Leadership

Charles E. Day
President & CEO
Chuck assumed leadership of Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego in December 2010. He came to the Ronald McDonald House with a wealth of experience in non-profit fund development and leadership, most recently his 15 years at Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center. He is active in the Kiwanis Club of San Diego, Estate Planning Council of San Diego and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he received the 2009 Outstanding Development Professional Award. Chuck was named 2015 Most Admired CEO by San Diego Business Journal in the small nonprofit category. He is recognized for fostering a culture where volunteers, staff, and donors work together to meet the needs of the nearly 15,000 family members who come to us each year for a “home away from home” during their child’s hospitalization. Chuck is a Chula Vista native and has his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Redlands. 858-598-2420 CDay@rmhcsd.org

Nicole DeBerg
Chief Financial Officer
Nicole joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego team in March 2018 with extensive financial leadership and executive experience in various non-profit, for-profit and grant-funded organizations, including the J. Craig Venter Institute, the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, the San Diego Housing Commission, Altair Therapeutics and Kalysps, Inc. Nicole is a CPA and worked for the public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche before starting her career in industry. She has further served many San Diego non-profit organizations as a board member and member of the finance or audit committee. Nicole is responsible for all financial management and planning at Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. 858-598-2431 NDeBerg@rmhcsd.org

Oscar Gomez
Chief Operations Officer
Oscar joined RMHC-San Diego in October 2021. As COO, Oscar brings cross-functional teams together, providing leadership to House operations, guest services, staffing, organizational budgeting, and volunteer engagement. With 15 years of leadership and operational experience in government and non-profit sectors, Oscar currently serves on the steering committee for the Alliance for Regional Solutions. He has also served on various boards and commissions for anti-poverty programs, veteran services, child development, and 2gen initiatives. Oscar moved to San Diego from Northern California in 2005 when stationed on Camp Pendleton as a United States Marine. He enjoys spending time outdoors, especially camping and off-roading with his family. Oscar holds a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. 858-598-2429 ogomez@rmhcsd.org

Melinda “Mindy” Collins
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Mindy joined us in 2017 with a strong background in marketing and public relations and a wealth of fundraising, event planning and leadership experience, including 11 years at Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation. Since moving to San Diego in 2000, she has volunteered and served on 30 boards and sub-committees. Mindy is a native of northern Michigan and enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, camping, and spending time with her family. 858-598-2402 mcollins@rmhcsd.org
House & Guest Services

Gabriela Farias
House Manager
As House Manager, Gabriela ensures the House is organized, clean and ready for visitors, and she oversees guest services to make sure families have everything they need during their stay. Gabriela was a political science major at San Francisco State University and holds an MPA from Guadalajara, Mexico. She has a strong passion for social work and volunteers at local food banks. Her hobbies include hiking, taking her son surfing at local beaches, and playing with her ten dogs.

Ivana Ramirez
House & Guest Services Supervisor
Ivana comes to RMHC San Diego with over 8 years’ experience in the service and hospitality industry. She focuses on supporting house and guest services, helping ensure guests have everything they may need to feel at home during their stay. Outside of work, Ivana volunteers at food banks and enjoys giving back to the community, as well as spending time with her dog and cat.

Charlotte Reed
House Services Supervisor
Charlotte joined us in 2019 and is responsible for managing evening operations for both the North House and Main House. She also supports Guest Services so our families always have what they need, even during after hours. Charlotte has many years of experience in the service and hospitality industry. Outside of her busy job, she loves exploring and going on adventures with her son, as well as traveling and experiencing new cultures.

Scott Herroon
Facilities Supervisor
As a Seabee for 20 years, Scott was deployed around the world to provide humanitarian aid and assist in rebuilding hospitals, schools and utilities after major disasters. He has a degree in structural engineering and a wealth of knowledge from the construction business he owned and operated for fourteen years. 858-598-2418
Volunteer Engagement & Meals Program

Micki Hickox
Volunteer Services Supervisor
Micki joined us in early 2022 with 17 years of experience engaging volunteers through nonprofit organizations, local government offices, and colleges and universities in the San Diego region. Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, she worked in technical publications and training, marketing, and human resources for the high-tech industry prior to moving to southern California. An avid swimmer and enthusiastic foodie, Micki is excited to foster a vibrant volunteer team to support House guests and operations. 858-598-2414 Volunteer@rmhcsd.org

