By giving to SDSCF, you can be sure that your money is going to fund initiatives, programs, and infrastructure that will directly support seniors in San Diego. Help ensure that all seniors have someone they can turn to and trust.
Bob Kelly served as the president and CEO of The San Diego Foundation, which provided leadership for effective philanthropy, for two decades. In that capacity, he oversaw all activities, programs and asset management during a time of significant growth and achievements that have benefitted the entire San Diego region.
Prior to joining The San Diego Foundation, Bob served as executive director of the American Cancer Society San Diego and vice president for Southern California. He also previously served as assistant to the president and senior vice president of Sharp HealthCare and chief operating officer for Sharp HealthCare Foundation. In addition, Bob was senior vice president for CCP and Associates, a comprehensive cancer center consulting firm.
Bob’s commitment to his community is clearly reflected in his many volunteer roles and services activities, including time spent as a board member of the San Diego Symphony Foundation, the San Diego Real Estate Foundation, Beauchamp Charities, the Children’s Initiative, and Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute. He is a past president of the UCSD Alumni Association and a former chair of the Sharp HealthCare board, League of California Community Foundations, Youth for Progress, and San Diego Grantmakers. Bob has also served on the boards of the San Diego Chamber Foundation, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Elsinore Cattle Co., the International Community Foundation, and the De Anza Country Club. He is a member of the Downtown Rotary and a graduate of UC San Diego.
His current positions include:
Bob is the principal of BK Foundation Advisors, a philanthropic consulting firm working with foundations, corporations, individuals and families.
Dr. Ted Chan is professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UC San Diego. Throughout his career, Dr. Chan has focused on the issue of emergency care for the growing geriatric population in this country. He is active in health policy initiatives at the national, state, and regional level, and has worked with a number of community health, law enforcement, and state/federal agencies. Dr. Chan is a past board member of the San Diego Foundation, and inaugural chair of the San Diego Regional Disaster Fund.
Derek Quackenbush is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of overall business experience within private, public, and international companies ranging in size, from start-up to Fortune 100, and including Big 4 public accounting. He is active in the community and sits on the boards of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and Sharp Healthcare. Derek also formerly served on the boards of the San Diego Foundation and Second Chance. He grew up in San Diego and loves living downtown with his husband, Marcello, where they enjoy the bay and many fun places to go.
John Wylie is partner at Nicholas Investment Partners, where he is the lead portfolio manager for convertible strategies. Previously, John was co-founder and Co-Chief Investment Officer of CapitalWorks Investment Partners. He currently serves on the investment committee of Sharp HealthCare, and previously served on the board and investment committee of the San Diego Foundation. John has over 35 years of investment experience.
Abigail Sahm is a Program Director for the Sahm Family Foundation. Her roles and responsibilities include keeping accurate records of all grant applications and supporting documents, handling the foundation’s day-to-day operations, and conducting past program research to help create a strategic plan for the years to come. She has been in her current position for two years and plans to continue her great-grandparents’ legacy. Additionally, Abigail collaborates alongside the SDSCF team, working on our most significant initiatives, creating a Senior Center Master Business Plan and the No Senior Alone Initiative.
Adrienne Vargas is Interim Vice President of University Relations and Development at San Diego State University, where she leads a team of 88 people to increase support for the university. She also serves as President and CEO of the Campanile Foundation, which provides SDSU with the community expertise, oversight, and advocacy to increase private giving and manage the university’s philanthropic assets. Prior to that, Adrienne was Vice President for Charitable Giving at the San Diego Foundation, where she worked for more than 20 years.
Daniel L. Gross is Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations at Sharp HealthCare where he oversees four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, government relations and clinical effectiveness. He is a past member of the American Hospital Association Board of Directors, a member of the California Hospital Association Board of Directors, and a member of the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties (HASDIC) Board of Directors. In addition, he is a member of the California HealthCare Foundation Board, a member of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association board, a member of the Orbis Education Advisory Board, and he serves as adjunct faculty for SDSU, University of San Diego (USD), and University of California at San Diego.
Joaquin is an experienced administrator, public speaker, and professor in the area of gerontology. He is skilled in social planning, program development, and community organizing. Joaquin worked for 40 years in various aspects related to the field of aging from planning and developing social service programs and agencies to deliver lectures and keynote speeches at national and international conferences. He served as the Former Professor of Gerontology at San Diego State University. Subjects taught included: Aging Policy; Programs and Services for the Aged; Diversity and Aging; Images of Aging in Contemporary Society; International Issues in Aging.
Pam Smith has nearly five decades of work experience with the Social Security Administration and San Diego County Health and Human Services holding leadership positions in health and aging programs throughout that time. She served as San Diego County Health and Human Services Deputy Director and Director of Aging and Independence Services. There, she managed more than 40 different programs, an annual budget of $400 million, and a staff of 1,500 employees. Pam currently serves as director of the Live Well Schools program and has served on numerous boards, including West Health PACE, Generations United, Salvation Army, YMCA, Rotary International, and the Alex Smith Foundation.
Randi Larsson is Administrative Director of the Sharp Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pavilion. She was instrumental in opening Sharp’s two senior health centers and continues to oversee them in her current role. Previously, Randi was the CEO of Sharp Cabrillo Hospital and Vice President of Ambulatory and Post-Acute Care Services for Sharp Memorial Hospital. Earlier in her career she helped establish the San Diego County trauma program, implemented the first chest pain center at Grossmont Hospital, and was chair of the American Hospital Association’s Society of Ambulatory Care Professionals. Her backgrounds in nursing and health care administration make her an invaluable asset to the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and our region’s older adult network.