WEINGART FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Manager, Learning
- MANAGER, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT
Aimée joined the Weingart Foundation as Manager, Learning and Assessment in 2019. She brings over a decade of experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods and is committed to using data to improve services that impact under-resourced communities. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a Senior Research Consultant at Harder+Company Community Research, where she developed evaluation and facilitation projects in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors. Aimée received her master's degree in public policy from the Goldman School at the University of California, Berkeley, and her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
- in 2017 As a Senior Accountant
Amy Eritsian joined the Weingart Foundation in 2017 as a Senior Accountant. Amy possesses over three years of experience in public accounting as a financial auditor, specializing in non-profits and private foundations. Before starting her career in accounting, she worked for Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Services. Amy holds a master's degree in accounting and financial management and a bachelor's degree in business marketing with a minor in media management from California State University, Northridge.
Job Titles:
- GRANTS MANAGER
- in 2009 As a Program Assistant
Angela Carr joined Weingart Foundation in 2009 as a program assistant. As Grants Manager, she is responsible for database management and information systems that support the Foundation's overall grantmaking. Prior to her transition into philanthropy, she worked with Boys & Girls Clubs for seven years. Angela holds a master's degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton, and a bachelor's degree from Hope International University in California.
Job Titles:
- PROGRAM OFFICER
- in 2022 As a Program Officer
Anthony joined the Weingart Foundation in 2022 as a Program Officer. He brings a decade of immigrant rights advocacy, organizing, campaign, and coalition-building experience. Anthony is a nationally recognized leader in the immigrant youth movement who firmly believes that directly impacted community members have a key role in leading and shaping social movements. As an experienced advocate and organizer, he has worked on innovative campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. Anthony recently served as the Dream Resource Center Project Director at the U.C.L.A. Labor Center. Before joining the U.C.L.A. Labor Center, he led the immigrant rights portfolio of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-L.A. Some of his proudest accomplishments include co-founding UPLIFT-an undocumented Asian and Pacific Islander youth-led organization in Los Angeles-and being recognized by Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) as an "Emerging Giant of Justice." Anthony is an alumnus of the Foundation's John W. Mack Movement Building Fellowship program and graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a bachelor's degree in Political Science.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
- Finance Team As an Administrative Assistant
Blanca Melchor joined the Finance Team as an Administrative Assistant in 2022. She has over 16 years of administrative experience including considerable experience in event coordination. Most recently, she was an Administrator/Events Coordinator at the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH).
Job Titles:
- for Media Inquiries Please Contact
Job Titles:
- CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
- Executive
- C.O.O
Brian Williams joined the Weingart Foundation in 2022 as the organization's first Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O.) where he plays an instrumental role in driving Weingart's innovation and operational excellence. Brian brings a wealth of expertise in corporate, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining Weingart, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Los Angeles Urban League where he was a key architect of their dramatic turnaround helping to rebuild and reestablish the esteemed 100-year-old civil rights and economic justice organization. Brian holds an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from Yale College.
Christopher Barahona joined the Weingart Foundation in 2019. As program associate, he provides project and administrative support to members of the program team, and reviews select grant requests. Chris holds a bachelor's degree in Visual/Public Arts and Art Curation from California State University, Monterey Bay and combines skills in the multidisciplinary arts with professional experience in community outreach and organizing. Much of his work and accomplishments have focused on strengthening civic engagement and empowerment among economically and culturally diverse communities.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- in 2024 As Its First Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships
- SENIOR DIRECTOR of STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS / Finance and Administration
Crystal Crawford joined the Weingart Foundation in 2024 as its first Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships where she manages relationships with key stakeholders to expand the impact and efficacy of the Weingart Foundation and its commitment to racial justice. Crystal has extensive experience in the legal, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors and most recently served as Executive Director of the Western Center on Law & Poverty, a trailblazing legal and advocacy organization that works to bring about systemic and structural change in every branch of government. Previously, she was a program director at The California Wellness Foundation where she developed the organization's groundbreaking Women's Initiatives, a multi-million-dollar investment that advanced the health and economic security of women of color. Before joining Cal Wellness, she served as C.E.O. of the California Black Women's Health Project, the first statewide organization solely devoted to improving the health of California's Black women and girls through policy, advocacy, education and outreach. Crystal earned her bachelor's degree in history from Dartmouth College and law degree from the New York University School of Law. She is admitted to the bar in California, New York and New Jersey.
