Foundation Staff
Gerry Pantoja
Director of Philanthropy
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.
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.
Cyndie Whitley
Finance Manager
Cyndie Whitley
Finance Manager
Cyndie Whitley, Ventura College Foundation Finance Manager, has worked for the foundation for over 10 years and has over 29 years of experience in accounting and more than 16 years of experience in business management.
Cyndie is the lead accountant and is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, human resources, insurance for the organization, as well as assisting with the annual audit and Form 990 support. She supports all departments at the foundation and works closely with the VC Foundation’s Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.).
“I am an alum of Ventura College, and both my daughters attended and graduated from VC," says Cyndie. "Needless to say, I have a close connection with the college. I enjoy helping the students achieve their goals with the funds they receive from the foundation. Many students would not have that opportunity if it were not for the financial support from our generous donors.”
Cyndie received her Associate degree in Business Management from Long Beach City College and is a QuickBooks Certified User. She has worked as a credit analyst for Philips Lighting Corp., office manager for a Camarillo CPA firm, preparing taxes and managing clients' accounting needs, and worked as the accounting manager for the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce.
Scott DeBoer
Development Database Specialist
Scott DeBoer
Development Database Specialist
Scott DeBoer, Ventura College Foundation Development Database Specialist, has more than 20 years of experience in higher education with roles within academic compliance and operations.
Scott is responsible for database support for the Foundation’s annual giving campaign, major and planned gifts, campus fundraising, and alumni and event fundraising programs. He also collaborates with the Foundation’s development team to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward annual, major and planned gift donors to support the Foundation’s mission.
"What attracted me to the Foundation is its focus on not only securing critical funding but using those donated dollars to help and encourage students to realize their academic goals," says Scott. "I have the wonderful task of assisting in the distribution of these scholarships so I can see how students directly benefit."
Scott received his B.S. in Government (Foreign Affairs), graduating summa cum laude from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and his M.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He began his career in education as a volunteer English teacher through the U.S. Peace Corps. and then as a teacher at the National School of Public Administration in Warsaw, Poland.
Micsin Martinez
Programs & Development Specialist
Micsin Martinez
Programs & Development Specialist
Micsin Martinez is the Programs & Development Specialist for the Ventura College Foundation.
Micsin is responsible for facilitating the foundation’s philanthropic support to Ventura College students. Her responsibilities include designing, marketing, 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.
“I love how the Ventura College Foundation is so student-centered and wants to help students achieve their educational goals by removing as many educational barriers as possible,” says Micsin. “I feel so lucky to be able to be a part that.”
Micsin attended Ventura College, studying Early Childhood Education. She returned to Ventura College as a Financial Aid Student Specialist, Financial Aid Technician and most recently as a Financial Aid Scholarship Technician.
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.