Netflix Executive and LAPD Lieutenant Among New Trustees
Children’s Institute announced five influential leaders have joined the organization’s growing Board of Trustees.
Channing Dungey, Vice President, Original Series at Netflix; Lieutenant Gena Brooks, Los Angeles Police Department; William R. Burford, Partner at Venable LLP; James G. Freeman, Principal at Beacon Rose Partners; and Glenn A. Sonnenberg, President at Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, join the esteemed board of over 30 trustees chaired by Paul R. Kanin, partner at Kanin Soffer LLP.
“We are thrilled to welcome this new group of trustees to our board, and we are confident their breadth of expertise will allow us to make an even bigger impact for children and families across Los Angeles,” said Martine Singer, President & CEO, Children’s Institute.
With extensive experience in the entertainment industry, Channing Dungey most recently served as President of ABC Entertainment, and is joining Netflix this month as Vice President of Original Series. She’s held previous positions at 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. Dungey is a UCLA graduate from the School of Theater, Film and Television, where she serves on the school’s executive board, and is a founding and current member of Step Up, a nonprofit dedicated to helping girls living in under-resourced communities fulfill their educational potential.
“I’m passionate about improving the lives of children, especially those living in difficult circumstances,” said Dungey. “My goal in joining the board is to raise the profile of Children’s Institute within the entertainment community, and shine a light on the vital work they are doing.”
Lt. Gena Brooks brings over 30 years of experience with the LAPD and is currently the Officer in Charge of the Community Safety Partnership Team (CSP) responsible for relationship-based policing in the five housing developments in Watts. The CSP team works side-by-side with residents and community members to develop and implement sustainable programs, eradicate crime, address quality of life issues, all while simultaneously bridging the gap between the community and the LAPD.
Lt. Brooks plays a key role in the Children Exposed to Gun Violence Initiative launched in 2018 between the LA City Attorney’s Office, Children’s Institute and the LAPD. Her community relations experience and expertise working with children and families in South Los Angeles will be invaluable as a Trustee.
William R. Burford specializes in tax and wealth planning at Venable LLP. Prior to this work at Venable, he served in the nonprofit sector as a project director at The Nature Conservancy. Burford’s knowledge of tax expertise combined with his experience in the nonprofit sector will offer a unique perspective to CII’s Board of Trustees.
James G. Freeman serves as a Principal for Cardinal Industrial. In this 
capacity, Freeman is a member of Cardinal’s Investment Committee and is responsible for Acquisitions and Business Development, which includes deal sourcing, capital sourcing, establishing and maintaining relationships with operating partners, and ensuring successful investment execution.
Glenn A. Sonnenberg is President of Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, a real estate investment management company. Sonnenberg has a broad range of nonprofit experience over his career. He is an active board member and past Chair of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, board member and past President of Stephen Wise Temple, and on the Boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the AJC, Wise Readers to Leaders, the USC Law School Board of Counselors, and the USC Libraries Board of Counselors.
Learn more about CII’s Board of Trustees here.