About Us

Tara Roth is the President of the Goldhirsh Foundation. Prior to this role, Tara bridged the worlds of marketing, media, and philanthropy as the founding COO of GOOD and a social strategy advisor. Tara began her career in marketing and business development for NBCinternet and Infoseek. She has worked with organizations such as Participant Media, and the New Schools Venture Fund. As a senior advisor to GOOD, Tara helped launch the Pepsi Refresh Project. Tara received a bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, and has an MBA from Oxford University where she was awarded a Skoll scholarship in social entrepreneurship. Tara is a member of the L.A. Sustainability Leadership Council, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Advisory Council, the Lyft City Works Advisory Council, the Instil Product Advisory Council, the 2023 Zócalo Book Prize selection committee, and is a judge of the 2021 and 2022 Anthem Awards. Tara serves on the board of the Ad Council, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Good Mvmt, and UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture. She previously sat on the board of Southern California Grantmakers, USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy, regional advisory boards of Opportunity Fund and 826LA, and was a Senior Fellow at USC’s Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab.

Ben Goldhirsh is the co-founder and former CEO of GOOD, a global community of, by, and for pragmatic idealists working towards individual and collective progress. Ben is the Chairman of The Goldhirsh Foundation, an organization built to help social innovators implement and scale solutions to critical societal challenges. He is a co-founder and board member of City Year Los Angeles and previously served on the board of the Ad Council. Goldhirsh graduated from Brown University.

Claire Hoffman is a Director of the Goldhirsh Foundation. She writes for national magazines, covering culture, celebrity, religion, business, and whatever else seems interesting. She has a master’s degree in religion from the University of Chicago, and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. Her daughters, Josie and Vivian, sit firmly at the center of her universe.

Carla Fuentes is the Social Innovation Coordinator at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis on Public Policy and Management. She currently is serving on the board of her neighborhood council, is a member of the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy LA Steering Committee, and a part of the LA Civil Rights Volunteer Corps with the Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department.

Gabrielle Garcia is a Social Media and Communications Fellow at the Goldhirsh Foundation. Garcia graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a bachelors in creative writing. She is a writer with a tenacity for storytelling across mediums, and she’s worked in film, music, and writing. She aims to build a better Los Angeles through advocacy work and equitable access to resources for Angelenos.

Jeremy Rosenberg is Director of Communications at the Goldhirsh Foundation. Jeremy is an innovative communications executive and cross-platform storyteller with a wide range of non-profit, media, and civic-centric experiences. He served as Assistant Dean, Public Affairs and Special Events, at the USC Annenberg School; Vice President, Communications and Marketing, at the LA84 Foundation; and as an online editor and columnist for the Los Angeles Times. His non-fiction books about LA include “Under Spring,” “Kickoff Concussion,” and “No Man is An Island.”

Khalil Humphries is the Assistant to the President at the Goldhirsh Foundation. Khalil graduated with a B.A. in Communications Studies from California State University, Northridge. He has experience working with local elections, production companies, and as an educator. He aims to ensure all Angelenos have equal and equitable access to safe and clean community green spaces.

Lauren Song is the Design Fellow at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration with an emphasis in Design from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. She is devoted to engaging in her community, utilizing art and design that feels human to push for equity and inclusion, and aspiring for a brighter future for Los Angeles.

LeAnn Kelch Melendez is the Director of Grants and Programs at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She graduated with a B.A. in International Development Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles and received her Master’s in Urban Planning and Master’s in Public Administration from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. She currently serves as Communications Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. LeAnn is passionate about advancing work that breaks barriers and promotes the thriving of all people in Los Angeles.

Mariam Bagdady is a Social Media and Communications Fellow at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She is a fourth year Communications major at USC with an emphasis in law and policy. She has a passion for writing and has written for multiple publications including The Daily Nexus, The Garnette Report, TMZ, and Flaunt Magazine. She is devoted to being an advocate for all communities and aims to help Los Angeles become the best that it can be — whether it be addressing racial inequity, food insecurity, or prison reform. 

Nicole Tisnes is a Social Media and Communications Fellow at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She is a second year Public Relations student at USC with a passion for utilizing digital social media to promote civic engagement. She is dedicated to helping Los Angeles become a place where everyone can thrive and advocates for food insecurity, climate justice, and STEAM education in all schools.

SaraJoy Salib is a Social Media and Communications Fellow at the Goldhirsh Foundation. She is a 2021 Cognitive Science graduate from Occidental College currently completing post-baccalaureate courses at West Los Angeles College to prepare for medical school. She has been an intern with the LA84 Foundation, and has been involved with many social advocacy groups.