THE WEINGART FOUNDATION TEAM

About Us

Foundation Staff

Executive Staff

Miguel A. Santana

PRESIDENT & C.E.O.

Joanna S. Jackson

VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS

Tim Ortez

CHIEF FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT OFFICER

Brian Williams

C.O.O.

Priscilla Savage

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT & C.E.O

Finance and Administration

Mike Takata

CONTROLLER

Amy Eritsian

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Rosa Benitez

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM INVESTMENTS

Angela Carr

GRANTS MANAGER

Guillermo Carlos Flores

MEETING LOGISTICS MANAGER

Guadalupe Mejia

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

Blanca Melchor

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ericka Puyat

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

Program Staff

Weingart Foundation program staff members are available to answer your questions about our grantmaking. Please feel free to contact our program staff by calling or emailing them directly. For general assistance call (213) 688-7799.

Christopher Barahona

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Vera de Vera

DIRECTOR, JOHN W. MACK MOVEMENT BUILDING FELLOWS PROGRAM

Aimée Fribourg

MANAGER, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

Dana Henry

DIRECTOR, BLACK JUSTICE & HEALING

Diana Amparo Jiménez

PROGRAM OFFICER FOR HOUSING JUSTICE

Nikki Kelley

PROGRAM OFFICER

Eric Medina

PROGRAM OFFICER

Sara L. Montrose

PROGRAM OFFICER

Anthony Ng

PROGRAM OFFICER

Roselma Samala

PROGRAM OFFICER

Herminia Trejo

PROGRAM OFFICER

Patricia Watkins

PROGRAM OFFICER

Joyce Ybarra

DIRECTOR OF GRANT OPERATIONS

PRESIDENT & C.E.O.

Miguel A. Santana

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.

VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS

Joanna S. Jackson

As Vice President, Programs, Joanna is responsible for the management of Weingart Foundation’s responsive grantmaking program and staff, as well as oversight of learning and assessment and strategic planning. Joanna joined the Foundation in 2008 as a program associate, and most recently held the position of Director, Grant Operations. Prior to joining the Foundation, she accumulated more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic and public sectors, most recently serving at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Joanna holds a master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College, The City University of New York, where she was a National Urban Fellow, and received her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

CHIEF FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT OFFICER

Tim Ortez

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.

CHIEF OPPERATING OFFICER

Brian Williams

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.

Email: bwilliams@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (424) 379-7777

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT & C.E.O

Priscilla Savage

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.

Email: psavage@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6311

CONTROLLER

Mike Takata

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).

Email: mtakata@weingartfnd.org

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Amy Eritsian

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.Email: aeritsian@weingartfnd.org

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM INVESTMENTS

Rosa Benitez

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.

Email: rbenitez@weingartfnd.org

GRANTS MANAGER

Angela Carr

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.

Email: acarr@weingartfnd.org

MEETING LOGISTICS MANAGER

Guillermo Carlos Flores

Guillermo Flores joined the Weingart Foundation as 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.

Email: gflores@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6322

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

Guadalupe Mejia

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.

Email: lmejia@weingartfnd.org

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Blanca Melchor

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).

Email: bmelchor@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6309 Ext. 6309

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

Ericka Puyat

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. Email: epuyat@weingartfnd.org Phone: (213) 688-7799

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Christopher Barahona

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.

Email: cbarahona@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6315

DIRECTOR, JOHN W. MACK MOVEMENT BUILDING FELLOWS PROGRAM
PROGRAM LEAD: VENTURA COUNTY

Vera de Vera

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.

Email: vdevera@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6313

MANAGER, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

Aimée Fribourg

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.

Email: afribourg@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6325

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTH LOS ANGELES

Dana Henry

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.

Email: dhenry@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6326

PROGRAM OFFICER FOR HOUSING JUSTICE

Diana Amparo Jiménez

Diana Amparo Jiménez (she/they) joined the Weingart Foundation in 2023 as the first Program Officer for Housing Justice. In this role, Jiménez will foster 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, Jiménez 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. Jiménez 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. Jiménez is a descendant of the Nahua and Raramuri-Tarahumara nations and remains rooted in their ancestral practices of land, housing, and environmental justice.

