Our staff

The knowledgeable staff of Fresno Regional Foundation works diligently to meet the needs of donors, professional advisors and nonprofits. Our insightful, considerate guidance is a hallmark of the service we provide the community. We look forward to working with you to maximize the impact of your local giving.

Dan DeSantis, CEO

Fresno Regional Foundation is led by a dedicated board of directors and a committed CEO, Dan DeSantis, to fulfill our mission of improving the quality of life in our community through philanthropy.

Dan spent his formative years in the San Fernando Valley. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from California State University, Northridge and earned a master’s degree in administration at the University of Southern California. Learn more about Mr. DeSantis.

Lori Clanton, Director of administration

Lori joined Fresno Regional Foundation staff in 2006, bringing 15 years of finance, human resources, and information technology experience to the Foundation. The opportunity to work closely with nonprofits, donors, and community leaders has been inspiring and incredibly rewarding for Lori. The FRF staff is a wonderful group to work with every day, and Lori enjoys overseeing the rewarding work accomplished by the entire team. It is her goal to help all employees maximize their work performance, increase job satisfaction, and enhance their career potential.

She is a transplant to Fresno from the Bay Area and now considers Fresno her home. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno.  She has traveled extensively, including twice to China to adopt her two daughters. She deeply appreciates the resources and opportunities that come with living in the Central Valley, and she loves that Fresno provides a culturally rich and diverse home in which to raise her family.

Contact Lori via email.

Sharon Sanchez, Finance Manager

Sharon joined Fresno Regional Foundation in 1997, bringing 18 years of nonprofit accounting experience. Sharon is instrumental in maintaining an integrated fund management system designed specifically for community foundations. She records, tracks and reports on the multitude of donor funds and accounts. A lifetime resident of Fresno, Sharon is married with six children and nine grandchildren.

Contact Sharon via e-mail.

Sandra Flores, Senior Program Officer

In 2007, Sandra came to Fresno Regional Foundation from United Way of Fresno County. She serves on the American Humanics Advisory Committee for California State University, Fresno and the Central Valley Financial Education Collaborative, and Bank on Fresno Design Team. Sandra actively seeks opportunities to enhance and contribute to the community with her time, talents and resources.

A Fresno native, and member of a large, traditional Mexican family, she is committed to educating, informing and engaging the Latino community to be advocates for change. Sandra received her bachelor’s degree in history from University of Oklahoma City. She and her husband Peter have been married for 22 years, have three grown children and recently welcomed their fourth grandchild.

Contact Sandra via email.

Geri Yang, Program Officer

Geri has been working with the Central Valley community for many years prior to joining the Fresno Regional Foundation. Originally from San Diego, her love for the Valley developed in the fields of her family farm.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Women Studies from California State University, Fresno in 2009. Currently, Geri sits on the board of The Women’s Foundation of California. Geri is a member of Central California Asian Pacific Women and Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. Geri is interested in engaging young people in social change, working with immigrant communities, and learning about food and agricultural sustainability.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling in order to experience other cultures and communities. Geri is a member of a large Hmong family and close community which contributes to her motivation to work in philanthropy.

Contact Geri via email.

Kelvin Alfaro, Foundation Support Specialist

Kelvin joined the Foundation in September 2008. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kelvin was Resource Specialist at United Way of Fresno County, where he worked to increase communication between nonprofits and increased service to those in need. Kelvin is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology. Kelvin is also certified by the American Humanics Program, a nationally recognized program that is an innovative course of study that equips college and university students to become skilled professionals and leaders in America's nonprofit organizations.

Kelvin currently volunteers with numerous community organizations including Fresno Barrios Unidos, The Community Food Bank, Survivors of Suicide Loss, and the CSU, Fresno American Humanics Program. Kelvin has a strong commitment to the improvement of our community and believes the work of the Fresno Regional Foundation is key to improving the quality of life of all the residents of the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Contact Kelvin via e-mail.

Neighborhood Market Program

Volunteers help supervise the children as clients visit the Community Food Bank’s Neighborhood Market program. This food distribution program delivers fresh produce and other healthy staples to destitute areas of Fresno, Madera and Kings Counties. Since its launch in March 2008, the program has distributed more than 1 million pounds of food in more than 30 locations. Thank you to the Fresno Regional Foundation for awarding a $10,000 human services grant to support this important work!

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