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Heidi McPherson
Chief Executive Officer
805-543-2323
heidi@cfsloco.org
As Chief Executive Officer, Heidi Hartshorn McPherson is responsible for leading the strategic efforts of The Community Foundation. She brings nearly 30 years of experience as a nationally recognized leader in the philanthropic community.
Heidi is committed to The Community Foundation vision of improving the lives for all who live and care about the SLO County diverse communities. She is focused on working proactively with the community of individuals, businesses and family foundations committed to meeting community needs and to increasing support for local nonprofit organizations. Heidi feels her life in the philanthropic sector demonstrates her belief that “philanthropy and community partnerships can change the world.” She currently serves as Chair of the board of directors for the League of California Community Foundations, a state wide association of community foundations. She lives in Atascadero with her husband, Richard, her therapy dog in training Biscuit and her rescue terrier Bucky and has three grown children.
Chloe Allison
Grants and Scholarships Program Assistant
805-543-2323
chloe@cfsloco.org
Chloe Allison has joined The Community Foundation as the Grants & Scholarships Programs Assistant. She provides support to every member of the Foundation team as well as grantees and scholarship recipients. Chloe is excited to be a member of the Foundation team and further her career in non-profit work.
Before moving to the Central Coast and joining the Foundation, Chloe worked as a social media coordinator for a veteran’s-based research project, a legal receptionist, and an administrative assistant at a financial consulting firm in downtown Denver. Chloe holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Denver. When she isn’t working, Chloe enjoys reading novels, taking her cat (yes, her cat) Luna on adventures, playing board and card games with friends, and exploring her new home of Morro Bay.
Leila Dufurrena
Director of Philanthropy
805-543-2323
leila@cfsloco.org
Leila joins The Community Foundation as the newly created Director of Philanthropy. In this new role, she will lead the philanthropic efforts of The Community Foundation and help our donors achieve their philanthropic goals.
She has spent over a decade working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families at local and global nonprofits. She is passionate about harnessing the energy and talent within our community. She believes working together will allow us to transform our community into a place that is more vibrant and equitable for all.
Leila graduated from The University of Georgia, “Go Dawgs.” She lives in Arroyo Grande with her husband, two daughters and several farm animals. When she isn’t volunteering for nonprofits or posted up at the soccer fields, you can find her in the garden, at the beach or planning her next grand adventure.
Peter Hawkins
Finance Associate
805-543-2323
peter@cfsloco.org
[Bio Coming]
Emily Jagger
Scholarship Manager
805-543-2323
emily@cfsloco.org
Emily has joined our team as Scholarship Manager to lead the Foundation’s quickly growing Scholarship program that provides critical support for local students. Emily is passionate about helping young people find their voices and pursue their dreams.
Emily is a San Luis Obispo County native, who has a core connection with what matters to her friends, family, and neighbors. She believes in collaboration and that changing the world starts right here at home. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from UC Santa Cruz and returned to the Central Coast to work as a reporter and a key member of many different nonprofit administrations, from causes like Hospice and Home Health, to Audubon and the arts. Emily is thrilled to work alongside the Foundation’s staff, donors, and volunteers to help shape scholarship opportunities and open doors for local students whose dreams can become a reality.
Emily lives in the small town of Santa Margarita and has a son who is in college. In her spare, time Emily enjoys hiking, mountain biking, birding, making stained glass windows and adventuring with her German Shepard.
Michael Jones
Chief Financial Officer
805-543-2323
michael@cfsloco.org
[Bio Here]
Cassandra Kartashov
Director of Grants & Programs
805-543-2323
Cassandra@cfsloco.org
Cassandra brings a wealth of programmatic expertise and has a proven track record of building local partnerships to catalyze positive change. Prior to joining The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, she served as a Grants Officer for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation collaborating across the organization to align program strategy and values. Additionally, Cassandra was the Program Manager for Scholarships and Grants at Humboldt Area Foundation. During her tenure at Humboldt Area Foundation, she co-founded Youth Engaged in Philanthropy, a leadership academy that supports youth to develop their leadership voice through the power of philanthropy.
Cassandra holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and history from University of Hawaii at Manoa, a graduate certificate in advanced project management from Stanford University. In 2021, Cassandra was awarded by Pacific Coast Business Times “40 Under 40” for her work with The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. She lives in Morro Bay with her husband Georgy and her dog Luna.
Alysia Krupsky
Field of Interest Program Associate
805-543-2323
Alysia@cfsloco.org
Alysia is proud to be a part of The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County in the role of Field of Interest Program Associate. Raised on the Central Coast of California, Alysia received her Bachelor of Fine Art in Dance from the University of California Santa Barbara and has a professional background in event design and management. Alysia is passionate about supporting women and girls, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities in SLO county. In her spare time she enjoys listening to nerdy podcasts, hiking Cerro San Luis Trail, drinking local wine, and participating in community art projects like the Downtown SLO May Flower Initiative.
Kristy Partlow
Finance Coordinator
805-543-2323
kristy@cfsloco.org
Kristy Partlow is the Finance Coordinator for The Community Foundation. Kristy is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance with all financial duties of the Foundation. She recently relocated back to the Central Coast after being away for several years. She enjoys being back amongst the beautiful scenery and loves spending her spare time with her family including her 11 year old son, Kolten. She has over 20 years of finance experience and is committed to The Community Foundation’s goal of being an enduring source of charitable funds for the community.
Briana Rasmussen
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
805-543-2323
briana@cfsloco.org
Briana Rasmussen maintains office operations and administrative support to the Foundation staff. Bri graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor in Public Health. Following graduation she worked as a Project Coordinator and Executive Assistant at a healthcare recruitment firm in Portland, OR before relocating to California’s Central Coast. Outside of work Bri enjoys spending time with family and exploring life on the central coast.
