Community Impact
13 November 2025
What’s Under This Rock? Connecting Students to Nature Through Learning
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Community Impact
13 November 2025
What’s Under This Rock? Connecting Students to Nature Through Learning
About A.J. Steinberg, CFRE
With over 20 years’ experience as a nonprofit event producer and engagement strategist, A.J. Steinberg, CFRE has worked on over 100 successful events and raised millions of dollars for organizations with her Los Angeles-based production company.
A.J.’s team has produced almost every type of fundraising event, including intimate high net-worth donor gatherings, galas, festivals, and fashion shows.
In 2015 A.J. launched Queen Bee Fundraising to share the art and science of nonprofit event planning, sponsorship acquisition, and engagement strategies with organizations worldwide. She is a recognized topic expert and trainer, and presents on subjects such as nonprofit event planning, event sponsorships, committee and volunteer leadership, generational giving, fundraising, and guest engagement.
About Nathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE
As a thought leader, public speaker, author and AI inventor, Nathan is one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and generosity. His recently published award-winning book, The Generosity Crisis; the Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges has been dubbed as “Required reading for our generation of professionals in the nonprofit sector” by NonProfit Pro. Nathan serves as Chief AI Officer at Virtuous Software. In 2019, he founded Fundraising.AI, an advocacy organization focused on the Responsible and Beneficial use of AI for the global fundraising community. He is co-host of the weekly Fundraising.AI podcast, one of the top nonprofit technology podcasts globally.
Nathan is regularly featured in publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, AFP Advance, AHP Journal, and Citibank Global among others.
Nathan serves as an advisor for the OpenAI Users Forum, the AI for Good Foundation, the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS), and the Forbes Technology Council. He holds a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from University of Notre Dame, an MBA from University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from University of Cambridge, a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT, a certificate in Philanthropic Psychology from the Institute of Sustainable Philanthropy and is a certified fundraising executive (CFRE).
About Mallory Erickson
Mallory Erickson is the founder and CEO of Practivated, an executive coach, fundraising consultant, and host of the What the Fundraising podcast. She is dedicated to transforming the nonprofit sector by helping fundraisers move beyond transactional approaches to build lasting, mission-aligned partnerships.
Through her Power Partners Formula, Mallory has trained over 60,000 fundraisers, blending executive coaching, behavior design, and strategic fundraising. Her book, What the Fundraising, explores how shifting away from a scarcity mindset leads to greater impact and sustainability.
At Practivated, which Mallory founded in 2024, she continues to drive innovation in fundraising through technology, coaching, and science-backed strategies. If you’re ready to fundraise with confidence and alignment, Mallory’s work is for you.
About Mark A. Stuart, CFRE
A fundraising and community-building professional for nearly 30 years, Mark Stuart has devoted his career to helping donors realize their hopes, dreams and aspirations.
Since joining San Diego Foundation as President and CEO in May 2019, SDF has grown its assets to $1.5 billion. Under Mark’s leadership, SDF raised and deployed $67 million for COVID-19 relief efforts and in its most recent fiscal year granted a record $150 million.
During Mark’s tenure, SDF has launched a new strategic plan and vision for just, equitable and resilient communities, and has been named a Top Work Place by The San Diego Union-Tribune four years running.
Before joining SDF, Mark managed a staff of 64 and a budget of $14 million at San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG). He led SDZG’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, raising $530 million.
Mark serves on the Board of Directors for Certified Fundraising Executives International, the League of California Community Foundations, San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center and San Diego Symphony Foundation.
About Alison Ohanian, CSPG
Allison Ohanian, CSPG serves as the Associate Vice President of Gift Planning and Donor Development at the University of Hawai’i Foundation. In this role, she assists donors interested in supporting charitable initiatives across the University of Hawai’i System and acts as a subject matter expert on complex giving vehicles, particularly those involving non-cash assets. Passionate about education and empowerment, Allison is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the intricacies of gift and charitable planning. Before joining the University of Hawai’i Foundation, Allison held the position of Senior Director of Planned Giving and Estates at San Diego State University, bringing over 15 years of expertise to her current role.
She is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving and holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego. An active leader in her field, Allison is a past president of the San Diego Planned Giving Partnership and currently serves as a board member of the Hawaii Gift Planning Council.
About Beth Branning
Beth Branning founded Branning Strategies to help nonprofit organizations, associations, and foundations to realize their potential by facilitating their strategic planning efforts. Branning Strategies also assists nonprofit executives and boards by facilitating outcome-driven retreats and workshops. Recent clients have included the San Diego Foundation, the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County, The Marafiki Center, and the Policy and Innovation Center.
Before launching Branning Strategies, Beth Branning served as the Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Director of Vision, Innovation and Strategy at San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG) for 15 years. She is certified as a Strategic Management Professional (SMP), which is the top certification offered by the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP). She is the author of The Call: The Strategic Plan That Empowered San Diego Zoo Global To Lead The Fight Against Extinction.
About Cesar Boc
Cesar Boc is a passionate fundraiser in the philanthropic space, a fearless leader, and a firm believer in healing and restorative justice for Latine communities. Cesar, a Guatemalan Mayan Kaqchikel immigrant, was raised in Long Island, New York, has deep roots in grassroots organizing and community lawyering, and is an avid learner of religious and holistic approaches to healing our communities. Currently, Cesar serves as the Deputy Director of Organizational Giving at Hispanics in Philanthropy, a transnational nonprofit organization that advances Latine causes, where he leads the fundraising pipeline from private foundations. Previously, he managed fundraising at the Center for Migration Studies and Legal Outreach in New York. He has organized immigrant workers in multiple states and is committed to empowering Latinx immigrant communities through fundraising and philanthropic spaces.
Cesar obtained an MA in Human Rights and Theology from Boston College and a BA from St. John’s University. Cesar is an avid soccer fan whose favorite team is FC Barcelona. He enjoys cooking, running, and walking his two dogs and is a self-proclaimed lover of literature.
