthening the Inland Empire through philanthropy. 

In addition to the new appointments, IECF is proud to share that current Board member Rosie Lewis has been named Chair of the Charitable Giving and Marketing Committee. As IECF celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2026, Rosie’s insight, marketing background, and deep commitment to the region will help elevate IECF’s visibility and philanthropic impact across the Inland Empire. 

“These leaders understand the realities of our region and show up for their communities every day,” said Michelle Decker, President and CEO at IECF. “Their guidance will help us strengthen local solutions and make sure every resident in Riverside and San Bernardino counties has the chance to thrive.” 

Patrick Ellis is the President and CEO of the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce and a well-known sparkplug in the Southern California business community. With a chamber career that began in 2007, he’s led mergers, sparked innovation, and currently oversees a chamber with a $1.5 million+ annual budget—and a whole lot of momentum. 

He’s an Accredited Chamber Executive, a proud W.A.C.E. Board member, and served as Chair of the 2024 W.A.C.E. Conference. Outside the chamber world, Patrick is the President of the Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation Board and sits on the Riverside County Workforce Development Board. 

Born and raised in Alhambra, Patrick is known for his energy, leadership, and ability to turn any meeting into a productive (and fun) experience. You can also find him on the golf course, where he enjoys spending his time. 

Jack Fitzsimmons brings decades of professional leadership and deep nonprofit experience to the IECF Board. A retired senior vice president in the consulting division of the world’s largest insurance and risk management firm, Jack spent more than 40 years advising major institutions, including the University of California system, on strategy, risk, and organizational performance. Throughout his career, he focused on helping complex organizations communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and use data to make better decisions. 

Jack has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees across education, the arts, libraries, environmental stewardship, and social justice, with a strong concentration in Rotary leadership at both the local and international levels. His current roles include board service with the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation and the Rotary Club of Palm Desert, where he chairs environmental sustainability efforts tied to the Inland Empire. He is also an active IECF donor and supporter, including participation in IECF’s Build Coachella Valley Fund, reflecting his personal commitment to strengthening the region through philanthropy. 

Jack lives in Cathedral City with his husband, where they are both engaged in community and civic life across the Coachella Valley. 

Daniel Little is the Chief Intergovernmental Affairs Officer for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. Daniel joined the Nation in 2019 and is a key policy advisor and government affairs advocate for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel. In his role, he oversees the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and is responsible for developing and implementing government relations strategies to support the interests of the Nation’s government, its community and economic interests. 

Prior to joining San Manuel, Daniel was Vice President of Government Relations for Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he managed and coordinated company legislative and regulatory strategy for key global markets. Prior to joining Aristocrat, Daniel was appointed by the Secretary of the US Department of Interior to two-terms as Associate Commissioner at the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, DC. Daniel also served as Manager of National Governmental Affairs for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. 

Marisa Yeager is the Associate Vice President for Government, Tribal and Community Relations at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), where she leads federal, state, local, and tribal engagement and advances strategic partnerships that strengthen higher education and the Inland Empire region. CSUSB serves the region through campuses in San Bernardino and Palm Desert and is represented by one of the largest legislative delegations in California. 

With more than 33 years of civic and community service, Marisa has deep experience in public policy, coalition-building, and nonprofit governance. She currently serves as a Governor’s Appointee and Board President for the 46th District Agricultural Association (Southern California Fair) and has held numerous leadership roles across education, transportation, and community-based organizations. Her career includes senior government relations roles with the Riverside Community College District and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as well as early service in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Xavier Becerra. 

She holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She resides in Riverside, California. 

Rosie Lewis joined The Lewis Group of Companies in July of 2020 as the Corporate Marketing Manager. At Lewis, her focus lies in leading the rebrand of the company, which includes messaging, communication, design, and digital presence. 

Prior to Lewis, she worked in a variety of roles in the startup space focused on digital marketing. She graduated from Claremont McKenna College, where she excelled as a collegiate athlete, and received a Master’s in Management with honors from Claremont Graduate University. 

Rosie has also served on the Women’s Giving Fund Committee at IECF since 2023, helping to raise funds and awareness to address women’s issues in the IE. 

About the Inland Empire Community Foundation 

Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in Inland Southern California. We partner with individuals, families and corporations to build a culture of philanthropy. Over the past 25 years, we have given out over $225 million in grants and scholarships. For more information visit the IECF’s website at www.iegives.org. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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