2026 Board of Directors (Effective January 1, 2026)
Got a question, idea, or concern? Feel free to contact us at office@tdsandiego.org
For sponsorship or advertising inquiries: Please contact partnerships@tdsandiego.org
To get involved as a volunteer: Please contact volunteers@tdsandiego.org
President | Emily Mason
Emily Mason serves as President of ATD San Diego, where her focus is on strengthening chapter culture, expanding strategic partnerships, and fostering a connected, inclusive member experience. As President, Emily is committed to ensuring every member feels welcomed, supported, and inspired to engage—believing that when people are developed with intention and care, meaningful growth follows for individuals, teams, and the broader talent development community.
Outside of ATD, Emily is the founder of Burges Red LLC, a consulting firm specializing in new hire onboarding. With more than a decade of experience in learning and development across the life sciences and MedTech industries, she partners with organizations to design onboarding experiences that drive connection, confidence, and long-term success.
President-Elect | Hana Zacay
Hana Zacay serves as President-Elect of ATD San Diego, where she is focused on supporting chapter leadership, strengthening member engagement, and helping advance a culture of learning, connection, and professional growth. In her role, Hana partners closely with the board to ensure continuity, thoughtful leadership development, and a strong foundation for the chapter’s future.
Outside of ATD, Hana is a Leadership Development Consultant, Founder of LEADERIS Consulting, and HR Director at Stellar Blu Solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Consulting and brings extensive experience in executive coaching, organizational development, and cultural transformation. Passionate about supporting first-time managers, Hana created RiseBud, an AI-personalized platform designed to empower new leaders in their development journey. She is an active member of the San Diego ATD community and, outside of work, enjoys spending time with her family as a proud mom of three energetic boys.
Past President | Jenna Propson
Jenna serves as Past President of ATD San Diego, where she previously held executive responsibility for providing the vision, structure, culture, and environment that enabled the chapter to achieve its mission and goals through collaborative leadership. In her ongoing role on the board, Jenna supports continuity, mentors current chapter leaders, and helps preserve the standards and practices that strengthen the chapter’s long-term success.
Outside of ATD, Jenna is the Staff Development Coordinator for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, she provides leadership and expertise in training strategy, course evaluation, and alignment to departmental goals. Jenna initiates, develops, and facilitates employee trainings; manages the Learning Management System; contributes to organizational development initiatives; and coordinates organizational change projects. She also advises county departments and committees and trains leaders on communication, emotional intelligence, and change management. Jenna is passionate about developing leaders and helping individuals achieve their goals, frequently leveraging the CliftonStrengths assessment to support personal and professional growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
Director of Finance | Jacob Roth
Jacob Roth serves as Director of Finance for ATD San Diego, where he provides financial oversight, stewardship, and strategic guidance to support the chapter’s mission and long-term sustainability. In this role, Jacob partners with board leadership to ensure sound financial planning, responsible resource management, and transparency that enables the chapter to invest confidently in member programs and partnerships.
Outside of ATD, Jacob is a program and project management professional with more than seven years of experience in commercial real estate and clean energy financing. He currently serves as Vice President of Underwriting at PACE Loan Group, helping direct more than $75 million in annual investments across senior living, multifamily, hospitality, and healthcare projects. His background includes roles at Dividend Finance/Fifth Third Bank and the Solar Energy Industries Association, where he built a reputation for bringing diverse partners together to move complex initiatives forward. A graduate of The George Washington University, Jacob holds a background in international business and finance and is deeply committed to service and community. He is a certified EMT and scuba instructor, and outside of work enjoys running, photography, and travel—having visited more than 20 countries.
Secretary | Bonnie Graham
Bonnie serves as Secretary of ATD San Diego, where she supports the board through strong organizational stewardship, clear documentation, and effective communication. In this role, Bonnie ensures continuity, accuracy, and transparency across board operations, helping the chapter stay aligned, informed, and well-organized in support of its mission and goals.
Outside of ATD, Bonnie brings a creative and diverse professional background spanning more than 15 years in Architecture, certified coaching, and entrepreneurship as the owner of Heartfelt Navigation, along with recent explorations in the culinary world as a Pastry Cook. A lifelong learner and empathetic teacher, Bonnie gravitated toward learning and development through her interest in organizational effectiveness, talent development, and fostering healthy, respectful working relationships. After experiencing severe burnout in 2019, she became deeply committed to helping organizations create environments that optimize effectiveness while reducing stress. Bonnie is passionate about supporting teams and producing thoughtful, meaningful results.
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Director of Member Engagement & Growth | Tom Velasquez
Tom Velasquez serves as Director of Membership Engagement and Growth for ATD San Diego, where he focuses on strengthening member connection, retention, and chapter growth. In this role, Tom partners with board leadership to enhance the member experience, foster meaningful relationships, and ensure members feel welcomed, supported, and motivated to stay actively engaged in the ATD San Diego community.
Outside of ATD, Tom is a seasoned legal and administrative professional with more than 15 years of experience managing complex legal, administrative, and operational responsibilities. He currently serves as a Senior Paralegal and Training Coordinator at County Counsel, where he supports legal case oversight, project management, and executive operations while building strong relationships across teams and external organizations. Tom holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and is dedicated to improving organizational efficiency and contributing to impactful public policy initiatives through collaborative leadership and operational excellence.
Director of Social Programs | Gregg Ward
Gregg Ward, MCEC, BCC serves as Director of Social Programs for ATD San Diego, where he leads the creation of social experiences that foster connection, belonging, and community across the chapter. In this role, Gregg focuses on designing inclusive, engaging opportunities that strengthen relationships among members and support a vibrant, welcoming chapter culture.
