MBEF Leadership

The MBEF and Endowment Boards of Directors consist of community leaders, PTA representatives, local entrepreneurs, educational leaders and parents who are dedicated to the MBEF mission. In partnership with an experienced executive management team, the directors actively participate as volunteer ambassadors to support the foundation's fundraising, stewardship and grant management efforts.

2026-2027 MBEF Board of Directors

Raj Mehrotra

President

Raj Mehrotra, President

Raj Mehrotra was born and raised in Delhi, India and attended University of Delhi, Lancaster (UK) and graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting. Raj has 25+ years of professional experience serving fortune 100 clients with 13+ years as Partner in Deloitte’s Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) group. Raj also serves as the LA Office Managing Partner for Consulting Services. His professional accreditations include certified public accountant, chartered financial analyst charterholder, and has held various practice and tech/media industry leadership roles over the years including responsibility for regional and national P&Ls for various market offerings/service lines within Deloitte M&A. Raj has been a resident of Manhattan Beach since 2016, is married to his wife Shivani and father of his two boys Rehaan and Zayaan who attend MBUSD schools. He has been deeply involved in the various parent programs and relocated here from another neighborhood for the education.

Michael Unton

Vice President

Michael Unton, Vice President

Michael Unton is CEO of Flowing Energy, a clean energy company commercializing a new type of engine that turns heat into electricity without burning anything. He was previously COO of Imagen Dental Partners and prior to that a Vice President of DaVita. He has a track record of creating breakthrough operational and financial results in several fields – healthcare, chemicals and energy. Michael received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his family moved to Manhattan Beach in 2017, primarily for the quality of the schools. Michael and his wife Elissa are proud parents of Zoey, a Grand View Gator and now Manhattan Beach Middle School Wave. He was head of volunteers for the 2024 Measure MB campaign and is a leader of the after-school math club at MBMS. His interests include running 5k and 10k races and doing volunteer work to help end the epidemic of homelessness in Los Angeles. Michael and his wife live in Manhattan Beach with their daughter who attends a MBUSD school.

Andrew Kwasnowski

Treasurer

Andrew Kwasnowski, Treasurer

Andrew Kwasnowski is CEO of One Stop Windows and Doors, where he guides and mentors the executive management team in their LA, Orange County, and Hawaii markets. A native New Yorker, he holds a Bachelors in Civil/Structural Engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from the Fordham Gabelli School of Business. As a small business owner in the South Bay for the past 10 years, Andrew has already become active with the MBEF Community Partners Program to boost our support from local businesses, and he worked on the 2025 Wine Auction procurement committee. Andrew has two young girls at Robinson.

Terence Balagia

Secretary

Terence Balagia, Secretary

Terence Balagia is a Vice President in Asset & Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs, where he serves as an investment advisor to a select group of nonprofit organizations and ultra-high net worth families. Prior to his current role, Terence was a Vice President in Corporate Treasury located in New York, where he was responsible for managing the firm’s capital and overseeing its capital stress testing process. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2011, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York advising institutions on strategies to manage foreign exchange, commodity and interest rate risk. Terence earned his Master’s in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston College. He is a CFA® charter holder and a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Additionally, Terence is a founding member of Wall Street for McCombs, serves on the Board and Finance Committee of Shoes That Fit and is a member of the Wealth Management Advisory Board for the CFA® Society of Los Angeles. Terence, his wife, Kailee, and two daughters live in Manhattan Beach where his oldest attends Pennekamp Elementary.

Class I Directors

Stephanie Beirne

Pennekamp

Claire Durand

Pacific, MBMS

Alyne Kassardjian

ROBINSON

Samantha Maynard

MBMS, MCHS

Jillian Robertson

MEADOWS, MBMS

Melissa Spiegel

MCHS

Kathryn Withycombe

Grand View

Class II Directors

Aamir Abdullah

Pennekamp

Aamir Abdullah

Mohammad “Aamir” Abdullah is a primary care physician and Clinical Instructor of Medicine at UCLA, where he provides direct patient care at the Immediate Care Center in Westwood and is on the Health Sciences Clinical Professor track. He attended the University of British Columbia, earning a BS in Chemistry, and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He is currently earning an Executive MBA through the UCLA Anderson School of Management and serves on the Medical Advisory Board for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Aamir is a Pennekamp TK parent.