PROGRAM OFFICER

Nikki Kelley

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.

Email: nkelley@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6307

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Eric Medina

Eric Medina joined the Weingart Foundation as a Program Associate in 2012 and is currently a Program Officer. 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.

Email: emedina@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6316

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Sara L. Montrose

Sara Montrose was promoted to Program Officer in July 2008, having previously served the Weingart Foundation as Program Associate. 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.

Email: smontrose@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6303

PROGRAM OFFICER

Anthony Ng

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.

Email: ang@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6324

PROGRAM OFFICER

Roselma Samala

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.

Email: rsamala@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6327

PROGRAM OFFICER

Herminia Trejo

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.

Email: htrejo@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6306

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM LEAD: RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES

Patricia Watkins

Patricia Watkins joined the Weingart Foundation in 2011 as a Program Associate and is currently a Program Officer. 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.

Email: pwatkins@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6305

DIRECTOR OF GRANT OPERATIONS

Joyce Ybarra

As Director of Grant Operations, Joyce Ybarra is responsible for managing the Foundation’s day-to-day grantmaking. Joyce joined the Foundation in 2009 as Program Officer, possessing more than a decade of foundation and nonprofit experience. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served with Southern California Grantmakers as a Program Specialist while also serving as a Consultant Program Officer for the Los Angeles Immigrant Funders’ Collaborative. 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.

Email: jybarra@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6304

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Vy T. Nguyen

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.

Email: vnguyen@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6319

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM LEAD: ORANGE COUNTY

Terrie Doizaki

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.

Email: tdoizaki@weingartfnd.org
Phone: (213) 688-6318

About Us

Foundation Staff

Executive Staff

Miguel A. Santana

Joanna S. Jackson

Tim Ortez

Brian Williams

Priscilla Savage

Finance and Administration

Mike Takata

Amy Eritsian

Rosa Benitez

Angela Carr

Guillermo Carlos Flores

Guadalupe Mejia

Blanca Melchor

Ericka Puyat

Program Staff

Christopher Barahona

Vera de Vera

Aimée Fribourg

Dana Henry

Diana Amparo Jiménez

Nikki Kelley

Eric Medina

Sara L. Montrose

Anthony Ng

Roselma Samala

Herminia Trejo

Patricia Watkins

Joyce Ybarra

PRESIDENT & C.E.O.

Miguel A. Santana

VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS

Joanna S. Jackson

CHIEF FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT OFFICER

Tim Ortez

CHIEF OPPERATING OFFICER

Brian Williams

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT & C.E.O

Priscilla Savage

CONTROLLER

Mike Takata

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Amy Eritsian

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM INVESTMENTS

Rosa Benitez

GRANTS MANAGER

Angela Carr

MEETING LOGISTICS MANAGER

Guillermo Carlos Flores

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

Guadalupe Mejia

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Blanca Melchor

GRANTS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

Ericka Puyat

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Christopher Barahona

DIRECTOR, JOHN W. MACK MOVEMENT BUILDING FELLOWS PROGRAMPROGRAM LEAD: VENTURA COUNTY

Vera de Vera

MANAGER, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

Aimée Fribourg

PROGRAM OFFICERPROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTH LOS ANGELES

Dana Henry

PROGRAM OFFICER FOR HOUSING JUSTICE

Diana Amparo Jiménez

PROGRAM OFFICER

Nikki Kelley

PROGRAM OFFICERPROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Eric Medina

PROGRAM OFFICERPROGRAM CO-LEAD: LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Sara L. Montrose

PROGRAM OFFICER

Anthony Ng

PROGRAM OFFICER

Roselma Samala

PROGRAM OFFICER

Herminia Trejo

PROGRAM OFFICERPROGRAM LEAD: RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES

DIRECTOR, JOHN W. MACK MOVEMENT BUILDING FELLOWS PROGRAM
PROGRAM LEAD: VENTURA COUNTY

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTH LOS ANGELES

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM CO-LEAD: LOS ANGELES COUNTY

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM LEAD: RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES

PROGRAM OFFICER
PROGRAM LEAD: ORANGE COUNTY