Board & Staff

Favorite Band:  All types of R & B artists

Favorite VCF Event:  Like a mother hen I can’t pick a favorite, they are all my favorite

I am so fortunate to work for this fine organization.  What can be better than spending an evening in the park with family and friends enjoying music and creating memories.  It is wonderful to be on the cutting edge as we add new facilities and programs and showcase them throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Joellen’s passion for community and community service led her to the Valley Cultural Foundation’s door in 2014. In 2019, she joined the staff in the office, and in 2022 when our CEO Nora Passed away, Joellen stepped up to lead the organization.  She is a longtime West Valley resident, has served on many different Boards from Sunrise Little League to Valley Traffic Advisory Board, her heart is in being of service. She is married to a retired Navy Veteran, and she has 3 grown kids. They have a total of 5 grandkids; 3 girls, 2 boys. Her love for football is like no other and she’s always rooting for the Green Bay Packers. Her and her Husband, Jim, love to travel to Bullhead AZ and spend days on the river, riding their jet skis.

If she is not at the park, she is watching football or playing with her grandkids. 

Favorite Singer: Luke Bryan

Favorite Food: Italian

Favorite Place to Visit: Bullhead City, AZ

Favorite Team: Green Bay Packers

Lupe has focused the last 20 years in the nonprofit sector transferring her professional experience in business development, marketing, and sales. Lupe’s passion for fundraising has led her to work incredible organizations such as Exceptional Minds, StreetLights, and American Heart Association. Lupe is also a founding member of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and a member of Hispanics in Philanthropy. A life-long learner, she completed her Professional Designation Certificate as a Specialist in Planned Giving. Today she serves as Sr. Advisor to any nonprofit needing assistance in all areas of operations, fundraising, board development towards sustainability. 

Outside of her philanthropic work, music and arts is very important to her. Lupe comes from a family of musicians, her father played the piano, while her uncles and aunts played guitars, violins and sand. Working with The Valley Cultural Foundation has been a seamless transition combining her two passions and she says VCFs programs have filled her need to hear live music and enjoy the outdoors. 

Favorite Musical Artist: Queen

Favorite Restaurant: Chilis

Favorite Activities: Gardening 

Favorite VCF Event: 4^th of July 

Kristen is a Valley native. She has worked for her 3rd generation’s family photography business most of her life, Wachsman-Staley Photography. She joined Valley Cultural Foundation this year as an office admin and enjoys live music and working at concerts and seeing smiles on people’s faces. She enjoys happy events and being surrounded by family and friends. She is creative and enjoys traveling gardening, and the beach. 

Sarah is new to the Valley Cultural Foundation and is a recent college graduate from Sonoma State University. She joined the Valley Cultural Foundation’s staff because she loves attending events that bring people together. She has loved meeting the guests as well as the amazing vendors at the park. She loves how much happiness derives from the unity that the park brings. On her days off, she is at the gym or playing outside with her dog, “Brooklyn Chanel Eskow.” 

Favorite Activity: Bonding with family and giving back to the community

Gina has a long history in Woodland Hills as a resident and community leader for over 17 years. She was a member of the VCF Board first in 2017 and has now returned as Chair of the Board in 2021. Her can do attitude and support throughout the years, whether on the board or not, has been invaluable to the community and our programs. Gina has participated in many of our events throughout the years, including our annual gala as a dancer, exemplifying her commitment to her community both at home and at work.

A Principal at BWS Financial Inc., I have over 19 years of investment experience. I have been providing institutional investors with equities research covering growth and deep value stocks. My focus has been on opportunities on companies with strong free cash flow and with a history of being discarded by the Street. I have a unique approach to applying idea generation and entrepreneurship knowledge to finding businesses that have the greatest potential for return.

I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors of Science in Economics.

I have also been recognized by various entities for my civic engagement. I was an afterschool mentor with Los Angeles Team Mentoring, and previously served on the advisory board of the RISSC program at Mt. San Antonio College. I was past President of West Valley PALS and served on the board of Securities Traders Association of Los Angeles. I have also acted as Santa at Valley Presbyterian Hospital for the last three years. I received the Diamond of the Community Award from the Encino Chamber of Commerce in 2018.

I enjoy traveling. You can find me on a weekend escape to a city in Europe and Asia. Or up the 101 freeway because a new restaurant opened.

Favorite Performer: Rhianna

Restaurant: Crave cafe

Activity: Watching/Playing Hockey

Helen has been a long time supporter and Board Member of the Valley Cultural Foundation. One thing she loves about the organization is how much enjoyment it provides to the community year round. With so many fun annual events, and new one continuously being formulated, she is glad to be at the forefront of these programs. She continuously brings her experience as a Marketing Representative for the State Compensation Insurance Fund to the team as new programs are being implemented.

Favorite Band: Pink Floyd

Favorite VCF Event: any concert!

Favorite Activity: Traveling

Who am I? I’m a local resident (valley girl born and raised), mom of 2 incredible humans, mom of the 3 cutest fur babies ever and wife of my biggest supporter and fan Jeff. As a residential real estate agent for just over 6 years now, I get the pleasure to love and support both buyers and sellers navigate through the process with ease. 

