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

Professional Headshot of Dan Baldwin
Dan Baldwin

President/CEO

831.375.9712 x115

Philanthropic Services & Communications

Professional Headshot of Christine-Dawson
Christine Dawson, CFRE

Senior Vice President Philanthropic Services

831.375.9712 x126
Professional Headshot of Cecilia “Ceci” Romero
Cecilia “Ceci” Romero, CFRE

Director of Gift Planning

831.375.9712 x124
Professional Headshot of Brian Thayer
Brian Thayer

Senior Philanthropic Services Officer

831.375.9712 x144
Professional Headshot of Alisa Smith
Alisa Smith

Philanthropic Services Officer

831.375.9712 x141
Amanda Holder

Director of Communications

831.375.9712 x123
Professional Headshot of Gina Delli-Gatti
Gina Delli-Gatti

Communications Officer

831.375.9712 x117
Professional Headshot of Jasmine Menor
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

Professional Headshot of Laurel Lee-Alexander
Laurel Lee-Alexander

Vice President of Community Impact

831.375.9712 x112
Janet Shing

Director of Grantmaking

831.754.5880 x137
Professional Headshot of Michael Castro
Michael Castro

Director of Community Initiatives and Partnerships

831.375.9712 x127
Professional Headshot of Nick Zafiratos
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
Professional Headshot of Joel Hernandez Laguna
Joel Hernandez Laguna

Community Impact and Equity Manager

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

Professional Headshot of Susie Polnaszek
Susie Polnaszek

Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

831.375.9712 x138
Reid Norris

Leadership Development Specialist

831.375.9712 x155

Finance & Operations

Professional Headshot of Kim Drabner
Kim Drabner

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
Professional Headshot of Sarah Elias
Sarah Elias

Senior Accountant

831.375.9712 x128
Professional Headshot of Araceli Malone
Araceli Malone

Accountant

831.375.9712 x114
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
Staff Member Reyna
Reyna Urzua

Administrative Officer

831.375.9712 x118
Professional Headshot of Chalet Booker
Chalet Booker

Administrative Officer

831.375.9712 x122
Professional Headshot of 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.

2024 board members (l to r): Kirk Gafill (Chair), Elsa Mendoza Jimenez (Vice Chair) Jesse Lopez, CPA (Treasurer), Kathleen Lee (Secretary), Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Mary Claypool, Robert Cullen, Deneen Guss, Romero Jalomo, Giff Lehman, Adriana Melgoza, René Mendez, Larry Oda, Colby Pereira, Joe Pezzini, Francine Rodd, Julie Roth, Jennifer L. Walker, Tyller Williamson

  • Kirk Gafill (Chair), President/Chief Financial Officer, Nepenthe/Phoenix Corporation
  • Elsa Mendoza Jimenez (Vice Chair), Director of Health Services, Monterey County Health Department
  • Jesse Lopez (Treasurer), Managing Partner of Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP
  • Kathleen Lee (Secretary), Director of Governmental and Community Affairs, Pebble Beach Company Foundation
  • Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Medical Director, La Gloria Medical Clinic
  • Mary Claypool, Owner, Claypool Consulting
  • Robert Cullen, Owner, Robert Cullen Insurance & Financial Services Agency, Council Member City of King
  • Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
  • Romero Jalomo, Vice President of Student Affairs, Hartnell Community College
  • Giff Lehman, Founder, Integris Wealth Management (Retired)
  • Adriana Melgoza, Familias Con Mas Director, Ventures
  • René Mendez, City Manager, City of Watsonville
  • Larry Oda, Community Volunteer, JACL National President
  • Colby Pereira, Chief Operating Officer, Braga Fresh Family Farms
  • Joe Pezzini, Senior Director of Agricultural Operations, Taylor Farms
  • Francine Rodd, Executive Director, First Five Monterey County
  • Julie Roth, Wealth Manager, Monterey Private Wealth
  • Jennifer L. Walker, Attorney/Principal, Leach & Walker
  • Tyller Williamson, Mayor of Monterey

2024 Past Board Chairs Luncheon Standing (l to r) CFMC President/CEO Dan Baldwin, Birt Johnson, Jr., Kurt Gollnick, Clay Larson, Mary Wright, Rick Kennifer, Dick Borda, Craig Johnson, David Benjamin, Greg Chilton, David Armanasco, Bob House, CFMC Senior VP, Philanthropic Resources, Christine Dawson Seated (l to r) Teri Belli, Kip Hudson, Kirk Gafill, Kevin Cartwright, Bertie Elliott

  • Kirk Gafill 2023-2024, Current Chair
  • 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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