"I owe my success in the fund-raising and nonprofit development world to my years with the Fund, canvassing for the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). There, I learned the fundamentals of campaign work, and how to lead door-to-door canvass operations benefiting the environment, improving consumer safety and strengthening democracy." E. Chris Wilder
With eighteen years in the Bay Area's public benefit sector, Chris Wilder serves as the Executive Director of the Valley Medical Center Foundation. The VMC Foundation supports Silicon Valley's largest and busiest hospital, the only one with a 100% open-door policy providing excellent care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Since taking the position three years ago, Chris has raised more money than in the VMC Foundation's previous twelve years combined.
Before joining the VMC Foundation, Mr. Wilder most recently served as the Executive Director of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, California's premiere AmeriCorps program. There he managed a large staff, led a dynamic board and oversaw a fund raising effort exceeding $2,000,000 annually. Prior to that, Chris served as Assistant Executive Director for the Vanished Children's Alliance, California's oldest and largest missing children's organization.
Today he serves as a commissioner to the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Council and is past Chair of the county's Victim Support Network. Chris also serves on the City Year advisory board, the San Jose Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force Executive Committee and is a founding board member of the California AmeriCorps Alliance. He graduated from Stanford University's Executive Program in Nonprofit Leadership.
Chris has hosted and produced two award-winning cable TV shows: Community Perspectives and For the Animals. Chris is a graduate of San José State University, a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, and a musician/song writer who has performed in two-dozen nations. He has received accolades and commendations from San Jose Mayors Ron Gonzales and Susan Hammer, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren Congressman Mike Honda, Governor Gray Davis and others.
