MEET OUR TEAM

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OUR STAFF

Sarah Adams

Sarah Adams

Executive Director

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.

Annmarie Hylton

Annmarie Hylton

Marketing & Development Manager

Annmarie Hylton has always enjoyed creating things and using all her abilities to bring people together. When she started her marketing career, she specialized in events and planned them from concept to complete execution. Her career then blossomed into digital marketing, where she began leading the development of websites, digital marketing products, and content. Annmarie has 20 years of marketing experience and has worked with individuals and large organizations such as The MIND Institute, United Business Media, Qualcomm, and The American Red Cross. During her university years, she enjoyed learning about marketing, communications and art and has an undergraduate degree in public relations focused on journalism. During the last five years, Annmarie has built her career around social impact issues that affect people around the world.

Stephanie Rivera

Stephanie Rivera

Marketing Consultant

Stephanie comes from a background rooted in intercultural relations and loves combining culture with design to develop authentic content that truly connects with people. With over 7 years of marketing experience for various industries, her resume includes a variety of purpose-driven organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact, Fair Trade Federation, and World Vision. She earned a degree in Journalism and Media Studies from SDSU and an International Relations certificate from Oxford University. Having visited countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Stephanie’s exposure to different cultures allows her to see projects from new perspectives.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Deborah McGraw-Block

Deborah McGraw-Block

President

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.

Teresa Jacques

Teresa Jacques

Vice President

Teresa, a Partner at Major Executive Search has over 20 years of achievements as a global HR executive in the Communications, Information Technology and Professional Services Sectors. Throughout her career, Ms. Jacques has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion working with boards and executive teams to maximize capabilities and potential. Ms. Jacques remains at the forefront of board governance and compliance matters through her involvement with the Corporate Director’s Forum. She co-chairs the 2020 Women on Boards San Diego, Campaign, dedicated to accelerating the number of Women on Boards at public companies. As an active community member, Ms. Jacques has served on a number of nonprofit boards and has led fundraising efforts to support youth and military family causes. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Manpower Studies from the University of Westminster UK and completed the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School. She currently serves as WE Vice President.

Bridget Burns

Bridget Burns

Secretary

Bridget Burns 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.

Christy Hendrickson

Christy Hendrickson

Christy serves as program liaison to Fonkoze, WE’s partner in Haiti. She has an educational background in Psychology, Emergency Medicine, and Educational Therapy. She worked for 20 years as an Emergency Room physician and the last 15 years as an Educational Therapist. She served on the Board of SD International Dyslexia Association and was a speaker at multiple dyslexia conferences. Now retired, she volunteers at a non-profit in Solana Beach that offers after school tutoring to the Hispanic community. Christy has made site visits to WE partner projects in Mexico; Haiti and Uganda.

Susan Hennenfent

Susan Hennenfent

Susan is a high-tech and wireless communications pioneer who spent her career in product development at Qualcomm. She is an active community volunteer as a member of the San Diego Women’s Foundation and past President of the Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach. Susan sits on the WE Programs and Partnerships Committee. She holds an MBA from SDSU.

Linda Kurtz

Linda Kurtz

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.

José Angel Nuncio

José Angel Nuncio

José Angel Nuncio 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.

Kristen Ryan

Kristen Ryan

Kristen is an Associate at Goldman Sachs under the Human Capital Management division. She has eight years of prior experience working at nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout California, including UC San Diego, CSU Fullerton, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, and Twin Rivers Unified School District. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership from SDSU and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Ohio State University. Kristen is committed to combating poverty and inequality around the world, particularly where it affects the lives of women and girls.

Barbara Sawrey

Barbara Sawrey

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.

Erin Schultz

Erin Schultz

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.

Amina Sheik Mohamed, MPH

Amina Sheik Mohamed, MPH

Amina 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.

Loretta Smith

Loretta Smith

Loretta has over 45 years of diverse experience in management and leadership roles at UC San Diego. She served as Vice President and President of the UCSD Retirement Association for a two-year period and she still is an active member. She also is a returning WE Board Director who was instrumental in the selection and implementation of WE’s Constituent Database System. She also assisted with fund-raising activities and walked the Camino De Santiago walk, which raised funds for WE. Loretta currently is a member of the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary club and will serve as president as of July 1, 2021.

Landen Villanueva

Landen Villanueva

Mrs. Landen Villanueva has 20 years’ experience in the public and private sector supporting the US Navy. First as an enlisted sailor, then as a private industry contractor, and now as a public servant working for the Navy. Landen is a graduate of the University of Phoenix (BS Business Management) and San Diego State University (MS Public Administration). She is an enthusiastic mom, wife, triathlete, and musician. This will be the beginning of Landen’s journey with WE and she is very excited for the opportunity to do great things with WE!