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, my husband also owns and operates his own business. I love to love!  Life is always challenging so finding little things to smile makes my day! Real estate was not the career choice I had in mind, but I did know one day I would own my own business!  Real Estate found me and I’m thrilled, it provides me the time to still be a wife and a mom, it allows me to have what I call a life by design…long weekends where we’re usually off to Havasu in the summer, It allows me to volunteer more and be a part of my community still all while running my business!

There are certainly many agents to choose from…There is no magic fairy dust out there when buying or selling (or is there)…but when you have an agent that has a passion to WIN (insert fairy dust here) guess what the end result usually means WE WON! 

Making your dream home a reality- it’s my thing! 

Favorite restaurant: Rib Ranch BBQ – Topanga and Dumetz   

Favorite Activity: being awesome (it’s a full time job)

Favorite Band: Maroon 5

I grew up in New York City where the arts was an integral part of our curriculum and every child had the opportunity to sing, dance, perform, and play musical instruments. I performed in Carnegie Hall as part of a bi-centennial celebration and am incredibly grateful for having had this experience in my youth. I believe encouraging artistic expression is fundamental to our well-being and I am excited to be a part of these efforts. While I have been a community volunteer for over 30 years, I first experienced VCF events through my good friend Gina Guarino. I’m excited to share my extensive experience in project management, marketing and event planning to help the VCF reach their goals.

Favorite Musical Artist:  While I love most genres of music, my favorite all around talent has to be Barbra Streisand.  I even entered a singing contest where she was a judge when I was in elementary school in New York City.  She was so encouraging.

Favorite VCF Event: I love that all the events just bring people together to enjoy the diversity of talent in our community.

Favorite Activity: Travel, writing, and photography has been my passion for most of my life.

Favorite Musical Artist: Adele

Favorite Restaurant: La Boheme on Santa Monica

Favorite Activities: Hiking, biking, cooking, photography, wine tasting, and road trips

Favorite VCF Event: Concerts in the Park

A California native, Joe is an experienced marketing and PR professional with a background in hospitality, retail, insurance, and technology. In May of 2021, He joined Valley Cultural Foundation as part of his ongoing commitment to serving the community. 

In addition to his work with the foundation, Joe is also the Enterprise Director of Marketing at HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the nation’s leading hospitality companies. Before joining HEI, Joe held various marketing roles, including at Gaspar Insurance Services, where he was responsible for developing and executing successful marketing strategies. 

In his spare time, Joe enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending weekends at his desert retreat in Palm Springs with his chihuahua terrier rescue, Poké.

My name is Inbal Bitan Danon. I am married to my best friend Jose and have three beautiful children, who are my everything. I work as a general contractor and a co-owner of The Oak Development, a boutique construction company that I run with my father Arie. We love working with people in the community and building dream homes for wonderful families. 

Recently I launched Fishbowl, a company that aims to provide young entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to succeed. I believe that given the chance, our youth can create unbelievable things. The sky is really the limit.

I am the newest board member of Valley Cultural Foundation. I love what they stand for and the amazing events they put together. My mission is to make sure that the youth in the community have a voice and access to the arts and culture. 

With my passion for family, the arts, and the community, I am dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Favorite Musical Artist: Elton John 
Favorite VCF Event: The spectacular 4th of July fireworks show 
Favorite Activity: Doing arts and crafts with my children 

Phavin is a skilled marketing professional with extensive experience in graphic design, email marketing, and client retention services. In March of 2023, he joined the Valley Cultural Foundation, where he is able to combine his expertise with his passion for community service. 

Alongside his work with the Foundation, Phavin also serves as a Marketing Clerk at Gaspar Insurance Services, one of the nation’s fastest-growing insurance agencies. Before working with the agency, he graduated from Pepperdine University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising, which equipped him with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of effective marketing. 

In his leisure time, Phavin enjoys golfing, cooking, shopping, and watching movies. His diverse interests keep him engaged and inspired, and he brings that same energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of his professional and personal life. 

Favorite Musical Artist: The Weeknd  

Favorite Team: Chelsea FC 

Favorite Restaurant: Luv2Eat Thai Bistro 

Favorite Activities: Golfing, cooking, shopping, and watching movies.  

Favorite VCF Event: Concerts in the Park 

My passions led me to the Valley Cultural Foundation. As a lifelong musician and performer, I reached an unforgettable milestone when my band was invited to play on the world-class VCF stage in Warner Park as a 2021 Emerging Artist. Every aspect of the interaction with the board, staff, and crew made for a great experience, and as I learned more about the fantastic work the VCF is doing for the community, I was hooked!

I’m also fortunate enough to do what I love as my day job: I work as an animator-designer as well as an animation and design instructor at Otis College. One of my goals is to connect my music and art communities with my service as a VCF board member in order to help make our future activities and events as inspiring, exciting, and successful as possible!

Favorite Band: Bob Marley and the Wailers

Favorite Local Restaurant: Porto’s Bakery (yes, I have a sweet tooth)

Favorite Activity: Playing music that gets people dancing