Foundation Staff
Anne Paul King
Executive Director
Anne Paul King
Executive Director
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 student’s 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 $4.1 million annual budget and $33 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 $738,558 in direct support to over 7,800 students during the 2023-2024 academic year and another $1.33 million to 56 Ventura College programs across 14 departments and divisions. The VC Promise, VC Basic Needs, scholarships, 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 the President of the Network for California Community College Foundations, a member of Downtown Ventura Rotary, and a Board 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.
Gerry Pantoja
Director of Philanthropy, C.F.R.E.
Gerry Pantoja
Director of Philanthropy
Gerardo (Gerry) Pantoja is the Director of Philanthropy at the Ventura College Foundation.
He is responsible for securing funding to further the foundation’s mission to provide innovative and vital resources and financial support to the students and programs at Ventura College. With over 12 years working in the nonprofit sector, he has fundraised for various nonprofit organizations, including eight years of fundraising in Washington, D.C.
“I am a community college graduate and understand the value that the community college system provides to those seeking to further their education," says Gerry. "Working at the Ventura College Foundation gives me the opportunity to help pay it forward by reaching out to our community for the resources our students need to achieve their education goals.”
He is currently the co-president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter (AFPSBV) and the Ventura Chamber’s Young Professionals committee chair. In addition, he is a member of the 2022 cohort of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, a program that cultivates the personal and professional growth of those in leadership roles throughout the county.
In 2022, Gerry became a designated Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International. To receive the certification, he successfully passed a written examination testing his knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive and agreed to uphold CFRE Accountability Standards and its Donor Bill of Rights.
Gerry received his Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, his B.S. in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, and his M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Tara Hahn
Finance Manager
Tara Hahn
Finance Manager
As the Finance Manager at the Ventura College Foundation, Tara Hahn handles a range of important tasks, from managing accounts to navigating insurance policies and preparing for audits. Her work includes ensuring that the foundation's financial operations run smoothly, promoting efficiency and transparency. She is involved in scholarship management, reviews the foundation’s tax documents and monitors its yearly budget.
Tara is driven by her belief in the power of education and is passionate about the impact scholarships have on students' lives. "Scholarships open doors to education. I'm thrilled to be part of helping students reach their full potential and turn dreams into reality," says Tara. "Every student holds a world of potential within them. Through scholarships, we ignite the spark of possibility, fueling their journey toward brighter tomorrows."
Before joining the Ventura College Foundation, Tara served as the Business Manager for Krishnamurti Center LLC, a nonprofit organization in Ojai. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from UCLA and has furthered her skills through accounting coursework at UCSB Extension.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new destinations. She also loves to relax by streaming movies and shows in her free time.
Esmeralda Juarez
Marketplace Supervisor
Esmeralda Juarez
Marketplace Supervisor
Esmeralda Juarez is the Supervisor of the Ventura College Foundation Weekend Marketplace. She oversees 300 weekly vendors. The Marketplace attracts about 2,000 visitors each weekend, making it one of the most successful community events in Ventura County.
Her dedication and commitment to the Marketplace and the community came through during the pandemic. By working tirelessly with vendors, city and county officials and the public, she was instrumental in enabling the Marketplace to reopen and serve the community while other venues remained closed. This provided vendors and their families with much-needed income during a very trying time.
“Helping people is my passion and working at the Marketplace makes me happy because I can help hundreds of families each week by providing them with a place to work," says Esmeralda. "I am grateful to the Foundation for allowing me to be part of its team for over 20 years. The Foundation has helped me grow and has allowed me to succeed in what I do best.”
Esmeralda received her B.A. in Organizational Management, graduating from the University of La Verne. She has two children and is happily married to her husband of 11 years. She enjoys family gatherings and loves to spend time with her children and husband as much as possible.
Stephanie Montenegro
Development & Events Specialist
Stephanie Montenegro
Development & Events Specialist
Stephanie Montenegro, Ventura College Foundation’s Development & Events Specialist, has more than 10 years of nonprofit experience in various organizations in California. Her resume includes employment at Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Exploratorium, the Santa Barbara Zoo, and Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association.
Stephanie is responsible for coordinating the foundation events, including fundraisers, donor appreciation, annual Scholarship Awards events, and grand openings. Stephanie was initially attracted to the position because she enjoys coordinating events and was impressed by the foundation staff. Since then, she has also realized how many students face financial struggles and can benefit from the scholarships that the foundation raises money for.
Stephanie grew up in the Bay Area and relocated to Ventura County in 2003. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Chloe Boswell-Dondorf
Development Specialist
Chloe Boswell-Dondorf
Development Specialist
Chloe Boswell-Dondorf is Ventura College Foundation’s Development Specialist.
