It is an honor to introduce myself as the new President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. While this is a new role, the mission is deeply personal to me. As a longtime board member and someone with a family connection to epilepsy, I know firsthand both the challenges people face and the life-changing power of community support, education, and advocacy.
Our vision is simple and urgent: to ensure that every person living with epilepsy in San Diego County knows they are not alone and that we are here to walk beside them. But we cannot do it without community. Today, more than 50,000 San Diego residents navigate epilepsy. And that number does not even include the families, friends, and caregivers whose lives are also deeply impacted. Our capacity to meet this growing need depends on people and partners who care deeply about this mission and the health of our region.
That is why I am reaching out to our fellow nonprofits, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, and donors – those also working every day to improve lives in our beloved city. There is incredible work happening across San Diego and we are eager to listen, collaborate, and build new connections that help us reach more people, more effectively.
One of our top priorities is expanding awareness and access. Too many individuals and families still do not know that help is available. We are working to change that – especially in underserved communities – by offering bilingual resources, culturally responsive programs, and by being present in neighborhoods where trust is earned.
We are also investing in partnerships, formal and informal, that support collective impact. Epilepsy does not exist in a vacuum. It intersects with mental health, housing, education, and more. By working together through shared events, referrals, and joint outreach, we can amplify our efforts and better serve those who need us most.
To our philanthropic community: THANK YOU! Your generosity has long powered our outreach, support groups, education, and advocacy for 70 years. And we could not do all that we have and continue to do without you.
To those who are just learning about our work, and we have not yet connected, I hope we will soon. It takes our community to build a stronger, more inclusive Foundation that reflects the enduring spirit of San Diego County. I invite you to connect with us and I would love to share more about the work we do and what lies ahead.
I am proud to have spent the past three decades helping nonprofits tell their stories. Now I get to tell this one, a story of hope, connection, and community for those living with epilepsy and their families. Let us bring epilepsy out of the shadows and into the heart of San Diego
Rick Burritt
President & CEO
Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County
www.epilepsysandiego.org