Job Titles:
- Program Officer
- PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BLACK JUSTICE & HEALING
Dana Henry joined the Weingart Foundation as a Program Officer in 2020, focusing on the Foundation's grantmaking and broader funding strategy in South Los Angeles. She brings more than 20 years of experience working with and expanding opportunities for vulnerable children, youth and families in Los Angeles and other cities in the region. Dana previously worked with the L.A. affiliate of Communities In Schools (CIS), a national organization focused on helping children and their families access and navigate the maze of public and private services in school and community. She holds a bachelor's degree in American Literature from University of California, Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- PROGRAM OFFICER for HOUSING JUSTICE
Diana Amparo Jiménez (she/they) joined the Weingart Foundation in 2023 as the first Program Officer for Housing Justice. In this role, Diana fosters grantmaking, convening, public/private partnerships, advocacy, and communications to advance the Foundation's housing justice strategy in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties.
Before joining the Weingart Foundation, Diana served as Program Associate for the Homelessness Initiative at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and as Project Manager at T.R.U.S.T. South LA's Community Land Trust. She is a first-generation graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Policy, Planning, and Development - Sustainable Planning Emphasis from the University of Southern California, Sol Price School of Public Policy. Diana is a descendant of the Nahua and Raramuri-Tarahumara nations and remains rooted in their ancestral practices of land, housing, and environmental justice.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- President & C.
Job Titles:
- Program Associate
- SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER
Eric Medina joined the Weingart Foundation as a Program Associate in 2012 and is currently a Senior Program Officer, as of May, 2024. Prior to joining the Foundation, Eric served as Program Officer for the LA84 Foundation. He also spent more than eight years at Community Partners, providing technical assistance in the fiscal sponsorship program. Eric has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Job Titles:
- GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
Ericka Puyat joined the Weingart Foundation in 2019 where she serves as grants management assistant, providing support for facilities management, accounting and other office activities. Ericka received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from University of California, Riverside where she graduated cum laude, and was a founding member of the University Honors Media Team. In addition to business and administrative skills, Ericka is a freelance photographer and videographer.
Job Titles:
- GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE
- in 2011 As Administrative Assistant
Guadalupe Mejia joined the Weingart Foundation in 2011 as Administrative Assistant and currently serves as Grants Management Associate. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as an administrative assistant for a thermal processing company in Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Operations and Meeting Logistics Manager
Guillermo Flores joined the Weingart Foundation as Operations and Meeting Logistics Manager in 2019 where he is responsible for facilities management and staffing and client relations for the Foundation's Shared Space Conference Center. Prior to joining the Foundation, Guillermo worked with California Community Foundation in launching and managing CCF's Joan Palevsky Center, and served as Conferences Services Coordinator for the California Science Center. Guillermo received an M.B.A. in hospitality event leadership, and a bachelor's degree in Sports/Entertainment/Special Event Management from Johnson and Wales University.
C.E.O., Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)
Herminia joined the Weingart Foundation in 2022 as a Program Assistant, providing support to the program team. She brings nearly three decades of experience supporting and advocating for youth, underserved and immigrant families, and workers' rights through her work in the nonprofit, political and labor organizing fields. Most recently she worked on The California Endowment's Building Healthy Communities Initiative with the Sisterhood Rising Leadership Retreat project, and prior to that she fought for workers' rights as an internal organizer at S.E.I.U.-United Service Workers West. Born in Mexico, Herminia came to the United States with her parents and five siblings to find a better life. She became an activist in response to multiple political attacks on immigrants and students of color and has been fighting for justice ever since. Herminia holds a bachelor's degree in history from the California State University, Los Angeles. She has a cat named Cutie Pie and enjoys reading, coloring, road trips and movies.
Job Titles:
- President, Solutions Division, Enterprise Community Partners
Job Titles:
- C.E.O.
- Executive
- Member of the Board of Directors
- PRESIDENT
Driven by her commitment to racial and social justice, Joanna has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic and public sectors. Joanna joined Weingart Foundation in 2008 and after five years on the leadership team, Joanna was appointed President & CEO as of June 7, 2024.
