Meet our Members

A lifelong Sacramento-area resident, Sydney’s journey into philanthropy began with an internship at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation while studying at UCSB. This four-year internship became a lifelong passion for philanthropy and working with mission-driven organizations dedicated to supporting individuals in some of their most vulnerable times. After moving back to the Sacramento area, Sydney worked at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on both the Light the Night and Pennies for Patients campaigns as a Campaign Specialist for four years before moving on to the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House. In April 2020, she joined the Annual Giving team at UC Davis Health, where she served as the Associate Director of Grateful Patient Programs before moving into mid-level giving as the Lead Annual Giving Officer. Finally, in October 2024, Sydney accepted her current role in major gifts as the Associate Director of Development for the Medical Programs Team at UC Davis Health.

Outside of work, Sydney attends a semi-regular Bunco night, loves cooking while listening to true crime podcasts, taking long walks around the neighborhood with her Shepherd/Malinois mix, “Hank,” and wedding planning with her fiancé, Ryan.

Jesús is a community advocate with extensive nonprofit experience and currently serves as Fund Development Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California, where he conducts outreach, strengthens partnerships, and raises essential funds for the families they serve. Jesús previously served as Special Projects Consultant with the social impact firm Everyday Impact Consulting, working in health access and equity, public safety planning, and fund development, and has worked with other Sacramento region nonprofits and the National Alliance of Farmworker Women.

Jesús also serves as a board member for The Planned Giving Forum of Greater Sacramento and Purple Tree Café, a nonprofit in Davis providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Francisco in 2016 with double majors in Politics and Latin American Studies. During his studies, he participated in a living-learning community exploring issues of diversity, inequality, social justice, and social change, and interned at La Raza Central Legal in the Mission District assisting residents facing eviction. Through fellowships at San Francisco City Hall and the California Democratic Party, he focused on issues of citizenship and belonging and movement-building.

Chris brings a unique blend of nonprofit expertise and entrepreneurial experience to his work. He has spent many years fundraising for political and social causes throughout the Sacramento region. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Chris was the owner of Beach Hut Deli, where he developed strong leadership and business skills. Currently, he serves as Program and Development Manager for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, overseeing programs and development efforts across the Northern California Bay Area. Chris is passionate about creating positive community impact and looks forward to contributing his knowledge and dedication to the Planned Giving Forum of Greater Sacramento.

Sheena Summers on the Power of Community in Planned Giving

At the heart of PGFGS is a thriving network of professionals dedicated to advancing planned giving and strengthening nonprofit sustainability. Among them is Sheena Summers, a seasoned development professional and Chair of Membership, who believes that strong relationships and knowledge-sharing are the keys to success in philanthropy.

With 16 years in the field, Sheena has seen the profound impact of planned giving—both in securing long-term funding for nonprofits and in empowering donors to create lasting legacies. Her passion for fostering meaningful connections led her to PGFGS, where she quickly recognized the value of its supportive and educational community. “This organization makes planned giving accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or organizational size,” she says.

As a leader in PGFGS, Sheena is committed to growing membership and providing members with the tools they need to navigate an evolving philanthropic landscape. “We’re on the brink of historic wealth transfers, and planned giving professionals will play a vital role in helping donors make impactful decisions. PGFGS is here to ensure they have the expertise and resources they need.”

Beyond the professional benefits, Sheena highlights the camaraderie and generosity of the PGFGS network. “Our members genuinely want to support each other. Whether you’re looking for career advice, mentorship, or the latest insights in planned giving, this community is unmatched.”

When she’s not leading membership efforts, Sheena enjoys spending time with her family, exploring museums, and hiking the beautiful California landscapes.

Becky Thompson: A Passion for Philanthropy and Planned Giving

For Becky Thompson, planned giving isn’t just about numbers and tax strategies—it’s about creating lasting impact. With a career spanning nonprofits, higher education, and healthcare philanthropy, Becky has dedicated herself to helping donors make meaningful contributions that align with their values.

