Board of Directors
The Ventura College Foundation is made up of a volunteer board of community leaders who serve as the Board of Directors and hundreds of supporters, all of whom are dedicated to enhancing and sustaining the educational experience at Ventura College.
2026-2027 VCF Board Members
Nicole Kreutz
Board Chair
Nicole Kreutz,
Board Chair
Nicole Kreutz is a Ventura College alumni. She believes community colleges are a great stepping stone to a four-year college education for students who aren't yet sure of their career path and for students who want to acquire a two-year certification needed for a high-demand job in the workforce. Nicole sees the foundation's programs impacting students every day. She's most proud of the foundation's scholarship opportunities that alleviate students' worry about finances so they can concentrate on their schooling and remain on track for a successful future.
Nicole has been on the VC Foundation board for five years, previously serving as treasurer. She is vice president, Senior Portfolio Manager for Montecito Bank & Trust in Santa Barbara and is involved in Rotary and other nonprofit organizations in the community.
Rob Van Nieuwburg
Vice Chair
Rob Van Nieuwburg,
Vice Chair
Rob van Nieuwburg was chair of the VC Foundation board of directors for five years, finishing his tenure in 2021. He skillfully maneuvered through the challenges that go with board decisions and outside forces such as the pandemic. His connection with the college began around 1986. At the time, he was the Parts and Service Director for Ventura Toyota (he's now its Business Relations Director). He saw the need for a vocational auto program at the college level and was instrumental in bringing a state-of-the-art program to Ventura College. Since then, after graduating from the program, over 300 students have launched their automotive careers through Ventura Toyota alone -not to mention the many other auto dealerships. With vehicles increasingly more technically complicated, the auto program, he believes, is more important than ever.
Rob joined the board in 2004 and has been involved ever since. He sees community college as a means to transition into adulthood, giving students the time and opportunity to find themselves and discover their career path.
Dustin Tondreau
Treasurer
Dustin Tondreau,
Treasurer
Dustin Tondreau joined the VC Foundation board in 2024. He is the AVP of Wealth Management at Ocean Air Federal Credit Union in Ventura County which partners with LPL Financial.
Dustin’s role as Foundation Board Treasurer is to provide a fiduciary duty of care in overseeing the foundation’s financials and to bring new relationships and strategic partnership opportunities. He also shares his knowledge of finance, economics, and leadership with the Foundation, so it remains productive and prosperous as it seeks to fulfill its mission.
Dustin is a strong advocate for the community college system, viewing it as a powerful, cost-effective gateway to four-year universities so students do not incur thousands of dollars in education debt. He also recognizes the vital role community colleges play in meeting the growing demand for skilled labor trades, particularly in fields like nursing that are crucial to the community. He adds, “Ventura College, with the Foundation's support, offers a local education and economic solution that enables community members to enhance their lives and, in turn, strengthen the entire community.”
Dustin received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Northridge.
Abra Flores
Secretary
Abra Pilar Flores,
Secretary
Abra Pilar Flores is a costume designer and educator.
As an educator, Abra sees the tremendous good the foundation does for students. Her goal is to help grow the financial support the foundation offers students and to expand outreach efforts so prospective students know all the financial assistance opportunities available to them.
Professionally, Abra has been telling stories with her designs for the past 40 years. As a working designer, with experiences in multiple venues and production situations (theater, film, dance, and opera), Abra brings a strong knowledge of and appreciation for costume design to her work and her teaching. It is very apparent she loves her craft, and takes great pride in creating excellent work, striving to instill in her students a pride in their craftsmanship and a love of theatre. It’s through scholarships from the foundation that helps her students to excel in their fields.
Abra received a BA in Theatre from Portland State University and an MFA in Costume Design from California Institute of the Arts.
