Matthew Dildine (JD '08) Joins Fresno Rescue Mission as CEO

September 20, 2018 | Pepperdine Law alumnus Matthew Dildine (JD '08) will join the Fresno Rescue Mission as CEO on October 1. Dildine is a former partner at the Fresno law firm, Dowling Aaron.

Via The Business Journal:

Dildine, 37, is a Fresno native who has served on the Fresno Rescue Mission's board of directors for three years. A graduate of Pepperdine University, he ran the student ministry program while a student there and earned a degree in biblical studies with the intent of becoming a preacher.

He decided he'd rather pursue ministry working in the private sector and went on to earn a law degree and a master's degree in public policy, according to the release.

At Dowling Aaron, he specializes in business law and litigation, nonprofits, construction law and agri-business.

Dildine said in his new job, he is interested in creating systemic change to combat poverty.

“There was a time when the Rescue Mission was just about giving you a bowl of soup and a bed,” Dildine said. “But we decided in order to create true change both in individuals and in our community, we needed to be about something more. Now the focus of our organization is about being the first hand reaching out to the most vulnerable in our community and giving them a pathway to a better life.”