About Hannah Berger
Hannah provides coaching and consulting derived from 20+ years of experience as a professional fundraiser, non-profit executive, campaign consultant and board member. Hannah has proudly supported dozens of nonprofit organizations in raising more than $150M and counting. She specializes in major expansion campaigns, board recruitment and development, strategic development planning and executive coaching. In 2024, Hannah was named a Leader of Influence: Nonprofit & Philanthropy by the Los Angeles Business Journal. When Hannah is not coaching and consulting, she serves the sector as a Certified Trainer for Fundraising Academy and volunteers with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global IDEA committee and on the Board of Directors for her hometown AFP Chapter of Greater Los Angeles.
About Karen Boyd, Ph.D.
Karen Boyd, Ph.D. is an economist and the Director of Research at the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center. In this role, she is responsible for developing, executing, and sharing actionable, equity-focused research on the region’s most pressing economic, social, and environmental problems.
She has published and presented research on artificial intelligence and the future of work in a variety of top-tier academic venues and was an editor for JASIST’s Special Issue on “Artificial Intelligence and Work.”
Karen earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park (2020), where she studied ethics in the curation of training data for machine learning models. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Information, studying the ethical implications of automated emotion recognition algorithms designed for use in the workplace. She also has an MBA from the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego (2011) and a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University.
About Priya Parker
Priya Parker is helping us take a deeper look at how anyone can create collective meaning in modern life, one gathering at a time. She is a facilitator, strategic advisor, acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters, the executive producer and host of the New York Times podcast, Together Apart, and the host of The Art of Gathering Digital Course. Parker has spent 20 years helping leaders and communities have complicated conversations about community and identity and vision at moments of transition. Trained in the field of conflict resolution, Parker has worked on race relations on American college campuses and on peace processes in the Arab world, southern Africa, and India.
Parker is a founding member of the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network. She studied organizational design at M.I.T., public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, and political and social thought at the University of Virginia.
Parker’s The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters (Riverhead, 2018) has been named a Best Business Book of the year by Amazon, Esquire Magazine, NPR, the Financial Times, 1-800-CEO-READS and Bloomberg. She has spoken on the TED Main Stage, and her TEDx talk on purpose has been viewed over 3 million times. Parker’s work has been featured in numerous outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, TED.com, Forbes.com, Real Simple Magazine, Oprah.com, Bloomberg, Glamour, the Today Show and Morning Joe. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, Anand Giridharadas , and their two children.
About Sharyn Goodson
With 30 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management, Sharyn Goodson works to enhance the capacity of philanthropists and mission-driven organizations to address society’s challenges. She is recognized for building meaningful relationships, developing innovative grantmaking and fundraising strategies, and delivering compelling nonprofit training programs. Sharyn is the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, where she leads philanthropic efforts to fulfill the foundation’s mission of building thriving Jewish communities and promoting sustainable, just, and vibrant societies in San Diego, Israel, across the United States, and around the world.
Sharyn rejoined the Jewish Community Foundation after nine years as Vice President of Philanthropy at the Leichtag Foundation. Her previous roles include Vice President of Philanthropy at the Jewish Community Foundation, Director of Grants at Jewish Family Service of San Diego, and Program Director at Aspen Community Foundation in Aspen, CO.
Sharyn is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a Certified Facilitator through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and a certified Nonprofit Board Consultant through BoardSource.
About Kara Robertson
Kara Robertson is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist and founder of Prism Philanthropy, where she helps mission-driven organizations unlock funding and scale impact. With nearly 20 years of experience, Kara has raised over $40 million across sectors like education, health, and the arts—specializing in capital campaigns, major gifts, and high-stakes grants.
She’s secured transformational funding from top institutions, including:
A trusted thought leader, Kara teaches 1,500+ students on Udemy, mentors graduate students at UCF and was recently featured on the Bloomerang blog for innovative donor engagement. She also led the Opera Orlando Gala 2024, delivering the highest net revenue in its history. Her work blends data-driven strategy, AI-powered grant prospecting, and deep donor insights—and she dedicates 20+ hours monthly to pro bono consulting for nonprofits in need.
About Ken Miller
Ken Miller, CFRE is a dynamic trainer, speaker, author and consultant. As the president of Denali FSP Fundraising & Grant Consultants, he leads transformative fundraising strategies, empowering nonprofits across all sectors. Ken’s workshops, such as “Making the Ask with Confidence” and “Digital/Online & Social Media for Fundraising Success,” are tailored to deliver practical, actionable insights for fundraising professionals. Recognized for his dynamic speaking style, he engages audiences with his deep knowledge of fundraising best practices, major donor relations, and nonprofit leadership, ensuring participants leave equipped for impactful outcomes. In addition to his role as a consultant, Ken is an AFP Faculty Trainer and is a former AFP Global Board Member (AFP), African-American Development Officers (AADO) Board Member and the co-founder of Men of Color in Development (MOCID). Ken is dedicated mentor to young professionals, bringing a personal commitment to education and empowerment. With a strong focus on resilience, Ken’s own journey from recovery to professional success underscores his keynotes on topics such as “Resilience in the Face of the Known & Unknown.” Known for his commitment to nonprofit excellence and ethical standards, Ken combines his love for teaching, mentorship, and community impact into every speaking and teaching engagement, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.
About Lety Martinez Hermosillo
As Vice President of Philanthropy, Lety Martinez leads the planning, development, and implementation of all communications, marketing and fundraising activities across the organization. She stewards ICF’s relationship within Mexican foundation networks and has helped ICF earn recognition as key funder for Mexican organizations. She magnifies the culture of philanthropy across ICF staff and board members.
Lety was awarded Outstanding Development Professional of the Year 2021 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter and was selected as 2023 San Diego Magazine’s Nonprofit Rising Star.
She joined the International Community Foundation in August 2017 as the Marketing & Development Manager.
Lety has over 12 years of experience successfully fundraising and stewarding donor relations for several Mexican nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining ICF, Lety served as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Tijuana. She was previously Youth Program and Fundraising Director for Centro de Formación Humana and a Social Investment Director for Fundación Dibujando un Mañana. Lety has also served as a volunteer in Budapest, Hungary at Szent Benedek Iskola and the Regnum Christi.
