Staff

Alfredo
Camarena, Jr.

Communications Manager

559-825-6189

Role

Supports with the Foundation’s strategic communications efforts. Responsible for supporting CVCF’s graphic design and website management needs while ensuring consistent branding and messaging.

Education

B.A. Mass Communications and Journalism - Multimedia Production Fresno State

A.A. Administration of Justice Fresno City College

Fun Fact

Alfredo and 50 Cent share the same birth date; every year on that day, the first song Alfredo plays during his morning jog is “In Da Club”

Angela
Castellanos

Senior Program Manager (Sierra San Joaquin Jobs)

angela@centralvalleycf.org

Role

Oversees the Valley CERF Coalition in Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare Counties.

Education

BA - Political Economy & Latin American Literature UC Berkeley

Fun Fact

Angela’s favorite hobby is learning new hobbies.

Artie
Padilla

Director of DRIVE Initiatives

artie@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 250-6860

Role

Coordinates the 14 DRIVE initiatives to reach the ultimate goal of an inclusive economy in the Central Valley.

Education

BA - Business Administration CSU Northridge

Certificates: CRI Trauma Informed Trainer, VORP Facilitation, ACE Fitness Instructor

Fun Fact

Artie appreciates all forms of recreation, including riding bikes and horses.

Ashley
Swearengin

President & CEO

ashley@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6185

Role

Oversees the overall management and direction of the Foundation.

Education

BS – Business Administration Fresno State University

MBA Fresno State University

Fun Fact

Ashley is not a native Californian. She was born and raised in the southern midwest and still has close family ties in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Her favorite pastime is doing anything with her family!

Blanca
Williams

Executive Office Administrative Manager

blanca@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 226-5600

Role

Provides administrative support to the executive office, board of directors, and Impact Team, including scheduling and coordination of events.

Education

BS – Kinesiology, Exercise Science Fresno State

MA - Kinesiology, Sports Administration Fresno State

Fun Fact

Blanca has over 20 house plants and has quite the collection of Starbucks coffee tumblers.

Caty
Perez

Senior Philanthropy Officer

caty@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6187

Role

Works with individuals, corporations, and foundations on strategic and purposeful giving to create a lasting impact.

Education

BA - Applied Mathematics Fresno Pacific University

MA - Education Leadership and Administration California State University, Fresno

Fun Fact

Caty is an expert in all things Bravo TV related and a big Taylor Swift fan.

Chelsea
Chapman, PhD

Senior Research Analyst

chelseac@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 226-5600

Role

Develops and evolves measurement and evaluation infrastructure for CVCF initiatives, builds community partners' evaluation capacity, and uses data to tell the story of CVCF’s impact on inclusive economic growth.

Education

BA & MA - Communication San Diego State University

PhD – Public Health: Health Behavior UC San Diego & San Diego State University

Fun Fact

Chelsea is a big fan of heights! Last year, she enjoyed hanging over Toronto’s CN Tower Skyscraper above 1,000 feet. The next “height-adventure” of her dreams is Austria’s Stairway to Heaven Via Ferrata.

Christy
Patch, JD, PhD

Chief Impact Officer

christy@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6188

Role

Advances the Impact Team’s mission to create an economy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, through strategic grantmaking and initiatives grounded in equity, collaboration, and data.

Education

Ph.D. Public Health UC San Diego

JD UC Davis

MA - Kinesiology Fresno State University

BA - History UC Berkeley

Fun Fact

Christy’s favorite pastime is making homemade pasta dinners for friends and family!

Claudia
Ruiz Alvarez

Director of Donor Services

claudia@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6182

Role

Responsible for management of donor funds, customer service, and gift and fund intake.

Education

BS - Health Science Fresno State University

MPA - Public Administration Fresno State University

Fun Fact

Claudia has seen every episode of Law & Order SVU at least 20 times.

Danielle
Yoder

Compliance Manager

danielle@centralvalleycf.org

559-825-6195

Role

Implements CVCF’s systems to ensure proper project budgeting, oversight, compliance, and reporting from beginning to end. Collaborates across the organization, processes programmatic transactions, and supports grant intake, budget, and fund management responsibilities.

