Nevada County, CA, Jan 15, 2026 – The Community Foundation of Nevada County has appointed Cristine Kelly as its Chief Executive Officer, effective January 6, 2026. Kelly has served as interim CEO since September 2023 and brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership and capacity-building experience to the role, along with a deep, long-standing connection to Nevada County.

Kelly has lived in Nevada County for more than three decades and has called multiple parts of the county home, including Penn Valley, South County, Grass Valley, and Nevada City. That lived experience, she says, is central to her leadership philosophy.

“This community has held me through every stage of my adult life,” Kelly said. “I feel a deep responsibility to help ensure Nevada County continues to be a place where people can live, grow, and thrive—now and for generations to come.”

Over the past year, Kelly has worked closely with the Foundation’s Board of Directors to strengthen organizational infrastructure, deepen community relationships, and position the Foundation for long-term impact. Her professional background centers on organizational effectiveness, systems-level thinking, and helping mission-driven organizations grow in sustainable ways.

“Choosing Cristine to be the executive for the Community Foundation of Nevada County feels like the easiest decision that we’ve made over the past years,” said Richard Baker, Community Foundation Board Chair. “Cristine’s vision and focus have been steadfast, and her passion for this project has kept it moving forward and growing all along.“

Kelly is the founder and principal of Fix Creative, a management consultancy serving cultural and social-impact organizations across California. Her previous leadership roles include serving as executive director of Music in the Mountains and the Sierra Mentoring Partnership. She has also served on the boards of Friendship Club (now Bright Futures for Youth) and Child Advocates.

Looking ahead, Kelly’s vision for the Foundation emphasizes purposeful growth—bringing additional outside funding into Nevada County, strengthening collaboration among local nonprofits, and building trust with donors who want to create a lasting legacy in the community. Over the long term, she sees the Foundation as essential civic infrastructure, uniquely positioned to bridge government, industry, and the nonprofit sector while stewarding resources for future generations.

“We don’t come to this work with a preset agenda,” Kelly said. “Our role is to listen, to learn, and to steward the community’s resources with care and humility. We are planting seeds today that will support the people of Nevada County well into the future.”

Kelly lives in Nevada City and is the mother of five adult children. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys gardening, writing, and spending time outdoors.