Lety is a graduate of Universidad Anáhuac México Norte where she received a Master of Family Sciences for Counseling, and she is certificated in Non-Profit Management by United Way Mexico and USAID. Previously she earned her B.A. in International Business from Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus San Luis. She also holds a Master Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management at the University of San Diego.
Lety’s devoted to the growth and sustainability of Mexican nonprofits. She is a proud Mexican living in San Diego, where she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. She is also a Human Rights and LGBTQIA+ advocate.
About Michele Wray Khateri, CFRE
Michele Wray Khateri is the Director of Fundraising & Strategic Initiatives for Blueprint, a real estate development nonprofit that provides facility solutions for charter schools in California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. She has worked as a fundraising professional at education, human rights, and social service nonprofits and has served communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey as well as in Europe and the Middle East. Michele is an active volunteer in the fundraising profession, currently serving as Immediate Past President of the Greater San Fernando Valley chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and having presented at conferences for Fundraising Academy and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in the U.S. and the Middle East. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Scandinavian Studies from UC Berkeley and a Masters in International Affairs with a focus on Human Rights from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.
About Muhi Khwaja, MPA, CFRE
Earning a Bachelor’s in History and Psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2009, Muhi Khwaja didn’t know what to do until the summer before graduating. The Development Summer Internship Program at the University of Michigan sparked an interest in fundraising (development) as a career. After working with several nonprofit organizations, he earned his Master’s in Public Administration in 2013, from U-M, specializing in nonprofit management.
Muhi has over 15 years of experience as a development professional with several nonprofits (Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Ta’leef Collective, American Red Cross, and The MAVEN Project) all ranging from one person development teams to leading a development team which all led to his founding the American Muslim Community Foundation.
Muhi is currently the Chief Development Officer at the AMCF and serves as a Trainer for Fundraising Academy. In 2016 he became a Certified Fund Raising Executive from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and in 2017 earned a Certificate of Fund Raising Management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy where he is also Adjunct Faculty. In 2020, Muhi earned a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University. In 2024 Muhi received his Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from Indiana University. He resides in Tampa, Florida operating Nonprofit Solutions, LLC and enjoys riding his motorcycle, photography, and hiking.
About Rebecca Nelson
Rebecca Nelson is a Vice President with Netzel Grigsby Associates who is passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations in achieving their fundraising goals and fostering sustainable donor and volunteer relationships. Rebecca has the heart of a teacher and works to empower her clients to develop the strategic plans, relationships, and resources they need to help them have their greatest impact. A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Certified Planned Giving Associate (CPGA), Rebecca brings over 12 years of development experience to her role. She has worked with a diverse range of nonprofits, providing expertise in fund development and organizational growth. Rebecca’s strategic mindset, innovative problem-solving skills, and commitment to community impact make her a valuable partner to the organizations she serves. Prior to joining NGA, Rebecca primarily worked with faith-based organizations, human services organizations, and educational institutions. She has experience launching a new development office; leading efforts to raise $14 million for a successful capital campaign; guiding annual fundraising campaigns; securing over $1 million in annual grants; reviving legacy societies; personalizing planned gifts; and coordinating large-scale donor, volunteer and community events. Rebecca holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Fullerton.
About Richard Tollefson
Richard Tollefson established Phoenix Philanthropy in 2004 after a successful career in fundraising and advancement management. Prior to starting Phoenix Philanthropy, Richard served as vice president for institutional advancement at his alma mater, Thunderbird School of Global Management. At Thunderbird, he managed two comprehensive fundraising campaigns, raising funds and managing constituent engagement programs in 26 countries, including a commitment that became the largest naming gift to a college or school of business in the world at that time. Richard transformed Thunderbird’s alumni association into a global professional association, created a corporate relationship management structure to generate revenue and manage relationships across all parts of the institution, and managed conferences, seminars, and events around the world. Throughout his career, Richard successfully guided many other acclaimed arts, culture, and educational institutions, including Master Chorale of Orange County, The Joffrey Ballet, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University.
The Phoenix Philanthropy Group partners with organizations and individuals to build the strategies and resources to optimize their impact on our global society. We do so by providing strategic, outcomes-driven revenue generation, constituent relations, strategic planning, and organizational development services that help our clients fulfill their missions and achieve their goals. Our firm has served more than 215 clients in education, human and community services, arts and culture, healthcare, social justice, and the environment in the Southwest and around the world.
About Sean Briner
Sean Briner, Director of Annual Giving Programs, has been part of the University Advancement division at California State University San Marcos for 14 years and higher education for more than 25 years. In the Office of Annual Giving, he manages philanthropic outreach to alumni, employees, parents, students, and friends of the university. He has led all ten years of the university’s day of giving, CSUSM Giving Day, for which the university has received CASE District VII Circle of Excellence Awards in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. The annual Dibs Employee Giving Campaign was also recognized in 2024 with the CASE Circle of Excellence Global Award. Sean holds a B.A. in Education/Journalism from The Ohio State University and an M.A. in Education from Xavier University. He earned a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and has served as a CASE District VII volunteer for eight years. He currently serves as the CASE District VII Cabinet chair elect. His favorite part of the job is helping campus partners large and small raise funds that better help students succeed.
About Shantel Suárez Ávila
Shantel Suárez Ávila, the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, is a Chicago native turned Escondido, CA resident, dog mom, garden steward, yoga practitioner, and passionate nature adventurer. As the Founder and Principal Strategist of Más Allá—Spanish for “beyond”—she leads a community-centered, values-driven fundraising consulting firm dedicated to advancing equity and justice by closing funding gaps and raising critical resources for and with women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities across the U.S. A champion of transformative change, Shantel also co-stewards the Community-Centric Fundraising San Diego Chapter, collaborating to challenge traditional fundraising norms, prioritize collective well-being, and reimagine philanthropy with care and intention. With deep roots in her heritage and a heart for justice, she is committed to cultivating bold, equitable systems that empower communities to thrive.
About Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D.
Dr. Bill Stanczykiewicz serves as senior assistant dean for external relations at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Bill directs The Fund Raising School while also serving on the academic faculty, teaching in the bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs. Bill has been associated with raising more than $120 million over the last 25 years as a nonprofit executive director and board member. His hobbies include dating his wife, Carmen, who is a major gift fundraiser, and they enjoy talking fundraising while strolling along San Diego Harbor or watching the sunset from Point Loma.
