Project Launch, Inc. Welcomes New CEO — Personal concern for raising public awareness and funding for social advocacy and causes, is the hallmark of Dr. Josephine Ong-McBride’s career. And, it’s no surprise to anyone who knows her that her skills transcend cultural and social divides to galvanize communities for greater benefit. As the newly appointed CEO of Project Launch, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, Dr. McBride’s outstanding fundraising, grant writing and donor cultivation experiences will enhance opportunities for children and adults with learning, behavioral and physical disabilities. Project Launch is open to the general public to develop, research, educate, promote and provide services for individuals with these disabilities.
One of her first activities as the new CEO is a fundraising golf tournament to be held at the Willow Creek Golf Club on November 19, 2007. The funding raised will provide services for evaluation and diagnostic testing, cognitive therapy, brain imaging technology, vocational training, counseling and psychological support services for those who are experiencing socio-economic barriers for such services. Information about the golf tournament may be found on the Project Launch website, at projectlaunch.org.
Dr. McBride, who recently moved from the Bay Area, California, has extensive experience in higher education, corporate and non-profit administration at the highest level. She was the CEO of one of the largest non-profit health and human service organizations in California, AACI (Asian Americans for Community Involvement), which serves 55,000 client hours per year. Her illustrious career includes being the Foundation Executive Director at the Ohlone College, and Vice Provost at the National Hispanic University.
She has outstanding fundraising, grant writing and donor cultivation experiences for higher education institutes and non-profit organizations. She is a published author of several education and technical books, University Success, Raising Whiz Kids (Kendall/Hunt Publishing) and the recipient of numerous awards, including Martin Luther King 2005 Drum Major Award, and San Jose City Human Rights Award, 2004.
Born in Manila, Philippines, to Chinese parents, Dr. McBride is one of nine children. She says she was raised in a very musical family. “We were encouraged by our father, an accomplished musician himself, who composed three operas that continue to captivate audiences internationally.” Her father, also a lay preacher, planted 29 churches around the globe, where all of his children were called upon to sing or play an instrument before the worship service. Dr. McBride continues to serve in music ministry as a choir director, pianist and organist.
She says her youngest son, Jordan, 14, followed the family tradition, and is an award-winning pianist and composer. “He has performed on television and many concert venues since he was five years old,” she said. “Recently, he was one of 17 teenagers chosen from around the world to attend a summer piano institute at Rice University, and he is now a piano student of the renowned Dr. Dariusz Pawlas of Poland.” Her other children include three older daughters who graduated from Stanford University, and an older son, Justin, who chose Rice University for his education.
Moving to the United States to pursue higher education and a career, her instinctive love of music propelled her to pursue a music degree simultaneously with a Chemistry degree. Earning both a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Music, and Ph.D. in Education, she also speaks six languages and is a world traveler. Including visits to most of the 50 United States, she has toured all over Europe, as well as China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia.
“Although I can speak many languages, and it is easy for me to connect to people, I found out that music and laughter are the universal languages that can transcend any barrier,” she said. “I have a passion and joy for developing the potential in every individual.” She embraces the foundational belief that “there is a ‘whiz kid’ inside each child that is just waiting to be discovered, developed and nurtured to maximum potential.”
And, Dr. McBride firmly believes that universal language can go beyond the barriers to help develop a hunger for greater achievement among those who might previously have been dismissed as simply “too much trouble.” It provides a springboard for the breakthrough methodology afforded today to bring out the potential among children and adults with learning disabilities.
“With Project Launch, I hope to increase public awareness and funding through fund raising events, media and publications, workshops, conferences and grant procurement. Within a year, we would like to establish significant connections with local businesses and partners. In five years, we hope to take Project Launch to a national – even international – level.”
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