Joe Berro

Meadows

Joe Berro

Joe Berro is the Founder and Principal of Apex Healthcare Technologies, a medical device sales and healthcare consulting company he successfully built into a multi-million-dollar enterprise serving clients across multiple states and internationally. With a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Arizona, Joe brings more than 20 years of experience in business development, strategic planning, sales leadership, and organizational growth. A Manhattan Beach resident and parent of two students at Meadows Elementary, he is deeply committed to supporting educational excellence in MBUSD and brings valuable expertise in fundraising strategy, community engagement, relationship building, and long-term planning to advance MBEF's mission and impact.

Mike Brunick

Pacific, MBMS, MCHS

Mike Brunick

Mike Brunick is the Managing Partner at UNBOUND, providing strategic consulting and advisory services to marketers, media owners and technology companies to develop data strategies that better connect brands to their customers. He was previously a founder of Cadreon – creating a new category of marketing services – and has been a pioneer in the evolution of data-driven marketing and automated media trading. Mike went to the University of Southern California and graduated from the Marshall School of Business. A native to Manhattan Beach, Mike recently relocated back to his hometown where he lives with his wife Emily and his three children, Jake, Olivia and Lucie, who will be third-generation graduates of Mira Costa. Mike joined the Board of Directors in 2018 after serving on the executive committee for Measure MB.

Wayne Bush

Grand View

Wayne Bush

Wayne Bush is a principal at Platinum Equity, LLC, where he leads financial operations and governance for over 55 global portfolio companies. His areas of oversight have included Insurance, Data Risk and IT Security, Accounting, Deal Teams, Legal, M&A, Operations, and Tax. He has served as Chair or Co-Chair of the Audit Committee for over 50 companies in the firm’s portfolio, and his background includes tax/finance consulting. Wayne holds a BS, JD, and MST. He served on the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Board for four years, two as Vice President, and is the father of three young children who attend/will attend Grand View.

Lorelei Chao

Alumni Parent

Lorelei Chao

Lorelei Chao has served as PTA Co-President at Pennekamp Elementary and held various roles with the MBMS PTA and the MB Council of PTAs. Lorelei earned a BA in Finance from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University. She spent over 15 years in investment consulting for institutional clients with Verus Investments (formerly Wurts & Associates), The Northern Trust Company and William M. Mercer Investment Consulting. Lorelei was part of the investment team at the Orange County Employees Retirement System for five years, focused on the alternative assets and real estate programs in the latter part of her tenure. She is a CFA charter holder. Lorelei and her husband Jason have two children in MBUSD.

Jennifer Cram

Grand View, MBMS, MCHS

Jennifer Cram

Jen Cram graduated from Syracuse University in 1997 where she played Division I Tennis. Prior to having her first child, she worked 10+ years as an investment consultant for two firms in Chicago (Mercer Investment Consulting and Callan Associates) followed by Bel Air Investments and Angeles Consultants in Los Angeles. Her professional experience includes working with pensions, foundations, and endowments to set investment goals and needs and find appropriate asset allocation. Jen has also volunteered in some capacity since she was very young as a member of a greater community and believes that her experiences have shaped her perspective for the better. Her own children take notice of their parents involvement and commitment to their education to make it the best experience and opportunity given our financial limits.

Maribeth Cunningham

Pacific, MBMS

Maribeth Cunningham

Maribeth Cunningham is a strategic, finance-driven community leader with a background in commercial real estate banking, investment analysis, and nonprofit financial stewardship. A UCLA graduate with degrees in Economics and International Area Studies, she previously worked in investment banking and commercial real estate underwriting, where she specialized in financial modeling, valuation analysis, and institutional investor relations. Since moving to Manhattan Beach, Maribeth has become a highly engaged community volunteer, serving as Pacific Elementary's PTA Treasurer, Financial Secretary, MBEF Site Ambassador, and Campus Beautification Chair. Through her leadership, Pacific has exceeded MBEF fundraising goals for two consecutive years while strengthening financial management practices and community engagement. A current MBEF Board member and parent of students at Pacific Elementary and Manhattan Beach Middle School, Maribeth brings expertise in financial oversight, fundraising strategy, stakeholder engagement, and nonprofit governance, along with a deep commitment to advancing educational excellence for all MBUSD students.

