Meet Our Team
We are PGK
PGK is a movement, and like all movements it is made up of many people, many faces, and most importantly, many giving hearts. A few of the most involved are shared below, but we are grateful to every single person helping us along in this journey to create #GivingKids.
Our Staff
Our Board
Molly
Yuska
I am the founder of PGK and a life-long student of the nonprofit sector, having received my Master’s of Management and Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University and a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University.
It was in seeing the struggles of these organizations fulfill their inspiring missions with limited resources and the almost limitless potential of the next generation to usher in a new era of philanthropy and volunteerism, that I set out to start PGK. I believe in two fundamental truths: the goodness that lies within all people and the ability to change the world when we teach our young people to tap into and stay connected to that.
Heidi
Johnson
I am a nonprofit director, founder, and blogger. I serve as the executive director of TACSC, a nonprofit cultivating leadership among Catholic middle and high school youth. I founded and co-chaired the The Spiritual Care Guild
Read Moreat CHLA which has become a national template for pediatric chaplaincy. I am also the creator and founder of the blog, Charity Matters, which tells the stories of small nonprofits and their beginnings. I am the mother of three boys living in Pasadena, with my husband, Ron, and a proud graduate of USC.
I serve on a number of educational and nonprofit boards supporting the causes I care deeply about, and am a strong believer in philanthropy, having seen the impact it can have on so many, especially young children during their formative years. My passion is using my voice to make a difference and connecting people and causes that matter.
at CHLA which has become a national template for pediatric chaplaincy. I am also the creator and founder of the blog, Charity Matters, which tells the stories of small nonprofits and their beginnings. I am the mother of three boys living in Pasadena, with my husband, Ron, and a proud graduate of USC.
I serve on a number of educational and nonprofit boards supporting the causes I care deeply about, and am a strong believer in philanthropy, having seen the impact it can have on so many, especially young children during their formative years. My passion is using my voice to make a difference and connecting people and causes that matter.
Katie
Terino
With a degree in Business Administration from Boston University and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, I started my career in high-tech operations, then transitioned to higher education,
I am currently the Executive Director of House of Possibilities, Inc. and serve on the board of Project Giving Kids, while also continuing my consulting and volunteer work. Living outside of Boston with my husband, Joe, and three school-aged children, I believe in the paradigm PGK represents and the importance of developing a culture of empathy and inclusion among youth.
Bendee
Anzures
I am a marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience in various industries from consumer packaged goods/food to non-profit and e-commerce.
Read MoreI am passionate about meeting consumer needs with innovative products and digital experiences, and currently work at LegalZoom as VP of engagement and retention marketing. I am also passionate about furthering children's causes and have taken active leadership roles at various non-profits including LA Junior Chamber of Commerce, Taproot Foundation and Street Project NY. I received my MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and BA from UCLA. I enjoy theater and international travel, and feel fortunate that I can now share these passions with my daughter!
I am passionate about meeting consumer needs with innovative products and digital experiences, and currently work at LegalZoom as VP of engagement and retention marketing. I am also passionate about furthering children's causes and have taken active leadership roles at various non-profits including LA Junior Chamber of Commerce, Taproot Foundation and Street Project NY. I received my MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and BA from UCLA. I enjoy theater and international travel, and feel fortunate that I can now share these passions with my daughter!
Seema
Otoya
I am a strategy and business development professional with over 14 years of experience in consumer packaged goods and management consulting. I am currently part independent consultant
and part stay-at-home mom. As the founder of Vartoya Consulting, I am a driving force behind critical strategic, operational and organizational initiatives for my clients. I work with domestic and international clients to provide thought leadership in developing practical solutions to complex challenges. Prior to this, I spent several years working in internal strategy roles at Beachbody, Wonderful, Disney and Microsoft. I received my MBA from Harvard Business School and my BBA from The University of Texas at Austin.
As mom, I have two little children (4 year-old boy and 2 year-old girl) and a sweet little dog who are the light of my life. Living in LA, I felt it was important for me to help teach them the importance of giving back from an early age, and that is what led me to identify with PGK and its mission. I am honored to be a part of such a great organization and look forward to empowering others to join us!
Aaron
McDaniel
I am an entrepreneur, real estate investor, speaker and teacher who is passionate about teaching kids the skills and traits they need to lead happy empathetic lives. I started my corporate career at AT&T
Read Morewhere I rose to the level of Regional VP and after nearly a decade became a serial entrepreneur founding a number of ventures (many failures and 3 that were successfully acquired). I have written books helping young professionals build the foundation for a successful career, I speak to executives about how to engage and empower their young employees and I teach at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where I also graduated from.
My passion for working with kids started when I was a day-camp counselor in high school and continued on with my involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Junior Achievement. Teaching kids to give back has become even more important to me since I became a Dad in 2016. I think PGK’s mission is incredibly important and I am honored and excited to be part of the efforts to help achieve it.
where I rose to the level of Regional VP and after nearly a decade became a serial entrepreneur founding a number of ventures (many failures and 3 that were successfully acquired). I have written books helping young professionals build the foundation for a successful career, I speak to executives about how to engage and empower their young employees and I teach at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where I also graduated from.
My passion for working with kids started when I was a day-camp counselor in high school and continued on with my involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Junior Achievement. Teaching kids to give back has become even more important to me since I became a Dad in 2016. I think PGK’s mission is incredibly important and I am honored and excited to be part of the efforts to help achieve it.
Our Advisory Team
Supervising Producer, Scripted & Unscripted Television
Executive Director, Consigli Foundation
Manufacturing Systems Analyst at Accenture Industry X.0
Entrepreneur
Senior Manager, Partner Marketing Operations at Nutanix
Podcast Host and Author
Project Manager, DS-Interpretation, Inc.
CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley
Margaret Emery
Actress and Producer
Assistant Director of Advancement at the Rivers School
VP of Programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester
News Anchor, NBC Boston
Owner/Founder/Producer, BRCA Production, LLC
Recruitment Support Contractor
Becky Primmer
Nurse
President, LightWerks Communication Systems, Inc.
People Associate at SmugMug
Journalist/podcaster
Heather Simpson
Actress
Independent HR Consultant, Board Chair Boys & Girls Club of Venice
Senior Social Worker, Dept of Veterans Affairs
PGK is looking for dynamic board members who share our passion for kids, service and technology. If interested in learning more, email us at admin@projectgivingkids.org.
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Our Sponsors
Thank You!
There are many individuals and organizations who make our work possible. We are incredibly grateful for all the support provided in ways large and small that allow us to connect kids to causes. Thank you!
The Koum Family Foundation
Dr. Anne C. Kubik
& Michael A. Krupka
Other Supporting Organizations