Prior to joining Weingart Foundation, Joanna held roles at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, The California Endowment, the City of San Jose and several other nonprofit organizations. Joanna currently serves on the boards of Southern California Grantmakers and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO).
Joanna earned a master's degree in public administration from Baruch College, The City University of New York, where she was a National Urban Fellow. She is also a proud HBCU graduate having received her bachelor's degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from New York, Joanna lives in Mid City Los Angeles with her husband and children, who are the joy of her life.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS
As Vice President, Programs, Joyce Ybarra oversees implementation of the Foundation's grantmaking and learning and assessment programs and staff. Joyce joined the Foundation in 2009 as a Program Officer and most recently held the position of Director of Grant Operations. Prior to joining the Foundation, she accumulated more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector including positions at The California Endowment and the Los Angeles Immigrant Funders' Collaborative. Joyce has served on the boards of Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance and Thai Community Development Center, as Chair of the local Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy chapter, and as founding member of two giving circles dedicated to local API communities. Joyce received her master's degree in public health from University of California, Los Angeles and her bachelor's degree in biological sciences from University of California, Irvine.
Job Titles:
- Founder & C.E.O. of G3 Ventures
Job Titles:
- Founder of EPIC ( End Poverty in California )
Miguel A. Santana has over 30 years of experience leading numerous fiscal, legislative, political, and community issues. He served as President and C.E.O. of Fairplex since 2016, a nonprofit community benefit regional organization based in Pomona, CA. Previously, Miguel was the City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he oversaw the City's $9 billion budget and designed the City's first comprehensive homeless strategy, resulting in a $1.2 billion voter-approved housing bond and a doubling of the City's general fund investment on programs to end homelessness. Prior to joining the City, Miguel served as one of five Deputy Chief Executive Officers for Los Angeles County, overseeing all social service programs supporting children, families, veterans and persons experiencing homelessness.
Miguel was appointed President & C.E.O. of the Weingart Foundation in 2021. He engages in numerous civic efforts to create a more equitable Southern California region, including serving as Chair of the Committee for Greater L.A. He also serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Whittier College Board of Trustees.
Miguel has a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American Studies from Whittier College and a master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Job Titles:
- CONTROLLER
- Executive
- in 2023 As Controller
Mike Takata joined the Weingart Foundation in 2023 as Controller. He has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining the Foundation, Mike spent nearly nine years at City National Bank, most recently as the Director of Accounting Operations. During this time, he was responsible for corporate accounting, accounts payable, fixed assets, and investment accounting. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Job Titles:
- President & C.E.O. ( Retired ), College Futures Foundation
Job Titles:
- PROGRAM OFFICER
- in 2024 As Program Officer
Nancy Mejía joined the Weingart Foundation in 2024 as Program Officer for Orange County. She brings nearly two decades of experience working with underserved communities of color to advance health equity and social justice through grassroots advocacy campaigns, coalition-building, research, and direct service. She most recently served as Chief Program Officer at Latino Health Access, an Orange County nonprofit and pioneer of the promotor/Community Health Worker model, where she advocated for, and designed systems and processes that center communities most impacted by inequity to drive solutions and decision-making.
Nancy was a founding Board member of THRIVE Santa Ana Community Land Trust, co-established the Santa Ana Streets Coalition, and is a lecturer for the U.C.I. Urban Planning and Public Policy Department. Nancy holds a M.P.H. and M.S.W. from Columbia University and B.A.s in Sociology and Latin American Studies from U.C.L.A. Born in El Salvador, she came to the U.S. with her family at the age of 6. Growing up in a working-class immigrant household nurtured her passion for social justice, cafecito, and pan dulce.