Farnaz Flechner

MCHS

Farnaz Flechner

Farnaz Flechner is the Superintendent of Environmental Charter Schools. Farnaz came to ECS in 2018 with more than 20 years’ experience and leadership in the nonprofit sector. She began her career as an Art and English Teacher in a Title 1 school in LAUSD and at Inner-City Arts before pursuing a degree in Public Policy with a focus on education policy reform. She returned to LA in 2002 and served as VP of Programs at Chrysalis, a workforce development nonprofit serving LA’s homeless. In 2006, Farnaz moved to San Francisco and joined FSG Social Impact Advisors, where she worked on the Hewlett Foundation’s CA K-12 Education Policy Program. Then, as the Director of Programs and Services at Tides, she oversaw the management of 230 fiscally sponsored social justice and environmental projects with more than 600 employees nationwide. In 2012 Farnaz returned to Los Angeles and served as the Interim Executive Director of Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts and went on to serve as Executive Director of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) from 2014-2018. Farnaz’ background in public policy and education continue to help lead MBEF’s fund development efforts in her role as a member of the Board. Farnaz and her husband Lawrence live in Manhattan Beach with their two children.

Stacey Fundingsland

Pacific, MBMS, MCHS

Stacey Fundingsland

Stacey Fundingsland graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Communications in 2004 and began working in advertising with Jack Morton Worldwide, a leading global experiential marketing agency. As an Account Lead, Stacey worked across Fortune 500 brands such as Intel, Gap, NBC, Mattel, Johnson and Johnson, etc. with a focus and expertise working within the technology sector. In 2015, she focused on raising her toddler boys and formed her own Marketing Consulting company where she has created global events for clients such as Intel, Hulu, Illumina, Cisco and Docker, driving strategy, growing revenue and managing teams of 50+ people. Stacey appreciates the autonomy and challenge of working for myself and has been involved in volunteering with the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation while raising three boys before moving to Manhattan Beach.

Neil Gehlawat

PENNEKAMP

Neil Gehlawat

Neil Gehlawat is a partner at Taylor Ring in Manhattan Beach, where he represents victims of childhood sexual abuse, police misconduct, and personal injury. A graduate of UC Berkeley and the University of Texas School of Law, Neil has built a distinguished legal career focused on advocacy, justice, and community impact. He currently serves on the boards of the Consumer Attorneys of California, the Federal Bar Association–Los Angeles Chapter, and has previously held leadership roles supporting community-based fundraising initiatives. Recognized by organizations including Lawdragon, Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, Neil brings expertise in governance, fundraising, public advocacy, and community engagement. As a Manhattan Beach resident, parent at Pennekamp Elementary, and lifelong supporter of public education, he is committed to helping MBEF strengthen educational opportunities and enrich the student experience throughout MBUSD.

Garret Giglia

Grand View, MBMS

Garret Giglia

Garret Giglia began his career in Public Accounting working in the Audit and Advisory practice at Windes & McClaughry. After earning his Certified Public Accountant designation (currently inactive) and spending 3 years at Windes & McClaughry, he joined the institutional asset management team at Pacific Life where he was responsible for making buy/sell recommendations on the underlying credit investments of the broader investment portfolio. In 2012, he joined the Private Banking and Investment Group (“PBIG”) at Merrill Lynch, shifting his focus from institutional investment management to high-net-worth wealth management. In 2016, Mr. Giglia joined First Republic Bank, serving as Senior Vice President and Wealth Manager. Mr. Giglia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California. Mr. Giglia holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Mr. Giglia lives in Manhattan Beach with his wife and two sons who attend Pacific Elementary.

Jim Hunt

Grand View

Jim Hunt

Jim Hunt is the owner and principal of the Jim Hunt Group. A luxury residential real estate firm based in Manhattan Beach. Ranked among the top 1% of Realtors nationwide by RealTrends/WSJ and No. 4 in sales production in Manhattan Beach. Jim holds a BBA in Finance from Western Michigan University. He has been a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange since 2006, where he trades natural gas futures contracts. Jim lives in the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach with his wife and two daughters. Both attend Grand View Elementary.

