Monday, February 17, 2025

10 Things About Alicia Kitagawa & Life Science Cares San Diego

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“Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.”

Life Science Cares San Diego mobilizes the local life sciences industry to reduce the effects of poverty by leveraging financial, human, and social capital. Life Science Cares San Diego partners with 20 of the most impactful organizations in our community to address three critical gaps in underserved areas: education, economic opportunity, and basic needs. Alicia Kitagawa serves as the Executive Director of Life Science Cares, San Diego.

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#1 I was born in New York City, spent ten years in the Bay Area, lived in Rochester, New York, for a year, and finished high school in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

 

#2 My favorite travel destination is Italy – its food, wine, culture, and diverse landscapes are unparalleled. When I retire, that is where you will find me!

 

#3 Skiing in Patagonia and exploring the Galápagos Islands are at the top of my list of places to visit.

 

#4 My husband Keith, our 14-month-old son Henry, and I love listening to live music at the Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden in Balboa Park. It is also a perfect spot for Henry and his neighborhood buddies to learn to walk!

 

#5 Book Recommendations: I love historical fiction and recently read “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. It is an intense and riveting story that beautifully highlights the often-untold experiences of women nurses during the Vietnam War.

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#6 As a high school junior, I spent a summer in Quiché, Guatemala, volunteering with a mental health program led by my “Aunt Bobbie,”. Her work supporting indigenous civil war victims inspired my dedication to philanthropy.

 

#7 One Christmas, while serving meals at a homeless shelter in Oakland, an older gentleman gave me a small Berenstain Bear from a Happy Meal – one of his few possessions – as a present. That simple act of kindness taught me that compassion knows no barriers and remains one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever received. It reminds me to always pay my blessings forward.

 

#8 I am passionate about giving every child in San Diego the tools to forge their own career path, break the cycle of poverty, and build generational wealth.

 

#9 Through programs like Project Onramp, we open doors for local youth to explore careers in life sciences and showcase the incredible talent within our community.

 

#10 The word “philanthropy” means “love for humankind,” and the San Diego life sciences community embodies this spirit. Beyond finding cures for diseases, these brilliant and compassionate changemakers open their doors to students for internships and lab tours, donate resources to neighbors in need, and support grantmaking efforts with over $1.4 million annually. It is inspiring to see this collective generosity, and I am honored to lead an organization amplifying these efforts.

NONPROFIT

Life Science Cares San Diego
www.lifesciencecares.org/san-diego

Lori Walton
Lori Walton
My love and appreciation for nonprofit work began in college when I was selected to represent UCLA’s undergraduate service organization. As a student, I didn’t have a lot of money to donate but I quickly learned that I could make an impact by giving my time. All you have to do to make a difference in someone’s life is care. For the last 30 years, San Diego has been my home. During this time, I have served on over 17 boards and chaired 27 fundraisers. No matter how much work I do with nonprofits, I am always amazed at the number of awesome causes and dedicated supporters out there. San Diego definitely has the best weather in the world but what makes San Diego America’s finest city are the people. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to live in a city that has so many kind and selfless souls who genuinely care about making our community a better place for everyone. As Giving Back Magazine’s Philanthropy Editor, each week, I feature a hero and the causes that are creating a positive difference in our world. Always remember that philanthropy is about more than giving money, it’s about caring enough to help others who are in pain. So, go out there and make every moment count!

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