Staff members
Our team of experienced professionals provides you with the highest level of service and support. Strategic, focused and committed, we are stewards who partner with our donors as they engage in high-impact giving that reflects their interests and passions.
VCCF Staff members
Bio
Vanessa Bechtel, AIFA, CSPG serves as President and CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). Over the past decade, under her leadership and with the support of generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and a passionate Board and staff, VCCF has granted more than $160 million to advance critical causes, including education, healthcare, housing, environmental protection, animal welfare, arts and music, and disaster relief.
In 2024, Bechtel was awarded an honorary doctorate by California State University, Channel Islands, recognizing her meaningful contributions to the community. In 2023, she received the Trailblazer Award from Women’s Economic Ventures for her visionary leadership.
Previously, Bechtel served as executive director of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and co-founded Monarch Wealth Strategies in 2008. Her accolades include being honored as Business Woman of the Year by the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce in 2010, named Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Academy in 2019, and, alongside her spouse Jim, recognized as Humanitarian of the Year by the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. In 2020, she was named Woman of the Year by both the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce and the 19th Senatorial and 37th Assembly Districts.
Bechtel holds a degree in Law and Society from UC Santa Barbara, earned a master’s degree from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California in 2016, and received a master’s certificate from the International Institute for the Sociology of Law in Onati, Spain, in 2002.
Bonnie Gilles
Vice President & Chief Financial and Operating Officer
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6681, ext. 125
Bio
Bonnie Gilles serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for VCCF. Her responsibilities include oversight of the VCCF’s more than 600 donor-advised, donor-designated, scholarship, field-of-interest and agency endowment funds, as well as the foundation’s investment portfolio, its operating budget and its annual grants and scholarship budget. Bonnie has been able to apply her 20-year tenure in real estate development and management to provide oversight of the VCCF Nonprofit Center. In addition, she oversees the Foundations insurance and human resources.
Prior to joining VCCF in October 2014, Bonnie was the Vice President of Finance for Total Woman Gym + Spa, managing finance and accounting for a portfolio of 16 locations with over $35 million in annual revenues. Before Total Woman, she was Controller for Fore Property Co., a national development/property management firm focused on low-income housing communities, with 40 locations in 15 states. Since 2018, Bonnie has served as a business representative on the Pleasant Valley School District Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the $119,000,000 Measure C Bond Measure, and currently serves as Chair.
An actively licensed California Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Bonnie graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Northridge, with a BS in business administration-accounting. Bonnie is Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA) certified.
Says Bonnie of her job,
“I take great pride in being part of VCCF, as it provides me with the opportunity to give back to the community that I have called home for 35 years.”
Bio
Bio coming soon
Bio
Gary Byrne serves as Vice President for VCCF. Gary joined the team at the start of 2025.
Prior to this, Gary was the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for San Benito County. He joined the foundation as its first staff member in 2002, and during his time at the foundation it granted out over $100 million dollars.
Over the past 30 years, he has worked in nonprofit development and management, as well as working and volunteering in education, social services, and local and statewide nonprofits.
His experience includes donor relations, capital campaign management, feasibility studies, education, and training for non profits and boards. Prior to joining VCCF, Gary was with the Saratoga/Los Gatos School District working on an $80 million dollar capital bond for the district.
Gary received his bachelor’s from the University of All Hallows in Dublin, Ireland.
Gary was the recipient of the Community Leadership Award in 2005 from Leadership San Benito.
Gary is a native of Dublin, Ireland, with 30+ years living on the central coast. He is married to an amazing wife with two grown children and three grandchildren. His most enjoyable pastime is to have family and friends over for a good meal and great wine. When not doing this, he loves to travel (local and afar), ski, hike, and do anything outdoors.
Mike Silacci
Chief Philanthropy & Community Engagement Officer
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6673, ext. 103
Bio
Mike Silacci joined the Ventura County Community Foundation team as its Chief Philanthropy & Community Engagement Officer, responsible for growing relationships and creating more pathways into our community foundation to continue to grow philanthropy in our region.
