paul@cpedv.org | Paul S. Castro serves as senior consultant with Applied Strategy Associates, specializing in interim executive services, executive coaching, and organizational development. In 2018, Paul retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFS), a multi‑service social service organization serving more than 100,000 individuals and families annually throughout Los Angeles.

An active member of the national and regional nonprofit community, Paul has served as interim leadership at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (2019 -2021), the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Center for Story-based Strategy. Paul also serves as an emeritus member of Evident Change’s board of directors and has served on the boards of Families International and is a past chair of the board of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, and a member of the Nonprofit Finance Fund Healthy Outcomes Initiative Advisory Group.

A native of Los Angeles, Paul has over 40 years of professional and volunteer experience in the nonprofit sector. He has worked tirelessly throughout his career to further the opportunities for disadvantaged and disenfranchised communities in the areas of social justice, philanthropy and fundraising, and has effectively advocated for services for the most vulnerable members of the community at the local, state, and federal level.

Paul has served as adjunct faculty at the American Jewish University and Hebrew Union College graduate programs in nonprofit management, teaching and mentoring future nonprofit leaders in the areas of governance, advocacy, civic engagement, and ethics. Paul graduated from California State University at Fullerton with a BA in ethnic studies and holds a juris doctorate from Loyola Law School.