Outside of ATD, Gregg is an award-winning, bestselling author, speaker, and executive coach, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Respectful Leadership and the Respect for All Foundation. He is on a mission to support leadership and organizational transformation through the positive power and measurable impact of respect. Through his work, Gregg helps individuals and organizations cultivate cultures rooted in dignity, trust, and accountability.
socialevents@tdsandiego.org
Director of Learning Events | Max Bairstow
Max Bairstow serves as Director of Learning Events for ATD San Diego, where she leads the design and delivery of engaging learning experiences that connect members with timely insights, expert perspectives, and meaningful dialogue. In this role, Max focuses on curating high-impact events that spark curiosity, encourage thoughtful discussion, and support continuous learning across the chapter.
Outside of ATD, Max brings a strong interest in cultural psychology and experiential learning. Through her work with a cultural psychology club, she organized professors and professionals to speak on a wide range of topics across diverse settings, including positive psychology across cultures and the role of religion from a secular perspective. Max is passionate about connecting experts with curious, motivated learners and believes deeply in the power of shared knowledge to uplift individuals and strengthen communities.
Director of Mentorship | Kim Denton
Kim Denton serves as Director of Mentorship for ATD San Diego, where she leads efforts to design, strengthen, and evolve mentorship experiences that support member growth, connection, and leadership development across the chapter. In this role, Kim focuses on building meaningful partnerships, empowering mentors and protégés, and creating programs that foster learning through shared experience and intentional guidance.
Outside of ATD, Kim is a learning leader and instructional design strategist with deep expertise in curriculum development and cross-functional collaboration. She is the Training and Development Projects Manager at General Atomics Headquarters and previously served as Technical Learning & Development Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Kim holds master’s degrees in Learning Design & Technology, Curriculum & Instruction, and Educational Leadership, along with certifications in instructional coaching, project management, and Scrum. Her work blends psychology, teaching, and coaching with data-informed design, leveraging e-learning platforms, video and graphic design tools, and AI technologies to create engaging, evidence-based learning programs. Kim is passionate about empowering teams, enabling growth, and building partnerships that deliver impactful learning.
mentorship@tdsandiego.org
Director of Volunteer Experience & Engagement | Alicia Blitz
Alicia Blitz serves as Director of Volunteer Experience and Engagement for ATD San Diego, where she focuses on building meaningful, inclusive volunteer opportunities that strengthen connection and involvement across the chapter. In this role, Alicia partners with board leadership to create structured, energizing volunteer experiences that help members feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to contribute.
Outside of ATD, Alicia brings a strong background in recruiting, training, and motivating teams to collaborate toward shared goals. A highly engaged chapter member who attends nearly every event, she is deeply connected to the ATD San Diego community and passionate about helping others get involved. Known for her ability to bring people together, Alicia is excited to apply her enthusiasm, organization, and community-driven approach to elevate the volunteer experience and support the chapter’s continued success.
Director of Sponsorship & Partnerships | Jeff Palen
Jeff Palen serves as Director of Sponsorship and Partnerships for ATD San Diego, where he leads the development and stewardship of strategic relationships that support the chapter’s mission, programming, and long-term sustainability. In this role, Jeff focuses on building mutually beneficial partnerships, expanding sponsor engagement, and aligning external collaborations with the evolving needs of the ATD San Diego community.
Outside of ATD, Jeff is a strategic Learning and Talent Development executive with a proven track record of spearheading organizational transformation and driving business growth. He brings deep expertise in aligning talent and learning strategies with business objectives, leading teams to design and deploy large-scale training initiatives, and pioneering Generative AI upskilling programs. Jeff is passionate about creating value through partnership, innovation, and forward-looking learning solutions.
Director of Digital Experience | Vanessa Ybarra
Vanessa Ybarra serves as Director of Digital Experience for ATD San Diego, where she leads the strategy and execution of the chapter’s digital presence to enhance member engagement, accessibility, and connection. In this role, Vanessa focuses on optimizing digital platforms, improving the online member journey, and ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience across communications, events, and learning touchpoints.
Outside of ATD, Vanessa is a strategic learning and development leader with more than 15 years of experience in retail operations, leadership development, and program management. She currently serves as Learning Strategy Supervisor with The UPS Store, supporting more than 5,000 retail locations and 30,000 employees through training delivery, learning systems management, and leader development. Her career includes over a decade of designing and facilitating training, mentorship, and leadership programs with organizations such as Marine Corps Community Services and Hard Rock International. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran and Association for Talent Development Master Trainer, Vanessa holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma, ExtendedDISC, and Franklin Covey. She is recognized for creating impactful learning experiences, strengthening culture, and coaching leaders to success through collaboration and strategic insight.
digitalexperience@tdsandiego.org
Director of Technology | Samantha Jimenez
Samantha Jimenez serves as Director of Technology for ATD San Diego, where she leads the development and support of digital tools and platforms that enhance member engagement, accessibility, and connection. In this role, Samantha focuses on creating intuitive, user-friendly digital experiences that help members easily access resources, stay informed, and remain connected to the chapter’s mission.
Outside of ATD, Samantha brings a background in higher education, where she has dedicated her career to designing programs and resources that make information accessible and empower individuals to reach their goals. As a former ATD mentee, she understands the power of community in supporting professional growth and meaningful connection, and she is passionate about applying that perspective to build digital spaces that support learning and belonging.
**To express interest in future board roles, please email us and we would love to chat with you more.