Mike is leveraging his prior deep experience with the VCCF having had the privilege of serving on its Board of Directors for 14 years, with half of that service as Board Treasurer and serving as chair of the Board Finance/Administration and Investment committees.
Prior to joining the VCCF team, Mike completed a 40-year career with AT&T, where he served in various management assignments in Corporate Accounting, Information Systems, Finance, Regulatory Compliance, and External/Government & Community Affairs (EA). He spent the final 25 years of his career representing AT&T to local, state, and federal government officials and community leaders and community/civic organizations across the greater Los Angeles region, covering Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties, including nearly 10 years leading the AT&T greater LA EA team as its Regional Vice President.
Over the past several years, Mike has been active on over two dozen community non-profit boards, mainly in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including having the privilege to serve as board chair for the Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County Economic Development, El Concilio del Condado de Ventura, Ventura County Civic Alliance (Inaugural Chair), United Way of Ventura County, CSU Channel Islands Alumni & Friends Association, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Ventura County Library Foundation, and Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County.
Mike is a native of San Luis Obispo and graduated from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, in 1981, with a B.S. in business administration/finance emphasis. He and his family have lived in Newbury Park for over 25 years.
Bio
Tracy Tagawa serves as the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) for the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). She has over 25 years of experience in Risk Management. She is passionate in developing strong relationships while ensuring compliance and risk policies are being followed throughout the organization. Her responsibilities include the oversight of the VCCF Corporate Compliance Program and the adherence of VCCF’s fiduciary responsibilities with its clients and future fund holders.
Prior to joining VCCF in Sept 2020, Tracy was Vice President – Regional Brokerage Supervisor for Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC for 14 years. Her region included cities within Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Los Angeles County. She worked diligently in identifying potential risks in advance, analyzing them, and taking precautionary steps to reduce risk in the future. She was also responsible for all internal and external audits within her region.
Tracy grew up in Marin County, California and graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a major in Business Economics. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and son. Both of her children play competitive sports and they travel to different states throughout the year to compete in national and state tournaments. Tracy also enjoys spending time with friends and family and they love attending professional sporting events when possible.
Bio
A life-long resident of Ventura County, Jim Rivera has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit executive management and fund development. He joined VCCF as the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) in June 2015. His prior professional positions include serving as Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO for the Santa Barbara City College Foundation, Vice President with Netzel Grigsby Associates, Inc., a management and consulting firm; Vice President of Administration for the Santa Barbara Foundation; and President & CEO of Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara’s largest home health and hospice provider. Jim began his career in nonprofit management as a United Way professional in both Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Organizations he has volunteered for include Mary Health of the Sick, Rancho Camulos Museum, Hutton Parker Foundation, Santa Paula Art Museum, Museum of Ventura County, Cultural Affairs Commission for the City of Ventura, Ventura County AIDS Partnership, Santa Barbara Hispanic Achievement Council, and El Concilio. Jim is certified in Fiduciary Essentials for Foundations and Endowments (FEFE).
Kinsey Cohen
Executive Assistant to the Chief Philanthropy & Community Engagement Officer
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6976, ext. 106
Bio
Born and raised in Chatsworth, Kinsey has lived in Ventura County on and off since her freshman year at CSU Channel Islands in 2013, where she received a B.A. in Psychology. An avid sailor, Kinsey also holds an OUPV Captain’s License/Merchant Mariner Credential. Prior to joining the VCCF team, she was the Development and Programming Assistant and a Program Instructor at a nonprofit located in Oxnard aboard a 110. ft tall ship. Kinsey spent her childhood summers sailing on Huntington Lake at Gold Arrow Camp but really fell in love with sailing when she joined her varsity sailing team at CSUCI, where she was the captain for three years and a sailing instructor for youth and adults at the CI Boating Center. She found a passion for teaching kids how to sail when she was a counselor for two years back at GAC and a sailing instructor for the CIBC summer camp. Kinsey is ecstatic to bring her unique experience to VCCF and contribute to the incredible impact that the foundation brings to Ventura County. When not working or sailing, Kinsey loves to knit and crochet, read, explore Disneyland, and brag about her cat, Anya.
