Our People

John Fanestil, Executive Director

Executive Director at the Foundation for Change  since 2007, John Fanestil is a graduate of La Jolla High School, Dartmouth College, Oxford University – where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar – and the Claremont School of Theology. An ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, John worked from 1992 to 2005 as a church pastor, including four years at a bi-lingual church in Calexico, California. An organizer in movements for immigration reform and human rights, John brings to his philanthropic work the heart and practices of an activist. Meet John Fanestil.

Andrea Rocha, Program Officer

Andrea joined the Foundation for Change in 2009. Born in Mexico City to an American mother from Chicago, Illinois and a Mexican father, from San Luis Potosí, she received most of her formal education in the U.S. and has eight years working experience in progressive philanthropy, both in the U.S. and internationally. Meet Andrea Rocha.

Michele Silverthorn, Communications Manager

Michele began her work in community building with the Peace Corps in El Salvador. Upon her return from El Salvador she attended Brandeis University where she received her M.A. in Sustainable International Development. She and her husband Steve stay busy raising their two boys to be conscious world citizens. Meet Michele Silverthorn.

Darrell Netherton, Board Liaison

Darrell worked for 22 years in a variety of positions with the US Merit Systems Protection Board, including Legislative Counsel and Director of Regional Operations. After relocating to San Diego in 2006, he became interested in the critically important work of the Foundation for Change, and joined the staff on a part-time basis in 2009. Meet Darrell Netherton.

Bea Ramirez, Operations and Grants Manager

Bea brings 15 years of administrative and nonprofit work experience to the Foundation for Change. She previously worked for San Diego Grantmakers and prior to that as a program manager for The Bravo Foundation. Bea recently graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. Meet Bea Ramirez

Victoria Danzig, Founder

Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in La Jolla. After first awarding grants in 1983, Victoria and others worked for ten years as a chapter of the Los Angeles-based Liberty Hill Foundation. In 1994, when the San Diego Foundation for Change became its own non-profit corporation, Victoria became President of the Board, a position she occupied until the year 2000. Each year the Foundation for Change recognizes an exceptional community organizing effort in San Diego with the “Danzig Award,” given in Victoria’s honor.

Geshalem Perez is an Organizer for the UDW Homecare Providers Union. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Justice Overcoming Boundaries as a Fiesta del Sol Co-Chair, the Labor's Training and Community Alliance, and Train of Thought San Diego. Meet Geshalem Perez.

Aurora Cudal is a professional public health educator whose career spans more than forty years of community and academic work in the Philippines. She immigrated to the United States in 1993, eventually became a U.S. citizen and is greatly involved with local and national Filipino community groups as an advocate for community health development, political empowerment.and social justice. Meet Aurora Cudal.

Olivia Puentes-Reynolds, Secretary began her civic duties in high school as Red Cross President. She has since served on the Boards of Girl Scouts, San Diego Parks and Recreation, San Diego Mayoral Advisory, San Diego County Regional Health Advisory, UCSD Board of Overseers, San Diego MANA (a national Latina organization) and the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women. Olivia has over 30 years of professional work experience in local municipal management.

Armin Kuhlman, Treasurer, is currently Human Resources Manager and Controller at Gibson & Barnes in El Cajon. He also provides part time controller and income tax services. He has a BS in Public Administration and MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri. In addition to being a CPA, Armin is a Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. Besides recently becoming Treasurer for the Foundation for Change, Armin has recently been a volunteer with READ San Diego, Sierra Club and AARP Tax Aid program.

Robert P. Meinzer, Jr., is a long time telecommunications industry entrepreneur who now participates in charitable organizations, political causes and private investments. Bob founded and led the growth and development of Westlink Paging Inc. to the tenth largest Paging enterprise in the U.S., selling the company to Arch Communications in 1996. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democratic Congressional Committee (DCCC) have been his primary involvements over the last two election cycles for Presidential and Congressional races.

Irma Gigli, M.D.

Amanda Allen

Peter Gourevitch

Meet Peter Gourevitch.

Jaime Hernandes

Meet Jaime Hernandes.