Staff

Marjory has served as chief professional of the Foundation since 1994. During her tenure, assets have grown to $207 million from $14 million. The Foundation is the most generous grant maker in San Diego with $62 million in grants awarded to Jewish and general charitable organizations in San Diego, the United States, Israel and around the world in 2008-09.

Previously, Marjory was director of development for Scripps Foundation of Medicine and Science in La Jolla, California. Earlier in her career, she was a vice president in the bond division of First Interstate Bank, Denver, and also held human resources management positions at Bank of America headquarters in San Francisco. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of Illinois, Urbana and held a teaching fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Josie Arellano
Accounting Assistant
josie@jcfsandiego.org

Josie started at the Foundation in 2008. She currently attends San Diego City College majoring in Deaf Studies.

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Jessica Ayala
Office Assistant
jessica@jcfsandiego.org

Jessica joined the Foundation in 2010 as Office Assistant. She was a former employee at Children of the Night, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting children who are forced into prostitution on the streets for food to eat and a place to sleep. Jessica attended Pepperdine University with a major in Psychology and minor in Nonprofit Management.

Julie Bronstein
Director of Philanthropy

julie@jcfsandiego.org

As Director of Philanthropy, Julie develops relationships with prospective donors to the Foundation and their advisors, and works with current families to expand and enrich their relationships with the Foundation. Julie also staffs the Professional Advisor Council (PAC) , coordinates the Foundation’s outreach to private foundations and develops new strategies for the Foundation’s growth.

Julie is a San Diego native. She served as director of government affairs for Verizon in Los Angeles and manager of government relations for the Motion Picture Association of America. As a consultant Julie worked for several nonprofit organizations. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree from Scripps College (Claremont).

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Kathy Bui
Staff Accountant
kathy@jcfsandiego.org

As staff accountant, Kathy provides financial accounting and reporting support with a focus on gifts and investments. Kathy previously worked at University of California, San Diego in the External Relations - IT and FS department where she served as an assistant accountant. Kathy earned her B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University.

Meryl Goldberg
Financial Analyst

meryl@jcfsandiego.org

Meryl provides quarterly investment analysis and develops reports and analysis for the budget and forecasting process. She handles special projects and helps support the accounting operations. Meryl received her bachelor's degree in Accounting from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. She is a CPA, recognized in New Jersey.

Meryl previously worked for 15 years at the JCC MetroWest in New Jersey, where she was controller for seven years. Her additional work experience was at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Brylane, a division of The Limited. She has been active in the Jewish community since college through her involvement with the young leadership division of UJF and as a mission leader to Israel.

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Sharyn Goodson
Program Officer

sharyn@jcfsandiego.org

As Program Officer, Sharyn manages grant-making for the Leichtag Family Foundation, a private foundation staffed by the Foundation. Sharyn joined the Foundation in 2010.

Previously, Sharyn was director of grants of Jewish Family Service of San Diego and program director of the Aspen Community Foundation in Aspen, CO. Sharyn also served as director of the Career Development Center and assistant director of development of Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Pittsburgh. While in Pittsburgh, Sharyn received the United Jewish Federation’s Ira and Nanette Gordon Community Professional Achievement Award for professional leadership and a demonstrated commitment to Jewish communal service.

Sharyn earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Mills College and her master’s degree in career development from John F. Kennedy University.

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Mandy Katz
Development Associate

chaisa@jcfsandiego.org

Mandy Katz recently joined the Foundation as development associate for Chai South Africa (CSA), a fund held at the Foundation. Mandy is responsible for assisting with the growth and development of CSA as well as managing the annual campaigns. Being a former South African herself, Mandy has many connections in the San Diego community and throughout the U.S. which will help make Chai South Africa even more successful.

Susan Knopman
Legacy Program Manager

susan@jcfsandiego.org

As Legacy Program Manager, Susan is responsible for supporting the Endowment Leadership Institute (ELI), Create a Jewish Legacy© program and the Governance Leadership Institute (GLI). She manages the testamentary database and reporting and assists in coordinating and facilitating endowment building and governance with Jewish organizations, synagogues and individuals. She joined the Foundation in 2010.

Susan's professional experience is in the financial, legal and administrative fields. She is a graduate of San Diego State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Hana Kwon
Grants Officer

hana@jcfsandiego.org

Hana joined the Foundation in 2007 after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in public administration and urban studies. A former employee of Aloha Airlines, Hana has considerable experience with customer relations which she brings to her role as grants officer, serving as the liaison between donors and community organizations.