Bio
Mike was born and raised in Nebraska where he graduated from college with a degree in accounting. After graduation, he decided he wanted to move to California. He searched the web and decided Ventura County was the destination. So, he packed up his things and moved to the West Coast.
Mike has a decade of experience in the accounting field, but this is his first foray into the nonprofit world. He is excited for the challenge and eager to help contribute to the mission of VCCF. Mike is an avid music lover and in his free time he likes to disc golf, play basketball, ride his bike, swim, hike, read, cook, and play with his two-year-old son, Miles.
Lauren Graf Peña
Marketing & Communication Officer
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6668, ext. 114
Bio
Lauren Graf Peña is the Marketing & Communications Officer at the Ventura County Community Foundation. She combines her passions for design, communication, and community service through her role at VCCF.
Lauren is currently based remotely out of Seattle, WA but was born and raised in Carpinteria, CA. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from California Lutheran University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in both communication with an emphasis in advertising and public relations, and art. She began her career at VCCF in 2021 as Administrative Assistant to the President & CEO and took her current position in 2022.
Lauren is also a lifelong volunteer, first accompanying her parents to Rotary projects while growing up, and later becoming an active Rotaract volunteer, as well as working in marketing at local nonprofits. Her passion for volunteering continues in her local community through helping faith-based, youth theatre, and pride organizations.
In her free time, Lauren loves playing table-top roleplay games, reading fantasy books, and doing arts and crafts.
Bio
Kate Jackson brings over a decade of nonprofit finance leadership to her role as Director of Accounting at the Ventura County Community Foundation. With expertise in fund accounting, audit oversight, and financial systems optimization, she is committed to building transparent, compliant, and mission-aligned financial operations.
Before joining VCCF, Kate spent seven years at the Tides Foundation, most recently serving as Interim Senior Director of Finance. During her tenure, she managed audits, regulatory filings, and developed reporting tools to improve cash planning and fund transparency. She also helped standardize services for philanthropic partners and strengthen accountability across more than 400 funds.
Her career also includes roles at Larkin Street Youth Services and the Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts, where she specialized in grant compliance, payroll, and internal controls. Kate is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP Advanced) and holds a degree from the University of California, San Diego.
Sierra Kettenburg
Grant & Scholarship Program Specialist
phone: 805.330.6615, ext. 123
Bio
Sierra is the Grant & Scholarship Program Specialist at the Ventura County Community Foundation. Sierra was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, CA and has lived in Ventura County her whole life. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Channel Island’s Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics in 2024 with a B.S. in business. Sierra grew up playing competitive club and high school soccer, teaching her the value of teamwork, tenacity, and pushing through challenges, traits she now carries with her wherever she goes. Sierra feels grateful for the opportunity to help make a positive impact in the beautiful county she grew up in and calls home.
In her free time, Sierra loves to travel. Some of her favorite places she has been lucky enough to explore recently include Germany, New York, Hawaii, and South Dakota. Sierra also moved into her first home in Oak Park, CA and loves exploring her new neighborhood and nearby hiking trails. Additionally, she enjoys any outdoor activities, time with friends and family, and watching her favorite sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Buffaloes.
Bio
Roshin Mathew has a well-rounded approach to strategy development and execution—molding narratives, driving momentum, engaging stakeholders, and highlighting impact. She is an energetic storyteller with years of experience leading fundraising, organizing, marketing, and advocacy campaigns.
At VCCF, she plays a pivotal role in leading and advancing VCCF’s community leadership activities. She is a strategic and analytical thinker with a passion for community development and a proven track record in managing complex community impact projects and building collaborative relationships. At VCCF she will identify opportunities for growth, develop strategic plans, and ensure the successful implementation of plans.
She came to VCCF from the Women Donors Network, and prior to that the California Community Foundation (CCF). At one of the nation’s largest and oldest community foundations, Roshin developed and implemented strategies to increase awareness of the foundation’s commitment to bring about systemic change that improves the lives of underserved communities in Los Angeles County.
Before moving to California, Roshin worked in Washington, D.C. as Communications Director of Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP). There she helped position VPP as a leader in taking the venture capital model of investing to build strong nonprofits and strategic networks that measurably improve the lives of young people throughout Washington, D.C.