Chloe is responsible for stewardship of the annual fund, public relations, marketing, and maintaining relationships with some of the foundation's excellent partners.
“I love working for the Ventura College Foundation because they address the specific needs of students without excluding the community. I am so excited to help students reach their educational goals, and determine new ways we can offer support.”
Trained in human resource management, she was also a freelance copywriter on Depop and managed her online retail sales business before joining the Foundation.
Chloe graduated from California State University Stanislaus with a B.A. in communication studies. She attended the University of Minnesota through Coursera and obtained a specialization certificate in human resource management and completed courses in recruitment, employee development, compensation and labor relations and laws.
As a volunteer during COVID, Chloe helped an elementary school teacher in Atwater, CA ease the transition to online schooling during 2020.
Araceli Gonzalez Aggarwal
Programs & Development Specialist
Araceli Gonzalez Aggarwal
Programs & Development Specialist
Araceli Gonzalez Aggarwal is the Programs & Development Specialist for the Ventura College Foundation.
Araceli facilitates the foundation’s philanthropic support to Ventura College students. Her responsibilities include program outreach and assessing the effectiveness of the foundation’s efforts to inform students about foundation programs including the Ventura College Promise, scholarship opportunities, and other student resources. She also helps with fundraising efforts, supports the processing and disbursements of scholarship awards and donations, and ensures that all foundation programs meet Federal, State, and District regulations.
“As a VC alumnus, my community college education opened many doors for me and set me up for success,” says Araceli. “My positive experience fueled my passion for eliminating the financial barriers that keep students from accessing higher education. I am thrilled to be part of this dedicated team and help empower students and strengthen alumni connections."
Araceli proudly attended Ventura College and Santa Barbara City College, where she laid the foundation for her career journey. Building on that solid start, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Portland. In 2024, she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Rotary Club of Ventura from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Carl Allen
Development Operations Manager
805-289-6216
callen3@vcccd.edu
Carl Allen
Development Database Specialist
As the Development Database Specialist at the Ventura College Foundation, Carl is responsible for database support for annual giving, major and planned gifts, campus fundraising activities, alumni donations and other aspects of the foundation’s fundraising programs.
Carl’s experience in software development and database management enables him to improve processes and automate tasks, allowing the foundation to spend more time on fundraising efforts. “My goal is to strengthen and increase fundraising success to ensure that Ventura College students have more resources and opportunities to thrive,” says Carl.
Carl is an accomplished software engineering manager with over 13 years of experience leading teams in software development, web administration, IT and marketing. Previously, he was an independent IT consultant and web developer in Thousand Oaks. Before that, he was a project manager and senior web developer for Minarik Automation & Control in Glendale.
Grace Falzone-Miller
Campaign Assistant & Alumni Relations Specialist
Grace falzone-miller
Campaign assistant and alumni relations specialist
Grace Falzone-Miller is the Foundation’s Campaign Assistant and Alumni Relations Specialist. She assists in planning, coordinating and executing activities related to the Foundation’s multi-year fundraising campaign while developing and coordinating alumni programs and services designed to foster and strengthen the relationship between Ventura College and its alumni.
Grace has over 14 years of experience in operations, marketing and business development.
“I am thrilled to contribute to the Ventura College Foundation and work with a passionate team to support student success and educational opportunities,” says Grace. “My role is to strengthen alumni connections and secure resources, ensuring students have the support and community backing they need to succeed. I enjoy building strong relationships and helping to drive lasting community support for the Foundation’s mission.”
Grace received her BA in Public Relations from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was in the National Honors Society and on the Dean's List.
Grace lives in Ventura with her partner, son, and their rescue dogs. She loves trying new recipes and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Aubrey Montgomery
Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director & HR Specialist
Aubrey Montgomery
Administrative assistant to the executive direcor and hr specialist
Aubrey Montgomery is the Foundation’s Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and HR Specialist. Her duties include administrative support to the Executive Director and facilitating all HR functions to support the Foundation’s staff.
Aubrey was on active duty in the U.S. Navy for eight years. While in the Navy she was a culinary specialist, handling VIP events, managing inventories and facilitating team scheduling, training, and inspections. Before joining the Foundation, Aubrey was a Contact Center Associate for Harbor Freight Tools, providing customer support, managing budgets and organizing team events.
“My experience in the Navy equipped me with the skills to manage multiple tasks while collaborating with diverse personalities,” says Aubrey. This, paired with a passion for seeing goals through to an impactful outcome gives me the opportunity to assist with our foundation's success and support students in achieving their academic goals.”
Aubrey received her Associate’s Degree in general studies from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and an Associate’s Degree in hospitality management from Moorpark College, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Originally from Las Vegas, Aubrey lives with her husband, two children and a curious cat named Ash. Her hobbies include video gaming, crocheting and hiking.