Education

BA - Psychology with a Minor in criminology Fresno State

Fun Fact

Danielle loves to read, watch horror movies, play on switch, and has recently taken up crochet. She's also a very big Taylor Swift fan.

Elize
Bradley, DrPH, JD

Senior Fellow - Health Equity

elize@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6181

Role

Responsible for ensuring that stakeholders across various sectors understand the health-related issues facing the region and are positioned to develop and implement strategies that address the needs of our most underserved communities.

Education

BA - Sociology Williams College

JD University of California, Los Angeles

DrPH - Health Policy and Management University of California, Berkeley

Fun Fact

Elize loves playing pickleball, Formula 1 racing, and doing anything near the ocean.

julie
vue

Senior Program Officer

julie@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6196

Role

Oversees racial equity and inclusion efforts and accountability for Foundation initiatives.

Education

B.A. UC Irvine

MA.Ed. CSU Long Beach

Fun Fact

In julie's spare time, she loves to cook and aspires to be a pitmaster.

Karen
Quibal

Donor Services Coordinator

karenq@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6184

Role

Process payments, grants, and scholarships, for all externally advised funds.

Education

San Jose State University

Fun Fact

Karen likes to read, travel, and spend time with loved ones, and she recently got into playing video games.

Kate
Zamora

DRIVE Program Manager

Katez@centralvalleycf.org

Role

Organize and manage programs and projects for the Fresno DRIVE Initiative to ensure that its goals of racial equity, transformative community engagement, and evaluation are met.

Education

BS - Child and Family Science California State University, Fresno

Fun Fact

Kate always carries something whimsical on her. She probably has a Sonny Angel in her bag right now!

Katherine
Schmarje Crockett, PhD

Senior Program Officer

katherine@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6186

Role

Evaluates CVCF initiatives, builds community partners’ evaluation capacity, and uses data to tell the story of CVCF’s impact on inclusive economic growth.

Education

BS - Health Sciences San Diego State University

MPH - Epidemiology University of California, Davis

PhD - Global Health San Diego State University & University of California, San Diego

Fun Fact

While conducting research in Uganda, Katie once had to challenge a troop of monkeys that were blocking her apartment building door. Thankfully, no monkeys or humans were harmed!

Kerri
Horn

Chief Financial Officer

kerri@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6180

Role

Responsible for fiscal compliance and financial management. Leads the Stewardship Team.

Education

BS - Accounting Fresno State University

MBA Fresno State University

Fun Fact

Kerri enjoys spending time with family on the coast.

Kimberly
Garner

Merced Regional Director

kimberly@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 226-5600

Role

Responsible for managing the Central Valley Opportunity Fund which addresses the economic and social well-being of individuals and their communities in Merced County.

Education

BA & MA - Art Fresno State

Fun Fact

In Kim's household, dogs outnumber humans. She has five Central Valley rescue mutts.

Kristina
Solberg

Community Relations Senior Manager

kristina@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6191

Role

Cultivates and grows relationships with Friends of the Foundation and assists with donor relations.

Education

MPA Fresno State University

BA - Political Science Fresno State

Fun Fact

Kristina teaches an American Government course at Clovis Community College.

Lindsey
Mariano

Administrative Manager

lindsey@centralvalleycf.org

559-825-6199

Role

Working with the CA Jobs First team to build a regional economic development plan and fund projects that create good jobs and climate-positive outcomes.

Education

BA - Exercise Science North Park University

MA - Human Services and Exercise Science Concordia University, Chicago

Fun Fact

Lindsey moved to a small island off the coast of NC to open and run a coffee shop. She still has a deep love for coffee, hospitality and community investment.

Monica
Sozinho

Senior Manager of Local Philanthropy

monica@centralvalleycf.org

559-362-3084

Role

Focuses on growing and managing relationships with individual and corporate donors who support the Central Valley Community Foundation. Responsibilities include leading the Friends of the Foundation program, supporting planned giving initiatives, and coordinating donor events. Also tracks donations, planning outreach efforts, and ensuring donors remain connected and appreciated.

Education

BA - Business Administration University of California, Riverside

BA - Ethnic Studies University of California, Riverside

MBA California State University, Fresno

Fun Fact

In college, Monica won a car on The Price is Right and now makes it a priority to travel, aiming to take an international trip each year.

