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
Professor of Practice at University of San Diego
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 professor of social entrepreneurship at USD.
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.
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.
Sergio Alvarez
Chief Executive Officer of Duchateau
Sergio Alvarez is an accomplished executive with strong entrepreneurial spirit, having led many business to grow their market dramatically.
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.
Howard Solomon
Founder of Solomon 2.0
Howard Solomon is a renowned leader, advisor, presenter and keynote speaker for the hospitality industry.
Catherine Blair
Retired Educator
Catherine has extensive experience with the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, committee member, board member and fundraiser.
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.
