Board of Directors, 2023-2024
Stephanie Hernandez
President
Stephanie is a social justice advocate and has dedicated her career to advancing equity focused initiatives in San Diego’s most impacted communities. Stephanie uses her lived experience as a young woman of color, daughter of immigrants, and Southeast San Diego resident in her work. Stephanie currently works for the Land Use and Environment Group Executive Office at the County of San Diego as a CAO Staff Officer and previously worked at City Heights CDC. She currently serves as the D9 City of San Diego Mobility Board representative, Facilitator with the Aaron Price Fellows Program, and 2023-2024 City Heights Rotaract Club President. Stephanie is also a 2023 SD LEAD Impact graduate and a graduate of the Latina Success Leadership Program. In 2017, Stephanie obtained a B.A in International Security and Conflict Resolution with a specialization in Environment and Security from San Diego State University. In her free time, she likes to ride her e-bike, travel with her dogs Leela and Chorizo and cat Tiabeanie and support local San Diego restaurants with her partner Carlos.
Kendra Macias
Vice President
Kendra Macias was born and raised in San Diego, specifically in the City Heights community. Dating all the way back to her parents actually meeting there. She is proud to be from City Heights, where she currently still lives and so do her parents. She joined City Heights Rotaract in 2020-21 because it aligns with her vision and values to better her community not only for herself and loved ones, but for longtime, current and future residents of this community. In 2022-23 she served on the board as treasurer and decided to continue on the board. In her free time she loves to spend time with her fur baby and loved ones. She loves fashion, ice cream (food in general), reading, nature, music, shows/films and like most San Diegans she loves the beach.
Michelle Fregoso
Secretary
Michelle is a Native to Los Angeles who grew up in Compton until she moved to San Diego in 2012. In 2012 she accepted her admission to San Diego State University to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree. When she wasn’t busy with school she enjoyed dedicating her time to extracurricular activities that aligned with her values. Through these extracurricular activities she met many lifelong friends. It was actually some of these friends that introduced her to the City Heights Rotaract Club. She is excited to enter her second year by being a part of the Board of Directors. She is confident with this board they will find many ways to put service above self. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods and exploring new places with her loved ones.
-
Sarai Maganda
Director of Finance
Saraí Maganda is our Director of Finance this Rotaract Year. She was born and raised in San Diego, CA and is currently attending San Diego State University where she is pursuing her bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and minoring in Critical Studies of Theater, Film, and Media. Saraí was exposed to the world of Rotary in high school through her participation in Cardinals Interact which led her to join the City Heights Rotaract Club after graduating high school. She has been a member of the club for two years now and has cherished the Service Above Self motto. She was recently a part of the Becarios program through Rotary Internacional and the Rotary club of Palma de Mallorca where she got to spend two weeks in the Balearic Island of Mallorca learning about Father Junipero Serra and the Mallorca culture.
-
Carlos Del Carmen
Director of Fellowship
-
-
Gerardo Zamora
Director of Service
Gerardo Zamora was born and raised in San Diego, California. When Gerardo was in High School he was a part of Reality Changers. Reality Changers helped mold Gerardo into the person he is today and helped him prepare for college. It was through them that he found his passion to give back to his community. After High School he attended San Diego State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. Once he graduated college he moved out of San Diego to challenge himself and grow professionally. He spent a few years living in Monterrey, Mexico. During his time in Monterrey he took the time to reconnect with his roots. He dedicated time to not only better himself professionally but also mentally. While in Monterrey he explored his love for nature by challenging himself to hike 100 trails in a year. After his time in Mexico he ultimately moved back to San Diego to create a foundation back where it all started. He joined Rotaract to help his community and network with other professionals. During his free time he enjoys bouldering, competing in marathons, and taking part in spartan races.
Stephanie Vargas
Peace Chair
Stephanie is originally from San Jose, California, but moved to San Diego about two years ago for school. She is now currently a sophomore at San Diego State University, where she is majoring in Criminal Justice with a focus in family and childhood development. During high school she was a member of Key Club which was a student-led organization that valued service and volunteerism. After high school, through her brother she was introduced to Rotaract which holds similar values as her previous club. She has been a Rotaract member for almost a year and a half. With the help of Rotaract she was able to travel to Spain. Here she discovered more about the history of Junipero Serra and met more Rotary Club members from Spain who she was able to network with.Now that she is back she is excited to be a part of the board of directors for 2023-24 calendar year. During her free time she enjoys going to the beach, coffee shops, and spending time with friends and family.
Club Advisors
Marge Cole
Advisor
Marge Cole is a Native Californian who grew up in the Los Angeles area. She graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and earned a Master’s Degree at Syracuse University in New York. She returned to California to teach high school Social Studies and English
and served as high school principal and Director of Student Services before retiring in 2004. While serving as high school principal, she joined the Santee/Lakeside Rotary Club in 1996. Marge is currently a member of the Mission Gorge Rotary Club and serves as Rotary Foundation Chair for the Club. She is an advisor for the City Heights Rotaract Club. Marge has served Rotary District 5340 as District Governor in 2009-10; Rotary Foundation Chair in 2004-2007 & 2019--2022. She has also served as Youth Services Chair and Rotaract Chair for the District.
Mia Harenski
Advisor
Mia Harenski is a CPA who works with small to medium sized businesses and nonprofits for their audit, tax and accounting needs. She is a third generation Rotarian, having been introduced to Rotary by her grandfather. Mia joined the San Diego Rotary Club in 2012 at 8 months pregnant – probably a first for her club!
Since then she has served on several committees, hosted two Rotary Youth Exchange students and served on the board. Her favorite part of being a Rotarian is the interconnectedness that comes from being in an organization that is both locally and internationally focused and has over 1 million members throughout the world. She is proud to be a part of a group of people who band together to get so much done. Mia is married to Drew, has two sons, Jack and Nolan, and an old stubborn beagle named Satchel Moe.
Lizbeth Pastenes
Advisor
Lizbeth Pastenes is a native San Diegan who grew up in the community of City Heights. She is a proud double Aztec, obtaining her Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University.
Lizbeth is passionate about giving back to City Heights and does so by working with the college access program, the Cardinals Interact Program, with the Price Philanthropies Foundation. Through her work as Senior Program and College Access Coordinator she assists first generation high school students reach their goal of going to college and earning a college degree. Lizbeth is a proud chartering member and past President of the City Heights Rotaract Club! We are excited to welcome her in a new role as an advisor.