Board of Directors
In addition to its governing responsibilities, the Board of The Giving Spirit provides counsel to the CEO, reviews impactful policy and is a vital part of the organization’s fundraising efforts. Dedicated volunteers, they are a valuable resource for our leadership and to responsibly engage new sources of revenue while creating awareness in their universes of influence and advocacy.
Our Board
TOM BAGAMANE, Chair/CEO/Board of Directors
Tom founded and has led The Giving Spirit since 1999. He continues mobilizing and inspiring stakeholders and volunteers to drive direct impact educational strategies. He leads our teams to provide comprehensive platforms and programs to meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors – and their communities.
With over 30 years of entrepreneurial executive experience in running venture capital, private equity, and owner-financed product and service companies, Tom uses his diverse set of business skills to grow The Giving Spirit from what was a local project into a renowned and universally respected organization.
He received his BA from Virginia Tech University, his MBA from George Mason University’s School of Business and is a Senior Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
Both of Tom’s alma maters have recognized him for his humanitarian work with the unhoused community, and he’s received commendations from the Office of the Mayor and the City Council of Los Angeles in 2015 and 2019.
TINA AUFIERO, Director
Tina has over 20 years of experience in the Technology sector. She has been an Investor/Venture Capitalist (NYSE: GS, NYSE: SFE), a Corporate Development Executive (NASDAQ: TW) & a CFO/Financial Operator.
Her interest in tech began while on the West Coast during the dot com boom working with an Idealab startup as part of her graduate work at UCLA. Tina then consulted in the Bay Area before transitioning back to the East Coast.
Tina also worked as XX at Goldman Sachs on Wall Street. During her time in NYC, she focused heavily on Financial Technology. Tina has held numerous fintech board positions and has been an advisor to several tech accelerators. She has been named to the Institutional Investors' FinTech Finance 40.
Tina received her BS at the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Business.
SHALYN WATKINS, Treasurer
A native of Southern California Shalyn is a healthcare regulatory attorney at Holland & Knight.
Her almost decade long career has included many achievements. She was named top 40 under 40 in California by the National Black Lawyers Association in 2023 and 2024. She serves as a Vice Chair of Education for the American Health Lawyers Association’s Health Care Liability and Litigation Practice Group and has held various leadership positions in local and national bar associations.
She co-chaired the Columbus Bar Association’s Minorities in the Law Committee for two years and was selected as a member of the Barristers Leadership Program in 2017. In 2018, she worked at the US Department of Health & Human Services as Assistant Regional Counsel. She left public service and was Senior Legal Counsel at a global healthcare technology company before transitioning to private practice
Shalyn graduated with her BA from Spillman College and received both her JD and Masters in Arts from the University of Alabama Schools of Law and Graduate Studies respectfully.
DAWN FERRY, Director
Dawn has over 20 years in education, entertainment and philanthropy.
Dawn works in all areas of feature film, first as a Decorator, then as Art Director and now as a Production Designer for television, live events, music videos, commercials and documentaries.
Dawn was an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts and a guest lecturer at Columbia University in Chicago
She initially volunteered with Hand2Hand, a program providing meals to the unhoused n Santa Monica, which introduced her to the needs of the homeless. Dawn is passionately involved in animal rights and rescue, She currently volunteers with Sanctuary, Animal Assisted Therapy.
Dawn received her XX from XX. She taught undergraduate classes at University of Southern California Film School where she earned her MFA.
JIM HU, Director
Jim is a leader and operator at the intersection of technology, media and social impact. Throughout his career he has built and run teams that further an organization’s mission, deliver results, and thrive in a culture of learning and inclusion.
In his most recent role as EVP and Co-Head of Campaigns and Engagement at Participant, a film and social impact company, he co-led its Campaigns & Engagement department. He oversaw a team that orchestrated campaigns to connect the release of its films to further with the real-life work of social impact leaders and movements. His areas of oversight included strategic planning, operations, talent development, data analysis and digital marketing.
Prior to Participant, he spent his career in corporate and business operations roles at tech and media companies, including Instagram, Yahoo! and the Los Angeles Times where he ran teams overseeing business growth through advertising and subscription businesses; and led operations and logistics for complex global event coverage, such the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Jim holds a BS from Tufts University and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
BRETT YATES, Director
Brett Yates was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Michelson Found Animals Foundation (MFA), an animal welfare non-profit that believes people and pets are better together. He oversaw a range of initiatives, including grants and programs that put resources in the hands of communities in need and research that promotes pet-friendly policies.
At MFA, Brett was able to expand One Health community vision where the health of the people, the health of the pets, and the health of the community are symbiotic.
While at MFA, Brett was able to introduce innovative programs and work with partners locally, nationally, and internationally through scientific research programs and investment accelerator programs to confront the industry's broken legacy systems.Previously, he held senior executive for for-profit companies First American, Fiserv and Janus Mutual Funds and has consulted for multiple startup organizations. Brett holds a degree in finance and real estate from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.
Staff
Stacy Kruse, Director of Educational Programming: [email protected]
Stacy is the Chair of the Education and Community Awareness Committee at Pragmatic Solutions and Sims School. She has over 17 years of experience in designing learning, recognition, and assessment systems for various educational and organizational contexts. Stacy focuses on finding the intersection of engagement, optimized learning outcomes, program sustainability, and equity in teaching and learning. She is an expert in embedded assessment, teaching effectiveness frameworks, and the implementation of machine learning and artificial intelligence in games, simulations, and large-scale assessments. Stacy will use her expertise to align all three segments of our groundbreaking coursework to deliver the highest value of learning and engagement across our varied platforms. Stacy is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara.
Committee Chairs:
Clarence Johnson, Chair Events: [email protected]
Clarence is a Principal Engineer at Raytheon in El Segundo, CA, with experience developing solutions for complex problems. He holds Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tulane University. Clarence uses his engineering and problem solving skills to design, organize and manage TGS’ assembly process during each event. This includes marshaling and training both experienced and new volunteers into an efficient assembly and distribution process.
Laura Bales, Chair of Procurement: [email protected]
Laura is an Off-Premise Support Manager at California Pizza Kitchen, providing procurement and logistical support for the company. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and has her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Illinois Wesleyan University. As a volunteer for TGS for the past eight years, she now leads all procurement efforts for the organization, including managing vendor relationships and in-kind donations.
Mike Salmen, Webmaster: [email protected]
Mike is a broadcast television, OTT, video, digital media and IT professional, and winner of over 40 awards for broadcast journalism, communications and public service. Nominated for an Emmy. He created and produced the first all computer generated Public Service Announcement aired in the US. At age 20, while attending the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Mike "fell into" his first television job - and never looked back.
Today, Mike strives to make a difference through his social service projects and philanthropic activities. He and his wife Mickie live in San Diego, and are always looking forward to their next road trip with their vintage 1963 travel trailer.
Volunteer. Give. Learn.
The Giving Spirit
OFFICES: 11845 West Olympic Blvd, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA 90064
MAILING ADDRESS: 11693 Vicente Blvd #113, Los Angeles, CA 90049
310-943-6460
