Our Leadership

Sonia is a physician and scientist as well as the founder of The Marigold Center, a Pasadena-based clinic focused on comprehensive care for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Certified in Ayurvedic medicine, she brings both global wisdom and local roots to her work, combining Western medicine with Ayurvedic and Eastern practices, to foster research-informed lifestyle strategies.

Prior to opening Marigold, Sonia served for nearly 20 years as Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director of Lotus Clinical Research, a scientific organization, co-founded by her and her husband in 2001, dedicated to improving experimental techniques in the field of pain management. She has served as an investigator in over 100 scientific studies and has authored multiple publications focused on the advancement of safer, more effective pain management drugs. Sonia also served as the Chair of the Institutional Review Board at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, where she supervised the hospital’s research studies to ensure that patients’ rights and health were protected.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Sonia has lived in Pasadena for over 25 years. She has long been active in nonprofit and community engagement across the San Gabriel Valley, and her work has included the Pasadena Village, Foothill Family, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Cancer Support Community, Young & Healthy, and the Pasadena Art Alliance.  In addition to her work with PCF, she is the past vice chair of the Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) and a current member of Polytechnic School’s Board of Trustees and Friends of Gabriella Charter Schools. Sonia and her husband, Neil, have three high-school and college-age children.

Koko Archibong is the Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor at Capital Group Private Client Services, one of the world’s oldest and largest investment management organizations. He started there in 2015 as Senior Client Relationship Associate, and since 2018, he has served in his current role. Koko spent his younger years as a professional basketball player both with the NBA here in the U.S., as well as with teams in France, Germany, and Poland. He finished his basketball career playing for Team Nigeria in the 2012 London Olympics. He then focused his athletic skills to training young players: He founded Triple Threat Training, a lifestyle company providing basketball skills training to young adults. From there, he served as Assistant Athletic Director of Polytechnic School, his alma mater, from 2013-2015.

A passion for giving back led Koko to charitable work and ultimately, to Pasadena Community Foundation. “I am from Pasadena, this is my city, being able to help here was a big draw.” Seeing PCF spring into action at the onset of COVID-19 impressed Koko and let to his decision to join the Board. “I am proud to be part of an organization that was ready. They jumped in as sprinters, and now they’re running the marathon to help sustain our community.”

Outside of work, Koko loves to travel with his family: his wife, who is from Germany and an RN in psychiatry, and their three young children. Koko is an avid reader and music lover.

Frank Cardenas received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and his B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Southern California. After beginning his legal career in the Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Myers, his solo practice has focused on the areas of business, administrative, and public law.

His long record of government service includes membership on the boards of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Public Works in the City of Los Angeles. He also served as Chief of Staff and Executive Officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Frank was then retained by the City of Los Angeles to manage the 2002 City Council redistricting process as executive director. He recently completed a term on the California Fair Political Practices Commission as an appointee of Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

As a community advocate, Mr. Cardenas has previously served on the boards of the Single-Room Occupancy Corp., addressing issues relating to homelessness in downtown Los Angeles; the California League of Conservation Voters; and Big Sisters of Los Angeles. He recently completed a two-year term as board chair of the South Pasadena-San Marino YMCA.

As an educator, Frank’s undergraduate and graduate courses in the College of Business and Economics at California State University Los Angeles deal with corporate governance, business ethics, corporate social responsibility, climate change, and the history of Western economic thought.
Frank lives in South Pasadena with his wife, Rosalina, and their three children Julian, Nicolas, and Jacqueline, and their dog, Amber.

Following a 34-year career with J.P. Morgan, Scott Christopher retired in 2024 and now devotes time to community service, volunteering, and serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Scott and his wife Allison are longtime residents of La Canada. Their two adult children, Andrew and Lauren, attended Polytechnic School and live on the east coast.

Scott was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Southern California, and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he majored in economics and sociology. After graduating from college, he earned a master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

In addition to his financial expertise, Scott brings to the PCF Board a deep knowledge of scholarships and the role of community foundations, having served for many years as a member of the committee advising the Warren Christopher Scholarship Fund, a fund of the California Community Foundation. The scholarship program was created in honor of Scott’s father, Warren Christopher, the former U.S. Secretary of State. It provides college scholarships every year to 15 outstanding tenth grade students from the Los Angeles Unified School District, all from low-income backgrounds and facing profound challenges in their schools and communities.

In addition to his work with the Christopher Scholars, Scott served on the Board of Directors of Polytechnic School for five years, and has been a member of Poly’s investment committee for more than 20 years. In March, 2025, Scott joined the founding board of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation, a supporting organization of PCF.

George a Private Wealth Advisor at Capital Group Private Client Services, based in Los Angeles. He works with high net worth individuals and families to develop tailored strategies for preserving and growing wealth across generations. He also advises foundations and endowments, helping them pursue long-term objectives through comprehensive planning and investment management.

Prior to joining Capital Group, he held roles with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, California Community Foundation and Deloitte. He earned a bachelor’s in history from UCLA and a J.D. and LL.M. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He serves on the boards of Pasadena Community Foundation and Food Forward Inc. and is a member of the advisory committees of Sequoyah School and The Huntington.

Sandra spent 25 years of her career at the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) in finance and investment management. In 1998, she was promoted to Chief Investment Officer by Caltech’s Board of Trustees and served until October 2010.

As Chief Investment Officer, Sandra managed approximately $2 billion in investment funds, the university’s real estate portfolio and a staff of investment professionals. Previously Sandra was an auditor at the IRS and the U.S. General Accounting Office, providing audit and investigative services to Congress.

Sandra has long volunteered her time to civic and philanthropic organizations. She is a member of the Finance/Investment Committees of the board of trustees at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); a board member of the Pasadena Arts League; a member of the Endowment Committee of the Fellows of Contemporary Art; an emeritus board member of the Trust for Public Lands; and a member of the Investment Committee of Options for Learning.
In addition, she serves as a mentor and judge in USC’s Greif Marshall School of Business Entrepreneurship’s seed venture competitions, and the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Entrepreneurial business competitions.

Sandra grew up in Pasadena and after spending a number of years in Rome, Italy working in a publishing house returned to the Pasadena area where she raised her family.

She is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Latin (magna cum laude) from the University of California, Berkeley, and attended the Stanford University Center for Classical Studies in Rome, Italy on a fellowship.

Tony Gronroos, MBT, CPA, joined the PCF board in 2024. He is a tax partner with Weaver & Tidwell, LLP and has over 25 years of public accounting experience in federal and state income tax services. He has served clients in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, investment banking, private equity funds, entertainment, media, real estate, estates and trusts, and corporate reorganizations. Tony is particularly knowledgeable in real estate, debt funds, and private equity funds. He assists clients with trust, gift, and estate planning, as well as federal and state income tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and companies.

A CPA in California, Tony is a member of the AICPA and CalCPA. He is also part of the San Gabriel Valley Estate Planning Counsel. He received a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California.

Tony has served on the boards of many charitable organizations, including as Finance and Investment Chair for Union Station Homeless Services, Finance Chair of Pacific Clinics, and Finance Chair of Villa de Vida. In March, 2025, Tony joined the founding board of the Altadena Builds Back Foundation, a supporting organization of PCF.

Ivy Lee Keltner joined the PCF Board in 2024. She is a practicing board-certified dermatologist in Pasadena with extensive digital health experience in academia, public health, and tech startups both globally and in the U.S. She graduated from Stanford, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and completed dermatology residency at Georgetown University, where she served as Chief Resident.

Ivy currently serves as the Chair of the Augmented Intelligence Committee within the American Academy of Dermatology and on the Board of Directors of the California Society of Dermatology. Her current work focuses on AI research, advocacy, and education at the American Medical Association, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization. She is also a frequent science communicator and collaborator with media outlets. Ivy is passionate about democratizing access to evidence-based health information and leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery and access, particularly in underserved communities.

A proud Pasadena native, Ivy is grateful to serve her community through PCF. She also serves on The Huntington’s Board of Governors and volunteers at Polytechnic School.

Tracy S. McCormick is the Chief Financial Officer of Mill Creek Development Company in Pasadena, California, an urban planning and development company with three projects under construction in the Playhouse Village.

Raised in the Midwest, Tracy serves as Lead Director on the board of MidWest One Financial Group, a community bank headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa. She is also a member of the board of directors of Folience, Inc., an ESOP-owned holding company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tracy spent 18 years with J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., where she worked in investment banking and mergers & acquisitions, focusing primarily on the media and entertainment industries. She began her career with Morgan in New York and worked in the firm’s Chicago and Los Angeles offices. She received a B.A. in Economics and Communications from the University of Michigan and a M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Tracy’s nonprofit work currently includes serving as Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.

She resides in Pasadena, California with her husband Ken and the youngest of their four children. The older three are launched in life and reside in New York, Pasadena, and San Francisco.

Scott Nesbit was born in Northern California in the East Bay region and attended University of California, Berkeley, followed by UCLA, where he earned his MBA in 1978. He lived with his family in San Marino and then moved to La Canada, where he still resides with his wife Julie Nesbit, who retired from Whittier Trust Company and still serves on its board. Together they have a blended family of five now-adult children.

He started his career as Assistant Vice President at Union Bank, and not long after, he started as leasing agent for Trammell Crow Commercial Company. There he became the Managing Director in charge of the Southern California Region. By the mid-1990s, he worked in acquisitions for Westbrook Partners and in 1997, became CEO of Terrabrook, which was a captive residential land development subsidiary of Westbrook Partners. From 2005-2013, Scott was the CEO of Rockpoint Land, a captive residential land development subsidiary of Rockpoint Group.

Scott became interested in Pasadena Community Foundation after seeing firsthand its assistance to Cancer Support Community, where he has served as a Board member, including three years as Treasurer. He was a Director of the Los Angeles County Fire Department First Responders’ College Fund, a Trustee of the San Marino School Foundation, and served both on the San Marino Little League Board and the Boy Scout Troop #355 Board. He is eager to support students and scholarships while serving on the PCF Board and assisting in the efforts to address homelessness.

Gloria brings significant legal expertise to the PCF Board. Her practice includes Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Mediation, and Trust Administration. Gloria is incredibly active in the community. At Huntington Hospital, Gloria is the Chair of the Planned Giving Council, and served formerly on the Senior Care Advisory Network. Gloria is a Trustee of the San Gabriel Valley Estate Planning Council, and former Board President of the University Club of Pasadena. She is also President elect of the Pasadena Bar Association Board, on the PCC College Foundation Board, and on various subcommittees at Union Station Homeless Services, having served previously as board chair, on the Advisory Board of the Child Health Foundation, and on numerous committees at All Saints Church, including co-chairing the search committee for the new Rector.

Gloria’s husband, Don, was an engineer as part of the Deep Space team at Caltech. Her son, Ben, is a CPA in Santa Monica and a member of PCF’s Professional Advisors Committee. Gloria is a returning PCF Board member.

Maggie grew up in the Pasadena area, attending Gooden and Polytechnic Schools. She received a BA In Soviet/Russian Studies from Princeton University and a Masters in International Economic Policy from Columbia University. Following college, Maggie worked in New York City in emerging markets investment banking, focusing on the former Soviet Union. She moved to Moscow full time in 1994 as an advisor for the Central Asian Investment Company, a US-UK private equity fund aimed at identifying opportunities in the newly independent Central Asian Republics. After earning her Masters, Maggie moved back to Los Angeles, where she served as the Sovereign Analyst, following economic and political country risk, for the Emerging Markets Fixed Income Group at TCW.

In 2001, Maggie met Ken, an orthopedic hand surgeon from Boston, and they moved to Pasadena in 2005. Since then, Maggie has focused on raising their three daughters and serving in a wide variety of school and other volunteer roles. She has served on the PCF Board since 2015. In addition to her work with PCF, she currently serves as a Board Member and Past President of American Women for International Understanding and is a former trustee of the Gooden School and Polytechnic School.

A financial services executive whose professional banking career extended over 25 years, Uma Shrivastava is also an award-winning entrepreneur and an active participant in the nonprofit sector.

Uma was born in India and arrived in the United States in 1965. She moved to Pasadena in 1989 with her husband, Dr. Prakash Shrivastava, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus, Radiation Oncology, USC Keck School of Medicine.
Most recently, Uma was the Senior Vice President at US Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management, a role that followed prior positions that included Consumer Market Manager and Premier Banking Market Manager with Bank of America serving the Greater Los Angeles area.

Uma has owned two businesses during her career. She founded and managed a corporate travel agency for more than 20 years in Pittsburgh, PA., with prestigious clients such as the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Locally, she founded La Cañada Books and Toys, a local retail store dedicated to offering educational books and toys for families in the community.

Uma was invited to join the Women at Work Board of Directors in 2008 and held many leadership positions during her tenure with the organization, including Chairperson of the Development Committee, member of the Governance Committee as Treasurer, as well as President of the Board of Directors. Other roles in the nonprofit sector include serving as the Treasurer of USC Medical Faculty and Friends Association, Board Member for La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Finance Committee for the League of Women Voters in Pasadena.

Armineh Tavitian, M.D. has broad experience in community health services. After graduating from USC Keck School of Medicine in 1991, she began her career in private practice as an Obstetrician/ Gynecologist. After 12 years in private practice, she worked as Medical Director at Comprehensive Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing comprehensive primary care services to medically underserved residents of Los Angeles County. Since 2019, she is a Senior Advisor at Greg Facktor Associates, a healthcare consulting firm.

Armineh is an immigrant to the United States, born in Iran of Armenian descent. After the Iranian Revolution, her family moved to France, where she attended high school.

A resident of La Canada, Armineh and her husband, Ara, are the parents of two adult daughters. Despite her demanding professional work, she finds time to give back to her community. She has served as a volunteer with Reading Partners at Jackson Elementary in Altadena for five years, and as a member of the Grant Screening Committee of the Everychild Foundation for two years. From 2013-2018, she served on the Board of Trustees at Westridge School for Girls. On her free time, Armineh enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking and biking.

As a Pasadena Community Foundation Board Member, Armineh is looking forward to forwarding initiatives related to health and well being and early childhood education.

Alex Wei is an art director for film and television. He has worked with several acclaimed directors including Spike Lee (25th Hour), Ryan Murphy (Netflix series Ratched), and Jonathan Dayton/Valerie Faris (Ruby Sparks and Battle of the Sexes). In addition to feature films and episodic shows, he has art-directed hundreds of television commercial campaigns and has received multiple Art Directors Guild awards and nominations for his work. He is a member of the Art Directors Guild and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Alex graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in art history and a focus on architectural history. He began his career in photography and later studied stage design at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before entering the entertainment industry.

Khanh Russo joined the Pasadena Community Foundation in 2025 as President and CEO. What he loves most about his role is working alongside passionate donors, nonprofits, and civic leaders to strengthen Pasadena through strategic, equity-centered philanthropy. Each day, he partners with the Foundation’s board and staff to deepen PCF’s community impact—whether through responsive grantmaking, civic collaborations, or long-term investments in housing, health, education, and the arts.

Khanh brings over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, public policy, and community development. Before joining PCF, he served as Vice President of Policy and Innovation at the San Francisco Foundation, and previously held leadership roles at the City of San José, Cisco, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and an M.S. in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Outside of work, Khanh enjoys hiking, singing, and exploring his new Pasadena neighborhood with his husband. He is also a board member and advisor to several civic and cultural nonprofits. Khanh is proud to carry forward PCF’s legacy of trust, partnership, and community investment to build a more inclusive future for all.

Mariver Copeland is the Chief Financial and Operations Officer at PCF, a role she has held since 2007. She’s helped guide the Foundation through several significant economic challenges and has overseen the organization’s growth from $23 million to over $250 million in assets. Under her financial stewardship and collaboration with the Finance and Investment Committees, PCF has also distributed more than $122 million in grants during her tenure.

Mariver oversees investment management, financial management, human resources, and information technology. Her experience spans a wide range of asset types, including real estate, privately held businesses, oil and mineral rights, and illiquid private equity.

Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, Mariver held senior finance roles in private equity-backed companies where she executed successful exit strategies and streamlined operational performance. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Jeannine Bogaard is the V.P of Community Impact and manages the PCF’s grants and scholarship programs. She grew up in Pasadena so she most enjoys being out and about, connecting with our nonprofit partners and understanding the needs in the community.

She returned to Pasadena in 2021 after living and working in Spain for 35 yrs. Education has always been her passion. After 9 years in the classroom, she transitioned to educational publishing for 20 years, including managing the editorial, production, and manufacturing teams at Cambridge University Press. During her last six years in Spain, Jeannine was the Director of the American School of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

In her free time, Jeannine likes being outdoors, yoga, travel, listening to books and spending time with her family

Scott is the Vice President of Philanthropy at the Pasadena Community Foundation, bringing more than three decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising across the Southern California region. His career has included leadership roles at The Music Center, Pasadena Symphony & POPS, and the Flintridge Center, where he built programs that strengthened donor engagement and expanded community impact.

His leadership philosophy blends fundraising strategy with heart, building inclusive development departments, sparking transformative philanthropy, and forging meaningful community connections. A long-time community resident and past Pasadena Rotary President, Scott is deeply connected to the region’s philanthropic and civic networks. Outside of work, Scott is an accomplished home cook, passionate traveler, and poet.

Staci Armao serves as PCF’s Director of Human Resources and is happy to be living out her passion for creating healthy organizational cultures where people feel valued and supported.

Staci joined PCF in 2025 after spending a number of years in employee experience at a global tech company. Her career journey has been anything but linear, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. From performing in theater to leading small youth development non-profits, and eventually moving into the human resources space, she has worn many hats—and learned something valuable from each one.

She is a big fan of music and is a member of The Ukelele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere. Staci also loves to travel and prioritizes meaningful connection with friends/family and unique experiences.

As PCF’s Scholarship Manager, Cirenia “Cici” Amador, finds deep fulfillment in giving back through education. A first-generation college student herself, she understands firsthand the transformative power of scholarships and support. She manages PCF’s two flagship programs, the Petersen Scholars and PCF Scholars, as well as several smaller scholarships, serving as the main point of contact for students. She also supports donor-advised fund (DAF) holders and processes DAF grants.

Cici joined PCF in April 2021 after working in finance at Capital Group and Edward Jones. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Whittier College and an M.P.A. in Public Finance from California State University, San Bernardino. Outside of work, she enjoys Zumba, hiking, and family adventures with her blended family of eight kids, including twins and four college students!

Jennifer Clark grew up in Pasadena, California and attended Westridge School in Pasadena and the University of California at Berkeley.

Susana Interiano is a proud Angeleno, born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles, and now living in vibrant Echo Park with her family and two dogs. In 2019, she earned her A.A. in Communication Studies from Pasadena City College and continued her academic journey at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.

With over 15 years of experience in education, Susie has built a meaningful career supporting families in the MacArthur Park and Watts communities. Her roles as an Office Manager and Family Engagement Specialist at charter schools have allowed her to foster strong relationships and create welcoming environments rooted in trust and collaboration.

Now back in Pasadena, Susie is enjoying life’s next chapter as she cheers on her young-adult daughter, currently studying at Cal State LA. When she’s not working or spending time with family, you can find her exploring scenic hiking trails or unwinding over a good brunch with friends.

Leslie Jovel was born and raised in the city of Hollywood. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from California State University, Northridge, and recently completed her MBA from Fitchburg State University in 2024. Since 2011, Leslie has built a strong career providing high-level administrative support to C-suite executives across a variety of industries. Her early professional experience in post-production gave her a solid foundation in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments, but it was her transition to the nonprofit sector that truly ignited her passion.

She is deeply committed to mission-driven work, where her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate executive needs can make a tangible impact. With over a decade of experience, she brings professionalism, discretion, and a collaborative spirit to every role she takes on. Outside of work, Leslie enjoys baking, weekend getaways and BBQs with her family and pets by her side.

After 22 years of dedicated leadership as President & CEO of Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF), Jennifer DeVoll retired in June 2025, stepping into a new chapter of service. In response to the devastating Eaton Fire, PCF established the Altadena Builds Back Foundation (ABBF) in March 2025 to support the rebuilding of homes throughout Altadena. Now, as Executive Director of ABBF, Jennifer draws on the deep connections and relationships she built during her tenure at PCF to amplify disaster relief efforts and guide ongoing recovery initiatives.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has been deeply engaged in the community, serving in leadership roles with organizations such as Pasadena Rotary, the San Gabriel Valley Estate Planning Council, and Episcopal Communities and Services. She currently sits on the boards of several private foundations and previously served a four-year term on the Board of the League of California Community Foundations.

A proud Stanford graduate, Jennifer grew up in San Marino and continues to call Pasadena home, where she lives with her husband, Matt. Together, they are the proud parents of Grace and Wesley and doting grandparents to two infant grandchildren.

Candice is the Project Director for the Altadena Builds Back Foundation. She has over 15 years of experience as a community organizer and nonprofit administrator. She comes to PCF from the Moving Forward Network, a national environmental justice network located at Occidental College, where she focused on getting resources to historically underfunded frontline community organizations. Candice received her Master of Public Health degree from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and a B.A. in fine art from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Candice is a Pasadena resident.

Ayodele (eye-oh-del-lee) Steward serves as Development Manager at Pasadena Community Foundation, where she supports donor stewardship, fund development, and relationship-centered philanthropy across Greater Pasadena. A lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident, Ayodele brings 18 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, institutional giving, education, and community-focused work, including foundation relations and grants management at CodePath.org, Azusa Pacific University, and Downtown Women’s Center. The first half of her career was spent inside the classroom at the Frostig School and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes in Pasadena. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Biola University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Center for Nonprofit Management. In her free time, Ayodele enjoys gardening, gathering with friends, reading, and building forts with her nephew.