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 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 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.
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.
