Staff

Amy Denhart has been appointed to the position of Director, Funders Together to End Homelessness San Diego (FTEHSD). Amy will work closely with Sr. Director of Collaborative Philanthropy Megan Thomas and the rest of the SDG staff to support FTEHSD’s strategic grantmaking and advocacy in systems change and youth/family homelessness. For the past 22 years, Amy held positions in fundraising, public policy, and community engagement. During more than a decade as Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood, she worked with donors and the Board of Directors to advance public policy in support of reproductive health care. Prior to that, she was Area Director for US Senator Barbara Boxer, serving as the Senator’s liaison to the San Diego community, connecting constituents to the Senate and other government bodies. Most recently, Amy worked closely with the City of San Diego and County governments as the lead finance and contract management staff for a local communications and marketing firm. 

Robert Foster leads San Diego Grantmakers’ Impact Investing work. His past experience includes serving as the COO of ZipCap, a San Diego-based impact fintech company and as the Executive Director of Accelerating Market-driven Partnerships (AMP), an international impact investing initiative launched by Secretary Hillary Clinton and executed in collaboration with the U.S. Secretary of State, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Aspen Institute, and Fortune 100 companies. His past work has also included the development of social purpose investment vehicles with private investment firms, the creation of global market and policy strategies with foundations, and the implementation of market-based poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation initiatives in the developing world.

Robert is a former Women Effects Investments Fellow at the Criterion Institute, an adjunct faculty member of the University of San Diego School of Business, and has served as a Board Chair of the Social Venture Network. Robert currently serves on the board of KIT — a national nonprofit dedicated to inclusion — and the Kroc School of Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. He holds an MSc from Oxford University. Robert lives in San Diego with his wife, Dr. Nadia Foster, and his two children.

Karen is the full-time Vice President, Operations and Government Relations as well as Chief Administrative Officer, Philanthropy California at Southern California Grantmakers. As part of the Philanthropy California initiative to better align the three California regional associations of grantmakers, Karen also serves in a consulting role for Northern California Grantmakers and Southern California Grantmakers.

Karen is responsible for financial management, human resources, legal, facility, IT, and Board of Directors. She also works with the membership to pursue public policy issues of mutual concern.Karen has over 29 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, beginning her career as an aide to U.S. Senator Howard Metzenbaum (Ohio). She previously worked at Alzheimer’s Family Services Center in Orange County as Director of Operations, responsible for volunteer management, fiscal management, human resources, programming, and building maintenance.  Karen also served as Associate Executive Director at the nonprofit 1736 Family Crisis Center and as Associate Executive Director of the LA County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from Saginaw Valley State University and an M.P.A. from the University of Toledo, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. 

Ryan leads the expansion of SDG’s efforts in membership growth, resource development, strategic marketing, public policy, external affairs and communications. He has over 10 years of highly relevant experience in government, nonprofits, and philanthropy. He served most recently as the Development Director for Access Youth Academy where he oversaw planning, communications and execution of their operational, marketing and development strategies. Previously he worked at The San Diego Foundation as the Manager of Charitable Giving/Civic Leadership Fund and Manager of the Center for Civic Engagement.

Ryan is an active writer and thinker about new directions in philanthropy as evidenced by thought pieces in numerous local and national publications as well as involvement in Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and the Leadership Council for the Clinton Foundation 20/30 Program.

Ryan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the Queensland University of Technology and CFRM from the Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Melissa provides indispensable administrative and operational support for all aspects of San Diego Grantmakers' work areas, including event logistics, member communication, meeting scheduling, meeting support, and other office activities. She brings significant office and customer service experience, is bilingual, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Redlands.

Melissa Padilla supports all funder collaborative groups including Funders Together to End Homelessness and impact investing network programs. She provides essential logistical and administrative support to assist the SDG Team and all its members. Melissa brings significant community outreach, legislative research, government, and advocacy experience to this role, having recently served as the Deputy Finance Director for a local candidate for the County Board of Supervisors.

Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a focus on women’s and gender issues. She currently serves as the Legislative Research Coordinator for the Women’s Equity Council at the United Nations Association – San Diego and manages all social media for Allies for Women, a non-profit dedicated to elevating the voices of women.  

Justin oversees San Diego Grantmakers' general operations, membership services, day-to-day finances, and grants administration.

Before joining SDG, Justin discovered the wide and wonderful world of philanthropy by working for the Open Society Institute–Baltimore as a Program Associate for the Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the Education and Youth Development programs.

He holds a degree in Central and East European studies from the University of Colorado and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.

Megan oversees San Diego Grantmakers’ facilitation of collaborative efforts among its funder members and other stakeholders. She spearheads SDG’s work related to catalyzing impact investing and championing equity and opportunity. Megan provides strategic and logistical support to strengthen San Diego communities through shared learning and pooled and aligned funding strategies. Current focus areas include early education, STEAM education, homelessness, military/veterans issues, leadership development, foster youth, racial justice, and impact investing, as well as support for the steering committees of pooled grant funds, including that of Women Give San Diego, which is fiscally sponsored by SDG.

Megan brings 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic fields to this role, having most recently served as Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper where she built partnerships among the nonprofit, business, and public sectors to advance environmental goals across San Diego County. Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and her Masters in Business Administration from Yale School of Management. She serves on the board of directors of Hope Horse Ranch. Previously she served on the board of directors of United Way of San Diego County; advisory council for The San Diego Foundation’s Center for Civic Engagement; and the Port of San Diego Environmental Advisory Committee.

Annie supports SDG’s internal and external communications - including member e-mails, event marketing, social media, website and other communications pieces. She also supports the work of the Membership and Development and Public Policy and Advocacy Committees.

She is a new San Diegan, coming to us from Colorado where she was the Community Engagement Specialist in the Office of Health Equity for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In this role, she provided training and consultation to staff and community partners about health equity and community engagement.

Active in the Asian American Pacific Islander community, she founded Asian Avenue Magazine and the Asian Health Alliance of Colorado. Her accomplishments led to receiving the Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Award and the Rosa Parks Diversity Award. Annie received her Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Master of Business Administration in Health Administration from the University of Colorado - Denver.