Eric Guerrerro-Diaz
Food Services Manager
Eric was born in Tijuana, Mexico and moved to San Diego in 2000. He started as a volunteer with us in 2013 and a short time later was hired to work at the House. He’s been working full time in the kitchen since 2015 and is proud to have graduated with a degree in culinary arts in 2020. He enjoys spending free time with his wife of 20 years and their four daughters. For Eric, cooking at our Ronald McDonald House feels like he’s cooking for family.
Community Engagement & Fundraising

Allegra Sonza
Philanthropy Officer
Allegra began working closely with our guests in 2013 as our Family Care Coordinator. Since 2015, she has been facilitating activities to engage donors in the life-changing care of families at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House. Allegra was born and raised in El Centro, California, and maintains close connections in both San Diego and Imperial Valley. 858-598-2417 ASonza@rmhcsd.org

Alison Urquia
Director of Corporate & Community Philanthropy
Alison joined us in early 2022 after moving with her young family from Queens, New York. For 14 years, Alison was managing community partnerships at University Settlement at the Houston Street Center in New York City. A former member of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Alison was a recipient of the Congressional Award for Civilian Service. She enjoys being outdoors, going to concerts, exercising and cheering for the NY Mets and San Diego Loyal soccer team. 858-598-2428

Halle Aiken
Corporate & Community Philanthropy Coordinator
Halle facilitates corporate and community group engagement events at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House. A San Diego native, Halle received her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University while being a part of the Division I volleyball team. 858-598-2447

Diana Witte
Philanthropy Coordinator
Originally from Chicago, Diana started with us as an event volunteer. Since 2014, she has supported a range of events including golf and Red Shoe Day. She now manages online fundraising tools and assists individuals and groups in using them in support of our family care programs. Diana enjoys visiting her sons at college, live music, and hiking with her dog. 858-598-2421 DWitte@rmhcsd.org

Carly Harty
Digital Media Coordinator & Graphic Designer
Since 2017, Carly has held roles with RMHC San Diego in marketing and corporate and community philanthropy. Since 2019, she has managed the House’s social media platforms and now also provides graphic design support for its special events. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Carly first engaged with Ronald McDonald Houses when she was in middle school. She enjoys cooking, crafting and keeping up with her toddler.
Grants, Board & Donor Communications

Marcy Rodin
Director of Grants and Publications
Marcy develops funding proposals and manages a range of communications including From the Heart magazine, e-newsletters, and this website. Marcy is a Minnesota native and Boston transplant. She joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego shortly after it opened its expanded facility in 2009. She has been striving to promote its mission ever since. 858-598-2432
Alternative Media & Raffle Programs

Thien Giang
Director of Multimedia & Alternative Resources
Thien fosters community connections on social media and manages the logistics and promotion of our raffle fundraisers. Thien is an avid golfer and rabid supporter of all things Cal Bears. 858-598-2446

Brittany La Flam
Development & Alternative Resources Coordinator
Brittany joined our team in January 2022 to support event fundraisers, including raffles. She is a San Diego native, leaving briefly to earn her bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Brittany performed alto saxophone as a member of the Cal Band and continues to enjoy all things creative including painting and music.
Accounting, Administration & Database

Heather Hocking
Senior Accountant
Heather is a San Diego native who received her bachelor of science from San Diego State University in business administration with emphasis in accounting. She began working with Ronald McDonald House families in 2014 as a front desk volunteer. She then transitioned to volunteering in the accounting department, and in 2016 she became our senior accountant. 858-598-2457

Madelyn Rudy
Accounting / HR Assistant
Joining the RMHC-San Diego team in 2021, Madelyn is a Bay Area transplant who received her degree in hospitality business management in 2019. In her free time she enjoys early morning hikes with her dogs, Frankie and Sidney; live music, and watching the Washington State Cougars football team on TV. 858-598-2416

Joy Malaise
Executive Assistant
Joy joined us in January 2022 bringing decades of experience supporting leaders in multiple industries. She was a member of the NBC 7/39 news team for 20 years, and most recently Director of Administration at the City of San Diego for Councilmember Chris Ward. Joy loves spending time with her husband on road trips to national parks, and also loves discovering all the places that make San Diego so special. 858-598-2404