Gerry Pantoja Named 40 Under 40 Honoree
The Ventura College Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy, Gerry Pantoja, C.F.R.E., was named a 2023 40 Under 40 honoree by the Pacific Coast Business Times on August 25, 2023.
The 23rd annual edition of the Pacific Coast Business Times 40 Under 40 special report, spotlights the rising stars of the tri-counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Honorees must be under 40 years of age at the time of the publication and have made contributions to the region through their professional or volunteer capacities.
Pantoja, who has over 14 years in nonprofit fundraising management, 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. Since 2017, he has helped raise more than $3.7 million, which has helped more than 13,000 students.
As a community college graduate, Pantoja understands the value the community college system provides to those seeking to further their education. Working at the Ventura College Foundation allows him to reach out to the local community for the resources students need to achieve their education goals.
He serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter (AFPSBV) board. He is also a board member of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and serves as the committee chair of the Young Professionals Group.
Pantoja is an alumnus of the 2022-23 cohort of the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA). Additionally, in 2022 Gerry became a designated Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International.
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.
The 2023 40 under 40 class will be honored by the Pacific Coast Business Times at its event on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Topa Topa Brewery’s Colt Street location (4880 Colt St, Ventura) from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Information on event tickets can be found here: https://www.pacbiztimes.com/events/