ECS Leadership Attends Congressional Luncheon

(From left to right) Dir. of Communications and Advocacy Adrienne Wilkerson, Dir. of Development Tim Whipple, and CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons make ECS’ voice heard at luncheon. June 2025.

Earlier this week, ECS leadership attended the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Congressional Luncheon.

Regional leaders and elected officials came together for a thoughtful discussion on healthcare, childcare, housing, border infrastructure, and the economy.

Thank you to the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for convening this important event for our community.

CEO Visits Head Start at Boys & Girls Club

Head Start children show Elizabeth a family tree project. May 2025.

Recently, CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons visited our Boys and Girls Club Head Start program to spend time with students and staff for a firsthand look at the engaging learning environment our team fosters every day.

As she previously shared during Teacher Appreciation Week, “You don’t just teach; you nurture, inspire, and uplift. You create safe spaces for our youngest community members to grow, discover, and feel loved.”

Her words and her visit are powerful reminders of the heart behind our mission and the impact educators have each day.

Mission to Washington, D.C.

San Diego leaders in D.C. advocating for our region. April 2025.

ECS recently returned from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Mission to Washington, D.C., where CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons and Director of Communications & Advocacy Adrienne Wilkerson engaged with local, state, and federal legislators to advocate for policies that uplift children, families, and communities across the San Diego region.

During the trip, they spoke with Representatives John Garamendi and Sara Jacobs, highlighting the importance of maintaining federal funding for Head Start and expanding support for early education programs.

ECS puts advocacy into action, interacting with San Diego and government leaders to garner support for our programs. April 2025.

They also participated in healthcare meetings with the offices of Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff and Representative Juan Vargas to emphasize the need for continued access to Medicaid for essential health services.

Elizabeth Fitzsimons (left) and Adrienne Wilkerson (right) build connections in D.C. April 2025.

ECS continues to champion solutions that strengthen its staff, support clients, and build a more equitable San Diego—on Capitol Hill and at home.

Learn more about ECS’ advocacy efforts: ecscalifornia.org/advocacy.

Leadership Delegation in Sacramento

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons and Communications Director Adrienne Wilkerson pose for a group photo at the 2025 Leadership Delegation. February 2025.

ECS CEO Elizabeth Fitzsimons and Communications Director Adrienne Wilkerson joined regional leaders for the 2025 Leadership Delegation to Sacramento to advocate for policies that strengthen our community.

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce trip focused on critical issues such as housing, healthcare, sustainability, business resiliency, innovation, and public safety.

Through high-impact discussions with local and state leaders, ECS pushed for stronger policies to support our most vulnerable populations and gained insights into upcoming legislation that will shape our region’s future.

By building relationships and driving meaningful policy change, ECS continues to be a voice for those who need it most. Learn more about our work at ecscalifornia.org.