After starting her journey in nonprofit development, Becky transitioned into major gift fundraising and later found her calling in planned giving. "When I was at Sacramento State, I earned my Certified Specialist in Planned Giving designation, which really solidified my passion for this work," she shares. She has since built a thriving planned giving program at Sutter Health and is now embarking on a new chapter as Deputy Director of Gift Planning at UC Berkeley.

As the Immediate Past President of the Planned Giving Forum of Greater Sacramento, Becky played a crucial role in helping the organization navigate the transition from virtual to in-person events. "We wanted to ensure that PGFGS remained a valuable resource for professionals in our field. Now, with a hybrid model, we’ve expanded our reach while maintaining the in-person connection that makes our community so strong."

Beyond her professional achievements, Becky is passionate about fostering philanthropy at all levels. "Everyone should have an estate plan, and philanthropy should be accessible to everyone," she says. Her guiding principle? Staying ethical, informed, and donor-focused.

When she’s not helping donors make a difference, Becky enjoys hiking with her four rescue dogs, spending time with her family, and cheering on Liverpool FC—sometimes at 5 a.m.!

As Becky embarks on her next chapter at UC Berkeley, her influence on planned giving in the Greater Sacramento region remains strong. Through her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to philanthropy, she continues to inspire professionals and donors alike. PGFGS is grateful for her contributions and looks forward to seeing the lasting impact of her work in the years to come.

Championing Inclusion in Philanthropy: Alyssa Saunders’ Story

Alyssa Saunders never planned for a career in philanthropy, but looking back, it seems like the perfect fit. Her professional journey—from customer service roles to nonprofit development—helped her build the skills and passion she brings to her work at WEAVE today. As Philanthropy Coordinator, she connects donors to a cause close to her heart: supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Her commitment to service was shaped early on by her father’s work in the nonprofit sector and reinforced by her own experiences. “I saw a use for the skills I learned as an English major and the passion I have for helping others,” she says. “I know I am contributing positively by showing up authentically in this space.”

As a Diversity Advancement Fellow with PGFGS, Alyssa is tackling one of philanthropy’s biggest challenges—access to planned giving knowledge. She believes educating diverse communities about these opportunities can empower individuals to create lasting legacies. “Some communities give differently, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t philanthropic,” she notes. “We need to explain why their support is vital.”

Alyssa’s vision for the future of nonprofit work is clear: true inclusion, where diverse voices are recognized and valued. “When DEI isn’t demonized, it allows us all to progress forward on a path of success,” she says.

Want to support initiatives like the Diversity Advancement Fellowship? Click here to learn more: https://pgfgsac.org/dei-fellowship

Share what you love most about your work at Sacramento Region Community Foundation. As a native Sacramentan and super fan of our region, I am proud of the role the Sacramento Region Community Foundation plays in addressing the challenges that face our community and the collaborative spirit of the Foundation to work together with key partners, philanthropists, and the nonprofit sector to find solutions. I love my work at the Foundation because I have the opportunity to make a community-wide difference, am fortunate to work alongside amazing team members, and have the privilege of working with people in the region who want to make an impact.

What has been your favorite part about being a member of PGFGS? I have more than one favorite thing: I have learned so much from other members of PGFGS, and the networking with other nonprofit professionals has been invaluable. Plus, the speakers at the lunch and virtual sessions have opened my eyes to practical and inspiring ways of approaching planned giving.

How have you been able to relate your experience and learnings from PGFGS to your work? As I have evolved in my career, from my early years in annual giving and event planning to securing major gifts for the organizations I’ve represented as my profession advanced, I have found that working with donors on planned gifts is the most fulfilling but also the most challenging. The resources and expert advice I’ve received from PGFGS have given me ideas and creative approaches to providing solutions to donors that I would likely have not considered otherwise.

