Learn about her vision for the organization in 2024 and beyond

January 29, 2024: Breathe California Sacramento Region (Breathe) is proud to officially announce the appointment of Jennifer Finton to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Finton has been serving at the helm since August 2022 when she took over as interim director. She has since been appointed by the organization’s Board of Directors to serve in the position permanently.

“Jennifer is an incredible leader with an immense dedication to the staff and communities of Breathe,” said Samantha Hoshida, President of the Breathe Board of Directors. “She has set a strong foundation for the organization for it to continue to grow and have a positive impact on the Sacramento region,” added Hoshida.

While Finton is generally new to the position, she has been working with the organization for more than 20 years. Her first role was serving as the policy associate under the leadership of Jane Hagedorn, former director of the organization who developed the Cleaner Air Partnership among other healthy lung initiatives. Finton has also worked on the development side, securing funding, and interacting with the community to shape programming for the organization.

Now, as CEO, Finton is focused on building on the strong foundation she’s already activated for the organization. “I love that we are truly making a difference, even in small ways,” said Finton, “from teaching kids about food waste to helping bring alive passion in teens on our Youth Advisory Board. I love being part of an organization with such a rich history.”

Looking Towards 2024 and Beyond

Finton is focused on the future and what’s ahead for Breathe. With solid programming in the air quality and lung health space in the Sacramento region, she is looking to expand on that success to create programs that can grow as the community needs change.

“We are seeing indoor air quality as a major concern for community members,” said Finton. From fuel-burning combustion appliances, household cleaning products, to excess moisture and outdoor sources getting into homes, “these can all have an impact on health at home and make lung conditions such as asthma, worse,” she added.