About Frank Velásquez Jr.
About Kevin Delaney
A Vice President with Netzel Grigsby Associates, Kevin Delaney believes the success of any organization starts with strong leadership and a shared strategic vision by all stakeholders. With NGA, Kevin facilitates the development of strategic fundraising and marketing plans, conducts executive searches, supports board recruitment and development efforts, and serves in interim leadership roles.
Kevin brings over 25 years of professional fundraising experience at the independent school and university levels. He has successfully led multiple advancement offices overseeing strategic planning, capital campaign assessment, fund development, admissions, alumni relations, grant writing, communications/marketing, and volunteer management. Throughout his career, his passion for inspiring and helping others achieve their dreams and aspirations defines who he is as a person.
Prior to joining NGA, Kevin served as the director of annual giving at Loyola Marymount University, where he managed the school’s $6 million annual fund and supported development officers from various schools, colleges, and programs across campus. Most recently, Kevin served in senior leadership roles at Chaminade College Preparatory and La Salle College Preparatory supporting the fundraising, marketing, admissions, and community outreach efforts.
Kevin is a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, and has served as Chair of National Philanthropy Day and other executive committee board positions. He is actively involved in the Pasadena community and serves on the school board of St. Philip the Apostle as Vice-President for Development. Kevin earned his B.A. in Business Administration and M.A. in Secondary Education from Loyola Marymount University.
About Claire Groebner
Claire Groebner is the Associate Director at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, where she has been a part of the staff team for 10 years after starting out as a volunteer. She oversees Olivewood’s community-centric resource generation activities, supports communications, strategic planning and partnerships, staff development, and program development; and engages in community advocacy and food systems work. She is a co-steward of the Community-Centric Fundraising San Diego Chapter and is passionate about being a champion for reframing charity to justice, values-aligned resource organizing, and collective impact and care. Claire’s love for people, nature, and food inspired her to get involved in the food justice and farm-to-table movements, and eventually, with Olivewood Gardens. In her free time, you can find her hiking the trails of San Diego with her pup, dancing bachata and salsa, chopping it up in the kitchen, and connecting with friends and family over tasty food and drinks.
About Tarry Kang, CFRE
Tarry Kang, CFRE, serves as the Senior Director of Development for Student Affairs at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), bringing with her a wealth of experience and a strong record of success in higher education and nonprofit development. Since joining CSUN in 2021 as the Director of Development for the University Library and Centers, Tarry played a pivotal role in securing major achievements such as the acquisition of the Dickens Collection for Special Collections & Archives, a Max Factor Family Foundation grant for the Bridge to the Future Scholars Program, and funding for the Library’s first Tataviam educational mural.
Prior to CSUN, she held key leadership roles at organizations including Village Family Services, Ascencia Homeless Shelter, and MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity demonstrating a deep commitment to addressing basic needs and supporting vulnerable communities.
Tarry’s in-depth knowledge of CSUN and its development processes, combined with her passion for student success, make her a driving force in Student Affairs. She also currently serves as President of the AFP Greater San Fernando Valley Chapter for 2025-2026.
About Dan Mueller
Dan Mueller is a dynamic, embodied nonprofit leader who values community, equity and social change. Dan has over a decade of experience with diverse nonprofits and volunteer-based organizations such as the U.S. Peace Corps and Slow Food USA. Her passion for cultural exchange has sent her to Belize, Jamaica and Puerto Rico to support grassroots community development initiatives in education, agriculture and sustainability. Since moving to San Diego in 2018, Dan has supported numerous community-led environmental initiatives through resource and partnership development. Dan recently obtained their Master of Arts in Peace & Justice from the Kroc School of Peace Studies and is also a certified yoga instructor. She finds healing and deep solidarity in co-stewarding San Diego’s Chapter of Community Centric Fundraising. Outside of work, Dan finds purpose in being a plant and pet parent, receiving the title of “cool auntie” from her niblings, and joyfully eating her way through life one adventure at a time.
About Alex Perkins
As Digital Giving Specialist at California State University San Marcos since August 2020, Alex Perkins has developed and overseen a robust crowdfunding program and supported campus wide initiatives for the annual CSUSM Giving Day, extending the annual giving program to broader audiences and funding opportunities. She serves as the primary contact CSUSM’s online giving platform vendor, ensuring the website maximizes platform features for increased participation and enhanced donor experience. She consults with project sponsors, provides best practices, and manages campaign timelines, content, and metrics.
Additionally, Alex leads all crowdfunding projects, coordinating with Advancement Services to ensure proper tracking and deposit of gifts. In Annual Giving Programs, she assists with direct mail, student philanthropy, and faculty/staff giving initiatives, fostering relationships with student organizations and staff to encourage philanthropy.
Alex’s contributions have been recognized with two CASE Global Circle of Excellence awards in 2024 and “Best in Annual Giving” awards for the “Calling Dibs” Employee Giving video (2023) and “Volunteer Materials” (2024) from the Annual Giving Network. She was recently named a 2025 CASE District VII “Rising Star Award” recipient.
She is a proud CSUSM alum and mother to three daughters.
About Ben Gilbert
Ben Glibert is an experienced facilitator, trainer, and project manager. He has worked with nonprofit boards and staff members to facilitate strategic planning efforts and conduct energizing workshops. Ben’s career has included training activities to open new operations and bring company vision, mission, and values to Pinkberry locations throughout the world. He also served as director of operations to produce pop culture events around the country. In addition, Ben has a background in facilitating team-building events for both adults and children. He is active in the International Association of Facilitators community, helping to organize the 2024 Conference of The Americas and spearheading a Western Washington facilitator support group. He holds a facilitation certificate from the Facilitation Center at Eastern Kentucky University.
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About Kimberly Bottom
Kimberly Bottom is a passionate storyteller and a sharp strategic thinker with 15 years of experience in digital media, spending the last 10 years primarily focused on digital content and marketing for nonprofits. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Florida, and work that earned an award from the Associated Press, Kimberly has gathered, produced and distributed thousands of hours of content to inform and inspire audiences. In her current role as the Director of Community Engagement at Feathr, Kimberly consults with nonprofits of all shapes and sizes on the most effective and efficient ways to know, grow and engage their audiences.
