Wunderman Named Chair of New California Coalition; Tracy Hernandez to Serve as CEO

The New California Coalition (NCC), one of the state’s fastest growing business civic groups uniting tens of thousands of change-hungry California voters, has taken a significant organizational step forward in its effort to address California’s most pressing livability, affordability and sustainability challenges. The NCC Board of Directors this week announced the appointment of Tracy Hernandez as Chief Executive Officer and the election of Jim Wunderman Board Chair. Wunderman will remain as President and CEO of the Bay Area Council.

Wunderman founded the NCC two years ago at the direction of the Council’s Board of Directors with the purpose of bringing about meaningful action at a statewide level on California’s biggest challenges affecting our business climate, challenges that have either been ignored or become worse because of entrenched political forces focused only on preserving and growing their power.

The leadership changes mark a pivotal moment for NCC and the hundreds of statewide business and community groups the coalition comprises. 

“Geographic and ideological diversity set NCC apart. We’re pressing forward with pro-people leadership that amplifies voices from all regions and sectors across the state to uplift all Californians. Millions of solution-oriented voters want to see political leaders address California’s most pressing challenges – issues such as rising living costs and housing shortages that directly impact their daily lives. The NCC exists to make sure these voices are heard,” said Hernandez, who will continue to serve as Founding CEO of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) and Central Valley Business Federation.

“I conceived the notion of what became the New California Coalition in response to Bay Area Council members’ growing concern with issues that could not wholly be addressed at the local or regional levels – increasing costs and a sea of regulations that are driving good jobs to other states, the need for new housing that workers can afford, the ever-growing unsheltered homelessness crisis, concerns about the availability of future water supplies and a huge spike in crime,” Wunderman said. “I found these issues plaguing regions throughout California. While we may have differences, we largely are dealing with the same challenges across the state. Many organizations signed up to take part and, fortunately, Tracy Hernandez jumped on board to co-lead this effort with me. As we move forward to create structure around what was a startup organization, I couldn’t be prouder to partner with a transformational leader like Tracy to bring about the change we need. Her dynamism, intellect and intense passion for this great state make her the perfect leader for this exciting movement.”