MEET OUR TEAM

Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector with a proven track record in building strategic partnerships, organization capacity building, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and program development. She has served in staff leadership positions, on boards, and as a consultant/trainer for organizations of all sizes, from small, grassroots nonprofits to large, national organizations. At her most recent position with Operation Homefront, she served as a senior regional director for field programs, overseeing development, programs, events, and operations in a five-state area. She has also been involved with several women’s and girls’ empowerment programs and brings that passion to WE. Sarah received her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.

Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector with a proven track record in building strategic partnerships, organization capacity building, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and program development. She has served in staff leadership positions, on boards, and as a consultant/trainer for organizations of all sizes, from small, grassroots nonprofits to large, national organizations. At her most recent position with Operation Homefront, she served as a senior regional director for field programs, overseeing development, programs, events, and operations in a five-state area. She has also been involved with several women’s and girls’ empowerment programs and brings that passion to WE. Sarah received her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.

Erin is a political consultant with the firm NWP in Seattle, WA. She leads issue and initiative campaigns, and is highly skilled in communications and media relations. Erin previously worked for Senator Barbara Boxer as well as other candidate and ballot measures in California. She is an active volunteer and holds a degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Erin is active on WE’s Fundraising & Development Committee.

José Angel has 30 years’ experience in the public works sector in San Diego, having worked for Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments in areas ranging from cross-border planning and engineering to budgets and finance. José Angel is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BS Aerospace Engineering) and UC San Diego (MS Structural Engineering). Since retiring in early 2021, José Angel returned to serve WE as its Finance Committee Chair, where he also served as Chair in the early part of the 2010s. José Angel also previously served as WE Liaison to the Adelante Foundation in Honduras from 2006 to 2019 and as a Board Member from 2009 to 2014.

Bridget is an attorney at Tresp, Day & Associates, Inc., a law firm in Solana Beach, California focusing on all aspects of trust and estate law, including complex estate planning, asset protection, charitable planning, probate, and trust administration.  Bridget attended New York University School of Law and received her BA from the University of San Diego. She also serves as a committee chair for the Lawyers Club of San Diego, a bar association dedicated the advancement of women in law and society, and is currently Secretary of WE.

Sharon Schwartz is the founder of Live Oak Health and Wellness and a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach dedicated to helping women 50+ build sustainable healthy habits. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies including Equinix, Seagate Technology, and Applied Materials, leading global talent, leadership, and organizational development initiatives. Her earlier career spanned finance and international development, including managing a USAID-funded microfinance project in Bolivia with Acción International. Passionate about food systems and community impact, Sharon volunteers with local nonprofits and serves as Treasurer for Women’s Empowerment International.

Mae retired in June 2016 as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Admissions & Enrollment Services, overseeing key offices like Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid. She previously directed Undergraduate Admissions and spent fifteen years as Director of Academic Advising at Thurgood Marshall College, UCSD. Post-retirement, Mae serves on the UC San Diego Preuss School Board, as CUCRA Representative, and as Chair of the Emeriti Mentor Program. She is also a youth counselor and Treasurer at her local church. A first-generation college student, Mae advocates for educational equity, leading to the Mae Brown Scholarship at UC San Diego.

After a 20-year career as founder and owner of Nancy’s Vacation Rentals, Inc., Nancy retired in 2021, having grown her company from 2 to 55 rentals in the San Diego beach area. Previously, she spent 34 years as an international flight attendant and purser with Pan Am and United Airlines. A founding member and leader of the WE Julian Circle since 2012, Nancy also chairs its annual fundraising luncheon. An avid traveler and adventurer who has explored all seven continents, she has visited nearly all of WE’s partner organizations and now serves on the Board’s Grants and Donor Stewardship Committees.

Linda is an Executive Career Consultant with UCSD’s Rady School of Management. She has spent her career in human resources and career coaching, advising individuals on careers and identifying and making the most of their talents. Passionate about philanthropy and volunteering, Linda is involved with the Honor Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association. She brings her talent for supporting women entrepreneurs to the WE Board. Linda is active on WE’s Programs and Partnerships Committee.

Debbie has served as President of WE since 2019 and also fills the lead role for WE’s Partnerships & Programs. Previously, she served as the Chair of the Finance Committee and liaison to WE partner project, ESTIMA. Debbie spent her career at UCSD, where from 1998 to 2015 she was Assistant Vice Chancellor for Resource Administration for the office of UCSD Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Previously, she was Assistant Dean for Fiscal Affairs for the School of Medicine from 1985 to 1998. Debbie received her Master of Arts from the University of Denver, Graduate School of International Studies and Public Policy, focused on Research Methodology and International Trade. She also has been an active volunteer in San Diego for Catholic Charities of San Diego, San Diego Creative Weavers Guild, and Sandy Point Homeowners Association.

Bernadette brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and currently serves as 1st Vice President of Operations at Mission Fed. Throughout her career, she has advanced through a range of operational and leadership roles—from her early days as a branch teller to leading multiple enterprise-wide teams.

Bernadette is passionate about empowering teams and building systems that support long-term growth and community impact.

Barbara is an Emerita Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC San Diego. Prior to her retirement, she served ten years as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Education for the university. She received her B.S. in chemistry from Baldwin-Wallace College, and Master’s degree from San Diego State University, and Ph.D. in physical inorganic chemistry jointly from UC San Diego and SDSU. She is on the Board of Governors of the Gemological Institute of America, the Board of Trustees of the American  University of Armenia, and is a Commissioner of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. She serves as Chair of WE’s Governance Committee.

Amina Sheik Mohamed, MPH is a dedicated public health leader who has gained national, state, and local recognition for her work advancing health equity in San Diego County. Currently serving as the Founding Director of the Refugee Health Unit, Amina is a mission-driven professional who works collaboratively with BIPOC communities to elevate health, uplift community agency, and ensure equitable access to all that San Diego has to offer. Amina holds a Masters of Public Health from Walden University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science from San Diego State University.