About Lisa Gonzalez
Lisa Gonzalez is the Senior Competitive Intelligence Manager at Bloomerang who loves understanding and connecting with customers to help them solve problems. Drawing on her extensive experience launching and explaining innovative technologies for major brands such as Klaviyo, Sony, and Qualcomm, she is now dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations grow and thrive.
About Geoff Green
Geoff Green is the CEO of CalNonprofits, an alliance of over 10,000 nonprofits advancing policy advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across California.
Prior to CalNonprofits, Geoff served as CEO of California’s largest community college foundation, was a leader in the College Promise movement, and helped secure a record $100M gift to two dozen community colleges. Before that he served as Executive Director of an activist-led social justice fund. His previous work includes public affairs radio programming, campaign field organizing, and as a nonprofit trainer / facilitator.
With nearly 30 years of experience in (and a love of) the nonprofit sector, Geoff also consults professionally. As a volunteer auctioneer, he has raised over $6 million for more than 60 nonprofit organizations and frequently emcees events, moderates panels, and facilitates discussions on community issues. His other community work includes more than ten years of public affairs radio programming and as a campaign field organizer.
Geoff served as President of the Board of the Santa Barbara Ventura Counties Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2012, President of the Foundation Roundtable of Santa Barbara County from 2014 to 2015, and as Chair of the Board of Directors for the California Association of Nonprofits from 2016 to 2018. He also served on the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara from 2008 through 2021.
He joined the Board of Directors of Peabody Charter School in 2020, Latinos LEAD in 2021, and the Community Environmental Council in 2022. He also serves on several advisory boards including the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at California Lutheran University, and the Steering Committee for YouthWell.
About Amaya Howard, MPA
Amaya Howard, MPA, is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Samaritan Grants Consulting. She boasts over ten years of invaluable experience as a grant writer and fund development specialist for nonprofit organizations. After graduating from the University of North Texas with a major in Political Science and a Master’s of Public Administration, focusing on Nonprofit Management, Amaya has dedicated her career to public service and advocacy for Black and disenfranchised communities. Currently based in Philadelphia, PA, Amaya actively contributes to increasing the organizational capacity of nonprofit organizations nationwide. Amaya’s rich background in donor development and grant writing allows her to employ her extensive experience to help nonprofits develop robust long-term funding strategies and implementation plans. Amaya is a vocal advocate of asset framing, challenging deficit-based narratives, and empowering organizations to highlight the strengths and aspirations of the communities they serve. Amaya actively participates in professional networks and events outside her consulting work to further advocate for equity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector.
About Katarina Leiser
Katarina Leiser is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over a decade of expertise in fundraising and resource development. She spent the bulk of her nonprofit career at the Legal Action Center in New York, raising millions of dollars in support of restorative opportunities for people with arrest records, substance use disorders, and HIV or AIDS. At Instrumentl, Katarina has leveraged her frontline fundraising experience to guide hundreds of nonprofits in building strategic pipelines for grant funding and foundation partnerships. Previously, she served as an Account Manager at Classy (GoFundMe). Katarina holds an M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management from Baruch College.
About Margie Newman Tsay
Margie Newman Tsay is founding partner of Intesa Communications Group, a widely respected and highly regarded women-owned business championing causes and initiatives throughout San Diego. On speed-dial for high-profile leaders in San Diego and beyond, Margie’s impressive industry know-how, reputation management expertise and unmatched energy drive continued successes for Intesa’s clients. Her career has spanned public, private, government and nonprofit entities, including serving as a press aide to former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, and as a media relations and social media manager for The Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C. Following her move to America’s Finest City in 2012, Margie single-handedly launched what is today one of the most sought-after, top ten PR and government relations firms in San Diego, according to the San Diego Business Journal.
Among the San Diego nonprofit organizations with which Margie has been actively involved over the past 13 years, she currently serves as the board chair of the YMCA of San Diego County, the largest Y in the country. She is actively involved on the boards of the Downtown San Diego Partnership and La Jolla Country Day School. Margie is also a member of Sharp HealthCare’s Marketing Committee, serving in an advisory capacity with other top San Diego communications professionals.
Margie’s confidence-building and reputation-enhancing successes regularly receive widespread commendations from associations and publications at the local and national level. Margie’s been named among San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year numerous times, was the International Association of Business Communicators San Diego 2018 Communicator of the Year and was a 2025 San Diego Business Journal CEO of the Year finalist.
A proud War Eagle at heart and active alumni of Auburn University, Margie is a charismatic and in-demand leader, public speaker, event emcee, and podcast guest. Still, her greatest joy comes from her family — Kai, Owen, Jake, Suzie and CJ.
About Linda Spuck
Linda is principal of Linda Spuck Consulting, dedicated to helping nonprofits find effective ways to achieve their mission through strategic planning, fundraising counsel and legacy giving. Her organization focuses on sharing best practices gleaned from over 20 years of experience in the philanthropic sector. Linda also serves part-time as Chief Gift Planning Officer for Sharp HealthCare Foundation, overseeing planning and marketing as well as staff and board training for San Diego’s largest healthcare provider. She partners with individual giving officers to secure current and deferred gifts. Linda currently serves as Board President for San Diego Opera.
About Kerry Toolan
From the moment Kerry Toolan walked into her college radio station, she knew the nonprofit world was home. Over the past 30+ years, she’s led high-impact fundraising and advancement efforts across sectors—including education, the arts, museums, and community-based organizations. A business coach once said Kerry was “genetically engineered” to thrive in the nonprofit space—and her career has proven that true.
Kerry’s leadership experience spans capital campaigns, major gift and planned giving programs, annual and membership fundraising, six- and seven-figure events, and board and organizational development. Whether expanding donor pipelines or building internal infrastructure, she brings strategy, heart, and results.
Trained early in her career by fundraising icon Jerry Panas and later influenced by the management philosophies of Peter Drucker, Kerry has blended visionary leadership with practical know-how to help organizations grow and thrive. Today, she channels that experience as a leadership and impact coach for nonprofit professionals, helping leaders prevent burnout and take back control of their time, energy, and focus.
