Board of Directors

Deputy Director of Impact, Assessment & Learning, James Irvine Foundation

“I have a passion for examining impactful ways to address deeply rooted social challenges through systemic inquiry. Supporting early childhood is crucial to ensuring families and children can thrive at home, at school, and at work. Board service at Connections for Children allows me to connect our community together through meaningful and critical care—supports I have certainly benefitted from as a mom with young kids!”

Jennifer is a seasoned learning and evaluation specialist with 15+ years of accomplishment in program evaluation, mixed-methods social research, and strategic learning with an emphasis on public education, social welfare, and international development. She is currently the Deputy Director of Impact Assessment and Learning team at the James Irvine Foundation and previously served as a Senior Evaluation and Learning Officer at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Boston University, a Master in Education in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a doctorate in Social Research Methodology and Program Evaluation from UCLA. Jennifer also brings her perspective as a former client who utilized CFC’s referrals to find child care options for her young children.

Vice President, Ares Management LLC

“I am from a family of educators, and I've seen firsthand how much impact quality early childhood education has on a child's development. I want every child to have access to the kind of support that Connections for Children offers, so they can succeed later in life.”

Erin Shea is a Human Resources Technology leader, creating business solutions that lead to enhanced recruiting, retention, and optimization of human capital. She is a Principal at Ares Capital Management and previously held leadership roles at Activision Blizzard and Northrop Gruman Corporation. Erin brings her knowledge of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Resource Management to help CFC strengthen its internal capacity and improve efficiencies. Further, Erin draws on her vast network to raise awareness of the critical importance of quality early learning experiences through fund development activities.

Associate Principal, Rottet Studio

“I am proud to serve on the Board of Connections for Children. Our work is critical to helping families, particularly low-income families, access the services they require to help them have a better life.”

Stuart Laff is a real estate expert and head of a consulting arm of Rottet Studio, an international architecture and interior design firm. He has been in the real estate industry for more than 50 years and has worked with a wide range of clients, including some of the biggest names in the industry. He is Board Chair, Emeritus, with the Los Angeles Community College District. Stuart’s extensive business and leadership experience is a valuable resource for Connections for Children.

Former Chief Scientist, AOL

“Connections for Children’s mission aligns perfectly with my own passions to help improve the lives of children in our community and to ensure that children benefit from access to early education programs. I am pleased to offer my expertise to help the dedicated staff and board of CFC pursue their vision.”

Sharon is an award-winning scientist who previously served as chief scientist and head of an international research and development group for AOL. She obtained her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA, earned her M.S. in Electrical Engineering, M.S. in Statistics, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and has been granted 32 patents. Sharon is also very active in community service and has held board positions with many non-profit organizations, including the Mirman School, Rotary Club of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Family YMCA, Santa Monica Chamber Foundation, and the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club. She draws on her methodological approach to problem solving and community relationships to support the mission of Connections for Children.

Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

“As someone raised by working parents, and raising their own family where there are two working parents, I have experienced firsthand the impact that early education and quality child care can have. Connections for Children is a leader in early childhood matters, and an organization that I am proud to be active with. Connections enables me to use my professional and personal skills to give back, and impact the lives of the youngest members of our community for the better.”

Joe is a tax partner and leader for PwC’s Private tax practice in the Southwest. For well over 20 years, he has served various privately held, multistate and multinational businesses. Joe works very closely with shareholders and management teams to make sure that the business and shareholder needs are aligned. Joe completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley and graduate studies at the University of Southern California. He enjoys spending time with his family and watching and participating in sports when not working or volunteering with Connections.

Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation

“My experience as a researcher has underscored the importance of the early years for children’s development and the role that key early childhood supports can play in helping children and their families thrive. Being part of the Connections for Children’s Board allows me to offer expertise and make connections between research and investments in the community.”

Jill is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation with over 20 years’ experience studying a wide range of early childhood programs and policies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master in Public Policy from UCLA and a doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

SVP, Chief Legal Officer, First American Financial

“As a parent, I understand how critical it is for families to have access to education and resources that allow children to be set up for success. I am passionate about Connections for Children because I know how important it is to have a quality child care system in place.”

Lisa Cornehl is the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at First American Financial. As a member of First American's executive team, she is responsible for setting the company’s legal strategy and overseeing its legal affairs. She also serves on the board of directors of various First American subsidiaries. Lisa draws on Board governance and legal expertise in helping CFC achieve its mission of promoting quality child care for all families.