Which membership/sponsorship benefit(s) do you find most valuable? Networking with other professionals is so valuable to me (especially when we’re able to meet in person). Not only do I learn from fellow members, but I am inspired and humbled by their depth and breadth of knowledge, tireless work for the communities they serve, and their high level of professionalism.

Share a fun fact about yourself. A fun fact about myself is what I love to do in my spare time: play music. As a musician, I play the flute, piccolo, the native flute, and saxophone, and I’m a backup singer (and play the occasional tambourine) with the cover band, CausePlay, alongside a few other fellow PGFGS members. We typically play for fundraising events associated with the Rotary Club of Sacramento but could be inspired to play for others!

What do you love most about working with planned giving at UC Davis? Working at UC Davis is professionally challenging in terms of the types and number of planned giving prospects, gift scenarios and potential solutions we run across and our work supporting the development team across the colleges, schools and units. It definitely keeps us all on our toes, staying current, as much as possible, with tax changes and trends. It’s rewarding in being a part (a small part, but I feel like I helped) of the broad scope of good things happening at UC Davis – from the Davis campus to UC Davis Health and beyond – and the school’s impact in the region, the state, and the world. But the thing I look forward to the most is the work I do directly with our Planned Giving team itself. They are a dedicated, caring, thoughtful, driven and fun-loving group of professionals and I love the culture we have built over the years. We have a good time and get a lot done.

How have you been able to relate your experience with PGFGS to your work? My PGFGS experience correlates directly to being successful in planned giving (or really any career): you have to start with a good foundation of knowledge, continue to develop and build on that, and make sure you connect with peers and mentors along the way to build your professional network and resources. PGFGS provides all of those opportunities. And as a former board member, I know it’s important to give back to make a place better than you found it – and I’ve always tried to do that.

What has been your favorite part about being a member of PGFGS? I’d have to say the networking – connecting and re-connecting with people I really enjoy seeing, people who I’ve worked with or volunteered with over the years, the people making a difference in the Sacramento area.

Which membership benefit(s) do you find most valuable? The access to the trainings and the connection to the national organization (NACGP) have been very valuable over the years.

Share a fun fact about yourself. Not sure how much fun it is, but I’ve been a distance runner for about 15 years. I’m on a little hiatus right now, but over the years, have completed a bunch of half marathons, some 20-milers, finished the California International Marathon 12 times and the American River 50 Mile Endurance Run two times. I’m hoping to run a 5K with my granddaughter someday, she’s 8 now, so I have to stay in shape. More fun than running maybe, I enjoy writing song parodies (ala Weird Al), mostly with a planned giving twist and mostly from classic rock or songs from the ‘70s. It was usually for my own amusement (I can’t sing or play an instrument), but the fun-loving part of our PG team will actually perform them!

What has been your favorite part about being a member of PGFGS? This is the third year I’ve been a member, and by far my favorite part is the people. I’ve made great connections with colleagues who work in planned giving and advising. These are people I know I can turn to when seeking referrals, connecting donors to resources, or just to chat about what’s new in the world of planned giving.

Can you tell us about the membership benefits you find most valuable? Absolutely! This year, I definitely took advantage of the Ask an Expert member benefit. We had a discussion around working with trustees on estate gifts and were trying to develop our internal guidelines. I submitted a question to the PGFGS experts and was connected with a colleague who had years of experience working with trustees on countless estates. She shared real-life scenarios and offered practical advice that we’ve incorporated into our working procedures. I appreciated that I got a quick response, and my “expert” was incredibly generous with her time and expertise.

Share what you love most about working in development at Sac State. Our students. I know that every dollar we can raise to support our students can truly change their futures. Oh, and our small but mighty team of fundraisers are some of the most passionate and creative folks I know. Stingers up!

Share a fun fact about yourself. I can get really into late 80s and 90s cheesy sci-fi. I wouldn’t normally admit this, but I have definitely binged every Star Trek episode of every series and every movie…at least twice. It’s my version of suspending disbelief!