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Leading the way.

College of the Desert

Dr. Joel Kinnamon, Superintendent/President of the College of the Desert 
James Hummer, Assistant to the President/Executive Director

James E. Hummer, Executive Director 
Contact Information: 760-773-2561 / jhummer@collegeofthedesert.edu 

Jim’s career of community involvement through fund development served him well upon coming to the Foundation in 2010. Early in his career Jim worked to establish the Santa Rosa Women’s Center and assisted in the development of Canine Companions for Independence and the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Upon moving to the Coachella Valley from northern California, Jim founded the Bighorn Scholarship Fund at College of the Desert; the Bighorn Employee ESL Program; and Bighorn Charities to aide local causes. Throughout his career, Jim has continued to manage his consulting firms as President and CEO. Jim currently sits on the Board of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Foundation Staff Members

Pamela Hunter (LiCalsi), Executive Director Institutional Advancement/Title V Project Director 
Contact Information: 760-773-2508 / phunter@collegeofthedesert.edu

As the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement/Title V Project Director, Pam Hunter is responsible for the overall planning, supervision, and coordination of operations, programs and functions related to institutional planning and effectiveness and grant development program including implementation of the College’s strategic plan, operational development and campus support. Additionally, Pam is the Project Director for a $5 million federal Title V collaborative grant to assist College of the Desert students to transfer to California State University San Bernardino-Palm Desert Campus. Prior to coming to College of the Desert in 1998, Pam worked for the City of La Quinta as Human Resources & Risk Manager.
 

Peter Sturgeon, Institutional Advancement
Contact Information: Office 760.773.2561 Cell 760.831.4138 / psturgeon@collegeofthedesert.edu

Peter has spent the last 20 plus years in the Coachella Valley business community building a successful Automotive service company. His community involvement over the years includes Past President of the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce; Board of Trustees, Marywood Palm Valley School; the Tour de Palm Springs; and the City of Palm Desert's Marketing and Promotions Committee. Peter's responsibilities with the Foundation include outreach to the Business community through the Foundation's Business Circle, the Annual Giving program and Planned Giving.
 

Kippy Laflame, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Contact Information: 760-862-1380 / klaflame@collegeofthedesert.edu

Kippy Laflame joined the Foundation in April 2011 after leaving the American Heart Association where she worked as Operations Manager. As Executive Assistant Kippy performs a variety of complex administrative and technical office duties to assure timely and efficient office operations to support the Executive Director and Board of Directors. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Kippy is the co-founder of the Healthy Gourmet Club whose members learn how to cook and eat healthy.