Dr. Luca E. Lewis
President, Ventura College
Dr. Luca E. Lewis
Dr. Luca Lewis brings over 22 years of exemplary leadership and innovation experience, spanning various education institutions. Serving currently as the President at Ventura College, Luca is well known for advancing partnerships and maximizing institutional strengths for diverse learners and earners.
Luca previously held pivotal community college leadership roles including Vice President of Student Affairs at Ventura College, Associate Vice Chancellor of Education and Student Services at West Hills Community College District, Vice President for Student Services at Whatcom Community College, Dean of Student Success and Retention at Edmonds Community College, and Director for High School Programs at Bellevue College. Luca’s teaching career began as a part-time physical education instructor at Washington State University in 1996, a sociology instructor at University of Idaho in 2004, followed by various sociology adjunct faculty positions at multiple Washington State community colleges from 2009 to 2012.
Luca was a contributing author to the highly acclaimed book, Higher Education Administration for Social Justice and Equity: Critical Perspectives for Leadership, by Dr. Adrianna Kezar and Dr. Julie Posselt. Likewise, as a sought-after national expert, Luca carries a distinguished leadership reputation in helping institutions achieve excellence through culturally responsive teaching and learning practices, program growth and development, equity-minded leadership and decision-making, and institutional advancement. He has demonstrated experience and expertise in strengthening institutional and district-wide outcomes for communities with intersecting identities and eliminating barriers to access and success for all students.
Luca holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies, a master’s in interdisciplinary studies, and a doctorate in education/higher education administration from the University of Idaho.
Debe Bylo
Debe Bylo
For VC Foundation board member Debe Bylo, Ventura College has been a family affair. Debe took classes at the college to satisfy her teaching credential requirements. Her daughters were lifeguards and swim instructors at Ventura College during the summer months and her husband served as the volunteer bookbinder for the library (he also took art classes). Debe was a middle school teacher for the Ventura Unified School District for 23 years before retiring so she knows the power of education. As a board member, she supports and champions the VC Promise, the VC Foundation’s textbook lending library and other programs that make education financially feasible for students.
Debe says she loves community colleges because they create a bridge to four-year universities, offer career education programs, and opportunities for those wanting to re-enter the job market or brush up on their skills.
Debe received her Bachelor’s Degree in art history from the University of California, Riverside and her Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific. A Ventura resident since 1976, she is a VC Foundation donor and member of the President's Circle.
BRIANA BECERRA
Ventura College ASVC President
David Harrison
David Harrison
David Harrison is the sales manager for E.J. Harrison and Sons, Inc., a 90-year-old, family-owned and operated waste company based in Ventura.
David is passionate about helping the community’s youth. He serves on the executive board of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura, where he was past chair, as well as its Coast Area Council Liaison and Saticoy Municipal Advisory Council member.
As a Ventura College alum, David understands the importance of community college. He says, “Ventura College provides a cost-effective pathway to higher education, allowing students to transfer to universities without absorbing a heavy debt. Community colleges offer programs and training that help students enter the job market, meet industry needs and strengthen the local economy.”
In addition to an Associate’s Degree from Ventura College. David received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Doug Halter
Doug Halter
Doug Halter is Deputy Mayor for the City of Ventura. He has been actively involved in local government, task forces, committees and commissions for over 30 years.
Doug has dedicated decades to helping the community. Some of his involvement includes being a founding member and Chair of the Downtown Ventura Community Council, chair of the AIDS Partnership of Ventura County, chair of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Visitors and Tourism Bureau, the Police Activities League, co-founder of the Ventura Botanical Gardens, and Board member and past President of the Ventura Rotary. He has also been a Parks and Recreation Commissioner and a member of the Ventura Visioning Committee.
As a VC Foundation board member, Doug focuses on helping identify courses that are needed for business in Ventura County today, especially the trades where students can develop their skills for a long and prosperous career.
“The community college system allows so many students a chance to afford furthering their education while staying close to their friends and family,” says Doug. “My hope is that these students will stay in our community and help create the Ventura County of the future.”
