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. 

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.

Debbie McKeon is San Diego Grantmakers’ chief visionary, spokesperson, and external relations builder. Guided by SDG’s mission, vision, values, key work areas, and goals for organizational excellence as described in the 2020 Strategic Framework, she leads a dynamic team of professionals to contribute to positive community change in San Diego and Imperial Counties through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Debbie brings a deep commitment to equity, cross-sector partnerships, and catalytic capital to further SDG’s vision of an equitable, collaborative, and impactful social change ecosystem that improves the lives of all residents in our region. With a track record of inspiring successful initiatives, innovative philanthropy, impact investing field-building, and systems-level change, she is leading SDG into its next chapter of greatness. A seasoned senior executive, she most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) where she led design and implementation of the strategic framework, suite of services, and embedded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Prior to joining CMF, Debbie’s extensive experience in leadership and public-private partnerships included design and development of the NorthSky Nonprofit Network, a capacity building organization for over 1800 nonprofits; serving as Co-founding Board Member, Managing Director, and CEO of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas; and Assistant Manager of the New York Philharmonic. A global citizen and civic leader, she has worked in more than 40 countries across six continents. Now that she calls San Diego home, Debbie will focus on lifting the voice of the philanthropy sector in both San Diego and Imperial Counties through cross-sector partnerships such as the Social Equity Collaborative Fund and Philanthropy California and initiatives such as Census 2020.  On a personal note, she is a classical music enthusiast and accomplished musician in her own right.

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.