Roshin has worked at the Service Employees International Union, Occidental College, and the Center for Community Change. Her experiences include working as a campaign communicator and speech writer for a variety of social and economic justice causes.
She began her career as an Emerson National Hunger Fellow. As a fellow, she gained field and policy experiences to advocate for social justice, reduce poverty, and improve food security. She is a graduate of Reed College, where she studied political science and received her master’s degree from the University of Maryland’s School of Information.
Bio
Aidan Miner is the Administrative Assistant at VCCF. Raised in Thousand Oaks, Aidan got involved in community service at a young age through Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts of America. His passion to help others only grew as he progressed through the ranks and eventually achieve Eagle Scout.
As an alumni of California State University, Channel Islands, he achieved a degree in communication studies. Through Channel Islands, he worked with VCCF on the Isabella Project. After the project, he realized all the good he could continue doing through VCCF. After his internship with them, he continued his work full-time at VCCF.
Calleen Pardinas
Philanthropic Services Officer & Board Liaison
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6987, ext. 201
Bio
Calleen Pardinas is the Philanthropic Services Officer and Board Liaison at the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). She moved to Ventura County from Arizona in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the community’s spirit of generosity.
Born and raised in Mesa, Calleen’s background in corporate philanthropy inspired her passion for working with local nonprofits and growing philanthropy throughout the region. At VCCF, she leads the Donor Peer Network, bringing together local philanthropists to learn, connect, and collaborate on ways to strengthen Ventura County.
“Our donor clients have taught me so much during my time at VCCF. I’m constantly inspired by their generosity and commitment to building a thriving community.”
Calleen earned her degree in communications and sustainability from Arizona State University and is especially passionate about environmental education and youth engagement. Outside of work, she loves traveling and spending time outdoors – sun or snow – with her husband, two children, and dogs.
Jessica Proctor
Building Services Coordinator
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6664, ext. 131
Bio
Jessica Proctor is the Building Services Coordinator for the VCCF Nonprofit Center, providing information on the center’s resources and tenant services. Aside from greeting and directing visitors as they arrive at the building, she also manages meeting space and room reservation requests for over 125 eligible nonprofit organizations in Ventura County. In March of 2019 she became certified in Fiduciary Essentials for Foundations and Endowments (FEFE).
Prior to joining VCCF in 2012, Jessica was a graphic artist for 16 years in Los Angeles county, digitally coloring children’s cartoons for daytime television. Her credits include “Strawberry Shortcake”, “Horseland”, “Liberty’s Kids” , “Dino Squad”, “Sabrina the Animated Series”, and Emmy Award winning “Madeline”.
Jessica recently received her AA in Anthropology with Highest Honors from Oxnard College in 2015 and plans to transfer to a CSU Channel Islands in the future. When she is not working or studying, Jessica enjoys spending her free time with her son and creating art.
"My inspiration for working at the VCCF Nonprofit Center is an appreciation for social diversity and interaction between nonprofit organizations collectively engaging in one place."
Julia Stermer
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6665, ext. 110
Bio
Julia Stermer is the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, Vanessa Bechtel, at the Ventura County Community Foundation. Born and raised in Camarillo, Ventura County, Julia is thrilled to be helping her home community after many years in the travel industry.
During her high school and early college years, she raised money for, and participated in, volunteer work abroad where she taught English and assisted with the needs of local communities through an organization known as IMPACT. After completing her Associate of Arts degree at Ventura County Community College, she began the Bachelor of English program at California State University, Channel Islands, before entering the workforce full-time.
After six years working her way up in a River Cruise Company from Reservationist to Groups Reservationist, to Communications Coordinator & Administrative Assistant, then finally to Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Sales, she was inspired to join the Ventura County Community Foundation. Her personal motto is: “Always maintain a student mindset.”
When not working, Julia volunteers as an historical re-enactor at renaissance fairs, exhibiting attire and handiworks of Western Europe from the 15th to 17th centuries. Outside of these events, she enjoys hiking, board games, and spending time with friends, family, and her three kitties: Artemis, Apollo, and Aphrodite.
