(Photo By Karen Floyd Portraiture)
Simona serves as CEO of San Diego Oasis, an award-winning organization with over 55,000 members, focused on healthy longevity and intergenerational programs. Simona was recruited to Oasis to merge two independent nonprofit organizations into one efficient, regional organization (you may know that nonprofit mergers are extremely rare and difficult in the charitable sector). A thought leader for 35 years, Oasis launched its largest and most technology-forward center of excellence in Rancho Bernardo, a national example to showcase innovation to combat social isolation, which the US Surgeon General declared a national epidemic in May of 2023. San Diego Oasis is widely recognized for its impact on intergenerational programming, increasing elementary at-risk student literacy, technology learning, lifelong learning, and comprehensive fitness and health education for older adults. With undeniably strong demographic shifts in the US and worldwide, Oasis’ leadership and impact are making a difference for thousands of seniors and children every single day.
Prior to her service at Oasis, for more than a decade, Simona was a senior executive at The San Diego Foundation helping facilitate and increase strategic philanthropy.
Simona holds degrees in linguistics and business. She completed the prestigious Harvard Business School’s global nonprofit leadership program in Boston. San Diego Business Journal named Simona as one of the 500 Most Influential Leaders of San Diego in 2022 and 2023.
A respected local and national leader, Simona serves on the boards of the American Society on Aging, San Diego Rotary (which is the 10th largest Rotary Club in the world), San Diego Senior Alliance, and San Diego State University’s CEAL. Simona is a Strategic Advisor at California Software Inc. and Founder of the San Diego Lithuanian School, working closely with the Ministry of Education and major universities in Lithuania; she is an active host and member at the San Diego Diplomacy Council, and other international organizations.
Originally from Lithuania, Simona loves cultural adventures.
About Simona Valanciute
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I love my family of four: daughter Lelija, son Martynas, and husband Roland. My other family members live and work in Lithuania.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Working in the academic, educational, and retail sectors taught me a lot as a young professional. When I discovered the nonprofit sector, I fell in love. Not only does it demand hard work and excellence in strategy and execution, but it also rewards us with making a positive difference, not just profit. The social entrepreneurship is invigorating and soul-feeding. It builds a meaningful, positive legacy for our hard work.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Find joy and positivity. Create joy and positivity. Give hugs. Be present: you are the gift of that moment, to that one person in front of you. Our lives are meaningful moments we give and receive. Catch as many as you can.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Making a positive difference, in whatever form I can.
Simona Valanciute & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Luce’s Kitchen and Bar; JVs Mexican Food, Pho Kitchen, Himalayan Palace
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
28 years
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Balboa Park is such a unique place we treasure in San Diego with its museums, cafes, theatres, educational programs, flora and fauna. I love our beach communities because each of them has its unique vibe, created by business owners, artists, and entertainers. Mission Beach, as an example, has treasured birthday memories: my daughter and her friends, enjoying the beach and then the food at the Draft Restaurant; my traditional birthday walk with friends and then lunch at Cannonball Restaurant overlooking the beach. dwalk.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
San Diego region has incredible diversity: in flora and fauna because of the climate and geography; and our people from all over the world who bring their talents and uniqueness to San Diego. We have our special San Diego-laid-backness, too, while accomplishing with intensity.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Lunch with Cleopatra at a cafe on the beach (Tower 23, Draft, Cannonball in Mission Beach). Or, at our home, enjoying a traditional Lithuanian Saltibarsciai on a hot summer day.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love re-learning the history in visual storytelling: The Tudors, The Borgias (TV series)
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Growing up in the Soviet Union, I was a Spaliukas and a Pioneer. I had the tremendous honor of participating in historic events: The Baltic Way and Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence, which broke up the Soviet Union.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Family members: my daughter, my son, my husband. Can’t think of anyone better to share my life with.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family at work, my family at home, and my closest friends. They stretch me. They have the love and the courage to help me grow.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
San Diego Oasis, American Society on Aging, San Diego Rotary Club 33
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Bay Park
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I treasured walking to our elementary school every day with my daughter for 6 years. Our family loves our neighborhood park. We love our caring neighbors.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Sleeping in. Spending time at the beach. Hiking. Take out dinner from our neighborhood restaurant. Board games and movies at home with family and friends.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe. Authentic. Supportive, no matter what.
