Our Members
Our members are at the heart of SDWF. They are individuals who come together with a shared commitment to learning, giving, and making a meaningful impact in the San Diego community. Through collective philanthropy, our members combine their resources, voices, and perspectives to support nonprofits and drive change in our region.
Who Our Members Are
SDWF members come from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and professions, united by a desire to give back and stay connected to their community. Whether new to philanthropy or experienced in giving, members are welcomed into a collaborative and inclusive environment where every voice matters.
Why Members Join
Members join SDWF to:
Make a greater impact through collective giving
Learn about pressing community issues
Connect with others who share a commitment to philanthropy
Support nonprofits in a meaningful, informed way
Grow as leaders and changemakers
What Members Do
Members actively participate in every stage of the grantmaking process. Opportunities for engagement include:
Researching and selecting funding priorities
Reviewing grant applications and participating in site visits
Voting on grant recipients
Attending educational programs and community events
Serving on committees and in leadership roles
A Shared Commitment
At SDWF, every member has an equal voice in funding decisions. By coming together, members are able to give more thoughtfully, learn more deeply, and support nonprofits in ways that go beyond individual giving.
Quote from
VALERIE JACOBS
I have friends who I would have never met if it weren't for SDWF. Since we are form different parts of the county and work in a variety of professions, SDWF has provided an opportunity for us to come together around the same goal: improving the community. Working together to achieve something meaningful naturally results in lasting friendships. I feel blessed that I have met so many friends through SDWF.
Quote from
KRISHNA KABRA
I have formed so many meaningful relationships. With alum, current board members and members but most of all staff. There is such a genuine and heartfelt sense of community among us all. I love that. It’s not something that is easy to foster. Stephanie and the team bring such a wonderful positive culture to the Foundation – we as Board members simply amplify it.
Quote from
TD SMITH
One memorable moment from my time with SDWF was speaking to prospective fellowship participants about the foundation’s impact on my life. Standing alongside founding members and past fellows, I felt immense pride sharing my journey and offering a perspective that added depth to their understanding. It was a powerful reminder of the legacy we’re continuing to build together.
Membership Roster
As of March 27, 2026
Megan Adcock
Dede Alpert
Marisol Alvarado
Jeanette Amen
Nirvana Anaraki
Carter Anderson
Rithi Arora
Tiffany Ayres
Geri Bannister
Emily Bell
Kristy Bell
Sarah Benson
Stefanie Benvenuto
Katherine Bishop
Marjorie Blanchard
Natasha Bliss
Rochelle Bold
Gisele Bonitz
Margaret Bradley
Mariela Brambila
Heather Broderick
Ellie Bucklin
Kathleen Bush
Kathryn Varner Calise
Michelle Candland°
Lacey Cannon
Sofia Cardenas
Constance Carroll
Amy Castañeda
Kathryn Cavanah
Tee Cervantes
Lakeya Cherry
Susan Childs
Amanda Chin
Lauren Chin
Carolyn B. Colwell
Judy Conner*
Stephanie Cook
Emily Davis
Susan Davis
Bethlehem Degu
Beth Davenport
Alice Diamond
Jessica Diller
Carolyn Downey
Branka Duknic
Berit Durler*
Lizbeth Ecke*
Rashida Elimu
Phyllis Epstein
Mary Erlenborn
Pamela G. Fairley
Nadia Farjood
Anne S. Fege
Kelly Feuillet
Paulina Figueroa
Carolina Finch
Jennifer Fisher
Melinda Forstey
Alicia Foster*
Gail Friedt
Rosette Garcia
Pradeep Gidwani
Valerie Gionis
Edith A. Glassey
Susan Goodell
Barbara Groce*
Laura Gunn
Jennifer Gunsaullus
Christine L. Hall
Jasmine Hall
Jill Hall
Lyn Hall
Frances Hardy
Leslie Harrington
Leigh Hartman°~
Rebecca Blair Harutunian
Kim Heinle
Angelina Hendricks
Susan Hennenfent
Rochelle Hershfield
Karla J. Hertzog*
Linda Frances Hervey°
Yvonne Hildebrand
Cindi Hill°
Susan Howe°
Lulu Hsu
Amanda Iglesias
MariaEsther Izquierdo-Hemmen
Gina M. Jackson
Valerie Jacobs*°
Ebony James
Keshia Javis-Jones
Hanna Jensen
Ann Johns
Charlotte Jones
Katherine Jones
Christine Jorgensen
Jennifer June
Elaine Kalin°
Kristine Kappel
Nan C. Katona
Linda Katz*
Thespine Kavoulakis
Jessica Kidd
Linda Kiran
Kimberly Kleber
Amanda Klein
Leslie S. Klein
Carolyn Konecki
Harriet Kounaves
Alexandra Kritchevsky
Cynthia Kronemyer
Judith M. Krumholz
Janice Kurth°
Hema Lall°
Dugan Lamoise
Karen Lamphere
Luci Lander
Suzanne LaTour
Kathleen Lennard
Louise N. Lewis
Dianne Lookabaugh
Amanda Lopez
Pamela Luster
Ana Magdaleno
Margaret Mann
Jean Martinez°
Deborah Martin
Pauline Martinson
Stacy Matseas
Ann McDonald
Barbara McDonald-Repine
Debbie McGraw
Betsy McIntyre
Julie McKay
Madonna Messina
Shari Miller°
Jody Mincks°
Carol Mohan
Patricia Moises
Amanda Montgomery
Susan Morris
Andrea Moser
Mary-Rose Mueller
Janice P. Muller
Karen Nager
Virginia C. Nelson
Marjorie O’Malley
Ashley O’Leary
Phyllis Olefsky
Cynthia Olmstead*
Amber Pairis
Susan Papanek
Tyyne Parakhen
Shannon Pavell
Carmina Paz
Elizabeth Pennington
Giannina Pérez
Susan “Perky” Perkins
Becky Petitt
Heather Piedrahita
Allison Price
Joyce B. Rabens
Judith H. Radke*
Jena Ralls
Ann Rice°
Kristin Roadman
Valerie Rogatsky
Julie Roland
Jodyne Roseman
Heather Rossetti
Karla Samayoa
Carla Sanderson
Avneet Sandhu
Emma Santer
Angie Savvas
Katie Sawyer
Kathleen Schiavenza
Portia Seautelle
Mimi Seney
Darlene Shiley*
Denice Simmons
Sheridan Sinclaire-Bell°
TD Smith
Phyllis Snyder*
Stephanie Sontag
Dale Spector
Nancy Spector
Christine Spencer
Christina Stapke
Debbie Starke
Mary Beth Storjohann
Bridget Strickland
Shannon Stubblefield
Suzanne Sutton
Stephanie Swift
Ruth Tadesse
Carolyn Taylor°
Carol Tellez
Kathryne M. Thorpe
Tonya Torosian
Greta Treadgold
Lisa Turner
Rebecca Twomey
Erica Ueland
Kelsey Wadman
Jennifer Walker
Kim Ward
Katherine White
Kelly Wilkinson
Tina Williams
Sabrina Carnell-Williams
Helena Xu
Zhenxi Zhong
*SDWF Founding Member
°President’s Circle Member