Kerry holds a master’s in Arts and Cultural Management from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving. She is also certified in productivity and motivation coaching, and in implementing an Outward Mindset through the Arbinger Institute—bringing both strategic and human-centered tools to her coaching practice.
About Siddhartha Vivek
As a first-generation American and “latchkey kid” from Boston, Sidd has come a long way – literally and figuratively – from a Boys and Girl Club in to Boston being named San Diego Business Journal’s CEO of the Year (2022). From Boston to working on education policy in Washington, DC and now San Diego, his cross-country career has focused on thinking globally and acting locally to help build thriving, inclusive local communities through youth empowerment.
As President & CEO of Junior Achievement of San Diego County (JA San Diego), Sidd and his team are focused on social mobility for underrepresented young people using experiential lessons, skill development and social capital to develop economic resilience through financial wellness and workforce development. Prior to JA San Diego, Sidd spent 11 years at the YMCA of San Diego in leadership roles overseeing marketing, fundraising, and strategic partnerships.
Currently, Sidd serves on the Board of Directors for San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the NTC Foundation, and the President’s Advisory Council for Southwestern College.
About Jeff Spitko
As Senior Director of Integrated Fundraising for San Diego Foundation, Jeff leads the development of innovative, multichannel fundraising strategies to acquire, steward, and retain new donors. Through traditional and digital channels, he focuses on creating strategically coordinated donor journeys that drive fundraising across one-time, monthly, annual, and mid-level giving to support San Diego Foundation’s operations and impact.
Prior to joining San Diego Foundation, Jeff was the Director of Membership & Audience Management for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. In his role, he led the acquisition, retention, and cultivation strategies for the organization’s mass market donors, monthly giving sustainers, VIPs, and membership base of approximately 400,000 individuals. During Jeff’s 11 years with the organization, the annual revenue for these direct response programs more than doubled from $26MM to over $57MM.
Spitko also previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer at the LGBTQ Victory Fund & Institute, he spearheaded digital marketing strategies in several leadership roles with Vanguard, and performed as a brand spokesperson on QVC for numerous multimillion-dollar electronics corporations including Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark, Panasonic, Casio, GE, Pentax, and Fuji.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in communications from York College of Pennsylvania.
About Karin Cox
Karin has helped Kinetic clients raise hundreds of millions of dollars through customized, research-based counsel and guidance. She is adept at drawing out the potential in nonprofits and providing the confidence and competencies they need to raise more money than they ever thought possible. Karin has served in senior leadership roles in nonprofit and business sectors, and is an author, frequent presenter and senior consultant. Karin is the author of Fundraising Leadership: The Essential Guide for Nonprofit Board Members Who Want to Make a Lasting Difference. She developed the widely adopted Cox Grid, which was first presented in her “Fundraising Events” chapter in Fundraising Principles and Practice, the definitive fundraising text published by Jossey-Bass. Karin serves on the board of Kentucky to the World. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
About Janell Johnson
Janell’s track record serving Kinetic clients speaks for itself: She routinely exceeds her clients’ expectations and breaks fundraising records. She is well versed in capital campaign organization and execution; major gift identification; event planning; cultivation and solicitation strategies; annual fund development; planned gift acquisition; and strategic planning. She also has considerable experience in board development, strategic planning and staff management. Prior to joining Kinetic, Janell served in development roles at Michigan State University and Western Michigan University. She was also the Director of Annual Giving at University of North Carolina-Wilmington. She holds a Bachelor in Elementary Education degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Administration and Certification of Nonprofit Leadership Administration from Western Michigan University.
About Hanna Jensen
With more than 10 years professional experience across local organizations designing, implementing, and scaling youth development programming, Hanna Jensen continues to be a leader and advocate for empowering youth in San Diego. As Chief Impact Officer, Hanna is responsible for aligning fundraising with program delivery/design, with a focus on quality, equity, and sustainability. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree from SDSU, Hanna earned a Masters in Social Innovation from Pepperdine University and sits on the board for statewide nonprofit Cal-SAC and Toby Wells YMCA.
About LaShonda Williams, MPA, CFRE
LaShonda Williams, MPA, CFRE, is a Trainer at National University Fundraising Academy. Since joining the Fundraising Academy, she has been recognized as a thought leader. Her expertise includes developing and presenting curriculum, coordinating conferences, publishing articles, and mentorship for new industry professionals. Possessing over two decades of experience in fundraising prior roles, LaShonda was previously employed at South Texas College of Law, Houston associate director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, where she created and led the implementation of the alumni engagement strategic plan. Her efforts led to a 50% increase in alumni engagement and giving during the milestone Centennial year.
Employed at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, for eight years, her role as director of Annual Giving PVAMU transitioned alumni affinity into philanthropic support, increasing alumni unrestricted and endowment giving by over 300%. LaShonda’s career in higher education began at the University of Houston, where her program management and relationship-building talents impacted three divisions: College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and Bauer College of Business over the course of twelve years.
Currently, LaShonda serves as Philanthropy Manager at Memorial Hermann Hospital System. She possesses a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University. LaShonda is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a life member of PVAMU National Alumni Association.
About Cassie Carter
Cassie Carter, Ph.D. is Vice President and West Region Director at Campbell & Company. She brings 30 years of passion for nonprofits, focusing on strategic and fundraising planning that builds a shared understanding of mission, leveraging strengths of organizations to achieve long-term success. Prior coming to Campbell eight years ago, Cassie was Associate Vice President for Development and Director of Campaigns at Hawaii Pacific University, Associate Vice President for Development Operations Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Executive Director of the Montana Outdoor Science School. Currently she serves as immediate past president for the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Los Angeles Chapter, as board chair for the Foundation for Pierce College, and is a member of the faculty for the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Cal Lutheran.
Cassie has a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in public administration from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s in biology from California State University, Northridge.
About Carolina De La Cueva
Carolina is a financial sales consultant in PNC Organizational Financial Wellness. Carolina works directly with employees to educate and engage them on the financial wellness benefits being offered and to provide individualized guidance based on where each employee is at on their financial wellness journey.
