Welcoming New Board Chair | Leonardo Bolanos

Extraordinary Families is pleased to announce the appointment of Leonardo Bolanos as Board Chair its Board of Directors. Leonardo (Leo) has been involved with Extraordinary Families for more than 10 years and has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2016. He succeeds Angela Bromstad, who will continue to serve as a member of its Board of Directors.

“It is an honor and privilege to be asked to serve as Extraordinary Families’ Board Chair,” said Leo. “Since my first experience with the agency, I have been awe struck by the agency’s vision that every child, youth, and family in foster care has the ability to achieve their hopes, fulfill their dreams, and thrive.  To play even a small part in advancing this vision has been my passion since the first time I heard about the thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles’ Child Welfare System.”

Leo Bolanos has more than 15 years of experience in wealth management. He is Vice President of Private Banking Relationship Advisor at Northern Trust, a preeminent global financial institution that provides asset servicing, investment management and wealth management services for institutions, high-net-worth individuals and families. Leo works with a distinguished team to manage, preserve, and strategically transfer assets for ultra-high net worth families. Prior to joining Northern Trust, he was a Wealth Advisor with Wells Fargo Private Bank, where he provided wealth management solutions that address the unique needs of high net worth families, private foundations, and multigenerational trust.

“In the ten years of my association with Extraordinary Families it has evolved from professional advisor to foster youth mentor to board member, and most importantly to the foster-adopt uncle of adorable twins (Tio Leo loves you Oxi & Lally!!) As their uncle, I saw firsthand that fostering looks beyond the fear of loving a child who might leave you. Rather, we must let the fear of a child never knowing our love drive us to fostering.”  Leo continues, “Before her retirement, the founding CEO of Extraordinary Families Sylvia Fogelman sent me a hand written invitation to her retirement party. I keep this letter in my office as a reminder to ALWAYS do my part to advance our vision. I hope everyone reading this will consider learning more about Extraordinary Families, volunteer in our UP4Youth program, join us for a foster/adoption orientation, and share your influence and resources.  Please join us!”  

About Extraordinary Families

Extraordinary Families (EF) is a leading child welfare organization whose mission is to help children and youth in foster care to have the childhoods and futures they rightfully deserve. For more than 25 years, we have been a leader in foster care and adoption in Los Angeles, joining thousands of children, youth, and families. Our work consists of four primary efforts along a continuum of care: 1) training and supporting foster parents for children entering the foster care system, 2) joining children and families through adoption, 3) supporting young adults with trauma and child welfare history as they transition into adulthood, and 4) advocacy and public policy. We take tremendous pride in our work to reduce childhood trauma, encourage safety and stability, and empower children and youth to thrive. To learn more and make a difference in the lives of our children and youth in foster care, please visit www.extraordinaryfamilies.org.