Doug’s work experience includes engineering and marketing positions for Shell Oil, Procter and Gamble, Unisys and several educational software companies. He has renovated old and new homes and buildings, including a historic church, where he helped form Rubicon Company. He’s operated gift and gardening stores and currently runs a landscape business.
Doug holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from U.C. Santa Barbara.
Anne Paul King
Anne King
Anne Paul King, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation (VCF), collaborates with the VCF Board to ensure the success of Ventura College students and programs. She’s devoted to opening doors to opportunity by breaking down financial barriers so students can pursue their educational dreams. She believes in the power of a community college education to transform students’ lives and to meet the needs of the Ventura County workforce and economy.
With over 33 years in the nonprofit sector, King oversees the foundation’s $3.7 million annual budget and $29.6 million in assets by building a solid donor base for direct student support, vital resources, and campus initiatives to support student dreams.
The Ventura College Foundation's support of Ventura College students is vital. Fifty-two percent of Ventura College’s 10,000 students are low or extremely low-income and many hold multiple jobs. Fifty percent of students are food insecure and twelve percent are housing insecure.
Under King’s leadership, the foundation distributed $809,995 in direct support to over 5,000 students during the 2022-2023 academic year and another $1.17 million to 68 Ventura College programs across 16 departments and divisions. Scholarships, the VC Promise, VC Basic Needs, textbook and equipment support, and other programs increase access to education, eliminate equity gaps, and empower all students to succeed.
A 20+ year Ventura County resident, Anne Paul King is a dedicated advocate for education. She has worked as a volunteer and professional to help all students strive to reach their educational goals and achieve success. By strengthening the county’s educational assistance opportunities, she has empowered a generation of students to not only achieve educational success but to secure fulfilling careers that strengthen their families and our community.
King was a founding member of the Conejo Schools Foundation. She assisted Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, with multiple fundraising campaigns that have allowed the church to repair, renovate, and add to its facilities while strengthening programs for Pre-K Education, Youth Ministry, Homeless Services, and Senior Citizens.
King is a Vice-President of the Network for California Community College Foundations, a member of Downtown Ventura Rotary, and an Advisory Committee Member for New Art City Theatre, a new nonprofit based in Ventura dedicated to the development of new theatrical works. She served for five years on CLU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership, Program Design Committee. She was named the AFP Santa Barbara/Ventura Professional Fundraiser of the Year in 2019.
Matt Lavere, ESQ.
Matt LeVere
Matt LaVere grew up near Ventura College and took classes there in high school and college. A VC Foundation board member for over six years, he is passionate about ensuring that all youth in our community have access to affordable, high-quality education and addressing other challenges students face, such as housing, transportation, and food insecurity.
Matt was elected to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in 2020. Before that, he served on the Ventura City Council from 2016 to 2020 and was Ventura's Mayor from 2018-2020. He earned his BA with honors in 2000 from Pepperdine University and his law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Professionally, Matt has worked as a lawyer specializing in business law and agriculture since 2006.
Matt has also served on the Board of Directors for Project Understanding, the Downtown Ventura Rotary Club. He's active in other local charities that benefit youth.
Dr. Roam Romagnoli
VP of Academic Affairs
Ventura College
Dr. Roam Romagnoli
Dr. Roam Romagnoli is Vice President of Academic Affairs at Ventura College.
As a proud graduate of the California Community College system, they bring over 20 years of experience as an educator, leader, and practitioner-researcher to their role.
Previously, Roam served as Dean of Language Arts and Academic Foundations at Santa Rosa Junior College, leading a large instructional area that includes credit and noncredit programs, adult education, workforce initiatives, and academic support services across multiple campuses and community sites.
Prior to that, Roam served as Interim Dean of Language Arts and Library at Chabot College and was both an adjunct and tenured English faculty member for over a decade.
