- Who We Are
- Support 2-1-1
- Resources and Services
- Directory of Services
- CalFresh and Food Assistance
- Disaster Response
- Disaster Volunteer Services
- For Agencies
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Utility Assistance
- Financial Assistance
- Housing Information
- Physical Health and Nutrition
- Child Care and Early Education
- Military and Veteran Services
- Shelter and Homeless Services
- Mental Health Services
- Healthcare Navigation
- Access and Functional Needs Services
- Reporting Graffiti
- En Español
- Contact Us
Executive Staff
JOHN OHANIAN, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Ohanian, is a well respected leader, and experienced speaker in the non-profit community. His primary focus is driving organizations that reflect an innovative approach to social enterprise. He places a strong emphasis on the value of developing a cohesive, empowered, team and encouraging staff to identify and pursue career paths that are closely tied to personal passions and strengths.
Mr. Ohanian quite literally experienced a “trial by fire” when he joined 2-1-1 San Diego, the non-emergency health and disaster community resource service, as CEO in October 2007. Just three weeks later, Firestorm 2007, the devastating wildfires that burned 500,000 acres and destroyed 1,500 homes in San Diego County occurred. With the fires launching 2-1-1 into the public eye, Mr. Ohanian achieved both the immediate goal of providing valuable resources for the struggling community, but also used the exposure to attract talented and experienced individuals to the organization’s staff and to create a usable infrastructure that is now a sustained and thriving resource. Under Mr. Ohanian's leadership, 2-1-1 San Diego has gone from helping 100,000 clients per year to more than 500,000. The organization has grown from 20 employees to over 80, the number of programs are offered has tripled, and the organizations budget has expanded from $1.5M to $4M.
In addition to his role at 2-1-1, Mr. Ohanian is a frequent invited speaker. His enthusiastic presentations inspire people, organizations and agencies on the topics of innovation and collaboration, using the “2-1-1 story” as an example.
Mr. Ohanian has successfully created lasting partnerships with the community’s top public and private organizations, including the County of San Diego, the First 5 Commission of San Diego, the Leichtag Family Foundation, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, the Parker Foundation, Qualcomm Incorporated, San Diego Gas & Electric and Bank of America and dozens of nonprofits and community based agencies. Beyond San Diego, he’s led the 2-1-1 California effort to bring recognition and support of a statewide plan and sits on the board of 2-1-1US working to advocate for Federal legislation that brings funding to 2-1-1 systems country-wide.
He is a graduate of the University of San Diego and earned his CPA while working at KPMG Peat Marwick in San Diego. Prior to 2-1-1 San Diego, he served as Vice President of Finance, Operations and Planned Giving at the Alzheimer's Association - San Diego/Imperial Chapter. He also worked with the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation in several capacities, including Systems Consultant and Associate Director.
Mr. Ohanian is a board member of California Alliance of Information and Referral Services (CAIRS), serves on the 2-1-1 California Leadership Team, the Community Health Improvement Partners Board of Directors, the YMCA Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of the University of San Diego's Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program. He is a member of the Vistage program and a graduate of the Fieldstone Foundation Executive Leaders Group and LEAD San Diego. Mr. Ohanian, his wife, and their two children engage in community volunteerism. He is an avid golfer and an active member of his church.