Wendy Urushima-Conn, President & CEO

Wendy Urushima-Conn has more than twenty years of experience in community outreach, fundraising, marketing and PR and is the President & CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County (EFSDC) Since 1954, EFSDC has provided resources and services to individuals and families impacted by Epilepsy. Prior to joining the Foundation, Wendy was the President & CEO of the Asian Business Association, which provides a strong voice on business, cultural and political issues of interest to San Diego’s Asian and Pacific Islander community. While at the helm of ABA Wendy increased membership 50% and launched the Business Development Resource Center to help small businesses grow and thrive. Formerly the Associate Executive Director of Development for Center for Community Solutions, Wendy was the chief fundraising and marketing officer for the non-profit focusing on sexual assault and domestic violence intervention and prevention. Wendy also worked for more than a decade as the Community and Media Marketing Manager at 10News. She has also co-founded a media coaching company, has worked as a weather and traffic reporter, and as an account executive in the advertising and publishing field.

Wendy’s core belief is to improve our community, and has served on numerous boards for local non-profits. Currently she serves as: Chair, Southern California Chapter, California Diversity Council, Chair Board of Library Commissioners, Chair of the Honorary Committee for National Philanthropy Day, Trustee, The San Diego Public Library Foundation, Member, Mayor’s Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Council, Member San Diego Downtown Rotary 33, 1998 Graduate of LEAD San Diego, and 2018 Graduate FBI Citizens Academy. She has also served as a respite care provider for foster youth, and for more than a decade benefited the community by providing the Harvey Simmons Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship to assist high school student athletes attending college.

Just a few of the awards she has received: California’s 20 Most Powerful and Influential Women Award from the National Diversity Council, Women of the Year, from the State of California, YWCA Twin Award, San Diego Business Journal, Women Who Mean Business, San Diego Magazine, Women Who Move the City, Girl Scouts Cool Women, and San Diego Business Journal, SD500.

She is a graduate of UC San Diego, and additionally earned her CFRM from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is married with two daughters, and in her spare time enjoys running ultra-marathons. Her longest run to date is 100 kilometers, or 62 miles.