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Gail Littman
Director of Endowments

gail@jcfsandiego.org

Drawing upon her experience as a Jewish educator and community volunteer, Gail directs the Create a Jewish Legacy© program, the Endowment Leadership Institute (ELI) and the Governance Leadership Institute (GLI) at the Foundation. Through these programs she works with families, organizations and synagogues to help build endowments to support a strong Jewish future.

Gail served as director of adult education at the Agency for Jewish Education in San Diego before joining the Foundation in 2000. She is a graduate of Hussian School of Art where she received a degree in fine arts.

Barbara Marcus

Jewish Women's Foundation Manager

barbara@jcfsandiego.org

As the Manager of the Jewish Women’s Foundation, Barbara works with a dedicated and passionate group of women who direct their giving to impact Jewish women and girls in San Diego. The Jewish Women’s Foundation has continued to grow in membership and scope over the past several years, expanding its reach and influence in the community. Barbara joined the Foundation in 2008 and is the first designated staff person for the Jewish Women’s Foundation.

Barbara received her B.A. in Speech Communication from San Diego State University and her M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management from the American Jewish University. She has worked in several nonprofit agencies including Hillel of San Diego and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Jeremy Pearl, J.D., LL.M.
Chief Financial Officer

jeremy@jcfsandiego.org

As Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy is responsible for fiscal oversight of the Foundation including finance and operations, investments, human resources and information systems. He also regularly works with the professional community and donors in charitable gift planning and assists in planning and managing the activities of the Foundation.

Jeremy's career has focused on tax, estate and financial planning. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2005, he spent nearly six years in KPMG’s Personal Financial Planning practice. Jeremy began his legal career in estate planning with Miller, Monson & Peshel. Prior to entering the legal profession, Jeremy worked for Home Federal Bank and Wells Fargo as a NASD licensed broker.

Originally from London, England, Jeremy received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wales and, after immigrating to the United States in 1986, received his Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of San Diego. Admitted to the Bar in 1997, he is a member of the State Bar of California and the San Diego County Bar Association. Jeremy is also past president of British-American Business Council San Diego, a transatlantic trade organization.

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Jeremiah Sacksteder, CPA
Controller

jeremiah@jcfsandiego.org

As controller, Jeremiah is responsible for financial accounting and reporting and tax compliance. He joined the Foundation in 2007 from Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, the eighth-largest public accounting firm in the country, where he managed the audits of nonprofit organizations and privately held for-profit corporations. His professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Charlene Seidle
Vice President, Philanthropy

charlene@jcfsandiego.org

As vice president, philanthropy, Charlene works with families to match their charitable interests with community needs. She also helps build strong partnerships with organizations in the community, across the United States and in Israel to further their charitable programs. Charlene oversees the Foundation's grant-making programs and directs the Jewish Women's Foundation and Philanthropy Connections. Charlene plays a key role in community planning and oversight through her positions on various committees.

Charlene also manages the Foundation's relationship with the Leichtag Family Foundation, a private foundation staffed by the Jewish Community Foundation.

Charlene has worked at the Foundation since 1997 when she joined as an intern. Over the years, she has held increasingly responsible positions including serving as director of donor services and associate director. She earned her bachelor’s in political science from University of California, San Diego.

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Traci Serrano
Office Manager
traci@jcfsandiego.org

As office manager, Traci oversees support staff and is responsible for human resources functions. After studying English at Northern Arizona University and with experience at Sharp Healthcare and Vista Hill Foundation, Traci joined the Foundation in 2000. Since then, she has worked in various roles in the accounting and development departments before becoming office manager in 2004.

Brooke Truesdale
Donor Services Assistant
brooke@jcfsandiego.org

Brooke joined the Foundation in 2010 as the Donor Services Assistant. She was a former employee at Catholic Charities, Refugee Services where she was responsible for helping refugees from around the world adjust to life in the United States. Brooke graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2007 with a degree in English, focusing on Creative Writing, as well as a degree in Spanish Language and Literature.

Sharleen Wollach
Director of Philanthropy Operations
sharleen@jcfsandiego.org

Sharleen develops reports and implements systems, processes and procedures for the Donor Services Department. She brings her experience with organizational development to develop and coordinate donor services, systematize operations and coordinate ongoing stewardship programs. Sharleen also oversees the ChaiSouthAfrica Fund held at the Foundation.

CONSULTANT

Emily Jennewein
Web Site and Marketing Consultant

emily@jennewein.org

Emily is the Foundation's Web site and marketing consultant. She was director of marketing and communications at the Foundation from 2007 to 2009. Emily operates Emily Jennewein Marketing Communications, a Web development and marketing communications firm.

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Jewish Community Foundation - San Diego

STAFF