Welcome to the new Gilroy Foundation website!
Gilroy Foundation Board of Directors

Karen La Corte is a highly respected leader and community advocate, currently serving as the President of Gilroy Foundation. With a strong connection to Gilroy, Karen has dedicated her life to making a positive impact in the community.
Throughout her career, Karen…

Vito Mercado, a dedicated and longtime resident of Gilroy, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community service as the Vice President of Gilroy Foundation. Born and raised in Gilroy, Vito’s roots run deep, shaping his strong sense of belonging…

Joel Goldsmith, a highly accomplished leader in the horticultural industry, served as the President/CEO of Goldsmith Seeds, Inc. (now Syngenta Flowers) and made significant contributions to the Gilroy community. Born and raised in Gilroy, Joel’s journey from a cucumber farmer and co-owner…

Lee Blaettler brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the Gilroy community as the Secretary of Gilroy Foundation. Born and raised in Gilroy, Lee is proud to be a third-generation resident and is dedicated to giving back to the community that…

Jennifer Speno is a dedicated member of Gilroy Foundation, bringing her extensive experience in accounting and her deep commitment to community service. Born and raised in Gilroy, Jennifer has strong roots in the community and a passion for making a positive impact.
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Jay Baksa is a highly respected member of Gilroy Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community service. Jay’s career in public service began when he joined the City of Gilroy as the City Manager in 1983, a role he…

Ericka Davis brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to community service as a valued member of Gilroy Foundation. Originally from Southern California, Ericka earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California, where she also met her…

Don DeLorenzo, a proud Gilroy native, has deep roots in the community. After attending local schools, he graduated from Gilroy High School and continued his education at San Jose State University, where he played on the nationally-ranked golf team. Don’s passion for golf…

Yesenia Gonzalez, a proud native of Gilroy, has always had a strong connection to Gilroy Foundation. Her journey with the foundation began in 2008 when she was awarded the Julio Mata Scholarship. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her educational and personal growth, setting…

Carlos Pineda is a dedicated member of Gilroy Foundation, bringing a wealth of culinary expertise and passion to his role. As the Program Manager and Chef at the Culinary Academy and Kneaded Bakery at Rebekah Children’s Services, Carlos plays a vital role in…

Rigo Vargas brings a rich and diverse background to Gilroy Foundation as a dedicated member. Born in Mexico and raised as a migrant farmworker in various regions, including San José, Coachella, Santa Maria, and Salinas, Rigo’s journey has shaped his strong work ethic…
Gilroy Foundation’s Youth Board
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Gilroy Foundation’s Youth Board ignites the passion of local middle and high school students, fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a deep sense of community as they work alongside Gilroy Foundation to address pressing needs in our area. Established in 2008, this dynamic platform cultivates the next generation of change-makers and philanthropists.
Mission Statement
Inspiring Youth Leadership and Engagement. Gilroy Foundation’s Youth Board empowers our community’s young minds, showcasing the significance of community involvement, leadership, and philanthropy in tackling the most pressing challenges.
Supported by Foundation Ambassadors, Emeritus Board Members, and dedicated Mentors, including Marilyn Ayala, Ericka Davis, Lauren Mantani, and Debbie Russell, the Youth Board represents a diverse group of passionate students from various schools such as Ascension Solorsano Middle School, Brownell Middle School, Christopher High School, Gilroy High School, Saint Mary School, Santa Catalina High School, South Valley Middle School.
Our current Youth Board members include:
- Kennedy Agnitsch
- Morgan Blaettler
- Trevor Davis
- Sophia Filice
- Gabriel Garcia
- Victoria Garcia
- Danielle Guerrero
- Lavender Hwang
- Maya King
- Maana Kolagatla
- Jiya Mehtani
- Tanusha Mehtani
- Isha Patel
- Carmela Trejo
- Rio Trejo
- Arabella Van Sambeek
- Elizabeth Van Sambeek
- Paige Zukowski
If you are interested in joining our Youth Board and making a difference, we encourage you to reach out to us. Together, we can shape a brighter future for our community.