Carolina is a Financial Sales Consultant with over 13 years of experience in banking, specializing in helping individuals feel empowered and confident in their financial decisions. With a strong foundation in retail banking including eight years as a branch manager in North County she now guides clients through personalized strategies to support their immediate needs and long term goals. Through PNC Workplace Banking, Carolina partners with employees of mid-sized to large companies, providing tailored financial guidance to help them take control of their finances. She leverages a wide range of PNC tools, products, and resources to reduce financial stress and support overall financial wellness. Her expertise includes credit building, savings strategies, debt management, and home lending. Carolina works closely with internal mortgage partners to support clients on the path to homeownership, refinancing, or home equity solutions. Certified in Crucial Conversations and a graduate of the Regional Banking Academy, Retail Leadership Academy, and
Branch Mastery Program, Carolina brings both expertise and empathy to every client interaction.
About Katie Effland
Kate Efffland brings 15 years of diverse fundraising and nonprofit management experience to her work at Campbell & Company. She understands that data-driven donor engagement strategies paired with sound operations are critical pillars for any successful fundraising endeavor. Kate leads Campbell & Company’s methodology taskforce and is involved in Campbell & Company’s qualification services.
Prior to joining Campbell & Company in 2018, Kate held several leadership roles with the Taproot Foundation in Washington, DC, and New York City, culminating with her role as Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this position, Kate was responsible for fundraising, market-building, and community engagement efforts for Taproot Foundation’s capacity-building programs and corporate consulting division. She also worked for several human services and healthcare organizations in the Bay Area in various development positions, managing institutional fundraising efforts and donor databases.
Kate graduated with a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland – College Park and completed the Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service at NYU Wagner School of Public Service. Kate is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at University of Washington-Bothell. Kate is a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and is active in the Seattle nonprofit community.
About Renee Herrell Fitzgerald, M.A., CFRE
Ms. Fitzgerald founded Fitz Nonprofit Consulting in 2004 to serve nonprofit organizations with their fundraising needs. Ms. Fitzgerald has consulted for more than 100 nonprofit organizations and conducted 31 capital campaigns that have raised over $500 million. Her experience and savvy strategies empower clients to achieve – and exceed – their fundraising goals. She is adept at translating organization needs into clear, actionable and successful projects.
Ms. Fitzgerald holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Certificate in Fundraising and Development from University of California, San Diego. She is very active in the philanthropic community in San Diego and is a current member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation, University of San Diego Alumni Board and Women Give San Diego.
Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Ms. Fitzgerald loves to run on the beach, cross-country ski in the mountains, spend time with her family, travel the world, and host neighborhood BBQs.
About Tisha Hyter, CSRIC®
Tisha Hyter, CSRIC®, is a director of nonprofit strategy for PNC Institutional Asset Management. In this role, she helps enhance nonprofit client relationships through direct engagement by providing customized guidance. Using her knowledge of the nonprofit sector, she works directly with market teams and nonprofit clients in variety of areas including investments, governance and operational best practices, distribution strategies and philanthropic planning. As part of the Nonprofit Strategy & Solutions Group, she also contributes to thought leadership, presents at client events and works with key stakeholders in the community to promote PNC’s commitment to the nonprofit sector.
About Dr. Pam Luster
Dr. Pam Luster is President Emerita of San Diego Mesa College. Dr. Luster is the President/CEO of Luster Higher Ed Group, working to bring equitable, just, and inclusive practices to higher education leaders and institutions.
She is an adjunct professor in the San Diego State University doctoral program in Community College Leadership. Along with her California Community College Colleagues, Dr. Keith Curry and Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Dr. Luster is a co-founder of Equity Avengers. They host a weekly program called #EquityChat on Twitter and are working with leaders to embed racial equity, critical humility, and learning across our systems. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Student Services, Interim Vice President of Instruction, and Dean of Academic Services at Las Positas College. At West Valley College, she held the Dean of Career Education and Workforce Development position and started her career as a faculty member in the Disabled Students program.
Dr. Luster’s service includes membership on several local, state, and national boards, including San Diego Youth Services, San Diego Mesa College Foundation, California Community College Athletics Association, and Community College Baccalaureate Association & Bayside Community Center. She previously served on the Chief Executive Officers of California Community Colleges (CEOCCC) Board and was co-chair of the CEOCCC Task Force on Affordability, Food, and Housing.
About Alex Nuñez
Over the past decade, Alex has led strategic operational initiatives that drive sustainable growth for Neighborhood Healthcare. His efforts have expanded Neighborhood’s services through establishing new and expanded health centers throughout San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties for a total of 29 centers (and growing!).
Previously, as Chief Growth Officer, Alex oversaw identifying communities in need of no-cost or low-cost healthcare and finding ways to meet these needs. He holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor’s in Public Health from San Diego State University. He is also a graduate of the Clinic Leadership Institute and the UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program.
About Laura White
Laura is a seasoned fundraiser, San Diego native, and daughter of a veteran. Not surprisingly, Laura is leading the campaign to build the new Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier. She oversees the capital campaign committee, fundraising, community engagement, and external messaging of the campaign.
About Kristin Wiggins
As the VP of Development for the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Kristin oversees the organization’s capital campaign to expand their facilities – doubling their size and services.
Kristin brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector focused on fundraising, board development and governance, program development, marketing, volunteer management, and special events. Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University. Kristin is an active member of the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club.
About Brian Zumbano
As Vice President, Chief Development & Stewardship Officer, Brian leads the Development and Stewardship Division, overseeing San Diego Foundation donor engagement and fundraising activities. He is responsible for expanding and diversifying the organization’s donor base through strategic efforts that will grow SDF’s assets and increase the impact of charitable giving in the region.
In his role as Chief of Staff, Brian supports SDF planning and processes that lead to overall organization excellence. He is responsible for the coordination of essential business activities of the organization, including talent, performance management, strategic planning, culture, facilities and resource development. He also provides support to the CEO regarding key external strategies that will assist SDF in reaching its stated goals.
