Hilary Swank-Director
American actress and producer, Hilary Swank is a two-time Oscar winner (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby) well known for making strong, bold choices throughout her longstanding career. She’s faced many obstacles throughout her life as she pursued her dream of being an actor and today uses her story of overcoming adversity to encourage women of all stages and seasons to stay true to their own mission. In addition to her success in her film career, she is a long time animal advocate and has spent years rescuing animals out of high kill shelters and finding forever homes for them. In 2014, she was honored by The Petco Foundation for her rescue and animal advocacy work and again honored for her work in animal activism in 2015 by the ASPCA.
Shannon Cohen-Secretary
Shannon started her career in 1993 in the non-profit world, working for a faith-based organization. She then transitioned in 1997 over to finance, working for Ernst and Young where she grew her career to Director of Finance in the West Coast Audit Practice. After being with E&Y for 9 years she decided to change careers and entered into the entertainment business as a Personal Assistant to Hilary Swank. She now has her own business and lifestyle consulting firm. She has always had a passion for nonprofit work and rescue animals. Shannon and her family have adopted and fostered many dogs over the years.
Michael Ullman-Treasurer
Michael Ullman is a certified public accountant and business manager with over 25 years experience in the business and finance industry in addition to experience in all areas of Federal, State, and Local taxation. He has provided tax and accounting services, both domestic and international, to individuals, small businesses and charitable organizations.
Michael is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Financial Management, Inc., a company specializing in business management, accounting and tax.
Michael is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ACIPA) and the California Society of CPAs. Michael has his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Marketing from California Status University, Northridge where he graduated with honors. As a philanthropist, he services as a trusted consultant for many charitable organizations in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors for some of these organizations.
Jeffrey Bernstein
Jeff is a Partner at a prominent Los Angeles law firm. He received his undergraduate with honors from Cornell University and he graduated cum laud from Harvard Law School. Jeff also serves on the Board of Lifeworks Mentoring, a foundation geared towards development and mentoring LGBT teens in a safe environment to help them realize goals and dreams.
Pankaj Shah
Pankaj is an investor and advisor to dozens of venture capital firms and startups. He is an early backer of Addepar, ALOHA, AltVR, OpenGov, VentureBeat, Wish – Shopping Made Fun and many other companies. Pankaj’s advisory roles include ArmorText, Booshaka, Kiwi Crate, Parklet, QuanticMind and ONEHOPE.
His current philanthropic focus is with the Angiogenesis Foundation, Bayes Impact, the ONEHOPE Foundation and random acts of kindness. Pankaj is also an advocate for Every Mother Counts, Virgin Unite and Witness. Previously, he proudly served on the Board of Directors for BRAC USA and Girls, Inc and supported Music Rising. BRAC USA aims to end extreme poverty in Africa and Asia through innovative, entrepreneurial development programs. BRAC is the largest non-profit social enterprise in the developing world and focuses on microfinance, health, education, and social justice. Girls, Inc., is a national non-profit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.
Pankaj has been a guest speaker at a number of top schools, including Columbia University, Harvard University, New York University, Stanford University, Tufts University and the University of California Haas Graduate School of Business. In his occasional spare time, he loves to listen to music, play sports, travel and hang out with his kids in Palo Alto.
Lisa Fujimoto
Joe Patane
Joe is a licensed clinical social worker and the chairman of Dream Camp Foundation. He is a former computer-business owner and holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Fordham University in New York City. Joe is an advocate of peer-to-peer youth leadership and counseling initiatives and he lectures on the considerable issues that teens face today. He also works with governmental agencies to assist in the fight against human sex trafficking in the U.S
Francis Battista
Francis is one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society. Along with his wife, Silva, Francis created Best Friends’ Los Angeles programs, launching many model programs, such as the Catnippers spay/neuter program for community cats; celebrity events, such as the Lint Roller Party; super adoptions; and public awareness campaigns, such as Desex and the City, a spay/neuter campaign. Francis currently works as an advisor to Best Friends Community Programs and Services.