Board of Directors

Emma Epes

CPA and Partner at EY

Board Chair

Emma Epes is a licensed CPA and an Assurance partner at EY for the last 10 years.

Julianne Markow

Chief Operating Officer at Voice of San Diego

Board Treasurer

Julianne Markow is a high-impact, pragmatic leader with more than 25 years of experience at Fortune 500, start-up, and non-profit corporations.

Bobby has over thirty years in the hospitality industry and now oversees overseeing the procurement, production, preparation, service and sale of food and refreshments at the San Diego Convention Center.

Mike Irwin

Founder Bottle Rocket Advisors

Mike is founder of Bottle Rocket Advisors, a business consultancy focused on helping companies grow revenue, improve organizational effectiveness and profitability, and scale up.

Howard Solomon

Founder of Solomon 2.0

Howard Solomon is a renowned leader, advisor, presenter and keynote speaker for the hospitality industry.

Jess Yuen

Campaign Director, Rady’s Children Hospital

Jess brings a unique perspective to our board of directors from her varied career at the intersection of social enterprise, philanthropy, and politics.

Shawn Parr

CEO and Guvner of Bulldog Drummond

Shawn Parr, The Guvner of Bulldog Drummond, an internationally recognized Innovation & Design consultancy, brings twenty-plus years of innovation, design, brand and business-building experience to companies from Fortune 500s to purpose-driven startups.

Catherine Blair

Retired Educator

Catherine has extensive experience with the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, committee member, board member and fundraiser.

Malcolm Bund

Retired Industrialist

Malcolm Bund is a retired industrialist with diverse experience in areas such as management consulting, corporate finance, merger and acquisition and marketing.

Don Williamson

Retired Professional Journalist

Don Williamson is a retired professional journalist and chef educator with a passion for writing, culinary arts and working with young people.