Dr. Diane Gu
Dr. Diane Gu leads UCLA’s principal and major fundraising strategies while serving as a faculty member. She is the senior advisor of AAPI and Asia Pacific philanthropy to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, and Deans on key UCLA and UCLA Health initiatives. Dr. Gu’s ongoing social science research, which she began during her Ph.D. at UCLA, is on how philanthropic motivations, culturally specific education practices, and other social forces (e.g. gender, geography etc.) within educational system factor into success in university and health care fundraising. Dr. Gu applies latest philanthropy and cross-cultural research results to creating high impact programs for organizations to attract, retain and secure high impact donations.
Diane has extensive experience living and working across Europe, Asia, and North America. She has published and taught courses on philanthropy and nonprofit management, women leadership, science and engineering education, and transnational collaborations, and gives frequent invited talks at national and international conferences. Diane has served as a member and faculty of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She is a board member for the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S).
Brandy Curry
A visionary in the arts, entertainment, and design media, Brandy has revolutionized the industry with her innovative choreography and strategic brilliance on and off screen. As a professional commercial and concert choreographer, Master Educator & Facilitator, she has crafted mesmerizing performances that captivate audiences worldwide. Her extensive experience in live concert productions showcases her ability to bring artistic visions to life on the grandest stages.
With a proven track record of organizing and directing multiple teams and departments, Brandy excels in planning and leading strategic initiatives that drive success. An experienced educator, choreographer, producer, and assistant director, she demonstrated an unparalleled ability to inspire and guide others in the entertainment and media industry. Her history of working in this dynamic field is a testament to her dedication, creativity, and strategic acumen.
Héc Maldonado-Reis
Héc Maldonado-Reis (they/them/elle) is an engineer, data scientist, public health and nonprofit professional experienced at facilitating collaborations between government, nonprofit and private sector partners.
They serve on the executive boards of Children and Families First and the Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus, and are actively involved in diverse national initiatives aimed at advancing social welfare through systems-based and collaborative approaches. Héc is the Managing Director of Impact Strategy at Tech Impact, where they advise nonprofits nationally on the strategic technology and measurement/evaluation services needed to design and advance their social impact missions.
They hold their BS in Biomedical Engineering and MPH in Environmental & Occupational Health from Rutgers University, their AM in Population Health Sciences from Harvard University and MS in Nonprofit Leadership from University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice.
Dr. Shelley Mydra
Dr. Shelley Mydra is a Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of
Education and Psychology. She holds a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a
licensed clinician. Her clinical and academic focus is on Neuroscience, Evolutionary Psychology,
Substance Abuse, Social Interest and Strength-Based counseling approaches for well-being
through a biopsychosocial perspective. She is a Board-Approved Supervisor through the
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to her private clinical
practice, she collaborates with various community-based clinics serving a diverse population.
She has certification in Lifestyle Medicine with specialized training in Pain Neuroscience
Education. Her charitable and volunteer service has focused on The Crisis Nursery as a family
endeavor with her four children.
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Karen Sodomick
Karen Sodomick is a seasoned communications executive with a track record of leading complex, high-impact strategies across mission-driven institutions. Currently serving as Chief Communications Officer at Carnegie Science, she has built and led a centralized communications function that supports enterprise-wide goals — elevating brand visibility, strengthening internal engagement, and delivering measurable results across platforms.
Her career spans over two decades in health, education, philanthropy, and science, including leadership roles at Harlem Children’s Zone, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and Phoenix House. Known for her collaborative approach and sharp editorial eye, Karen has led major brand revitalization efforts, earned top-tier media coverage, and developed award-winning digital platforms. She is especially adept at guiding organizations through leadership transitions, public health crises, and institutional change with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Karen is a strategic storyteller at heart, deeply committed to the idea that communication can drive cultural alignment and organizational transformation. She leads with integrity and inclusivity, and is passionate about mentoring teams and nurturing creative talent.
A native of West Virginia and a proud graduate of Auburn University, Karen has worked in cities across the country — from Huntsville to New York to Washington, DC — and now leads strategic communications for one of the nation’s most storied scientific institutions.
Dr. M. Rashad Massoud, MD, MPH, FACP
Dr. Massoud brings more than two decades of experience leading transformative health initiatives around the world. He currently serves as Head of Global Health, USA at IQVIA, and is the Founder and CEO of Rashad Massoud Associates, LLC, advising international health organizations and governments on quality and patient safety. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Americares and University Research Co., LLC, overseeing large-scale global health programs supported by USAID.In addition to his leadership in program implementation, Dr. Massoud is a Visiting Faculty member at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, an inaugural member of ISQua’s Quality & Safety Academy, and has served on advisory boards for the World Health Organization. Fluent in multiple languages, he has worked in more than 90 countries, bringing unmatched expertise to advancing health equity worldwide.