Alice Kuo

MCHS

Alice Kuo

Alice Kuo is a Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and of Health Policy and Management in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is Chief of Medicine-Pediatrics and Director of the Medicine- Pediatrics Comprehensive Care Centers at UCLA. Dr. Kuo has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles and edited two books in the areas of early childhood health, developmental services, health disparities, and medical education. Dr. Kuo served on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Community Pediatrics Training Initiative from 2005-2008 and the Council on Community Pediatrics from 2009-2015 and was the Policy Chair for those last three years. Dr. Kuo received a B.A. in biology from Harvard University, her M.D. and Ph.D. in educational psychology from UCLA, and M.B.A. from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She completed her combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a NRSA Primary Care Health Services Research fellowship at UCLA. Alice Kuo is the mother of Matthew and Noah, both of whom attend MBUSD schools.

Sally Peel

Alumni Parent

Sally Peel

Sally Peel grew up in Boise, Idaho, enjoying what she describes as “kind of a perfect childhood” in a community that cherished the arts, education, and the great outdoors. She decided at a young age that she wanted to serve as a member of a school board after hearing from a family friend what being on the school board was all about. Peel obtained her MBA at Brigham Young University. She began her business career in San Francisco as a project manager for one of the first internet advertising agencies, Organic. She has served as a science lab volunteer, a Meadows PTA board member, a Measure C/EE volunteer, a Measure MB turf captain, an MBMS volunteer, and a Mira Costa athletics and music booster supporter before being elected as an MBUSD Trustee. She served on the MBUSD School Board for four years and initiated or oversaw several new programs, including the MBUSD Music Coalition and the South Bay Coalition Against Hate. Sally lives in Manhattan Beach with her husband, Jason, where they raised three children in MBUSD schools.

Lisa Quarello

Robinson, MBMS

Lisa Quarello

Lisa Quarello began her professional career working in wealth management at UBS and obtained her Certification in Accounting from UCLA. This, along with her series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, allowed her to better help clients in their philanthropic pursuits and she saw firsthand the tax advantages of gifting cash, non-cash assets, and appreciated securities. While Lisa was attending Scripps College, Claremont to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics, she worked evenings for the college's annual and capital gifting campaigns, where conversations with parents and alumnae taught her the power of building rapport, uncovering concerns (overcoming objections), and securing donations. Lisa is actively involved in the community through MBEF Wine Auction, Sandpipers and fundraising for several non-profit organizations where she applies her experience in grant writing and marketing for non-profits. Lisa actively supports PTA fundraising efforts through her experience with hosting client appreciation events fundraising savvy to raise thousands of dollars for the schools. She and her husband Adam live in Manhattan Beach and their two children attend Robinson.

Tiffany Quick

Grand View, MBMS, MCHS

Tiffany Quick

Tiffany Quick most recently served as Co-President of the Grand View PTA and is completing her term as a Class I Director on the MBEF Board. She holds a BA in Communications/Marketing from U Penn-Wharton, a Master’s degree in Communications Management from USC, and has worked in magazine marketing and promotion. Tiffany served for three years as President of the Sand Tots Preschool Board of Directors before getting involved with the Grand View PTA Executive Board. She has children at Grand View and at MBMS.

Nathalie Rosen

MCHS

Nathalie Rosen

Nathalie Rosen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Minor in English. She moved to Manhattan Beach in 2021 and has served as a Young at Art Docent, Vice President of Membership for the Pennekamp PTA board, and as Legislative Representative for MBMS. She served as the Co-Chair for Measure MB and was instrumental in securing the renewal of the parcel tax. She previously served on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and as president of the Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles parent committee. Nathalie is a bookkeeper and litigation paralegal. She resides with her husband and three children in Manhattan Beach.

Tarek Shaer

MCHS

Tarek Shaer

Tarek Shaer is the founding principal of Urbanest Group Inc., a real estate advisory, land-use solutions, and financial services corporation. He holds professional licenses in real estate brokerage, mortgage origination, construction, and architecture. His clients include national and community lenders, equity investors, as well as local and international developers. An active Expert Witness, he is responsible for the entitlement and development of more than 10,000 residential units and a wide range of commercial spaces with a total value well over $1.5 billion. Tarek helped secure debt and equity funding for various key mixed-use projects throughout the West Coast. A former Chairman of the Redondo Beach Harbor Commission, a current board member of a State Credit Union, and a chair of several real estate boards and forums, Tarek was a frequent guest speaker and lecturer at the University of Southern California real estate LUSK program. Tarek received both his Master’s in Real Estate Development & Bachelor’s in Architecture degrees from the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles. Tarek and his wife Corinne live in Manhattan Beach and have two children, Luca & Lili, who attend MBUSD schools.

