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Staff & Board

Please contact us at 831.375.9712 Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 5:00 p.m. or visit our Monterey or Salinas office at the address below. 

President/CEO

Dan Baldwin

President/CEO

831.375.9712 x115

Philanthropic Services & Communications

Professional Headshot of Cecilia “Ceci” Romero
Cecilia “Ceci” Romero, CFRE

Vice President of Philanthropic Services

831.375.9712 x124
Anna Faith
Anna Faith

Director of Gift Planning

831.375.9712 x126
Brian Thayer
Brian Thayer

Director of Donor Services

831.375.9712 x144
Professional Headshot of Alisa Smith
Alisa Smith

Senior Philanthropic Services Officer

831.375.9712 x141
Amanda Holder

Director of Communications

831.375.9712 x123
Gina Delli-Gatti

Communications Officer

831.375.9712 x117
Jasmine Menor

Philanthropic Services and Events Coordinator

831.375.9712 x120
Professional Headshot of Jakie Marquez
Jakie Marquez

Philanthropic Services and Scholarships Assistant

831.375.9712 x110

Community Impact

Laurel Lee-Alexander
Laurel Lee-Alexander

Vice President of Community Impact

831.375.9712 x112
Janet Shing

Director of Grantmaking

831.754.5880 x137
Michael Castro
Michael Castro

Director of Community Initiatives and Partnerships

831.375.9712 x127
Nick Zafiratos

COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) Manager

831.754.5880 x134
Professional Headshot of Esther Figueroa
Esther Figueroa

Scholarships and Community Impact Manager

831.754.5880 x107
Daniela “Dani” Cervantes

Community Impact and Equity Officer

831.754.5880 x133
Professional Headshot of Jessica Alcantar-Tinajero
Jessica Alcantar-Tinajero

Grants and Office Coordinator

831.754.5880 x135

Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Susie Polnaszek

Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

831.375.9712 x138
Reid Norris

Program Manager, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

831.375.9712 x155

Finance & Operations

Professional Headshot of Kim Drabner
Kim Drabner

Senior Vice President of Finance and Human Resources

831.375.9712 x116
Professional Headshot of Daniel Faith
Daniel Faith

Director of Finance

831.375.9712 x105
Sarah Elias

Senior Accountant

831.375.9712 x128
Gina Cervantes

Accountant

831.375.9712 x108
Professional Headshot of Maria Nicora Hauman
Maria Nicora Hauman

Director of Operations

831.375.9712 x113
Karina Gutierrez-Barboza

Grants and Data Manager

831.375.9712 x101
Chalet Booker

Senior Administrative Officer

831.375.9712 x122
Reyna Urzua

Administrative Officer

831.375.9712 x118
Vanessa Miranda
Vanessa Miranda

Administrative Coordinator

831.375.9712 x100

Board of Directors

The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) is governed by a volunteer board of directors. These community leaders provide strong stewardship by establishing policy, setting priorities and approving final grant decisions. Members serve three-year terms, and their expertise, diverse perspectives and guidance drive our success.

2025 Board of Directors

2025 board members (l to r): Elsa Mendoza Jimenez (Chair), Joe Pezzini (Vice Chair) Jesse Lopez, CPA (Treasurer), Kathleen Lee (Secretary), Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Mary Claypool, Robert Cullen, Kirk Gafill, Deneen Guss, Romero Jalomo, Adriana Melgoza, René Mendez, Larry Oda, Francine Rodd, Julie Roth, John Tilley, Jennifer L. Walker, Tyller Williamson

  • Elsa Mendoza Jimenez (Chair), Director of Health Services, Monterey County Health Department
  • Joe Pezzini (Vice Chair), Senior Director of Agricultural Operations, Taylor Farms (Retired)
  • Jesse Lopez (Treasurer), Managing Partner of Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP
  • Kathleen Lee (Secretary), Executive Director, Pebble Beach Company Foundation
  • Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Medical Director, La Gloria Medical Clinic
  • Mary Claypool, Owner, Claypool Consulting
  • Robert Cullen, Owner, Robert Cullen Financial Services Agency
  • Kirk Gafill, President/Chief Financial Officer, Nepenthe/Phoenix Corporation
  • Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
  • Romero Jalomo, Vice President of Student Affairs, Hartnell Community College
  • Adriana Melgoza, Executive Director of Watsonville Law Center 
  • RenĂ© Mendez, City Manager, City of Salinas
  • Larry Oda, past JACL National President
  • Francine Rodd, Executive Director, First Five Monterey County
  • Julie Roth, Advisor, Integris Wealth Management
  • John Tilley, Senior Vice President, Pinnacle Bank
  • Jennifer L. Walker, Attorney and Shareholder, Leach & Walker, A Professional Corporation
  • Tyller Williamson, Mayor of Monterey
2025 Past Chairs Luncheon Group

2025 Past Board Chairs Luncheon Standing (l to r) CFMC President/CEO Dan Baldwin, Rick Kennifer, Bill Doolittle, Craig Johnson, Clay Larson, Kirk Gafill, David Armanasco, Birt Johnson, Jr., David Benjamin, CFMC Vice President of Philanthropic Services Ceci Romero Seated (l to r) Mary Wright, Dick Borda, Kip Hudson, 2025-2026 Board Chair Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Bertie Elliott, Gail Delorey, Bob House

Past Board Chairs

  • Kirk Gafill 2023-2024
  • Teri Belli 2021-2022
  • Birt Johnson, Jr. 2019-2020
  • Ken Petersen, 2018
  • Steve McGowan, 2017
  • Greg Chilton, 2016
  • Rick Kennifer, 2015
  • Gail Delorey, 2014
  • Ann Brown, 2013
  • Craig Johnson, 2012
  • Kurt Gollnick, 2011
  • Richard Borda, 2009-2010
  • David Armanasco, 2007-2008
  • Mary Wright, 2005-2006
  • Kevin Cartwright, 2004
  • Robert House, 2002-2003
  • Kip Hudson, 2000-2001
  • Lewis Fenton, 1999
  • David Benjamin, 1997-1998
  • Clay C. Larson, 1996
  • Basil Mills, 1995
  • William Doolittle, 1993-1994
  • Roberta Bialek, 1990-1992
  • Wilfrid A. Daly, 1989
  • Kenneth Ehrman, 1988
  • Sydney P. Harrison, 1986-1987
  • Joseph A. Lee, 1984-1985
  • Peter Wright, 1981-1983

Monterey Peninsula Foundation*

  • Stoddard Johnston, 1980
  • Ruth Fenton, 1979
  • Howard Bucquet 1977-1978
  • Will Shaw
  • Jean Thomas
  • James vanLobenSels
  • Mrs. Henry Russell
  • Charles Kramer
  • Margaret Jacks
  • Col. Allen Griffin

*Name prior to 1981
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