Meet our 2025 Steering Committee!

We are thrilled to be guided by an exceptional team of leaders from the San Gorgonio Pass area and beyond. Annually, we conduct elections to choose our new Steering Committee members who will steer our initiatives forward. For more details on the roles within our Steering Committee, we invite you to check out our Pass Community Foundation Bylaws.  

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    Megan Garcia
    Secretary

    Megan is a talented esthetician at Cherry Valley Nails and Hair, a former Pass Democratic Club member, current Executive Board member of Pass Rotaract, and a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and education policy in the San Gorgonio Pass. She combines her passion for her son, partner, and self-care with a commitment to community and educational improvement.  

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    Mario Carlos
    Board Member

    Mario is a Case Manager Specialist at the City of Banning and former Navigator for Faith In Action, utilizing his relationship-building and organizing skills, and has leadership experience in the Vegan food service industry as a manager and lead at The Combine Kitchen and Native Foods.  

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    Charissa Preuss
    Vice Chair

    Charissa is an experienced store manager with 15+ years experience in management and conflict resolution. She has consistently worked for some of the highest volume stores in the country as her hustle matches her heart. She finds joy in her volunteer work, including advocating for the elderly and leading initatives and events for the LGBTQIA community and local Pride events. She is also a mother to three amazing children. 

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    Marco Santana
    Chair

    Marco is a Strategic Planner and Grant Writer at Faith in Action, providing case management, supportive services, and housing navigation for low-income, unhoused, and at-risk individuals. He former roles include a wide background in community development and planning, including as Planning Commissioner for the City of Banning, Science Educator at Val Verde Unified, and Sr Project Engineer at Project Farma.  

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    Anyse Smith
    Board Member

    Anyse is an attorney and housing advocate committed to advancing access to justice through legal expertise, policy reform, and community engagement. As a Staff Attorney at Starting Over Inc., she leads efforts to reduce homelessness and recidivism while advocating for civil rights. With degrees from California Desert Trial Academy, Paris Sorbonne Université, and The George Washington University, she brings a global perspective to her work and focuses on empowering individuals and building stronger communities through education and advocacy. 

  • Aaron Dill
    Board Member

    Aaron is the Director of External Affairs for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire. An HBCU graduate, he has held roles in government, philanthropy, and workforce development, including at GO-Biz and California Jobs First. Passionate about fostering equity and empowering communities, Aaron is active in the Inland Empire’s philanthropic efforts and enjoys traveling with his family.

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    Joselyn Garcia-Rojas
    Treasurer

    Joselyn is a dedicated Development Specialist at the County of Riverside, with a rich background in employment services and education, including roles at San Bernardino County, Los Angeles Job Corps Center, and as a certified substitute teacher in the Beaumont Unified School District.  

  • Maria Salome Pelaez
    Board Member

    Maria is a Development Specialist III with Riverside County Workforce Development Division. Through Maria’s experience in the nonprofit, government and private sector she aspires to contributing to community residents reaching self-sufficiency by supplying available resources to them.

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