February 6, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shonda Moore
Phone: 951-963-4362
Email: smoore@calhum.org
(Oakland, CA)—California Humanities is pleased to announce the election of four distinguished professionals to its Board of Directors, strengthening its commitment to advancing the humanities throughout the state. Justin Fichelson, a Gubernatorial Appointment, joins Abe Peck, Priscilla Enriquez, and Abe Hughes. All four bring a wealth of experience and passion for the humanities to their roles.
This milestone comes as California Humanities celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of fostering connection, understanding, and creativity through the humanities.
Newly Elected Board Members
Justin Fichelson (Gubernatorial Appointee)
An entrepreneur and arts advocate, Justin Fichelson is the Co-Founder and co-CEO of Sidekick Data, a venture-backed AI technology company. He previously founded Fichelson Real Estate Group and holds a Bachelor of Arts in American History from the University of San Francisco. Deeply engaged in the arts, he serves on the Paintings Council at the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute, and as a Wrightsman Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Abe Peck
Abe Peck is Professor Emeritus and Director of Business-to-Business Communication at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. During his illustrious career in journalism, publishing, and strategic communication, he has worked with over 100 media outlets and consulted globally. An accomplished author, Abe has written or contributed to ten books, including Uncovering the Sixties: The Life and Times of the Underground Press. His dedication to the humanities extends beyond academia, reflecting his lifelong passion for storytelling and media engagement.
Priscilla Enriquez
A visionary leader in philanthropy, Priscilla Enriquez is President and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation, where she champions the advancement of a thriving multiracial democracy, fosters inclusive leadership, and amplifies community-driven local journalism to strengthen Califonia’s Central Valley. With over 20 years of experience in grantmaking, she is currently Chair of AAPIP, advocating the advancement of philanthropic leadership. She was previously the former Chair of the City of Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Economic Creative Commission. Her commitment to higher education equity earned her the Champion of Change Award from Improve Your Tomorrow.
Abe Hughes
Abe Hughes is a global business leader with extensive corporate and entrepreneurial experience. For over twenty years, he has worked in agriculture, construction, and pharmaceuticals in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. A passionate supporter of the humanities, he studied Latin American History at Cornell University, supplementing his education with coursework in art history, Russian literature, and multiple languages. For the past thirty years, Abe has been a dedicated collector of contemporary Latin American and Chicano art.
California Humanities at 50
This year marks the 50th anniversary of California Humanities, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting Californians through cultural and historical exploration. Over the past five decades, the organization has funded thousands of projects, amplifying diverse voices and fostering meaningful public dialogue.
The appointment of these four esteemed individuals reflects the organization’s ongoing mission to elevate and expand the role of the humanities in California. Their expertise and leadership will help guide California Humanities into its next chapter of impact and innovation.
For more information about California Humanities and its programs, visit www.calhum.org.
About California Humanities:
California Humanities is a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For 50 years, California Humanities has worked to connect Californians to ideas and one another, helping people learn about their shared history and culture through the humanities. To learn more, visit calhum.org, or like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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