Lydia Chaney

Vincent J. Oddo, Treasurer

Aaron Falk CEO & President

Aaron Falk has served as the President and CEO of the Kern Community Foundation since 2021.

Aaron grew up in Bakersfield, CA and graduated from Stockdale High School. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters of Business Administration degree from California State University, Bakersfield. He also completed the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College as a civilian.

Before joining the Foundation, Aaron worked for over a decade as a Congressional staffer. For 7 years in Washington, D.C. Aaron focused on policy supporting the U.S. military, national security, and veterans. He returned to Bakersfield in 2017 and worked for U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy through 2021. As Kevin’s local representative, Aaron saw firsthand both Kern County’s potential and challenges. Through these experiences, Aaron has fully committed himself to improving life for everyone in Kern County.

Aaron lives in Bakersfield with his wife Lauren and daughter Mia.

Tanya D. Alsheikh, Secretary

Joe Gregory

Jay Hershey III

Manager, JCH2 Enterprises, LLC

Justin Leland

Angie Griffith

Angela Griffith (or Angie, as she prefers to be called) began as Donor and Foundation Services Coordinator in February 2018. She plays a key role in the administrative and support functions of all programs of Kern Community Foundation, including events, research, data collection, and the coordination of donor services and development activities. Born in Hawaii and raised in California, Angie’s passion for nonprofit work began close to a decade ago through volunteering and fundraising for charities that are near and dear to her heart, including the MS Walk, Relay for Life, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Children’s Miracle Network, Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County, and others.

Angie brings with her a wealth of experience in customer service and client relations acquired in large part in the for-profit sector. Over 10 years, she worked her way up from a Receptionist to Operations Manager for import/export auto parts firm Pacific Dualies, headquartered in Gardena. She also participated in the Speed Equipment Market Association (SEMA) shows. Angie relocated to Bakersfield in 2008 from Carson, and her most recent position was as Marketing Team Lead for Sam’s Club, a job that allowed her to network with many people in the community. Her Rolodex is impressive.

A happily married mother of three and grandmother of four, Angie enjoys family time and reading–that is, when she isn’t making blankets for the NICU babies and baby toys for the Pediatric Unit at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, and educating others on the ins and outs of event-based fundraising.

Carlos Sanchez, Chair