Level Up SD Archives

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 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 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 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.

In Memory of Simon Silva

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