Local Philanthropy Experts
Our professional staff members are ready to help you match your giving interests with community needs and opportunities. We can work with your professional advisor to ensure your gift meets your charitable—as well as personal and financial—goals.
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Jeffrey R. Pickering
President and CEO Read bio Jeffrey R. Pickering is President and CEO of Kern Community Foundation. Prior to joining Kern Community Foundation, Mr. Pickering served in leadership roles as a fundraiser, nonprofit administrator and grantmaker, including four years as Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Community Foundation of Central Florida. Mr. Pickering graduated from the University of South Florida in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. For one year following graduation, Mr. Pickering served as a lay missioner working among homeless men and women in New York City as a member of the Vincentian Service Corps. He then entered the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences earning a master’s degree in leadership studies in 1997. In 2004, Mr. Pickering was awarded a certificate in management from the Crummer Graduate School of Management at Rollins College. Mr. Pickering's civic involvement includes service on the steering committee for the League of California Community Foundations, and membership in the Rotary Club of Bakersfield - Downtown. Mr. Pickering is married to Stephanie Brooks Pickering, a native of Palm Springs, California and a graduate of American University (BA, ’94; MA, ’95). The Pickering’s have two very active children, Colin and Olivia. |
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Alejandra S. Contreras
Director of Business Development Read bio Alejandra Contreras is the Director of Business Development for Kern Community Foundation. Alejandra plays a key role in assisting in the Foundation’s growth by managing new business development opportunities, and overseeing all sponsorship activities related to key products and events. Mrs. Contreras has ten years of experience in the financial services industry structuring, underwriting and managing commercial loan transactions. Prior to joining Kern Community Foundation in 2013, Mrs. Contreras worked for GE Capital, most notably as Vice President of International Risk Underwriting. Born and raised in Bolivia, Mrs. Contreras moved to the United States to pursue her university studies. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University in 1996, followed by a Master in Business Administration degree also from Louisiana State University in 1998. Mrs. Contreras has been active in various domestic and international charitable organizations. Mrs. Contreras is married to Carlos Contreras, a graduate of the United States Military Academy. They are the proud parents of two boys. |
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Megan R. Boynton
Manager of Nonprofit Outreach Read bio Megan Boynton is Manager of Nonprofit Outreach at Kern Community Foundation, assisting in the Foundation’s efforts to support the overall capacity and sustainability of Kern County nonprofit organizations. She is a 14 year veteran of the insurance industry, handling and supervising property, liability and catastrophe claims over the course of her career. A California native she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Santa Clara University, where her second major was Spanish. She also has an Associate in Claims certification from the Insurance Institute of America and a Masters of Public Administration from Seton Hall University. Megan moved to Bakersfield in 2006 and has volunteered locally in a grants writing capacity. She is the married mother of one 5 year old busy-body and two exasperated cats. |
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Danette M. Rinehart
Manager of Finance and Administration Read bio Danette Rinehart is Manager of Finance and Administration of Kern Community Foundation. She joined the Foundation in August 2007. Previously, she was a small business owner of Network and Database Solutions and was a production database consultant for Midway Sunset Cogeneration, a subsidiary of Southern California Edison. Danette is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield with a degree in Business Administration. She is a certified Microsoft Systems Engineer and Database Administrator. |
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Rachel M. Cunningham
Foundation Assistant Read bio Rachel Cunningham joined Kern Community Foundation as Foundation Assistant in 2012. Rachel plays a key role in Kern Community Foundation’s growth by assisting with administrative and donor services responsibilities, including gift processing and charitable Giving Cards. A Bakersfield native, Rachel returned to her hometown after graduating from the University of California, Davis with her Bachelor’s in International Relations and Italian with a minor in Religious Studies. |
