Organization

The California Council on Economic Education (CCEE) is California’s leading nonprofit equipping K-12 teachers and students with high-quality economics and personal finance education. CCEE’s mission is to improve California’s economic future through teaching financial literacy and economics, especially in underserved communities. Its vision is a future where all Californians thrive and prosper in the global economy.

CCEE is a tax-exempt 501c3 organization that coordinates an array of programs and services and enlists a consortium of business, academic and government leaders who cooperate in programs that help school districts and individual teachers implement economic education and financial literacy in and out of the classroom. CCEE is part of a network of 32 state councils in the U.S., in association with a national organization: the Council for Economic Education. To learn more about CCEE, visit: www.ccee.org

With the passage of AB2927 mandating a personal finance graduation requirement for California high schools (Class of 2030), CCEE is uniquely positioned to lead statewide implementation through teacher professional development, curriculum alignment, and student learning opportunities. Over the next three years, CCEE will scale to reach 3,500+ high school teachers and 350,000+ students annually, expand statewide student contests, and strengthen its fundraising base to raise more than $5M.

The Opportunity

CCEE seeks a dynamic and strategic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization during a pivotal period of growth, driven by the new statewide personal finance mandate (AB2927).

This leader will be responsible for the successful execution of CCEE's 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring the organization secures the resources and builds the team necessary to close California’s financial education gap.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will focus on fundraising, people leadership, statewide partnerships, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a proven revenue generator and a sophisticated organizational leader ready to cement CCEE’s role as a trusted provider of economic and financial literacy education across the state.

Principal Responsibilities

Fundraising & Revenue Growth

Drive CCEE toward achieving the ambitious $5M+ three-year fundraising goal, developing and executing a comprehensive, diversified revenue strategy that expands the base beyond individual major donors and annual events.
Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of prospects, including new corporate partners, private foundations, and individual donors.
Build the Corporate Advisory Council and secure transformative sponsorships for signature events and key strategic initiatives.
Institutionalize a culture of philanthropy across the board and staff to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

People Leadership & Organizational Operations

Direct the successful management and scaling of organizational operations, ensuring CCEE's infrastructure, systems, and financial management meet the demands of growth
Hire, develop, and retain high-performing team members and create an inclusive and collaborative culture that attracts top talent and aligns the team around a shared vision.
Manage the organization's budget and financial performance sustainably, ensuring resources are strategically allocated to maximize impact and support growth goals.
Serve as the chief liaison to the Board of Directors, partnering to maximize board engagement, ensure robust governance, and provide timely, comprehensive reporting.
Oversee rigorous use of data and evaluation to measure organizational and programmatic impact, ensuring transparent communication of results.

Strategy & Growth

Provide visionary leadership in implementing the 2025-28 Strategic Plan, ensuring activities are strategically aligned with the mandate of AB2927 and are responsive to the digital shifts in education program delivery
Work with the Chief Program Officer to scale core offerings and lead the digital delivery of programs to reach 3,500+ high school teachers and serve 350,000+ students annually.
Position CCEE as the indispensable, trusted expert and “go-to” provider for financial and economic education across the state.

External Partnerships & Advocacy

Serve as the primary external spokesperson for CCEE, elevating the organization's statewide visibility and brand recognition.
Develop and maintain strategic, high-level partnerships with key stakeholders, including school district superintendents, university leaders, corporate executives, and state policymakers.
Lead advocacy efforts to advance economic and financial education policy in California, maintaining CCEE’s position at the forefront of legislative opportunities.

Qualifications

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal CEO will have the following qualifications:

Experience & Education

10+ years of professional experience, including relevant nonprofit leadership with proven success in fundraising, program growth, and strategic planning.
Experience working with education systems, boards, and corporate partners.
Knowledge of economics, financial literacy, or education policy preferred
Bachelor’s degree required; coursework in economics, business, or education preferred.
Master’s degree in business, economics, public administration, or education, a plus.

Skills & Characteristics

An entrepreneurial fundraiser with a proven track record in major gifts, corporate partnerships, and institutional funding.
A strategic and systems-oriented thinker skilled at scaling programs, building coalitions, and navigating complex systems.
A skilled organizational operator and people leader with a proven ability to manage budgets sustainably, oversee program scaling, and ensure operational excellence.
An inspiring and authentic communicator capable of mobilizing diverse stakeholders (e.g., educators, district administrators, corporate leaders, and donors) to a shared mission
Agile and hands-on, with a ‘roll up one’s sleeves’ mentality who thrives on small team, demonstrating the versatility required to manage and contribute across multiple high-priority workstreams
A community-minded & mission-driven leader, who approaches the mission with optimism and demonstrates deep respect for educators, school administrators, and the diverse communities CCEE serves.

Compensation

The total compensation package, including salary and benefits, is competitive and commensurate with experience, and designed to align with CCEE's growth trajectory and the strategic importance of this leadership role.

The starting salary range is $140,000 to $170,000 in total compensation. This includes a potential performance-related bonus component, rewarding successful achievement of key organizational goals.

California Council on Economic Education

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