Roger Spencer

Alumni Parent

Roger Spencer

Roger Spencer received his Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Santa Clara University. Roger is currently a stay-at-home-dad and was previously a project manager for build out of several wireless telecom networks in Southern Nevada and Southern California. Roger has been an active volunteer including serving as Meadows PTA treasurer, MBEF Wine Auction chair and previous MBEF Board member. Roger now serves as a Director of the MBEF Endowment and strongly believes in MBEF’s mission to support our local public schools. The community’s support of our schools is an important part of life in Manhattan Beach and Roger would like to ensure that it is easy for our residents to continue their support over the long-term.

Joel Sprague

PACIFIC

Joel Sprague

Joel Sprague is an accomplished aerospace engineering leader and philanthropist with more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning, team leadership, and complex program management at organizations including Boeing, DirecTV, and the U.S. Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Over the past decade, Joel has directed his family foundation, overseeing more than $8 million in grants and scholarships focused on education and youth development, while also serving on the Board of Make-A-Wish Orange County and Inland Empire. A Manhattan Beach resident and parent of two children at Pacific Elementary, Joel brings deep expertise in nonprofit governance, grant evaluation, financial oversight, and strategic planning, along with a strong commitment to supporting educational excellence for all MBUSD students.

Christy Tillman

GRAND VIEW

Christy Tillman

Christy Tillman, CFP® is an Institutional Advisor with Creative Planning, where she specializes in advising nonprofit organizations, foundations, and endowments on investment strategy, governance, fiduciary best practices, and long-term financial stewardship. A Manhattan Beach resident and parent of two students at Grand View Elementary, Christy combines extensive nonprofit and financial expertise with a passion for public education. An active volunteer in MBEF-funded programs, she is committed to helping strengthen community understanding of MBEF's impact and ensuring continued support for educational excellence in Manhattan Beach schools.

Mo Vakili

PACIFIC, MCHS

Mo Vakili

Mo Vakili, CPA is a Partner at Deloitte with more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, operations, and business transformation. A UCLA graduate and licensed CPA, she currently serves in multiple senior leadership roles at Deloitte, including leading global client relationships, finance transformation businesses, and large-scale operational initiatives. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mo has an extensive history of nonprofit leadership and community service, including serving as President of the National Charity League Pier Chapter, Governance Chair and Trustee for the MS Society of Southern California, and an active fundraiser and volunteer for MBEF. As a parent of three MBUSD students spanning Pacific Elementary and Mira Costa High School, she brings deep expertise in financial oversight, strategic planning, governance, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement, along with a passion for strengthening public education and expanding MBEF's impact throughout the community.

Bea Zimbalist

MCHS

Bea Zimbalist

Bea Zimbalist has been involved with MBEF, both as a volunteer and former paid employee, for 15 years. She has been active with the Manhattan Wine Auction and Rock the Ask events, was site ambassador at Grand View, MBMS, and MCHS, and served as President of the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair from 2017 – 2019. Her professional background includes managing special events for Sony Pictures Television and Lenox Hill Hospital. Bea has two teenagers at Mira Costa.

MBEF Endowment Board of Directors

Roger Spencer

President

Roger Spencer, President

Roger received his Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Santa Clara University. Roger is currently a stay-at-home-dad and was previously project manager for build out of several wireless telecom networks in Southern Nevada and Southern California. Roger has been an active volunteer, including serving as Meadows PTA treasurer, MBEF Wine Auction chair and previous MBEF Board member. Roger now serves as a Director of the MBEF Endowment and strongly believe in MBEF’s mission to support our local public schools. The community’s support of our schools is an important part of life in Manhattan Beach and Roger would like to ensure that it is easy for our residents to continue their support over the long term.

