Katy McDonald
President and CEOA Message from Katy McDonald
President and Chief Executive Officer of Forever Balboa Park
Katy McDonald leads Forever Balboa Park during a period of significant growth and investment.
With more than 30 years of executive nonprofit experience, including leadership roles at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and The San Diego Museum of Art, she brings deep expertise in cultural stewardship, capital initiatives, and community engagement.
Under her leadership, Forever Balboa Park is advancing the Central Gardens revitalization and the recreation of the historic pergola, strengthening its role as the Park’s lead public-private partner with the City of San Diego.
Forever Balboa Park is not simply maintaining landscapes. We are building long-term infrastructure for stewardship, volunteer engagement, and sustainable investment in Balboa Park.
As Katy states: “Our work requires vision, partnership, and commitment. We are ensuring Balboa Park remains vibrant, resilient, and accessible for generations to come.”
The momentum continues. The future is underway.
Board Members
FRONT ROW (L to R): Betty Peabody, Ann Wilson, Connie Matsui, Lynn Langley, Allison Rossett, Victoria Hamilton, Michael Yee, Jaimi Lomas
BACK ROW (L to R): Brian Matthews, Ken Tranbarger, Warren Gorowitz, Gaidi Finnie, Doug Kerner, Pem Smith, John Venekamp, Brent Woods, Michael Glass, Gonzalo Rojas
TRUSTEES NOT IN PICTURE: Beth Bushke, Pat Caughey, Joyce Gattas, James Hughes, Maureen Lamberti, Matt McCormick, John Toman, Lucy Warren
Board Members
Victoria Hamilton, Chair
Pemberton Smith, Treasurer
Lynn Langley, Secretary
Doug Kerner, Immediate Past Chair
John Venekamp, Chair-Elect
Pat Caughey
Gaidi Finnie
Joyce Gattas, PhD
George Hardy
James Hughes
Maureen Lamberti
Jaimi Lomas
Connie Matsui
Betty Peabody
Gonzalo Rojas
Allison Rossett
Jonathan Shulman
John Toman
Ken Tranbarger
Lucy Warren
Pete Wheeler
Ann Wilson
Michael Yee
Brent Woods
Brian Matthews
Staff
David Barnathan,
Executive Assistant
Guadalupe Blanchard,
Facilities
Bill Brown,
Balboa Park Carousel Manager
Jorge Campos,
Facilities
Lisa Campano,
Balboa Park Visitors Center
Brenda Castillo,
Senior Manager of Visitors Services
Andrea Durell,
Senior Volunteer Project Manager
Robin Ellam,
Volunteer Coordinator
Ellie Gaffo,
Senior Project Specialist
Alina Gordon,
Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer
Kelly Ford,
Special Events Manager
Sophia Galvez,
Volunteer Project Specialist
Dan Gonzalez,
Facilities Coordinator
Carlos Olaya,
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah Robbins,
Tours Specialist
Heather Sheaffer,
Database Specialist
Kate Precourt,
Development Associate
Angelica Pulido,
Balboa Park Visitors Center
Briana Tellez,
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Jordan White,
Visitors Services Manager