AFP San Diego Chapter To Recognize 11 Honorees at 54th Annual Philanthropy Day in November

On Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, more than 1,000 community, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders will gather to honor the most ardent cheerleaders of San Diego County’s important causes at the 54th annual National Philanthropy Day San Diego, presented by PNC Bank, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Downtown San Diego.

"Impact through Philanthropy' isn't just this year's theme; it's what we see every day in San Diego's nonprofit community," said Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP, chapter president, AFP San Diego. "The honorees show what's possible when generosity, leadership, and dedication come together, and we're honored to celebrate them alongside our presenting sponsor, PNC Bank."

"Philanthropy is one of San Diego's great strengths—not just because of this community's generosity, but because of what happens when people unite around the belief that our region can be better," said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of the San Diego Foundation and Honorary Committee Chair for National Philanthropy Day. "National Philanthropy Day lets us recognize the donors, volunteers, fundraisers, and organizations who turn that belief into action, strengthening lives throughout our community. Celebrating them reminds us all of the extraordinary power we have when we work together."

In total,11 honors will be presented to eight individuals and three organizations at the luncheon, one of the year's most anticipated events. Winners were selected from almost 100 nominees from across San Diego County after review by AFP San Diego’s Honorary Committee.

Full bios of each honoree appear at the end of the release. The honorees are:

• Outstanding Development Professional Emerging Leader – Miguel Lopez, CFRE, Director of Development, San Diego Foundation
• Outstanding Development Professional, Mid-Career – Amie Brown, Chief External Affairs Officer, CFRM, Meals on Wheels San Diego County
• Outstanding Development Professional, Career Achievement – David Hanses, Executive Director of Development, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Outstanding Organization, IDEA – The San Diego LGBT Community Center
• Outstanding Grantmaking Organization – David C. Copley Foundation
• Outstanding Philanthropic Business or Corporation – Maya's Cookies
• Outstanding Student Volunteer – Chris Zheng, Casa de Amistad
• Outstanding Volunteer – Dr. Suzanne Afflalo, Retired Physician and Founder of A Healthier Me
• Outstanding Volunteer – Fred Davis, Serving Seniors
• Outstanding Philanthropist – Mel & Linda Katz
• Special Lifetime Achievement Award – Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP, President of Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego Chapter

National Philanthropy Day Gives Boost to AFP San Diego’s Empower Fund

Every year, AFP chapters across the country host National Philanthropy events to spotlight the individuals and organizations improving their communities through philanthropic initiatives. AFP San Diego’s National Philanthropy Day not only honors local philanthropists, volunteers, and development professionals, but also raises money for the Empower Fund by US Bank, which provides scholarships, education opportunities, and seminars to support the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

"San Diego's nonprofit sector is only as strong as the people leading it," says de Llamas. "That’s why AFP San Diego created the Empower Fund, to make sure that talent isn't limited by budget. Whether it's a scholarship for a first-time conference attendee or funding a training session for a small, underserved organization, every gift to this fund builds the next generation of leaders who will keep this community's philanthropy moving forward."

In its inaugural year, AFP San Diego raised $28,000 for the Empower Fund thanks to National Philanthropy Day. In 2026, the chapter hopes to raise $35,000. The funds will go directly to educational initiatives, ensuring each dollar stays in the community and supports nonprofit professionals at all levels. Donations to the Empower Fund are open year-round.

AFP San Diego’s 54th annual National Philanthropy Day is made possible by our generous sponsors: Presenting Sponsor - PNC Bank; Empower Sponsor - US Bank; Platinum Sponsor - Alaska Airlines, Manpower, San Diego Foundation, Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University; Gold Sponsor - Ingrid D. deLlamas Charitable Fund, Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, Prebys Foundation, Scatena Media Group; Silver Sponsor - Meals on Wheels San Diego County, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, SDGE, TCWGlobal, San Diego State University, University of San Diego; Bronze Sponsor - 211 San Diego, Alliant Educational Foundation, Chicano Federation of San Diego County, Clint Bell, Sharyn & Gary Goodson, Home of Guiding Hands, JPMorganChase, Jewish Family Service, San Diego Library Foundation, Life Science Cares, Lifeline Community Services, Planned Parenthood Pacific Southwest, Point Loma Nazarene University, Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, Tim Rupe & Mark Stuart, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Serving Seniors, SVPR Communications; Bar Underwriting - Blair Search Partners; Community Sponsors - City Heights Community Development, Community HousingWorks, International Community Foundation, Kitchens for Good, MiraCosta College, Monarch School, National Conflict Resolution Center, San Diego LGBT Community Center, San Diego Regional EDC, San Diego Rotary Club 33, UPAC - Union of Pan Asian Communities, Western Alliance Bank.