Mitch Ozawa

Treasurer

Mitch Ozawa, Treasurer

A Senior Vice President and Senior Client Manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mitch serves as the bank’s primary relationship manager (for-profit and not-for-profit) healthcare entities located in Southern California. Mitch has a BS in Business Administration (Finance) from California State University Long Beach and an MBA from USC. Mitch has served on the MBEF Board since 2009. Mitch also serves on the Board of Trustees for Rolling Hills Prep, served on the Meadows PTA for 7 years, the Meadows School Site Council from 2007-2009, and served on the Advisory Board for the Skechers Pier-to-Pier Friendship Walk from 2010-2012. He and his wife Ann have three children, Hayden, Camryn, and Chasen, two of which are MBUSD alumni.

Michael Husson

Secretary

Michael Husson, Secretary

Michael Husson currently works at Golub Capital. Prior to joining Golub, Michael worked at Goldman Sachs in the Asset Management (GSAM) division since 2010 and was responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with investment consultants located in the western U.S. His prior work experience includes serving as a client portfolio manager at Dorchester Capital Advisors, a fund-of-hedge-fund firm based in Los Angeles, and Putnam Investments as a senior analyst on their Strategic Research Team. Michael earned a B.A. in Economics from Michigan State University, a MS in International Economics from Suffolk University, and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. He is a CFA charter holder. He and his wife Trisha have two children, Michael and Katelyn who attend MBUSD schools. He served on the MBEF Board of Directors for 4 years before serving as Secretary on the MBEF Endowment Board of Directors.

Rich Weiss

Chief Investment Officer

Rich Weiss, Chief Investment Officer

In addition to serving as the Chief Investment Officer of the Endowment, Rich has been an active member of MBEF and its Manhattan Wine Auction committee for over a decade. He is a senior portfolio manager, and manager of asset allocation for American Century Investments, a $150 billion investment management organization. Rich has been in the investment field for over 30 years, holding senior positions at City National Bank, Sanwa Bank California, PaineWebber and Mellon Bank. He is magna cum laude graduate of the Wharton Business School and the University of Chicago. Rich and his wife, Virginia, have three girls, Caroline, Chloe, and Carmen, MBUSD alumni.

Geoff Bremer

Director

Geoff Bremer

Geoff is Certified Public Accountant heading his own firm, G.M. Bremer & Associates. He served for many years on MBEF’s board prior to joining the MBEF Endowment Board. Geoff received a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA and a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, a past member of its board of directors and a Past President of its 10,000-member Los Angeles Chapter. He is also Past Chair of the Los Angeles Chapter Taxation Committee and a member of the Chapter’s Estate Planning Committee. He is also a Rotarian. Geoff represents both individuals and businesses, with a focus on estate and income tax planning matters. In addition, he has had considerable experience structuring business transactions, including sales, acquisitions, and both taxable and nontaxable mergers. He and his wife Chris have two children, Tracy and Jordan, who are MBUSD alumni.

Mike Duckworth

Director

Mike Duckworth

Mike directs his charitable efforts to programs involving youth development, primarily in education and youth sports. Professionally, Mike is a Managing Director in the J.P. Morgan Private Bank where he advises individuals and families on strategies to preserve, protect and build wealth. Mike has spent most of his career in investment management, organizational leadership and finance. He has been the COO of a multi-billion-dollar family office, CEO of both a $2.5B public company and a not-for-profit in higher education, a partner in a $3.5B private equity firm and has held several board positions. Mike began his career in investment banking at Bankers Trust, and later Merrill Lynch, where he advised clients on debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions. Mike earned his MBA from the Anderson School of Management and graduated magna cum laude from UCLA. He and his wife Sherolyn have two daughters, Maddie and Jessie, MBUSD alumni.

Michelle McDonald

Director

Michelle McDonald

Michelle McDonald is the Director of Finance and Accounting at the Annenberg Foundation. For over twenty years she has directed financial operations for nonprofit organizations, working closely with Presidents, Boards, and Senior Management to plan and achieve organizational growth. Michelle earned an MBA in Nonprofit Management/Finance from UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management and has guest lectured on nonprofit management and accounting at CSU Long Beach and at USC. She and her husband, Daniel Blakey, have been living in Manhattan Beach since 1995 and have one son, Russell, an alumnus of MBUSD.

