VCCF Welcomes Three New Team Members

VCCF is delighted to introduce you to our three newest team members: Gary Byrne, Roshin Mathew, and Nailea Gaytan. As VCCF’s work continues to grow throughout Ventura County, we are so grateful for the immense talent and passion that each of our team members bring to the table.

Gary Byrne, Vice President

Gary joined the VCCF team at the start of 2025. Previously, 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 nonprofits and boards. Prior to his role at CFSBC, 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.

Roshin Mathew, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Roshin came to VCCF from the Women Donors Network, and prior to that the California Community Foundation. 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. 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.

Nailea Gaytan, Marketing & Communications Intern

Born in Ventura and raised in Oxnard, Nailea looks forward to supporting her local Ventura County community through VCCF. She is a current student at California State University, Channel Islands, soon to be graduating in Spring 2025 with a B.A. in communication studies and afterwards hopes to continue collaborating with VCCF. In her free time, Nailea likes spending time with her loved ones, enjoying Southern California nature, and traveling. She is most excited to contribute to the meaningful work VCCF does throughout our community.