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Walter Philips
Walter has been at the helm of San Diego Youth Services as the Chief Executive Officer since 2000. He reports directly to our 14-member Board of Directors on our agency performance, including the 17,000 youth we help annually, our more than 200 staff members and 100 volunteers. During Walter’s tenure, SDYS has grown from a small agency with a $6 million annual budget and 16 programs to one of San Diego’s largest youth serving agencies, with a $24 million annual budget and more than 30 programs. Walter has worked in San Diego County as a social worker for three decades, including more than 25 years in leadership positions.
Richard Gutierrez
Richard has been a Chief Financial Executive in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years. He has extensive experience in fiscal oversight and operations, spearheading complex projects, identifying new opportunities and providing financial consultation. At San Diego Youth Services, Richard oversees and implements long-term financial and operational strategies, oversees our financial activity and manages our finance and accounting teams. Richard’s team consists of six staff members who manage over 70 separate federal, state and local contracts. Prior to joining SDYS, he was the Chief Financial Officer for Casa Pacifica.
Steven Jella
Steven is the Chief Program Officer at San Diego Youth Services. He is a licensed psychologist and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Since 2008, Steven has designed, implemented and overseen SDYS’ programming, including juvenile diversion, prevention and intervention, homelessness housing and support, mental health treatment, LGBTQ+ services, suicide and anti-bullying prevention and intervention, human trafficking prevention, domestic violence prevention, foster care services, workforce development and adoption support. He also manages program funding, analyzes the effectiveness of programs and develops strategies to improve existing programs, as well as oversees program directors and staff.
Kristen Diggs
Kristen is San Diego Youth Services’ Chief Human Resources Officer. She has held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations for the past 17 years. Kristen oversees all aspects of human resources, including analyzing and improving existing HR policies, practices and operations, as well as developing strategies and policies that promote sustainable growth. In addition, Kristen also ensures business objectives are achieved, manages talent acquisition, SDYS' diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, employee relations, compensation and cultural development. Before joining SDYS, she served as the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Board of Directors
San Diego Youth Services
Chair
Principal & Owner, consulTD
Tim has held multiple executive positions across both the for-profit and non-profit sectors and currently leads a bespoke consulting firm that is focused on delivering tangible impact for organizations and communities. Tim specializes in developing actionable strategic plans for social impact organizations, as well as facilitating large-scale employee engagement efforts, and has served on the boards of various non-profits across the US and Europe.
Vice Chair
DA General, CA Department of Justice
Monique Myers has practiced law since 2013. She is a Deputy Attorney General in the Appeals, Writs & Trials section of the California Attorney General’s Office. Previously, she was a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego County.
Secretary
Principal, San Diego Unified School District
Precious has spent 15 years in education as a K-12 educator and administrator where she is working to advocate for students who require additional supports and services. Precious is a member of the local chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc., a sorority of educators and counselors who provide mentoring and professional and professional development.
Treasurer
Director, Business
Transformation Ray Savings Solution, LLC
Kym is a finance executive with 30 years of experience. Her family's journey as political refugees from Vietnam in 1978 shaped her passion for giving back and helping others reach their potential. Through volunteering and serving on advisory boards for community-focused organizations, Kym strives to inspire others and create opportunities that foster growth and positive change in our community.
Director
Associate Dean, Cuyamaca College
Dr. Sade Burrell is a socially conscious leader committed to diversity, access and student success. She’s dedicated 15+ years to ensuring families and communities are provided with every opportunity to become successful. Now serving as an Associate Dean at Cuyamaca College, Dr. Burrell continues to serve her community by serving of boards such as San Diego Youth Services, where she provides insight as a person who experienced foster care.
Director
President & CEO, Council for Supplier Diversity
Ronald is President and CEO of the Council for Supplier Diversity, which has a mission to use Supplier Diversity initiatives as an engine for economic development in economically under-served communities. He is a Certified “Master Trainer” and his broad background in executive management, sales, distribution, operations, and human resources provides a unique combination of experience and competency when it comes to improving strategy.
Director
Sr. Processing Developmental Engineer, Illumina
Jesse is a process engineer serving to bring STEM focused initiatives to underserved communities and expand inclusion of people of color. In his spare time, he tutors students of San Diego Refugees. He enjoys basketball and all things NBA.
Director
Owner & Principal Consultant, L Factor Consulting and Coaching
Laurie is a social impact consultant and certified coach who earned her M.A. degree in Nonprofit Management and specializes in social enterprise business operations, CSR, and program development. She has served in the nonprofit sector for the last 15 years as a volunteer, advisor, and program director at some of Los Angeles’ top nonprofits and employment social enterprises.
Director
Principal, Laura Shanley Consulting
Laura spent 14 years in Employee Communications and Engagement at a Fortune 500 company in San Diego. She has since transitioned to part-time consulting to have more time with her three children.
Director
Senior Associate, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Jeff works in the field of Intellectual Property Law. His professional highlights include being named the 2020 Distinguished Pro Bono Attorney of the Year at the Casa Cornelia Law Center; 2019 Pro Bono Publico winner at the Casa Cornelia Law Center; and the Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Working Father of the year in 2020. Jeff and his wife Katie are the proud parents of three active kids.