Candice Tang Nyholt
Director of Marketing and Communications
email: [email protected]
phone: 805.330.6675
Bio
Candice Nyholt has over 16 years of experience in social impact communications, behavior change, and food marketing. She has been a key player in numerous successful campaigns such as the Santa Barbara City College Foundation’s Campaign for Student Success, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s Join Jacob Campaign, and the Sacramento County Public Health’s Winter Virus Vaccine Campaign, to name a few.
Prior to founding her own marketing and communications firm focusing on nonprofits and small businesses, she was Account Supervisor at Runyon Saltzman, where she led statewide behavior change and social impact campaigns. She was Account Supervisor at Evans Hardy Young, where she drove marketing for food and commodity board clients, such as the Idaho Potato Commission. She was also Accounts Director at SurfMedia Communications, serving clients with a commitment to culture and society, such as Women’s Economic Ventures and the Community Environmental Council. Nyholt was Marketing and Distribution Manager at BabyFirst, a leading educational and learning channel for children and parents.
Nyholt graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in International Studies and Minor in English. In 2008, she graduated with a master’s degree from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. In 2013, she was named a Pacific Coast Business Times 40 Under 40 and has served on the board of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics.
Bio
I have been in the accounting industry for nearly 15 years. I have been lucky enough to gain some great experience as I have worked in everything from manufacturing to advertising. This will be my first experience with a non-profit organization, and I couldn’t be more excited!! I fell in love with Ventura County at first sight when I moved here back in 2007. I can’t think of an organization I’d be prouder to be a part of.
Bio
Kirsti joined the Ventura County Community Foundation in August of 2022.
Kirsti was born and raised in Ventura and has worked serving our county in the nonprofit and social service fields for over 30 years. Prior to joining VCCF as the Scholarship Director, Kirsti was the Director of Programs in California for a national nonprofit in the mental health field. Prior to that, she managed a statewide prevention grant that provided family strengthening and capacity building services to nonprofits and government agencies throughout California.
Kirsti graduated from San Jose State University and lives in Camarillo with her husband, son, and her spoiled pooch Rosie.
Bio
Aaron Weissman is the Database Manager for the Ventura County Community Foundation. Aaron was born in Woodland Hills but has lived in Ventura since he was a toddler, so he considers it his hometown.
Aaron graduated with a B.A. in psychology from California State University, Channel Islands in 2019. During his time at CSUCI, he helped coordinate events with PSI CHI and served as treasurer for a year. He has some previous community-oriented experience working at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation through an internship program, as well as teaching college preparation at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility.
From traveling at a young age to local sports meets to his love of hiking, Aaron has seen most parts of Ventura County. He grew to appreciate the natural beauty and lively culture each city has to offer, and hopes to give back the county through this position. In his free time he likes to create art, take walks, or enjoy a night in. Aaron has always been driven to innovate, and he hopes to bring that enthusiasm to the team at VCCF.
Bio
Graduating in 2024 from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in graphic and communication design, Finley West discovered the fulfillment of working with nonprofits through coursework that allowed him to create designs for the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Finley moved to Wisconsin for his sophomore and junior years of high school where he discovered his passion for graphic design from frequenting online forums, as well as through the printing and papermaking industry that is so dominant there. It was during high school when he decided that he would pursue graphic design and communications as a career, but he always yearned for a way he could help people and merge his passion and purpose together.
Frequenting Ventura County often when he was younger, Finley made the move to Newbury Park after graduation and has been smitten with the county ever since. Upon discovering the position with VCCF, the decision was an easy one, and now Finley is overjoyed at the potential to give back to his community while simultaneously utilizing his passion for graphic and communication design. Enjoying the rich cultural history of Ventura, the coastal air of Port Hueneme, the wonderful people of Oxnard and Camarillo, and everything else the county has to offer, Ventura County is a place that he is proud to call home and happy to serve.
Finley enjoys reading novels, exploring indie gaming and art, and going on evening walks to enjoy the fresh air of Newbury Park. He also enjoys California’s history and natural features, taking trips to the Sierras or the Redwoods whenever he can and exploring the geographical features of the state.
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