Board of Directors
Board of Directors
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.
Karen Henken Founder and Principal of Henken Associates- Board Secretary
Karen has helped dozens of organizations establish a beachhead in new industries and geographies in the US and globally and is now a proffesor of social entrepreneurship at USD.
Mike Irwin Founder Bottle Rocket Advisors– Board Member
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
Howard Solomon is a renowned leader, advisor, presenter and keynote speaker for the hospitality industry.
Sergio Alvarez CEO of Chuao Chocolatier- Board Member
Sergio Alvarez is an accomplished executive with strong entrepreneurial spirit. He is the President of San Diego’s largest electronics reverse logistics company, Total Technology Results.
Shawn Parr CEO and Guvner of Bulldog Drummond– Board Member
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.
Jeff Johnson EVP McKellar McGowan Real Estate Development- Board Member
Jeff earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980 and in 1983 earned a J.D. from Hastings College of Law.
Bobby Ramirez General Manager Centerplate at the San Diego Convention Center
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.
Chuck Samuelson Founder and Board Member, Kitchens for Good
Former Chef and Restaurateur, Chuck leveraged his 45 years of culinary and hospitality experience into founding Kitchens for Good.
Catherine Blair Founder Hummingbird Needlepoint
Catherine has extensive experience with the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, committee member, board member and fundraiser.