Nikki Kelley joined the Weingart Foundation as Program Assistant in 2019. Prior to joining the Foundation, Nikki served as Executive Assistant for the James Irvine Foundation and Grants Manager for YWCA Greater Los Angeles. She also spent more than nine years at the City of Los Angeles as a field support deputy for former Councilmembers Nate Holden, Cindy Miscikowski, and Bill Rosendahl.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER
- in 2011 As a Program Associate
Patricia Watkins joined the Weingart Foundation in 2011 as a Program Associate and is currently a Senior Program Officer, as of May, 2024. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as Associate Director of Health Initiatives for the National Council of La Raza. Patricia holds a master's degree in nonprofit management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- C.E.O
- Executive
- EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT to the PRESIDENT
Priscilla Savage joined the Weingart Foundation in 2000 as Administrative Assistant, Real Estate. She currently serves as Executive Assistant to the President & C.E.O. Prior to joining the Foundation, Priscilla spent nine years at Charles Dunn Real Estate Services.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- DIRECTOR of PROGRAM INVESTMENTS
- in 2008 As a Program Officer
Rosa Benitez joined the Weingart Foundation in 2008 as a Program Officer and is currently Director of Program Investments. She possesses more than a decade of experience working in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, Rosa served as a Program Officer at the California Community Foundation, where she managed its grantmaking portfolio in the area of housing. She holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- in 2022 As Program Officer
Roselma Samala joined the Weingart Foundation in 2022 as Program Officer. With over 20 years of experience, Roselma began her career as a Fiscal Officer for UCLA BruinCorps prior to her philanthropic experience working for two family foundations (The Merage Foundation and The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation) and as Workforce Initiative Manager for Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP). Born and raised in Southern Californian, she graduated from UCLA with a BA in Sociology and Asian American Studies, and later received her MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Sara Montrose was promoted to Senior Program Officer, as of May, 2024, having previously served the Weingart Foundation as Program Associate and Program Officer. She came to the Foundation with over a decade of experience in nonprofit program management and teaching. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2007, Sara spent seven years as a Program Manager at Voices for Children, the San Diego affiliate of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sara holds a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology and a minor in Latin American studies.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of COMMUNICATIONS
- First Communications Director
Silvia Fuentes is the first Communications Director at the Weingart Foundation. She leads the foundation's strategic communications, using storytelling and narrative change to amplify its influence and advance its mission of racial, social, and economic justice across Southern California.
With a career focused on amplifying the voices of communities of color, Silvia has led communications, organizing, and advocacy campaigns on national and local levels for labor rights, immigration reform, civic engagement, and educational equity. Prior to joining Weingart, she held key communications roles at the California Community Foundation, United Ways of California, UNITE HERE, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
Silvia holds a B.A. in advertising with a concentration in graphic design from the Art Center College of Design.
Job Titles:
- in 2006 As a Program Associate
Terrie Doizaki joined the Weingart Foundation in 2006 as a Program Associate and was promoted in 2007 to Program Officer, responsible for reviewing Regular Grant Program requests from Orange County. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as Development Manager for the Pasadena Mental Health Association. Terrie holds a master's degree in public policy from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor's degree in government from Claremont McKenna College.
Tim Ortez, CPA, joined the Weingart Foundation in 2016 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to coming to the Foundation, Tim served in similar roles for the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the finance and nonprofit sectors. Tim has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Sierra Nevada Journeys, a nonprofit serving middle-school aged children, and the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. He was also an outside advisor to the investment committee of the Loma Linda Health Sciences University Foundation. Tim earned his B.S. in business administration at the University of Southern California and completed post-graduate work in finance and economics at the University of Nevada, Reno. Tim is a Certified Public Accountant.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR, JOHN W. MACK MOVEMENT BUILDING FELLOWS PROGRAM
Vera de Vera joined the Weingart Foundation in 2018 as Director, Leadership for Movements. In her current role, she leads the John W. Mack Movement Building Fellows Program. Vera has nearly two decades of experience in philanthropy. Most recently she served as the Director of the California Community Foundation's Community Building and Nonprofit Sustainability initiatives and previously the Western Regional Director of the Fannie Mae Foundation. She has served on a number of nonprofit boards over her career and currently serves as a board trustee for the Durfee Foundation and the Center for Courage and Renewal. Vera holds a juris doctor degree from Southwestern University College of Law. She also received a master's degree in urban planning and a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA and is a Certified Professional Coach.
Job Titles:
- in 2008 As Program Associate
- SENIOR DIRECTOR of SPECIAL PROJECTS and COMMUNICATIONS
Vy Nguyen joined Weingart Foundation in 2008 as Program Associate, and currently serves as Senior Director of Special Projects and Communications, working on initiatives and other projects that fall outside of the Foundation's typical responsive grantmaking. Before entering philanthropy, she worked for more than a decade in the nonprofit and public sectors, most recently for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education and, prior to that, for the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance. Vy holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from University of California, Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- President & C.E.O. ( Retired ), Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation