Who We Are

Cher provides oversight for the Foundation team and guides the activities of the Foundation on behalf of the board of trustees. Cher has worked in the music industry and as a professional actress. Among her many academic degrees and certificates, Cher holds a BA in organizational management from Arizona State University and post-graduate certifications from Cornell University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Cher is also a member of the first graduating cohort in a National Human Services Assembly (NHSA) nonprofit executive leadership program; a collaboration with Arizona State University, Indiana University and the Lilly School of Philanthropy. In 2019, Cher completed her master’s degree in ethical leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. Cher has worked in foster care administration for over two decades and has served on a variety of nonprofit boards. She currently serves on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Claremont to help oversee their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, serves on the Policy and Practice Commission for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is on the Juvenile Justice Steering Committee for the California Alliance for Children & Families, and is a Design Thinking Department Advisor at University of California, Riverside. In her spare time, Cher performs stand-up comedy professionally.

Jenelle oversees the day-to-day operations and staffing of the Foundation, which includes fundraising event management, volunteer coordination, scholarship disbursement, community outreach, and stewardship. Above all, Jenelle’s focus is to identify and access resources in order to help children heal, learn and thrive. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University Fullerton and has become very involved in the community. She is active in her church and owns an art gallery.

Linh supervises a team of accountants in processing incoming and outgoing donations as well as balancing our expenses. Linh has been serving on our team for nearly 15 years and spends her free time volunteering at the Foundation with her children.

Each year, approximately 500 volunteers step up to be the difference for children in need. The work we do would not be possible without their incredible contribution of care and time. Volunteers assemble and distribute care packages, help with administrative tasks, provide tutoring, mentor, and support our fundraising campaigns to benefit children in foster care, residential treatment, mental health services, shelters, crisis centers, underserved school districts, and so much more. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who volunteer their time, skills, and heart to our cause.

Briana leads our volunteer program through various campaigns and volunteer activities year round. Briana describes her responsibility as helping to create a space for everyone to come volunteer and find community in serving a greater purpose than our own. Briana graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication with a focus on public relations at California State University San Bernardino. During her time at CSUSB, she was a student recruiter and tour guide. Having enjoyed her experience working with students and public speaking, working with volunteers seemed like a natural step. Briana joined our team in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped advance our volunteer systems with technology and provided virtual volunteer opportunities when possible. In 2019, Briana was awarded the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Scholarship and was invited to the 33rd Annual HACU Conference in Chicago, IL. In addition to her position at CFA, Briana also serves on the Diversity, Inclusion, Value, Equity (DIVE) team at Trinity Youth Services helping to create a curriculum for foster youth to explore social justice through expression. Briana is also a participant in the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders network.

Paula researches and writes for granting opportunities. She majored in human services at Brigham Young University and has experience in marketing, public relations and nonprofit work. She has served on PTA boards and school site councils as well as volunteered in local schools for more than 15 years. She started her own grass-roots charity, which has served people in the US, India, Mexico and Africa through campaigns that provided food, clothes, hygiene products, medical supplies and instruments, and items to help entrepreneurs start home based businesses.