Our Team
The San Diego Women’s Foundation staff works closely with members, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to advance our mission and support our collective impact. Their dedication helps bring our programs, events, and grantmaking to life.
Stephanie Cook
Executive Director
Since joining the San Diego Women’s Foundation in 2018, Stephanie has led the organization’s strategic growth and community impact through collaborative philanthropy. As Executive Director, she works closely with members, partners, and community leaders to advance SDWF’s mission of empowering women and creating meaningful change across San Diego. With a background in intersectional feminist studies, Stephanie considers herself a social justice advocate and is passionate about building inclusive spaces where collective giving and community leadership can thrive.
Contact Stephanie if you have questions about:
- Partnership or collaboration
- Corporate sponsorship opportunities
- The SDWF mission, vision or strategic initiatives
- Speaking engagements
- Planned giving and other ways to invest in SDWF
- Becoming a member
- Joining a committee
- Ways to get involved
Angela Fujii
Programs & Grants Manager
Since joining the San Diego Women’s Foundation in 2023, Angela has supported the Foundation’s grantmaking and educational initiatives that connect members with community needs across San Diego. She manages the Foundation’s grants process and works closely with member committees, including the Discovery, Inquiry & Guidelines (DIG), Programs, and Collaboration Committees, to guide research, education, and collective grantmaking efforts. Angela earned a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University and has worked in various roles with several nonprofits throughout her career.
Contact Angela if you have questions about:
- Our grants process
- Grant application status
- Discovery, Inquiry, & Guidelines (DIG) Committee
- Programs Committee
- Collaboration Committee
- Upcoming educational events
Ahtziri Ayala
Senior Specialist, Membership & Communications
Since joining the San Diego Women’s Foundation in 2022, Ahtziri has been passionate about bringing members together and sharing the Foundation’s impact through storytelling. She creates meaningful opportunities for connection through events, communications, and digital campaigns that strengthen the SDWF community. Ahtziri leads the Fellowship and Membership Committees, supporting initiatives that foster engagement and collaboration across the Foundation. She holds a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Digital and Social Media Studies from San Diego State University.
Contact Ahtziri if you have questions about:
- Donations
- Membership dues
- Tax receipts
- Stock transfer instructions
- Event registration
- Collaboration Committee
- Membership Committee
- Fellowship Committee
- Upcoming social events
- Our website
- Social media
- The SDWF email newsletter
Quote from
Kelsey Wadman
Megan and I were assigned the project of creating a "roadmap" to convert the SDWF grantmaking to multi-year giving. My project was so fulfilling! Megan and I successfully created a plan that was tailored to the SDWF's unique approach to democratic grant making. We partnered with the Grants Committee and the Board to help them make adjustments, presented the plan to the Board and the full membership, and it was voted into practice! This was one of the most satisfying accomplishments in my career.
Quote from
Kim Heinle
When I applied for the Exec. Director position at Bayside Community Center in 2020, one of two letters of recommendation I submitted was from Elaine Kalin, who not only encouraged me to apply for the SDWF Fellowship Program in 2016, but who has continued to support me throughout the years. That speaks volumes to the impact of the SDWF.
Quote from
Tina Williams
Participating in the full grant cycle as a SDWF member improved my grant writing and grant management skills as well as my facilitation skills. I've gained confidence through my experiences in SDWF and have made connections and friendships that I greatly value.