The EPIP LA Mentorship Program connects emerging leaders in the philanthropic field with a seasoned leader to serve as a mentor and a cohort of like-minded peers to support them on their journey.

APPLY TO JOIN THE 2026 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM NOW →

2025 Cohort*

• Arnulfo Alvarez Mejia, Grants and Operations Assistant, Fund for Housing and Opportunity 
• Carla Fuentes, Social Innovation Manager, Goldhirsh Foundation
• Daisy Pizana, Grant Writer, CHIRLA
• Dalia Yedidia, Senior Manager of Capacity Building, Chan Zuckerberg Intiative
• Dana Christensen, Senior Program Associate, Pritzker Foundation
• Jasmine Ako, Program Director of Student Impact, GPSN
• Kimberly James, Senior Programs Manager, Levitt Foundation
• Lilia Jiménez, Senior Program Associate, Annenberg Foundation
• Lily Gonzalez, Program Associate, Roy and Patricia Disney Foundation
• Lucero Noyola, Program Officer, Doheny Foundation
• Mylissa Magallanes, LA County Program Manager, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
• Nicole Flores, Grants Associate, Annenberg Foundation
• Vanessa Santos, Foundation Administrator, Eisner Foundation
• Yvonne Macias, Program Manager, Durfee Foundation

Previous Mentors (2013-2025)*

• Adrienne Luce, HMC Architects Designing Futures Foundation
• Alison DeLucca, Southern California College Access Network
• Allison Gister, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
• Amber Lopez, The California Wellness Foundation
• Amelia Williamson, AWA Consulting
• Andrea Hernandez, The Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
• Angel Roberson Daniels, Angell Foundation
• Annalisa Robles, The California Endowment
• Annie Watkins, Katie McGrath and JJ Abrams Family Foundation
• Bia Vieira, The Women's Foundation of California
• Beatriz Solis, The California Endowment
• Belen Vargas, Weingart Foundation
• Ben Vershbow, Wikimedia Foundation
• Carolyn Wang Kong, The California Endowment
• Carl Christopher, Education First Consulting
• Chaitali Gala, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
• Christine Essel, Southern California Grantmakers
• Christine Margiotta, Social Venture Partners Los Angeles
• Claire Peeps, Durfee Foundation
• Cynthia Freeman, Community Partners
• David Greco, Social Sector Partners
• Deidre Lind, The Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles
• Dora Quach, LA84 Foundation
• Emily Skehan, Cedars-Sinai
• Jarrett Barrios, California Community Foundation
• Jeanne Sakamoto, The James Irvine Foundation
• Jeff Kim, California Wellness Foundation
• Jeff Schaffer, JMC Philanthropic Advisors
• Jennifer Lynch, Paramount Pictures
• Jennifer Price-Letscher, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
• Jennifer Vanore, UniHealth Foundation
• Jim Herr, Philanthropic and Nonprofit Consultant
• Joanna Jackson, Weingart Foundation
• Joe Lumarda, Capital Group Private Client Services
• Josephine Ramirez, The James Irvine Foundation
• Joyce Ybarra, Weingart Foundation
• Karli Blumenfield, The James Irvine Foundation
• Kate Anderson, Center for Strategic Partnerships
• Kerry Klima, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
• Kristina (McGee) McCoy, Annenberg Foundation
• Laura Peralta, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Lee Draper, Draper Consulting
• Leslie Ito, Armory Center for the Arts
• Lilian P. Coral, Mayor Garcetti's Office
• Lynn Alvarez, ECMC Foundation
• Maggie Nielson, Global Philanthropy Group
• Marchelle Sellers, Charity on Tap
• Marisa Colón, Angell Foundation
• Michael Fleming, David Bohnett Foundation
• Michelynn Woodard, BAD ROBOT
• Miguel Santana, California Community Foundation
• Miki Woodward, Good Robot
• Mitch Singer, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
• Molly Lasagna, Ascendium Education Group
• Nicole Esparza, USC Price School of Public Policy
• Nichol Whiteman, Dodgers Foundation
• Nike Irvin, California Community Foundation
• Rachel Levin, Fundamental
• Rick Noguchi, The James Irvine Foundation
• Robin Kramer, Smidt Foundation
• Rosie Arroyo, California Community Foundation
• Sarah Vaill, VIVA Strategy
• Shawn Escoffery, Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation
• Sheri Dunn Berry, Community Partners
• Surina Kahn, CEO, The Women's Foundation of California
• Sylia Obagi, The Generative Group
• Thomas Brewer, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
• Trent Stamp, The Eisner Foundation
• Way-Ting Chen, Blue Garnet
• Wendy Chang, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
  
  *Employment at time of mentorship match