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Senior Staff |
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LaRae Mardesic Bechmann
President and Chief Executive Officer |
LaRae Mardesic Bechmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, officially joined Chrysalis in March 2007 after a long volunteer relationship that included serving as co-chair of Friends of Chrysalis, one of the organization’s special fundraising committees. With more than 15 years of professional marketing and fundraising experience, LaRae has held development positions at nonprofit organizations such as the University of Southern California, the Petersen Automotive Museum, and the Discovery Eye Foundation. Throughout her career, she worked closely with boards of directors as well as strategic planning and development committees, reshaping and creating environments for success. LaRae has demonstrable experience in individual, foundation, and corporate fundraising, as well as capital campaigns for projects such as the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. Her consulting work has also involved projects for Saint John’s Health Center and Little Company of Mary Hospital; she is currently serving on the Gala Committee at the Discovery Eye Foundation as a volunteer. A native of Los Angeles, LaRae attended California State University Long Beach and continues her graduate coursework at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School. She looks forward to expanding Chrysalis’ planned and estate giving and enhancing opportunities for endowment building - to ensure that Chrysalis continues to thrive, delivering positive change for men and women throughout Los Angeles. |
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Marshall Bohannon
Chief Financial Officer
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Marshall Bohannon, Chief Financial Officer, joined Chrysalis in February 2007, bringing 20 years of broad based commercial finance experience to the organization. He served corporate clients in Europe and Asia as an assistant vice president in international banking with Ryder System, a worldwide leader in logistics and transportation, he developed strategic plans, market analyses, cost allocation models, contract pricing applications, business unit valuations and consulted on organization and acquisitions in South America. Most recently, he served as VP Finance for SkyMate Inc., a venture started in 2002 that has grown to be the leader in marine wireless communications. He holds a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina. |
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Michael Graff-Weisner Vice President, Client Services
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Michael Graff-Weisner, Vice President, Client Services, joined Chrysalis in July 2007. Michael brings over 7 years experience in the nonprofit, private, and public sectors to his position overseeing the Client Services department at Chrysalis. Before joining Chrysalis, he developed and managed job training programs at the Wilshire-Metro WorkSource Center in Los Angeles -- leading a partnership of community colleges, nonprofit agencies, and local employers. His workforce development experience also includes managing programs serving refugees and asylees at CAMBA, a social service agency in Brooklyn, NY. Outside of the workforce development field, Michael has built websites for nonprofits as a technology consultant, designed and launched an after school program for high school students, developed a new education and technology program out of the Boston Mayor's office, and worked as a researcher at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael received a B.A. in Economics and Spanish from Amherst College and a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. |
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Mark Loranger
Vice President,
Chrysalis Enterprises
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Mark Loranger, Vice President, Chrysalis Enterprises, joined Chrysalis in October 2007. Mark brings a diverse skill set developed over twenty years as both an entrepreneur and a corporate leader. Early in his career, Mark held various sales and technical positions during almost a decade at IBM in both Washington DC and New York. Among his entrepreneurial ventures he counts the founding, operation and sale of a leading logistics and marketing firm in Southern California. Most recently, Mark has served as a consultant to such not-for-profit organizations as the Alzheimer's Association, the Avon Products Foundation, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the development and execution of large-scale fundraising walks. He holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California – Davis and a Masters in International Business from George Washington University. |
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Tracey Roden
Senior Vice President, Marketing |
Tracey Roden, Senior Vice President, Marketing, joined Chrysalis in 2004 with over ten years of marketing experience. Her expertise has focused on creating strategic marketing solutions and brand identity for numerous organizations in both for the profit and nonprofit world. Prior to joining Chrysalis, Ms. Roden managed marketing projects in the consumer products and commercial real estate industries. Most recently, she was employed at Civic Resource Group working with government and nonprofit agencies to develop strategic technology and marketing plans, including social marketing and e-government initiatives. Ms. Roden received her Masters in Business Administration from University of San Francisco, with an emphasis in Marketing a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Economics from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Ms. Roden also completed a certificate in graphic design at Parsons New School of Design in New York City and has studied abroad in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, and Cambridge, England. |
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Bess Walkes
Director of Development
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Bess Walkes, Director of Development, joined Chrysalis in January 2008. Bess's nonprofit experience includes fundraising positions at Break the Cycle, the Anti-Defamation League, and most recently, the Music Center where she was exclusively responsible for the Spotlight Awards and Active Arts programs. Bess has worked closely with prominent leaders of Corporations and Foundations as well as Major Donors throughout Los Angeles, with particular focus on the Entertainment and Downtown communities. As a volunteer, Bess launched two programs targeting young philanthropists: Stop Cancer: The Next Generation and Friends of Break the Cycle. Prior to transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Bess enjoyed a successful 15 year career in the entertainment industry, where she helped produce films including “Catch Me if You Can”, “Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion” and “Patch Adams.” A native of Los Angeles, Bess attended San Francisco State University, American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. |
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©
Chrysalis 2006