EVENT CALENDAR DETAILS:

• Event: Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego’s 54th Annual National Philanthropy Day
• Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
• Attire: Cocktail
• Registration/Website: afpsd.org or contact Fiona King at 619-538-6605 or fiona@afpsd.org. Sponsorships are available.

ABOUT AFP SAN DIEGO CHAPTER
The San Diego Chapter of AFP, chartered in 1974, is part of a vital national organization of over 30,000 fundraising professionals. The San Diego Chapter is one of 230 chapters worldwide. Our San Diego Chapter now has 400 members in development and related fields, representing organizations in San Diego and Imperial Counties. The San Diego Chapter's primary purpose is to educate and advance the careers of those in the rapidly changing field of development. The chapter promotes ethical standards, provides a member network, lists local, regional, and national employment opportunities, and offers a pool of consultant services. Learn more at AFP San Diego’s website.

FULL BIOS OF 2026 AFP SAN DIEGO NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY HONOREES. Note to Editors: Each bio includes the honoree’s place of residence and the location of the organization's workplace, if available.

Outstanding Development Professional Emerging Leader – Miguel Lopez, CFRE

Within five years at San Diego Foundation, Miguel Lopez has grown from a Development Manager raising $600,000 in his first year to securing more than $16 million in philanthropic commitments this fiscal year. He conceived and launched the El Camino Fund to support Latino entrepreneurship, which, per his nomination, has awarded more than $1.13 million in grants and attracted 24 new Hispanic donors since 2023. He launched the El Camino Fund Leadership Council, has served as Chair of AFP San Diego's Emerging Leaders Committee, on the AFP San Diego Membership Executive Committee, and on the AFP Global Board Nominating Committee, and volunteers as a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County and with the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

Miguel Lopez works at San Diego Foundation, located in Point Loma’s Liberty Station.

Outstanding Development Professional — Mid-Career: Amie Brown, CFRM

Amie Brown leads External Affairs at Meals on Wheels San Diego County, where, per her nomination, fundraising has grown to $5 million annually as the agency expanded from 400,000 to more than 700,000 home-delivered meals a year. According to her nomination, under her leadership, the annual gala has grown by at least 20% in profit each year, and she has led the organization's first-ever capital campaign. She recently joined the AFP San Diego board, and volunteers with San Diego Rotary 33, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Gay for Good, the Hand to Hand giving circle, and as a Scholarship Evaluator for The San Diego Foundation.

Amie Brown works at Meals on Wheels San Diego County, headquartered in Kearny Mesa, with service centers in East County, South County, North County, and Metro area.

Outstanding Development Professional — Career Achievement: David Hanses With over more than 30 years in nonprofit leadership, as detailed in his nomination, David Hanses helped secure $97 million in individual gifts toward a $210 million campaign at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry and increased annual contributed revenue by 23% at La Jolla Playhouse, where he also launched an endowment campaign and, the nomination notes, a $5 million capital campaign. He now serves as Executive Director of Development at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and as Board Chair of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, where he has guided the creation of the nationally recognized Health & Safety Wellness Center. He also serves on the Board of the San Diego International Film Festival and previously served five years on San Diego's Senior AFP Leadership Group.

David Hanses works at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla and serves on the board of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation in Serra Mesa.

Outstanding Organization — IDEA: The San Diego LGBT Community Center

The San Diego LGBT Community Center provided more than 109,000 service visits last year, a 20% increase over the prior year, through housing, food security, behavioral health, employment, legal, and civic engagement programs for LGBTQ+ people disproportionately affected by systemic inequities. As stated in the nomination, ten of its 13 board members and more than 90% of its staff identify as LGBTQ+, and 100% of its executive team identifies as women. Last year it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mexican Consulate of San Diego to expand culturally competent services to Mexican nationals, and it maintains gender-affirming facilities and ICE-response protocols to protect vulnerable community members.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is headquartered in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood.

Outstanding Grantmaking Organization – David C. Copley Foundation

For more than 70 years, the David C. Copley Foundation has invested in thousands of San Diego County nonprofits. As outlined in the nomination, at Support The Enlisted Project (STEP), the Foundation increased an original $400,000 grant to $1 million to help secure STEP's first permanent headquarters, later funding office furnishings and a warehouse forklift, and the nomination submission notes, proposed a $400,000 challenge match to help STEP pay down mortgage debt. At Interfaith Community Services, the Foundation funded the Hawthorne Veterans and Family Resource Center (2015) and the Abraham & Lillian Turk Recuperative Care Center (2021), and has supported the region's homelessness diversion efforts.

