Hilary Mahan, Executive Director
Hilary brings a deep appreciation for education and the public-school system, as well as extensive experience in program development, fundraising and event planning in the nonprofit sector, to the team at MBEF. In partnership with the Board of Directors, District liaisons and local education stakeholders, Hilary is responsible for developing, integrating, and carrying-out fundraising and outreach initiatives to support the financial health and growth of the organization. Hilary is active in the local community, building partnerships through the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Coordinating Council. Prior to leading the MBEF team, Hilary served as Communications Chair on the MBEF Board of Directors for several years. While on the Board, she was also a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and Grants Committee. Hilary holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Communications and English from UC Santa Barbara and is certificated in Public Relations and Event Planning from UCLA Extension and the Emerging Leaders program through the Leadership Institute of the Non-Profit Partnership. Hilary and her husband live in Manhattan Beach with their son Trey (Alumni) and two daughters, Ella (Alumni) and Alana (MBMS).
David S. Brennan, Director of Development & Partnerships
David is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships between MBEF and the local community. Focused on implementing solicitation strategies for new and increased donations, David actively connects prospective partners with the programs and leadership of MBEF. David also coordinates events to share MBEF’s mission, including donor appreciation events and the Manhattan Wine Auction. David brings over two decades experience working in the non-profit sector, including the charitable arms of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Clippers. Most recently David served as Senior Director, Programs & Fundraising at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), overseeing fundraising efforts and program initiatives. Throughout his career, David’s primary goal has been to make a difference in local communities through social impact in the lives of youth. David holds a BA, Sociology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island. He has been a resident of Manhattan Beach since 2006 and resides with his wife Lana Bagley.
Kristi Buckley, Donor Relations Director
Kristi helps manage MBEF’s primary fundraising campaign, the Annual Appeal, collaborating on the strategy, supervising and training school site Ambassadors, and tracking outcomes. Kristi is instrumental to all of MBEF’s fundraising efforts, coordinating special events and overseeing all internal operations. An experienced sales and marketing professional, Kristi has over 8 years’ experience as a commercial real estate property manager. Skilled in negotiation, leasing, real estate transaction and marketing, Kristi brings a wealth of knowledge to the MBEF team. Prior to joining MBEF, Kristi served on the Executive Board of the Manhattan Beach Middle School as the MBEF Site Representative. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communications from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and lives in Manhattan Beach with her twin boys Carter and Owen (Alumni).
Liz Tyndorf, Community Relations Director
Liz manages community relations and communications efforts to increase awareness and donor support. Liz’s primary focus is MBEF’s Annual Appeal fundraising campaign, including all events and related communications. For 25 years prior to joining MBEF, Liz worked in Sales, Marketing and Public Relations in the corporate sector, as well as small-business consulting. In her free time, Liz served as a HBEF Board Member and Co-Chair of the Hearts of Hermosa Auction for four years, VP of Community Outreach for Hermosa Valley PTO, and sat on Hermosa Schools Site Council and the HBCSD Superintendents Advisory Board. Liz has been a Sandpiper since 2006 and recently co-founded Hermosa Hermanos, a volunteer group for high school boys from Hermosa Beach. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Illinois State University and lives in Hermosa Beach with her husband Tim and twin sons, Owen and Griffin (MCHS).
Anna Frankel, Donor Relations Coordinator
Anna is responsible for tracking all donor data for the Annual Appeal, Endowment and other giving vehicles in the donor database. She is mindful of the importance of building meaningful relationships with donors, bringing a customer centered approach to her role of ensuring accuracy. Anna has over 15 years of Human Resources experience, most recently working with MBUSD where she successfully managed a Full cycle recruitment desk while simultaneously supported 350+ employees. Anna is passionate about supporting public education specifically in the South Bay where she and her family have lived for 29 years.
Bea Zimbalist, Development Coordinator
Bea supports MBEF with office administration as well the Annual Appeal and Manhattan Wine Auction. Bea has over 15 years as an event planner in both the non profit and corporate worlds. Prior to joining MBEF, Bea volunteered as a site ambassador at Grand View Elementary, MBMS and MCHS as well as serving on the Manhattan Wine Auction committee for several years. She also sits on the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Board and MCHS PTA Executive Board. Bea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania. She and her husband live in Manhattan Beach with their daughter Anna (MCHS) and Ivan (MBMS).