Dr. Roam is deeply committed to building a student-ready, community-engaged college. At Ventura College, they lead collegewide enrollment management and strategic planning, including listening sessions with TK-12, business and industry, and community partners, and help lead K-12 partnerships that create clear pathways and expand access for first-generation and multilingual students.”
“As Vice President of Academic Affairs, I see every day how the Foundation’s scholarships, VC Promise, and textbook support remove the financial barriers that too often stand between our students and their goals. When students can focus on learning instead of how to pay for it, they stay enrolled, complete their programs, and move confidently into careers.”
Roam holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University.
Denise Sindelar
Denise Sindelar
Denise Sindelar is the founder and Principal Project Manager of Sindelar Art Consulting. She works with municipalities, foundations, non-profit organizations, and individual artists in the areas of public art, strategic planning, and community engagement. Prior to starting this business, she served as the Programs Director and lastly as Deputy Director for the Museum of Ventura County from 2017-2021.
She worked to develop innovative programming, presented diverse exhibits, and managed operations at the Downtown Ventura main campus and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. She last served as the Community Partnerships Manager for the City of Ventura. Over the course of her 13-year career with the city, she managed cultural & public art programs, historic sites, programming & special events, library & senior services, Volunteer Ventura and citywide marketing and graphic design.
She also served as the staff liaison to the Cultural Affairs, Library Advisory and Public Art Commissions. She served on the Community Memorial Hospital Art Advisory Board, responsible for creating the art programming and curation of the new state of the arts hospital. She has previously served on the board of the Ventura Music Festival. Prior to her work with the city, she co-owned Natalie’s Fine Threads and
the Upstairs Gallery in downtown Ventura and served as a commissioner on the city’s Public Art Commission. Sindelar graduated with a BA in Latin American studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. She and her husband Jim live in midtown Ventura. She is an avid art and book collector. Her pastimes include reading, traveling, gardening, and cooking. She is a resolute public servant, intent upon creating a cultural legacy for future generations.
Ed Summers
Ed Summers
Ed Summers comes to the board with 30 years of experience in banking and community involvement. He served as a board member for such business organizations as the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA) and the Economic Development Collaborative- Ventura County (EDC-VC) and was a city council member for the City of Ventura. His focus on the board is to spearhead stronger relationships between industry and the college. With studies showing strong demand for a workforce with advanced technical education experience, Ed sees community colleges playing a vital role in offering the technical training that will prepare our future workforce.
Throughout his career, Ed has developed a strong reputation for bridging the gap in communication between different facets of stakeholders, building consensuses and collaboration. He has a strong reputation and excellent working relationship with business leaders, elected officials and administrative staff at the city, county, state and federal levels.
Harald Wulff
Harald Wulff
Harald Wulff grew up in Duesseldorf, Germany. He studied chemistry in Heidelberg, obtaining his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Harald soon immigrated to the U.S. and joined Shell Development Company in Emeryville, California. That followed with positions at BASF and then Henkel Corporation, where he became president and CEO. He was appointed to the board of Henkel KGaA. He later became chairman and CEO of Cognis, a worldwide supplier of specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. He moved to Ventura in 2001 and retired in 2005.
Harald's family (including children and grandchildren) live in Ventura County. Always community-minded, he has been a member of the Ventura Rotary Club for almost 20 years.
Harald joined the Ventura College Foundation in 2019. Says Harald, "VCF does an incredible job providing financial support to students. This support enables students to focus on their education to secure quality jobs today and in the future. I'm proud to be part of this highly motivated and engaged board. I see VCF's efforts making an ever-growing impact on our community."
Board Emeriti:
David Bianco*
Ellyn Dembowski
Ruth Hemming, ED.D
David Pugh*
Donna Santo, ESQ.
Richard Taylor, ESQ.
Lucia Tebbe*
Eleanor tillquist
George Tillquist*
Hon. Colleen Toy White*
John Woolley, ED.D
Helen Yunker*
* Deceased