Vice President Operations, Crexi

"I am honored to serve with Connections for Children for reasons both universal and personal. We have no greater societal responsibility than the care of children – all children – and no greater opportunity to build a better world than by giving kids a good start. Closer to home are the women in my life: my young daughter, who is a constant reminder that every child is a gift to cherish and nourish, and my wife, an early childhood teacher whose loving commitment to kids inspires me."

Lawson Dees leads the operations team at Crexi, a nationwide online marketplace and data provider serving the commercial real estate industry. Before joining Crexi as a startup in 2015, he worked in financial audit and consulting in Chicago. Lawson holds a B.S. in Accountancy and a Master of Accounting Science, both from Northern Illinois University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Graphic Designer

"Getting involved in my community has always been very important to me and nothing is more paramount than supporting parents and families so we can all thrive together. Early childhood education with family support instills confidence and security in areas that can often feel overwhelming. Quality resources and help navigating these years inspires bright futures full of critical thinking and confidence for parents and children."

Erica Exberger is an accomplished and practicing graphic designer with past roles at Keenan, the largest privately held insurance brokerage/consulting firm in California, where she managed the in-house design and branding team. Other partnerships include pro-bono design work for Taproot Foundation along with branding and design consulting for various companies. Moving to a freelance role has enabled her time to run large scale fundraising events for community endeavors in the South Bay and volunteer as a Young At Art docent at her children’s school. Connections for Children permits Erica to participate and collaborate with talented individuals and put her creative skillset to work.

Community Volunteer

“The incredible support we received through my daughter’s early childhood education program made me realize how critical early intervention can be. As a Board Member at Connections for Children, I feel like I can pay forward my gratitude by supporting a wonderful organization that brightens the future for thousands of children each year. I believe that every child deserves that strong start to life through the receipt of quality childcare and early education.”

Alison has a B.A. in Psychology from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She spent her full-time career as a Human Resources Consultant. Alison has spent over 10 years fundraising as a Board Member for the Santa Monica Education Foundation, the fundraising arm for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and served in various leadership and fundraising roles within SMMUSD.

Chair of the Education/Early Childhood Education Department, Santa Monica College

“The vision and mission of Connections for Children aligns with my own goals to build a better system to support the children, families, and providers in our community.”

Gary Huff is an early childhood expert, professor, and Chair of the Education/Early Childhood Department at Santa Monica College. His work focuses on professional development for the current and future early care and education (ECE) workforce, as well as quality improvement efforts to ensure that children and families have access to ECE services that meet their needs. Gary also serves on the Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force Steering Committee and the SMMUSD Early Learning District Advisory Committee. In addition to his ECE expertise, Gary brings his experience in community engagement, fundraising, and advocacy to CFC.

President, Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS)

As a mother and advocate for educational equity, I've seen how access to quality early education becomes the foundation that transforms children's futures and strengthens entire families. Driven by this understanding and armed with my professional expertise and extensive network, I am determined to amplify Connections for Children's impact in connecting underserved families with the educational resources and support systems that will not only shape individual lives but elevate our entire community for generations to come.

Dawn serves as the President of Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS), where she leads one of the advertising industry's most innovative creative shops, orchestrating transformative content strategies across global markets. She partners with Fortune 500 brands to pioneer groundbreaking campaigns that consistently shatter performance benchmarks and redefine industry standards. Her visionary leadership has revolutionized MBCS's approach to branded content, establishing the studio as a force that seamlessly blends creative excellence with measurable business impact.

Accounting & Finance Consultant

“I am inspired by the unique blend of services Connections for Children provides. In addition to resources for children and families, CFC also supports child care providers in running their businesses and offering quality care. CFC offers trainings on early childhood curricula, licensing requirements, and other industry best practices. All of this combines to create access to quality care for families and a boost for the local economy.”

Amy Riggs is an accounting and finance professional with over 15 years of experience. Most recently, she served as Controller, International at Auctane (formerly known as Stamps.com) where she oversaw accounting of the company’s European business units and consolidated financial reporting. Prior to being taken private in 2021, Amy directed Stamps.com’s public reporting and other significant projects. Amy started her career in public accounting where she spent seven years proving assurance and consulting services to both nonprofit organizations and commercial clients. Amy graduated from UCLA with degrees in Business Economics and Spanish and achieved her MBA at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.