California Masonic Foundation Named New CEO
Nonprofit leadership shifts at the organization, which serves 330 lodges across California.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
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The California Masonic Foundation has appointed Matthew Scelza as its new president and chief executive officer. He takes over for Douglas Ismail, who is concluding a 25-year tenure leading the statewide charitable organization.
Why it matters
The transition represents a change in leadership for a major foundation supporting 32,000 members and overseeing significant charitable infrastructure across California.
Matthew Scelza brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to the role, succeeding a 25-year leadership term. The Foundation oversees operations for 330 lodges and a membership base of 32,000 people.
The players
Matthew Scelza
The new president and CEO who previously managed the Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation.
Douglas Ismail
The departing executive who led the California Masonic Foundation for 25 years.
California Masonic Foundation
A statewide nonprofit organization that oversees charitable operations for 330 local lodges.
The details
Matthew Scelza assumed the CEO role on September 28, 2026, and is now working alongside Douglas Ismail during a transition period. Scelza previously led the Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation and holds degrees from Stanford University. The organization maintains a statewide footprint of 330 lodges, which function as hubs for its charitable mission.
Timeline
Matthew Scelza was appointed president and CEO on September 28, 2026.
Douglas Ismail is scheduled to retire from the Foundation in December 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment marks a significant transition following the 25-year tenure of Douglas Ismail. This shift impacts how the foundation manages its statewide charitable programs across 330 California lodges.
Operators in the nonprofit sector should watch for potential shifts in the foundation's strategic focus or partnership criteria during this transition. Stakeholders and vendors may want to prepare for new administrative points of contact as Scelza takes the helm.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at long-tenured organizations often trigger shifts in operational priorities and internal culture. Leaders should use this transition as a prompt to review established relationships with the foundation’s administrative team.
What happens next
Douglas Ismail will officially retire from his leadership position at the foundation in December 2026.
Further reading
For more on executive transitions in the state, see People.
More information
For more details, visit the California Masonic Foundation website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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