Director
Lecturer at University of San Diego and San Diego State University
Sobeida Velazquez has been in education
for over 20 years. She has been a classroom teacher, a resource teacher, a charter school CEO/Principal and an Elementary School principal. She is currently a lecturer at USD and SDSU while completing her Ph.D. in Education for Social Justice at the University of San Diego.
Director
CEO, The Culture Cru
San Diego Youth Foundation
Chair
Community Member
Vice Chair
SVP Community Banks Div. Mgr. LPL Financial
Yandro has been involved with various charities and not for profit organizations. He is an associate board member of The Covenant House, active with the Chamber of Commerce, volunteers for Junior Achievement, and is an advocate for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Treasurer
Director, Business
Transformation Ray Savings Solution, LLC
Kym is a finance executive with 30 years of experience. Her family's journey as political refugees from Vietnam in 1978 shaped her passion for giving back and helping others reach their potential. Through volunteering and serving on advisory boards for community-focused organizations, Kym strives to inspire others and create opportunities that foster growth and positive change in our community.
Secretary
IT Project Manager, Staff, Qualcomm
Mary is an experienced Project and Program Manager currently working at Qualcomm, a semiconductor company headquartered in San Diego. She has over 20 years of experience in technology, specializing in application development, implementation, and management. Mary serves on the board of Qualcomm Women Employee Network and has been involved with multiple non-profits supporting San Diego youth including Big Brother Big Sister, Junior Achievement, and Voices for Children.
Director
Principal & Owner, consulTD
Tim has held multiple executive positions across both the for-profit and non-profit sectors and currently leads a bespoke consulting firm that is focused on delivering tangible impact for organizations and communities. Tim specializes in developing actionable strategic plans for social impact organizations, as well as facilitating large-scale employee engagement efforts, and has served on the boards of various non-profits across the US and Europe.
Director
Senior Manager, PHD Media
Jessalyn has 7+ years of advertising and marketing experience in digital and traditional media. One of her first jobs was an intern in the Marketing & Development Dept. at SDYS while studying for her undergrad degree at SDSU. She is a recent graduate from Pepperdine University with her MBA specializing in marketing. She is passionate about helping the children of San Diego and has been a volunteer with since 2013.
Director
General Sales Manager, iHeartMedia
Cathy works at iHeartMedia, a leading global media and entertainment company specializing in radio, digital, mobile, social, live events and on-demand entertainment. She prides herself on supporting fellow women through networking and mentorship, and served on boards that help women and children throughout San Diego.
Director
Real Estate Broker
Director
Senior Director, Global Integration & Continuous Improvement
Maggie Lowe is an innovative leader with over 20 years of IT and continuous improvement experience, currently heading the IMO and Continuous Improvement Organization at Mesa Labs. Her career includes leadership roles at Qualcomm and Agena Biosciences, along with board advisory positions such as Hoover High’s Academy of IT. Passionate about giving back, Maggie leverages her expertise to support organizations with impactful programs.
Director
Deputy City Attorney, San Diego City Attorney's Office
Kelly has been on the Board for nearly 11 years. Kelly graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 2001. She has served her community as a prosecutor both in San Diego County and in Cook County, Illinois. After nearly ten years in that field, Kelly transitioned to civil law, and now serves
as a Deputy City Attorney for San Diego defending the City in a variety of lawsuits.
Director
Principal Consultant, Self-Employed
With over 15 years of professional experience in higher education leadership, Lida has served in various leadership roles in community colleges, where she has been instrumental in leading strategic change. Her areas of expertise include program and curricula design, training and facilitation, executive coaching, strategic planning, and organizational development. As a Principal Consultant, she serves as a thought partner to leaders across health, higher education and business organizations to renvision their internal policies and procedures to reflect and promote greater equity.
Director
Community Member
Director
Sr. Director, HRBP ServiceNOW
As an HR leader, Jenny has 20+ years of experience developing and implementing strategies that drive high-performing, inclusive work cultures. Specializing in leadership development, organization design, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, she has been a trusted advisor to employees and executives, guiding them through complex change initiatives and fostering environments where employees thrive. Jenny currently leads talent strategy, engagement, and retention efforts, ensuring that organizational goals align with a people-first approach.
Director
Principal, Widmann Henderson Enterprises, Inc.
Sabina Widmann is the owner of Widmann Henderson Enterprises, a firm that provides coaching and consulting for business and life. She previously oversaw operations of TelevisaUnivision Communication Inc.’s (UCI) radio stations, and worked at Earthshare of California and the Environmental Health Coalition. In addition, Sabina is a proud board member of the San Diego Youth Services. Widmann is bi-lingual and bi-cultural having lived over 5 years of her adult life in Latin America, and she is now raising her two daughters in San Diego.
Foundation Trustees
Trustee
Vice President, Tenant Representation
Jones Lang LaSalle
Trustee
Community Volunteer
Trustee
Attorney
Smith, Steiner, Vanderpool & Wax
Trustee
Community Volunteer
Trustee
CEO, Revenue Frontier
Trustee
Senior Vice President, Alliant Insurance Services
Trustee
Community Member
