Fred Ferrer

Frederick J. Ferrer serves as chair of the Rocketship Public Schools Board. Ferrer founded and leads Manzanita Solutions, where he provides consultation on health, child development, non-profit management and community inter-relations. After nine years of service, Ferrer recently left his CEO position at the Health Trust, a $100 million foundation, which provides direct health services, makes grants, builds community partnerships, advocates for policy changes to support its vision: making Silicon Valley healthier for everyone. Ferrer is the former Executive Director of Estrella Family Services, and was chair of the FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Commission. He is a member of the Santa Clara University’s College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board and is a former member of its Department of Education’s Autism Advisory Board. He chaired The University’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity And Inclusion. He serves on the Board of Legacy Academy. He is also a community advisor to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Children’s Discovery Museum LGBTQ Advisory Board. Among numerous awards, Ferrer has received: the John Gardner Leadership Award from ALF-SV, the Human Relations Award from the Santa Clara County Commission on Human Relations, and PACT’s Community Builder Award. For over 25 years, Ferrer has been on the adjunct child development faculty at De Anza College. He has completed two distinguished programs at Harvard University: the Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations, and Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management. Recently he completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Ferrer holds a B.S. degree from Santa Clara University, an M.S. degree from San Jose State University, and an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Santa Clara University.