Josh Leonard

Josh joined EBAC as Chief Executive Officer in 2013. After beginning his career working as a residential counselor for youth in the probation system, Josh spent 20 years supporting transition aged foster-youth in a variety of direct service, management and leadership roles. This experience was formative in shaping his belief in the critical importance of prevention, early intervention and family support programs which are central to EBAC’s mission. Josh has a long history of advocacy including serving as the plaintiff in "Leonard v. Wagner" in which the San Francisco Superior Court held that the State of California was illegally discriminating against foster youth with disabilities. Josh continues to play an active leadership role in working to improve systems of care for vulnerable children, youth and families, having served as the President of the Behavioral Health Collaborative of Alameda County, the Alameda County Foster Youth Alliance and the Family Service Network of Alameda County as well as multiple terms on the Board of the California Alliance for Child and Family Services.