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Meet The Team

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President

Liz Lin

Liz oversees the Foundation's day-to-day operations to ensure that the organization's mission is aligned with the needs of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Additionally, she works with the Board and staff to ensure that the organization's short- and long-term strategic objectives are being met.

Tara

Development Director

Tara Gurlides

Tara oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts from events to annual fundraising campaigns, donor cultivation, and more. She develops and identifies additional giving opportunities such as matching gifts, legacy gifts, sponsorships, and major gifts.

Rianna

Communications Manager

Rianna Rizzuto

Rianna leads communication efforts to increase brand awareness of the organization and amplifies its needs through various channels, including the Foundation's monthly newsletter and local news agencies. She develops communications and marketing strategies, talking points, and other communication materials to advance the work of the Foundation.

Robin

Program Manager

Robin Blau

Robin manages the Adopt-A-Fire-Station (AAFS) program for all of the LAFD's 106 fire stations and the documentation of donations in the data management system. She also serves as the project manager for silent auctions and other event-related fundraising efforts.

Ronni

Social Media Coordinator

Ronni Gallegos

Ronni is responsible for managing the LAFD Foundation's social media platforms. She increases the organization's social media footprint by producing engaging content that highlights the breadth and scope of what the Los Angeles Fire Department does. She manages the social media calendar, tracks key metrics, and collaborates with other team members on general communication materials.

Board Of Directors

Executive Committee

Mike Ahmar

Chairman LAFD Foundation

Mike Ahmar

Chairman Partners Bank of California

Shannon Murphy-Castellani

Secretary LAFD Foundation

Shannon Murphy-Castellani

Principal M Strategic Communications

Julie Nesbit

Development Chair LAFD Foundation

Julie Nesbit

Civic Leader

Arnold Porath

Finance Chair LAFD Foundation

Arnold Porath

President & CEOCharter Company

Jay Sanders

Vice & Nominating ChairLAFD Foundation

Jay Sanders

Executive Vice PresidentBanc of California

Ed Shim

Investment Chair LAFD Foundation

Ed Shim

Investment Advisor Merrill Lynch

Ezequiel “Zeke” Triana

Vice Chair LAFD Foundation

Ezequiel “Zeke” Triana

VP, Facilities Planning, Design, Construction Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Dean Ulrich

Program Chair LAFD Foundation

Dean Ulrich

Assistant Chief (Retired) Los Angeles Fire Department

Scott Cooper

Pegasus Squire, Inc.

Stephen Drimmer

Civic Leader

Banyon Hutter

Sr. Vice President, Security Caruso

Richard Jun

Co-founder & Managing Director BAM Ventures

Marie Lloyd

Head of Public Policy & Community Engagement for Southern CaliforniaAmazon

Tom Raffety

Vice President Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction

Nicholas Rumanes

Co-founder & Managing Director BAM Ventures

Mark Welch

Chief People & Diversity Officer Farmers Group, Inc.

Seth Davis

Senior Director of Risk Management Westfield

Adam Glick

Executive Vice President Warner Bros. Television

Pila Jessie

Real Estate Broker Khorr Realty

Angela Killoren

Chief Executive Officer CJ E&M America

Lisa Marquis

President Marquis Project Management

Wallace Rawls

Director of Operations, Distribution Southern California Gas Company

Larry Taylor

Founder & CEO Christina Development

Jason Zedeck

Attorney Cypress LLP