Drashara Martin-Dennis is the Human Resource Associate for Kern Community Foundation. She is originally from Dayton Ohio, where she attended Central State University and received her degree in Business Administration. Drashara is currently attending the University of Phoenix where she is pursuing her Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage and Child Therapy.
Drashara moved to Bakersfield and participated in the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program (BYJP) before pursuing a career in Human Resources while having the pleasure of serving the community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring California.
Sergio Carreno joined the Kern Community Foundation in April of 2023 as a Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program Specialist. He grew up in Bakersfield and attended Foothill High School before going to California State University, Bakersfield to receive his B.A. in Criminal Justice. He is currently enrolled in CSUB’s Masters in Public Administration program.
Sergio has experience in customer relations, management, and employee recruitment and development. Previously, he was a Student Manager for CSUB’S Student Recreation Center and now joins the KCF team to do his part in serving the community. Outside of work, he enjoys going for a run outdoors or spending time with friends and family.
Olivia grew up in Bakersfield and graduated from Liberty High in 2007. She started her career as a foster youth advocate, where she shared her personal foster care story with the community and government officials.
Her passion is serving children and families. She worked at Community Action Partnership of Kern-Head Start program, where she encouraged and empowered people. In 2021 she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Over the last six years, Olivia has been involved in local church ministries. Olivia enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach in her free time.
Michelle Dambaev is the Program Manager of the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program. She is a graduate of University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Political Science and Global Studies.
Michelle moved to Bakersfield and began her work in nonprofits. Previously, she was a Program Manager and Communication Specialist at JJ’s Legacy. She continues to volunteer with the Jim Burke Education Foundation as an advisor for a Ford Dimension Dream Builder team and at Independence High School. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family.
Daniela Gonzalez joined Kern Community Foundation in July 2022 as a Program Specialist for the Bakersfield Youth Jobs Program. In April 2023, Daniela transitioned to a Project Specialist role with Kern Community Foundation. She grew up in Bakersfield and attended Stockdale High School. She continued on to receive a B.S. in Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration from California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB).
Her background includes experience in small businesses, entrepreneurship, and consumer relations. She has volunteered in high school youth ministry since she was 18, and she is passionate about serving her community. Outside of work, you can find Daniela staying active and spending time with her family and dogs.
Rashha Rohina was born in Afghanistan and immigrated to the United States of America in April 2015. Rashha got settled in Bakersfield when she entered the USA. She attended high school and achieved her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kardan University in Afghanistan. She graduated from the California State University of Bakersfield with her master’s degree in Business Administration on May 2022.
Rashha worked as Human Resources Officer for German International Cooperation Education Project (GIZ – BEPA) focusing on teacher education. She has been a women’s rights activist and served an Afghan-Swedish non-profit organization named Afghan Women Empowerment Program (AWEP) for two years. She joined Kern Community Foundation in June 2022 as a Human Resources Analyst.
Fatima “Teems” Tulfo is a driven advocate for community empowerment. As a project specialist, she began working for Kern Community Foundation in April 2022. Teems currently serves as the Associate Director of Community Impact. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Bakersfield, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her work. Teems graduated from South High in 2008. Teems had the opportunity to attend California State University Northridge through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), a program for disadvantaged, high-potential, first-generation college students. She earned her BA in Asian American Studies in 2013 and went on to complete her Master’s degree in the same field at San Francisco State University in 2015. Her research focuses on Filipina American women caregivers, recognizing the importance of advocating for individuals whose experiences are often overlooked.
After spending time in the Bay Area, Teems returned to Bakersfield in 2020, where she had previously made a notable impact as a Program Director for a before and after-school program. She is excited to engage with the community and make a positive difference with her diverse expertise. In her downtime, Teems finds joy in gardening and playing video games alongside her partner Frein and their son Freiny.
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.
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.
