Our Organization
Mission
The Fresno Business Council (FBC) is a dynamic network of high-impact business and community leaders dedicated to tackling critical regional issues. As committed partners and stewards, we collaborate to drive sustainable business growth and enhance the well-being of our community.
How is this achieved?
“Businesses must lead… with a stewardship lens.”
– John Gardner
John Gardner’s call for businesses to lead with a stewardship lens emphasizes their responsibility to prioritize community well-being alongside profit. Stewardship in this context means managing resources, influence and operations to not only benefit shareholders, but also their employees, customers, and the broader community. This approach fosters sustainable growth, ethical practices, and community engagement – driving positive change and building trust, supporting long-term success for all involved. John Gardner believed that true leadership in business comes from a commitment to serve and uplift the community, ensuring a legacy of integrity and shared prosperity.
History
The vision behind the FBC came into focus in 1993. With crime in Fresno escalating and the community deteriorating, a small group of business leaders united to reverse this social and economic downturn. The Fresno Business Council was born!
Since then, our members have impacted every sector of our community. By convening, collaborating, initiating and advising, we have changed the way we think and act together – and as a result, we ourselves have changed. The more we work together, the more our love for this community grows. Fresno has become the forever home of our families, our businesses, our alliances – and our hopes.
From our start over 30 years ago, the FBC’s story has been one of inspiration, bringing passionate business leaders together to collaboratively address the region’s most complex economic and social issues. Today, our board and membership spans all sectors, and we are proud to be a part of Fresno’s ever-evolving culture.
As we face the future, the FBC is focused on engaging the next generation of business leaders and building awareness of the important role of civic stewardship in both individual business success and community improvement.
Community Values
Advancing Fresno’s culture begins with developing our own set of holistic values to benefit the greater good or adopting Fresno’s Community Values, which have served as guiding principles for regional transformation efforts since 2000. These values align with the broader goals for inclusive prosperity and wellbeing and foster an atmosphere of fairness, respect and personal responsibility.
These values are at the heart of our community and are available for everyone:
Stewardship
Our region is a shared treasure, and we take responsibility for caring for it. We work side by side to protect what matters, improve what needs attention, and leave Fresno better for everyone who calls it home.
Boundary Crossing and Collaboration
We create a stronger region by building relationships across industries, neighborhoods, politics, and beliefs. We welcome every voice willing to work toward shared progress, and we unite people who may not otherwise connect.
Commitment to Getting Things Done
We follow through, take ownership, and finish the work. When we commit to something, we stay with it until the goal is met and the community sees measurable benefit.
Thinking Big
We imagine bold futures and pursue them with confidence. Good ideas grow when we remove limits, envision what success could look like, and then map the steps needed to make it real.
Fact-Based Decision Making
We use credible data and clear context to guide our choices. We work to understand full realities rather than assumptions so our decisions are grounded, fair, and aligned with community needs.
Truth Telling
We communicate with honesty, clarity, and respect. We share what we know, check that our information is current, and hold one another accountable for staying transparent about our work and intentions.
Powerful Outcomes
We honor every voice and lead with humility. Ideas rise on their merit, not on titles or positions. We actively seek diverse perspectives so the region benefits from the strongest possible solutions.
Resolving Conflict Constructively
We treat conflict as a natural part of meaningful work. We engage respectfully, listen fully, and work through disagreements in ways that strengthen our relationships and lead to better outcomes.
Focusing on Strengths
Our community moves forward when we build on what works. We invest in people, assets, and opportunities that spark positive momentum and create lasting impact across the region.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
We are transparent about anything that may influence our judgment. We disclose potential conflicts early so our decisions remain fair, trusted, and centered on the good of the community.