The David C. Copley Foundation headquarters is located in the Del Mar Heights/Carmel Valley area of San Diego.

Outstanding Philanthropic Business or Corporation – Maya's Cookies

Maya Madsen, founder of Maya's Cookies, has built philanthropy into her business model, personally leading hands-on baking workshops and mentorship for students at the Monarch School Project, which exclusively serves unhoused youth. She serves on the board of Junior Achievement of San Diego County, where Maya's Cookies has hosted paid high-school interns through the JA Fellows program for four years, and partners with the Girl Scouts on entrepreneurship programming. Her company intentionally hires people facing systemic employment barriers, including youth aging out of foster care, and its Black History Month and Juneteenth product collections feature other BIPOC-owned brands and donate proceeds to local nonprofits.

Maya’s Cookies is headquartered in the Grantville/Mission Gorge area of San Diego.

Outstanding Philanthropist – Mel and Linda Katz

For more than three decades, Mel and Linda Katz have shaped philanthropy across San Diego County. As Board Chair and Campaign Chair of San Diego Foundation, as detailed in their nomination, Mel's leadership drove the Fifty & Forward campaign to raise more than $1 billion, on track to grant $500 million regionally, and he later helped launch the San Diego Unity Fund, which has raised more than $32.4 million to support the region's nonprofit safety net. Linda is Founding President of the San Diego Women's Foundation, which the nomination notes, has granted more than $5 million over 25 years, and both are longtime supporters of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Lifeline Community Services, and United Women of East Africa Support Team.

Mel and Linda Katz are Del Mar residents. Mel is a co-owner of Manpower San Diego, and its headquarters are located in the Banker’s Hill area of San Diego.

Outstanding Student Volunteer – Chris Zheng

Chris Zheng has volunteered with Casa de Amistad since July 2023, tutoring middle school students weekly and, as Captain of the C.A.R.T. Robotics Team #23280 and Vice President of Hope4Kids, co-leading the Young Artists Showcase fundraisers that, based on the nomination he received, have raised more than $35,000 for Casa de Amistad over three years. For the past two summers, he and his robotics team have run STEM camps for Casa students covering coding, drone programming, and 3D design, and led monthly Engineering Club sessions for K-3rd graders. Under his leadership, the C.A.R.T. team also won the Southern California Championship and earned a Regional Tournament Championship Finalist Award.

Chris Zheng volunteers with Casa de Amistad, located in the Solana Beach area of San Diego.

Outstanding Volunteer – Dr. Suzanne Afflalo

A retired physician formerly with Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Suzanne Afflalo has spent more than 25 years volunteering to improve health outcomes in underserved San Diego communities, including leading a monthly wellness fair that partners with about 25 organizations to offer free health, dental, eye, and blood pressure screenings. She founded “A Healthier Me,” a chronic disease prevention program supporting African American and other underserved populations with tools for nutrition, blood pressure control, and diabetes management, and has mentored hundreds of aspiring healthcare professionals.

Dr. Suzanne Affalo works with IWC Primary Care located in Spring Valley.

Outstanding Volunteer – Fred Davis

For at least three decades, Fred Davis has arrived daily at Serving Seniors' Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center to help clients access resources, and he leads the Serving Seniors Civic Engagement Group, which empowers low-income older adult clients to address issues affecting their community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he never missed a day of service, conducting wellness checks at clients' homes, shelters, and encampments. Serving Seniors has since named its Volunteer of the Year award after him.

Fred Davis volunteers at Serving Seniors located in Downtown San Diego.

Special Lifetime Achievement Award – Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP

Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, has generated more than $100 million for nonprofit organizations over more than three decades in fundraising leadership, including work for the Comic-Con Museum and, as her nomination states, as volunteer campaign chair, helping secure more than $2.7 million for the new San Ysidro Library. She served as President of AFP San Diego, where she championed the AFP Empower Fund to expand scholarships, ethics training, and mentorship for fundraising professionals regionwide. She also serves as managing trustee of a private foundation and has held board roles with the San Diego Public Library Foundation, Barrio Logan College Institute, the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County, and Living Rooms at the Border, and is a member of Rotary Club 33.

Ingrid de Llamas lives in the Marston Hills neighborhood of San Diego.