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For Immediate Release
February 4, 2000

Eve Harris, i.e. communications
(415) 616-3930

Roni Cleland, TCWF
(818) 702-1900

The California Wellness Foundation Announces New Board Chair and Vice Chair

Woodland Hills, CA - Barbara Marshall, R. N., and Luz Vega-Marquis have been named chair and vice chair, respectively, of The California Wellness Foundation's Board of Directors. They were unanimously approved by the board of directors and began their terms in December 1999.

"Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, I eagerly anticipate the leadership of Barbara and Luz in our continuing efforts to improve the health and wellness of Californians," said Gary L. Yates, President and CEO of the Foundation.

Marshall has served on the board since 1996, most recently as vice chair. She was a nurse in Los Angeles for many years, where, in addition to her patient care duties, Marshall helped train nursing students, residents and fellows in adolescent medicine.

"I am honored to have been chosen as chairperson of such an outstanding charitable organization. I have always considered it a passion and a privilege to be able to help others, and I look forward to my next two years on the board," Marshall said.

Marshall has been married for 37 years to the writer, producer, director and actor Garry Marshall. Together they are very active philanthropists, having spearheaded the campaign for the Marshall Center for the Arts and Athletics at the Westlake School; provided a donation to establish the Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center at Northwestern University in honor of Garry's mother; and contributed to a wing of the Northwestern University School of Speech, Television and Film building. They also created the Barbara and Garry Marshall Family Foundation, dedicated to ongoing support of health, education and culture.

Vega-Marquis is executive director of the Community Technology Foundation of California (CTFC) in San Francisco, an organization whose grantmaking serves to assist underserved communities with their technological needs. Prior to joining CTFC, she was vice president of the National Economic Development and Law Center. She has served on several boards including the Council on Foundations and The Women's Foundation. She holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from Stanford University.

"I believe the grantmaking programs of The California Wellness Foundation are making a palpable difference in the health of communities throughout California. I am very pleased and honored to have been selected to a leadership position," Vega-Marquis said.

The California Wellness Foundation is an independent, private foundation, created in 1992, whose mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. TCWF has awarded 1,752 grants totaling nearly $271 million since 1992

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