Our Founders

DOUGLAS FREEMAN

CEO

Mr. Freeman comes to this role after a long career as a lawyer, businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist. He served in a variety of capacities within the nonprofit field, including Board Chair of the Pacific Symphony, where he is now a Lifetime Trustee, and Board Member now Trustee Emeritus, at the California Institute of the Arts.

During his long career, Doug provided strategic planning and organizational management advice for business, nonprofit, foundation, and family clients throughout the United States. He has received a number of awards and recognition, among them inclusion in the Orange County Business Journal's list of the 500 Most Influential People in Orange County (2016, 2020). In 2019 he was the recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which recognizes individuals whose mission is to generously share their knowledge, compassion, unique talents and, gifts with those less fortunate. Doug is the founder of National Philanthropy Day, proclaimed by Congress, signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and celebrated throughout the United States

CHARLES ZHANG

FOUNDER

Mr. Zhang is the founder of Zion Enterprises and a celebrated entrepreneur and success story. With only $20 US dollars in his pocket and unrelenting determination, Charlie created the food brand called Pick Up Stix. Within a decade, Charlie had built an empire with more than 100 Pick Up Stix locations, and a commissary that streamlined the preparation of each menu item.

He then established Zion Enterprises, a real estate development company that has been involved in over $200 million dollars worth of commercial, retail and residential projects in the Western United States. Revitalizing communities and adding value at every level are among Zion Enterprises’ core tenets to this day.

Among his awards are “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst and Young and the “Spirit of Life” award from the City of Hope. In addition, he received the “Distinguished Business for Science and Technology” award, and “Beijing International Entrepreneur of the Year.” Managing capital for the greater good occupies 100% of his passion and attention.