Chief Executive Officer (San Diego)

What We Do

For more than two decades, Reality Changers has transformed the lives of young people across San Diego County by helping first-generation students achieve their dreams of higher education and become leaders in their communities. Founded in 2001 by middle school teacher Chris Yanov, the organization was built on a simple but powerful belief: a student's circumstances should never determine their future.

Today, Reality Changers serves approximately 800 youth annually across San Diego County through three core programs: College Town (mentoring and tutoring for grades 8–11), College Apps Academy (college and scholarship guidance for 12th graders), and the Alumni Network (ongoing support through college and beyond). Through academic support, financial assistance, and leadership development, Reality Changers empowers young people to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities.

Independent evaluation confirms extraordinary impact: Reality Changers has helped more than 4,000 students gain admission to college, and program graduates are 8 times more likely to graduate from college than peers of similar backgrounds. To date, Reality Changers graduates have contributed at least $240 million back into the local economy. As former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan noted, Reality Changers is a model—not just for the city, not just for the state, but for the nation.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Reality Changers operates with a $2 million annual budget, a dedicated team of 18 staff, and a highly engaged 12-member Board of Directors. Following a recent leadership transition and years of organizational growth, the organization is well positioned for its next chapter. Strengthened by a transformative $2 million Mackenzie Scott award, Reality Changers is building on its success, strengthening organizational capacity, and expanding its impact throughout San Diego County. The next CEO will inherit a strong foundation, passionate team, and engaged Board, who are all excited to build on this incredible legacy.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $145,000-$175,000 and up to 20% bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• PTO: Unlimited PTO with flexible, personalized vacation policy; 13 paid holidays per year; one-week paid summer break (organization-wide closure in July); 10 paid sick days per calendar year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Annual professional development stipend up to $500
• Bi-annual staff outings and monthly Lunch & Learn sessions
• Employee recognition programs and occasional tickets to events

LOCATION

This is primarily an in-person role based at Reality Changers’ headquarters, located at 4305 University Ave., Suite 510, San Diego, CA 92105. A hybrid work schedule is available as appropriate.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the strategic and operational leader of Reality Changers, advancing the organization's mission, financial sustainability, fundraising strategy, program impact, and culture. The CEO will provide inspirational leadership while driving operational excellence and ensuring the organization continues to deliver transformative outcomes for students and families across San Diego County.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected organization at a pivotal moment in its evolution. With significant philanthropic investment and a clear opportunity for growth, the next CEO will be well positioned to strengthen long-term sustainability, deepen community partnerships, and thoughtfully expand impact.

The CEO directly oversees the Senior Vice President, Vice President of Development, Director of People Operations, and Director of High School Programs, partnering closely with this leadership team to execute strategic priorities and support organizational growth.

Year One Priorities

• Relationship Building: Establish credibility and trust with staff, students, families, community partners, funders, and Board members while gaining a deep understanding of the organization's history, culture, and impact.
• Strategic Planning & Growth: Partner with the Board and leadership team to develop a three-year strategic plan that maximizes the impact of the Mackenzie Scott investment while advancing organizational growth and sustainability.
• Culture & Talent Development: Strengthen a high-performing, mission-driven culture by developing talent, expanding organizational capacity, and enhancing systems that support exceptional outcomes.
• Board Partnership & Governance Evolution: Strengthen the Board's role as a strategic partner by enhancing governance practices, deepening engagement, and fostering shared ownership of organizational priorities.
• Revenue Diversification & Donor Engagement: Expand and diversify funding sources while strengthening donor stewardship, fundraising performance, and long-term financial sustainability.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary leadership as the organization's primary spokesperson and ambassador, building strong relationships with donors, community partners, elected officials, media, and other stakeholders to advance mission impact and organizational sustainability.
• Develop new funding strategies, cultivate major donor relationships, implement comprehensive donor stewardship programs, and identify innovative revenue sources. Establish clear metrics and accountability systems to monitor fundraising performance and support informed decision-making.
• Lead overall planning, budgeting, and operational processes to ensure proactive financial planning and control. Develop and manage the annual budget, monitor financial performance against benchmarks, and implement financial controls that ensure organizational sustainability and accountability.
• Provide vision and oversight of all programs to ensure alignment with organizational mission, adherence to quality standards, and continuous improvement. Be a visible presence in programs, engaging regularly with students, families, and volunteers. Ensure that program design and delivery reflect best practices in youth development and equity.
• Build and lead a high-performing team by recruiting talented staff, providing coaching and mentorship, clarifying roles and accountabilities, and creating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and mission focus. Implement succession planning for key roles and ensure compensation and advancement pathways that support retention.
• Partner closely with the Board Chair and committees on governance, strategic planning, and board development. Foster collaborative relationships that leverage Board expertise, ensure regular communication, and strengthen Board-Staff partnership around organizational priorities.
• Ensure organizational effectiveness through strong systems, processes, and performance management across finance, human resources, technology, communications, and program operations.
• Lead strategic marketing and public relations initiatives that tell the Reality Changers story compellingly, showcase student impact, and increase visibility regionally and nationally. Ensure consistent, authentic communication across all channels that reinforce organizational mission and values.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and experience engaging authentically with diverse communities. Ability to center student and family voices while advancing mission-driven outcomes.
• Bachelor's degree required, master’s degree preferred. Conversational fluency in Spanish a plus.
• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, and financial performance in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies. Skilled at cultivating major donors, building corporate and foundation partnerships, identifying innovative revenue sources, and engaging government entities.
• Strong experience partnering with nonprofit Boards on strategic planning and governance. Success leading organizations through growth and change while building consensus around a compelling vision, with a track record of strengthening Board engagement and effectiveness.
• Track record of building high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, transparent, and mission-driven culture. An engaging and accessible leader who inspires staff and develops talent.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate the organization's story, inspire action, and translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• A leader who navigates change and ambiguity effectively, makes rapid yet well-informed decisions, and remains accessible and visible to their stakeholders.