Raj Mehrotra

Director

Raj Mehrotra

Raj was born and raised in Delhi, India and attended University of Delhi, Lancaster (UK) and in UC Riverside with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting. Raj has 22+ years of professional experience serving fortune 100 clients with 10 years as Partner in Deloitte’s Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) group. His professional accreditations include certified public accountant, chartered financial analyst charter holder, and has held various practice and tech/media industry leadership roles over the years including responsibility for regional and national P&Ls for various market offerings/service lines within Deloitte M&A. Raj has been a resident of Manhattan Beach since 2016, is married and father of two boys that are part of MBUSD. He has been deeply involved in the various parent programs and relocated here from another neighborhood for the education.

Remco Waller

Director

Remco Waller

Remco Waller served as MBEF President, Vice President and Secretary since he joined the board in 2013. He is a seasoned global executive with more than 20 years’ experience in industry leading retail, consumer goods and commercial real estate companies including senior roles in Europe, USA and Asia (China and Korea) and is currently a partner with Tatum, a consulting firm in the Finance & IT area. He relocated with his family to Manhattan Beach in 2006 to take on the role as the CFO for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood markets, at that time a subsidiary of Tesco. During his international assignments, he has been active as director in several Chambers of Commerce, the LA County Economic Development Cooperation, CFO forums and International School boards. He holds a master’s in business economics from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands and a Post-Graduate Controller degree of the Vrije University of Amsterdam. Remco and his wife Mariel have three children, Jesse, Tommy and Kim, who are all MBUSD alumni.

MBEF Staff

Hilary Mahan

Executive Director

Hilary Mahan, Executive Director

Hilary Mahan has been dedicated to serving the community and fostering educational excellence in our local schools for the past two decades. As Executive Director of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, she is entrusted with ensuring the success of the organizational mission to supplement state funding for programs that inspire learning, enrich teaching, and promote innovation and academic excellence in Manhattan Beach public schools.

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. In partnership with the Board of Directors, District liaisons and local education stakeholders, Hilary is responsible for guiding the strategic vision and direction of the foundation, developing integrating and implementing fundraising and outreach initiatives, and the day-to-day operations to support the financial health and growth of the organization. Hilary’s leadership has been instrumental in uniting the business, parent, and resident communities, elevating MBEF’s standing as California’s premier education foundation. During her tenure, she has generated over $65 million in support for educational programs and educator positions in the public schools.

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 and the Emerging Leaders program through the Leadership Institute of the Non-Profit Partnership. She is active in the local community, building partnerships through the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Coordinating Council. Hilary and her husband Rob have been residents of Manhattan Beach since 1995 where they have raised three children, all of whom attended MBUSD schools.

Marian Guirguis

Development Director

Marian Guirguis, Development Director

Marian is responsible for leading MBEF’s development efforts, engaging community members, and raising visibility to advance MBEF’s mission. Marian is instrumental in MBEF’s Annual Appeal and Endowment campaigns, including coordinating related special events, implementing communication plans and overseeing internal operations. Focused on implementing solicitation strategies for new and increased donations, Marian actively connects prospective partners with the programs and leadership of MBEF.

She brings over two decades of experience in higher education administration, serving in various roles including Assistant Dean for Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology and consulting with Community and Career Colleges across the country. She has experience in fundraising, marketing, grant management, and data analysis. Marian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She has been a resident of Manhattan Beach since 2009 where her two boys attend MBUSD schools.

Kathleen Hughes

Community Relations and Events Director

Kathleen Hughes, Community Relations and Events Director

Kathleen serves as the Community Relations and Events Director at MBEF and is charged with overseeing communication strategies to elevate awareness and amplify donor support for the MBEF mission. Her efforts include overseeing special events including the annual Manhattan Wine Auction. With over two decades of experience in non-profit sectors, Kathleen has expertise in stewardship, communications, and major gifts across higher education institutions and major academic medical centers. Her most recent role was Assistant VP of Donor Relations at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston during a $1 billion capital campaign. Kathleen holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Innovation and Technology from Boston University. She resides in Manhattan Beach with her husband and their two daughters, who are students at Mira Costa. Kathleen is also the president of the Mira Costa Softball Booster Club.