Susan has worked in development and fundraising for more than two decades, currently serving as the Development Director at Star Academy, an independent school for children with learning differences. Before that she led development efforts at two Catholic parishes. Throughout her career she has worked in small one or two person development offices and is well versed in making the most of small budgets and wearing many hats, including fundraising, communications, and project management. She earned her Masters of Nonprofit Administration at USF and, in addition to her work with DER, currently volunteers with the American Red Cross and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin.
Grateful for a 30-year career as a development director, major gift officer, grantwriter, and capital campaign consultant, Melanie Hamburger has raised over $5M for racial, social, economic, health and environmental justice in the Bay Area and beyond. In addition, she is committed to creating access to careers in fundraising, and teaches regularly for community college and workforce development nonprofits. With a small, agile team at CommunityGrantwriters.us, Melanie specializes in providing affordable resources to build revenue for social justice nonprofits with 0-1 fundraising staff.
Catherine Johnson is the Chief Operating Officer of Caravan Studios, a division of TechSoup. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, Ms. Johnson has managed numerous department-level operations, budgets, and strategic fundraising initiatives. Prior to her current role with Caravan Studios, she was a long-time member of TechSoup’s fundraising team, with roles ranging from grant writer to development director. She holds a BA in History from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MA in Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Born and raised in the Valencia district of San Francisco, Gema strives to provide arts education, access, and culture to her community. She is currently the Development Manager at Young Audiences of Northern California, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing creative experiences to youth and the Bay Area. As a Latinx woman of color working in the development field, Gema looks to re-image the traditional culture of the fundraising world and implement new fundraising approaches that integrate Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). In addition, she believes in providing support to fundraisers of color and connecting them with professionals in the field to enhance their fundraising skills. She thrives best when working with a team and looks forward to joining the DER Board and advancing their mission!
Maral Chalian is a recognized leader in the global non-profit sector. At the beginning of her career, Maral pioneered a program to deliver and distribute humanitarian cargo to emerging democracies. Working closely with United States and global leaders, Maral developed duty-free customs procedures, policies for equitable distribution of supplies, and efficient logistics for delivery of aid.
After serving for over 10 years on the Community Advisory Board of Los Angeles Public Television (KCET), Maral was asked to lead the development efforts in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Within 2 years, donations increased by 144% in the region. Maral also had record-breaking success as an on-air pledge drive host, hosting live and taped segments for the largest public television station in the country (at the time).
Maral was part of the team that successfully launched the undergraduate program at the American University of Armenia (AUA), affiliated with the University of California. As the university’s first-ever Vice President of University Advancement, Maral built a team of dedicated professionals, overseeing all outward-facing divisions of the University (including U.S. Government Relations, Communications, Marketing, Career Center, university website, etc.). Maral’s teams were consistently recognized for their collaboration, focus, and enthusiasm.
Maral has twice been invited to speak at the United Nations DPI/NGO Conference. Her professional awards include the Women in Business Award by the California State Legislature.
Bryan Chauvel is the communications lead at St. Anthony Foundation, where he has been instrumental in elevating the organization’s profile through diverse communications channels. A skilled storyteller, Bryan brings creativity and strategic insight into the portrayal of human experiences, with a particular focus on fostering a community of dignity and respect in San Francisco. Before his current role, he honed his expertise in digital marketing and communications at Google, Williams-Sonoma, and through independent consulting for major brands. Bryan holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications and media management from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and a BSBA in finance from the University of San Francisco, graduating summa cum laude. An advocate for social justice and community service, Bryan has contributed to numerous causes, including raising funds for AIDS-related services. He has also been an active pro bono marketing and communications consultant to nonprofit organizations through Taproot Foundation for the last 15 years. When not shaping impactful narratives or leading communications strategies, he enjoys cycling and exploring the rich cultural tapestry of his community. Bryan brings his passion and proven track record to the DER, supporting its mission, values, and strategic vision with his unique perspective and expertise.
Pat Gallagher joined Buckelew Programs in December 2020 as Chief Philanthropy Officer. Pat is an established development professional with a demonstrated history of working in Human Services, Community Health, and Education sectors in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her experience includes capital campaigns, major and annual gifts, grant-making, planned giving, relationship building, and events management. Her experience includes oversight of communications and marketing, volunteer services, and advocacy efforts. Pat is excited to be part of Buckelew’s team and shares their passion to support our vital mission, values, and strategic vision.
A native San Franciscan, Pat received her BA in English at Santa Clara University and Master in Nonprofit Management at University of San Francisco. When off duty, she enjoys cooking, long walks and follows, with great enjoyment, televised baking competitions.
Shaké Sulikyan is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader who is dedicated to making the world a better place. She aligns talent and resources to drive larger-scale initiatives, build fruitful relationships, and reach record-breaking goals. Shaké has successfully raised millions of dollars for healthcare, universities including Harvard Medical School and Simmons University, and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States.
As President and Executive Director of ValleyCare Charitable Foundation, she oversees fundraising strategies, community engagement and communications, and provides financial and legal management. She has also served as a nonprofit consultant. Shaké has a long-standing career in volunteer roles, leading workshops and training sessions nationwide, and serving on nonprofit boards. She lives in Livermore with her husband and young son.
Christine Sinnott, MTS, CFRE, brings thirty years of development expertise to her role with DER, supporting organizations in social services, higher education and the arts. She is a fundraising generalist who loves creating and managing systems for data utilization and strategic improvement.
During her tenure as the development manager at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Christine expanded revenue streams by 50%, leading to significant growth in client services. She currently works as the development director for Music in Place.