Prior to joining SDF, Brian served as Senior Executive Director of Development for UC San Diego Health Sciences, where he managed a diverse team of development professionals responsible for principal and major gifts. In this role, Brian helped prepare the Health Sciences Advancement organizational structure for the launch of the Campaign for UC San Diego, in addition to stewarding multiple transformational gifts for the institution. Prior to this, Brian was Director of Development at Columbia University Medical Center and Development Officer at New York University, where he helped facilitate major-and-principal gifts.
Brian earned his bachelor’s degree at Boston College, as well as two master’s degrees in Strategic Communications from Columbia University, and World History from New York University
About Bryant Weathers, CSPG
Bryant Weathers is an experienced communications and charitable gift planning specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in fundraising, web design, publications, data analysis, reporting, technical writing, student, alumni, and donor relations.
Refugee and Immigrant Cultural Hub
Valley Creek Apartments
Avanzando
Serra Mesa Apartments
Casa Maria
SDSU Mission Valley
Cuatro at City Heights
Hillcrest Hall
Evelyn’s Place
1620 State Street
17th & Commercial Apartments
About Ciara Claraty
Ciara Claraty is a consultant with Alford Group, bringing over a decade of experience in strategic planning, change management, organizational development, and executive coaching. She has partnered with nonprofit organizations and Fortune 1000 companies to elevate leadership capabilities, guide teams through transformational change, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Ciara is known for her ability to facilitate high-impact strategic planning and scenario planning processes that help organizations navigate complexity and prepare for the future. She has trained more than 3,500 professionals globally in diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, and has supported clients in designing and implementing meaningful DEI strategies. Her expertise in change management ensures that teams are not only aligned around strategy but also equipped to adapt, lead, and thrive through transitions.
Grounded in a deep commitment to equity and impact, Ciara works alongside her clients to unlock their highest potential and build dynamic, inclusive, and resilient organizations.
About Una Osili
Dr. Una Osili is the Executive Director of Philanthropy, Strategy and Operations at the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. She previously held the Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy and served as Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She was appointed as the Dean’s Fellow for the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy.
An internationally recognized scholar in economics and philanthropy, Osili led the research and writing of Giving USA, the longest-running and most comprehensive annual report on the sources and uses of charitable giving in America. She also launched the research and publication of the school’s Global Philanthropy Tracker and the Global Philanthropy Environment Index. She is the founder of Generosity for Life, a digital platform, and chairs the school’s signature research project, the Philanthropy Panel Study, the most comprehensive study of the generosity of American families over time.
Osili has provided expert testimony at the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, and a subcommittee of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on philanthropy and international development.
Osili received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University.
About Linda Katz
Equity and justice are the core values that drive Linda Katz’s passions.
As a full-time community volunteer and social/civic activist for more than four decades, Linda is passionate about uplifting and empowering women and girls, especially those who have been historically underrepresented and under resourced.
Linda is the Founding President of The San Diego Women’s Foundation and Co-Founder of Women Give San Diego. Having been involved with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest for 40+ years, she is committed to ensuring broad public access to sexual and reproductive health care through direct service, education, and advocacy.
Linda is actively engaged; working with organizations that advance the economic security of women and girls in our community who have been historically underrepresented and under resourced, particularly United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST) and Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. Linda currently serves on the Advisory Councils of Lifeline Community Services, Salaam Youth and Community Center, and San Diego Center for Children. Additionally, Linda will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in November, year 25 for her; having raised $100K+ for breast cancer research.
As a 1990 graduate of LEAD San Diego IMPACT, Linda is a past Board Chair of LEAD San Diego, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Serving Seniors, and Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. Additional past Board service includes San Diego Foundation, Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation, United Way of San Diego County, Junior League of San Diego, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Francis Parker School, and San Diego Symphony.
Linda has served as Chair and Co-Chair of many milestone charitable events including: San Diego Center for Children Anniversary 133rd Anniversary Celebration, Barrio Logan College Institute’s Opportunity for Impact Annual Fundraiser, the 90th Anniversary Charity Ball benefitting Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala, Junior League’s Encore, Girl Scouts’ 10th Anniversary Urban Campout, and San Diego Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Gala. She also served as Honorary Chair for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) National Philanthropy Day 2013-2014.
Linda has received numerous awards including: LEAD San Diego’s Neil Morgan Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, Women’s Empowerment International 2024 Woman of Empowerment Award and the inaugural Champion of Change Award presented by Girl Scouts San Diego at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace’s 2025 Women’s Symposium, Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger Award, LEAD San Diego’s Graduate of the Year Award, Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary’s Distinguished Service Award, Junior League’s Spirit of Volunteerism Award. San Diego Magazine’s Community Volunteer of the Year Award, Serving Seniors’ Advocacy Hero Award, Girl Scouts’ Cool Woman Award, and the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Development Volunteer of the Year Award. Linda and her husband, Mel, received the San Diego Rotary Club 2017 Mr. and Mrs. San Diego Award.
Linda and Mel have been married for 48 years and live in Del Mar. They have three adult children, Lindsey, Ashley and Jeffrey, and five grandchildren, Nicole, Noah, Donovan, JoJo, and Evander.
About Noun Abdelaziz
Noun Abdelaziz is a community organizer, health researcher, and MA candidate in Global Health at UC San Diego. With deep roots in public health advocacy, mental health education, and nutrition research, Noun brings both heart and insight to her work. As a Sudanese Egyptian immigrant and poet, she weaves her lived experience into every space she enters and creates connections that are both meaningful and grounded in culture.
Noun is a Community Catalyst at the United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST), where she works to uplift community voices and drive youth-centered initiatives. She also proudly represents UWEAST on the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition’s Policy Council, advocating for policies that reflect the needs and strengths of refugee communities.
As a previous youth participant herself, Noun is deeply committed to giving back — mentoring and supporting the next generation of youth leaders with care and intention.
Over the years, her leadership has been recognized through several honors, including a nomination for the 2018 California Endowment Youth Awards, the 2019 National Philanthropy Day’s Outstanding Youth/Student Volunteer award, and the American Heart Association’s 2020 Student Scholar award. She was also highlighted by U.S. News & World Report as a “Citizen of the World.”
Whether she’s leading research with the UC San Diego Refugee Health Unit or showing up for her community through storytelling and advocacy, Noun continues to center healing, justice, and belonging in all that she does.
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