Nhung
Pham

Accounting Associate

nhung@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6200

Role

Process and maintain accounts payable, vendors, documentation, and check preparation for donor services grants and payables. Audit and process employee expense reports and reconcile monthly credit card statements.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Fresno State

Fun Fact

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I have been cooking the meal for my family every year since I was in high school.

Sarah
Schrole

CVOF Engagement Manager

SarahS@centralvalleycf.org

209-626-9990

Role

Lead the strategic direction of CVOF’s communications and marketing—overseeing social media, content development, and campaign planning—to elevate our visibility and amplify the stories that reflect our community impact. Direct grant administration efforts while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with grantees and partners to ensure effective program delivery and lasting outcomes

Education

BA - Economics UC Merced

Fun Fact

A lifelong passion for philanthropy continues to inspire my commitment to meaningful, community-driven work. In my free time, I enjoy watching true crime series, wandering through bookstores, spending time in cozy coffee shops, and getting lost in a good book with the company of my cat Bijou—who’s quietly convinced he runs the show.

Sergio
Gervacio

Business Applications Analyst

sergio@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 903-3472

Role

Oversee all IT operations and systems for CVCF, aligning technology with organizational needs through systems administration, process improvement, data reporting, and user support.

Education

Completed vocational training in Information Technology with continued professional development through industry certifications in systems administration, IT support, and data management.

Fun Fact

I once made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in a movie, love music and collect vinyl records, and have a deep appreciation for storytelling—whether it’s in a film or a book.

Suzanne
Hague

Senior Consultant for Regional Economic Development and Climate

suzanne@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 226-5600

Role

Supports implementation of the S2J2 regional strategy for economic development, with a focus on climate, energy, and community benefits.

Education

BA - Anthropology University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Master of Urban Planning Harvard University

Fun Fact

Suzanne enjoys running, family game nights, and searching for snakes (yes, on purpose!) with her two sons.

Terry
Graham

HR Office Manager

terry@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 226-5600

Role

Provides Human Resource support to staff and oversees daily operations as the Office Manager.

Education

Mom to two daughters and Nana to five grandkids

45 Years of Marriage

Fun Fact

Going on five years now Terry walks every morning at 4:30 a.m. at Woodward Park with her best friend and feeds five stray cats. Enjoys spending time with family and grandkids. Loves the beach.

Travis
Jeffus

Controller

travis@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6193

Role

Responsible for fiscal compliance and financial management.

Education

BS - Accounting and Finance Fresno Pacific University

Fun Fact

Travis enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Zakary
Jobe

Staff Accountant

zakary@centralvalleycf.org

(559) 825-6194

Role

Assists with Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, credit card reconciliation, and month-end close.

Education

BS - Business Administration Fresno State University

Fun Fact

Zakary likes to fish, kayak, and camp.

Alfredo
Camarena, Jr.

Communications Manager

Angela
Castellanos

Senior Program Manager (Sierra San Joaquin Jobs)

Artie
Padilla

Director of DRIVE Initiatives

Ashley
Swearengin

President & CEO

Blanca
Williams

Executive Office Administrative Manager

Caty
Perez

Senior Philanthropy Officer

Chelsea
Chapman, PhD

Senior Research Analyst

Christy
Patch, JD, PhD

Chief Impact Officer

Claudia
Ruiz Alvarez

Director of Donor Services

Danielle
Yoder

Compliance Manager

Elize
Bradley, DrPH, JD

Senior Fellow - Health Equity

julie
vue

Senior Program Officer

Karen
Quibal

Donor Services Coordinator

Kate
Zamora

DRIVE Program Manager

Katherine
Schmarje Crockett, PhD

Senior Program Officer

Kerri
Horn

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly
Garner

Merced Regional Director

Kristina
Solberg

Community Relations Senior Manager

Lindsey
Mariano

Administrative Manager

Monica
Sozinho

Senior Manager of Local Philanthropy

Nhung
Pham

Accounting Associate

Sarah
Schrole

CVOF Engagement Manager

Sergio
Gervacio

Business Applications Analyst

Suzanne
Hague

Senior Consultant for Regional Economic Development and Climate

Terry
Graham

HR Office Manager

Travis
Jeffus

Controller

Zakary
Jobe

Staff Accountant