Foundation Staff
Leadership
Michaela Hayes, MHSA, GPC
Vice President of Partnerships & Engagement
Michaela Hayes, MHSA, GPC
Michaela is passionate about supporting donors in connecting their missions and their hearts with the priorities of communities served by Alameda Health System (AHS). In her work, she draws on her background in public health, education, youth development, and social justice, and her expertise in market research, strategic planning, development, evaluation, and communications to identify sustainable solutions that advance health equity. Michaela draws inspiration from nature, reading, her family and friends, and the dedication of the heroes who work at AHS.
Preston S. Walton
Preston brings experience in raising capacity for universities, nationwide health care systems, symphonies, and high schools to name a few. He recently returned to the Foundation after serving as a consultant many years ago to support the excellent work that is being done by the team at AHS. Preston is passionate about equity, hospitality, futurism, innovation, and community. When he is not out connecting with our many Foundation partners, Preston and his partner are busy running after their energetic sons outdoors.
Team
Aimee Holland
Aimee leads the AHSF systems management and business process analysis as Director of Development Operations. After working almost two decades in operations development in higher education, Aimee brings her expertise to the Foundation and has helped build a strong infrastructure for fundraising and relationship management. In her spare time, Aimee enjoys exploring new restaurants in the East Bay and having adventures under the sun.
Billy Luu
Billy is responsible for managing, maintaining, and updating the Alameda Health System Foundation’s database, data systems, and safety of all stored data. With over 20 years of experience in both IT and operations management for for-profit and non-profit organizations, Billy is an integral part of our Foundation’s operations team. When not at work, Billy enjoys competing in Volleyball, traveling the world, and trying new restaurants throughout the Bay Area.
Brad Murdock
Brad is a skilled relationship manager and event specialist. With a background in large-scale fundraisers at the National Kidney Foundation and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer before joining AHSF, Brad loves connecting the dots between mission-driven donors and important causes. A music lover and avid vinyl collector, he also sings baritone with the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus and plans to take up guitar soon!
Charlene Lobo Soriano
Charlene helps to keep the Foundation running like a well-oiled machine utilizing her leadership, planning, and team-building experience. With a background in higher education advising, counseling, program and team development, and design thinking, she utilizes a little of each to make invaluable contributions to our organization every day. Outside of work, Charlene has a passion for writing, art, and design, and loves petting dogs.
Christine Aguilar
Christine supports the Partnerships & Engagement team in managing fundraising activities while supporting proposal writing and development communications and exploring new initiatives and funding priorities for AHSF. With a background in nonprofit communications, health care education, and technology, she is committed to strengthening our connections with donors and funders and driving continuous improvement. On weekends she’s often on a soccer field with a camera in hand, taking photos for the youth and semiprofessional soccer club, Richmond SOL.
Iesha Ely
Iesha is the “glue” that holds the team together. She supports our team in many capacities on a daily basis and is highly adaptable and inclusive in her approach to this work. In addition to working at AHS Foundation, Iesha enjoys spending time with her husband and family, watching sports, reading, and basking in the sun.
Jasmine Watson
New to the non-profit world, Jasmine provides a fresh perspective to our data entry, event support, and social media. Jasmine’s background in Sociology gives way to her prioritization of community enrichment and equity. She also values brainstorming imaginative ideas, organization, and learning. Outside of the office, Jasmine is a full-time student at the University of San Francisco and is also an avid podcast listener.
Kai Wang, MS
Kai is responsible for setting up accounting for grants and budgets as well as ensuring revenues and disbursements are accurately captured. He also handles payroll, accounts payable, and assists the Director of Finance on the month-end close process and other financial ad hoc projects. He has a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Finance and Accounting from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining AHSF, Kai worked in several industries including banking, tech, and media. Being tech-savvy, Kai has experience in system implementation and is interested in exploring the market for streamlined processes and automation. Outside of work, he enjoys photography and the outdoors with a cup of boba milk tea.
Monica Canzonieri
Monica is responsible for prospect research and management in support of AHSF’s fundraising efforts. She collects, analyzes, manages, and disseminates data to create processes and procedures and grow our prospect pipeline. Monica brings an extensive background in development and prospect analysis in higher education to this work. She enjoys spending personal time hiking with her family and dog, singing show tunes, reading, and listening to podcasts.
Rachel Gonzales-Levine
Rachel brings to the foundation wide ranging experience in mission-driven settings including non-profit, academia, and government, as well as program areas, such as youth development, civic leadership, public health, and affordable housing. An effective collaborator and contributor to teams, program development and implementation, proposals/grants, and budgets, Rachel is excited to support AHS’s innovative programs and program development through grant management. In her spare time Rachel enjoys adventuring with her family and friends, going to museums, taking yoga, and hiking among the redwood groves in the East Bay Regional parks.
Susan Thiemann
Susan brings a wealth of knowledge of complex financial operations to our work of advancing health equity for Alameda County. Her deep nonprofit fiscal management experience with large organizations includes 10 years at the Girl Scouts of Northern California where she oversaw restricted funds for programs and capital improvements as well as multiple other program revenue streams. When Susan is not managing AHSF’s finances, she loves to travel and enjoys a good Disney movie.
Svetlana Cherches
Svetlana has a background in operations across sectors, talent management, recruitment, and finding easy ways to make hard things fun. Svetlana’s strengths are in addressing things others may want to avoid and in appreciating how different people bring diverse perspectives and talents to their work. Svetlana enjoys beating her husband at Wordle, fixing broken things using creative solutions, swimming, walking her big dog, reading, threatening her child with military school, making food from across the globe (but especially from her homeland), overanalyzing seemingly simple concepts, and throwing dinner parties.
Vera Hannush
Vera (they/them) has extensive experience in developing, growing, and managing individual giving. They have spent 15 years in both the foundation/grantmaking and development/fundraising worlds. In both, they are a passionate advocate for wellness equity, from housing and services for communities experiencing homelessness to accessible mental health services. They are also an award-winning drag king, Drag Story Hour Co-Director, Oaklash board member, and LGBT National Hotline Lead Trainer.
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