SAN JOSE, CA (May 16, 2017) — American Red Cross is proud to announce Ken Toren has taken the role of Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley. In this position, Toren will serve in a leadership role working with more than 1,500 local volunteers and many community partners to improve the resiliency of the communities and the two million residents of Santa Clara County to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters as well as promoting the growth of American Red Cross lifesaving programs and services throughout Silicon Valley.
“As we open this new chapter in the life of the organization, we are confident that Ken is the right person to lead us forward,” said Chris Carlton, Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley. “Ken brings to the American Red Cross a vast set of leadership skills, business expertise, and community involvement with 25 years of experience in both the high-tech industry and nonprofit management within Silicon Valley.”
Each year, the Silicon Valley Chapter teaches more than 28,000 residents how to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies both big and small. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to an average of 135 local emergencies and helped more than 200 affected residents to recover. Annually, more than 50 local volunteers deploy on national disaster assignments.
Toren said his focus will be on relationships. “I want to strengthen our current relationships and develop new relationships for the future to help deliver life-saving Red Cross programs and services.” said Toren “I am proud to join our dedicated volunteers, employees, board members, and our generous community and corporate partners in providing the Red Cross lifesaving services to those living and working in our Region.”
Ken Toren has served as CEO, COO, VP, Director, Board Member, co-founder, and advisor for start-ups, private/public companies, and non-profits. He has raised venture capital investments of $20M+, consistently generated $MM+ in annual revenues, led mergers/acquisitions and been responsible for non-profit fundraising campaigns totaling $200M.
In the healthcare sector, Ken held leadership roles with REDmedic, Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center, VertiQ Software, Cancer CAREpoint and UCSF Global Health and Asthma Research. In the for-profit sector, Ken was an executive with several companies including LONMARK International, Onomy Labs, Grey Zone, KickFire, ActivIdentity, and LECG.
Ken's non-profit experience includes executive staff roles in JCCs/Jewish Federations and at Hope Services. No stranger to community involvement, Ken served as Chairman of San Andreas Regional Center and Board Member of Hope Services, LSA Homes, NOVA, YMCA, and KCAT TV15. Ken holds a B.S in Public Health and a M.Ed in Hospitality and Tourism from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He lives in Los Gatos, California, with his wife, children, and Border Collie rescue dog.
About the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley serves the residents of Santa Clara County. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions visit our website at redcross.org/siliconvalley or call us at 1-877-727-6771. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
