Our Team
Kyle Rahn
Interim CEO and President
Kyle Rahn brings more than thirty years of progressive experience leading high-performing teams, strengthening donor and board relations, navigating high growth and turnaround, and strategic planning in industries ranging from private organizations to complex nonprofits. As the first female President and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada, Kyle guided the organization’s cradle-to-career community-based agenda, building strong partnerships to improve outcomes in early childhood education, student success, post-secondary attainment and workforce development. A DEI champion, Kyle also created a diversity taskforce at UWSN, ensuring that all grant funding applied an equity lens. Kyle has developed a reputation as an adaptable, warm, transformational leader with an eye for quickly identifying and troubleshooting critical issues, creating and calibrating outstanding teams and providing strong fiscal and fundraising leadership for budgets exceeding $73 million. She is a graduate of Third Sector Company’s Interim Executives Academy.
Ashley Ruiz
Interim Vice President of Operations and Administration
Ashley Ruiz is a strong advocate for communities made marginalized by systemic ills. She is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for the key issues they face. As a first-generation college student, Ashley has lived experience with poverty and intimately knows how advanced education and access to resources can be transformational in a person’s life. Ashley was raised in Fresno by her parents, who immigrated from Mexico at a young age. She was recognized by Business Street Media Group in their annual 40 Under 40 program, which recognizes some of the top young professionals in the Central Valley, and holds a master’s in Public Administration and bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from National University. She loves living in the Central Valley for its small-town feel, where communities care for their neighbors and help each other overcome barriers.
Kevin Williams
Vice President of Impact
Rico Peralta
Director of Program and Training
A lifelong Central Valley resident, Rico provides coaching, mentoring, training, and consulting to volunteers and local, regional, and statewide community organizations. Essentially, Rico works to ensure non-profits and service groups achieve the most efficient and responsive results from their programs and that California’s vulnerable residents get the highest quality care. Prior to joining the United Way family, Rico spent two decades working in the non-profit education sector, specifically advocating for expanded learning and cradle-to-career opportunities for populations made marginalized by systemic ills. For the past few years, he has been United Way Fresno and Madera Counties’ point man for the Listos California campaign, helping underserved communities learn about the importance of Emergency Preparedness. Since 2023, he’s taken on outreach for major new grants including USDA Farmworker Relief and CERF. In his personal life, Rico enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife, children, and pets, including everyone’s favorite well-dressed office puppy, Mina.
Haley White
Director of Marketing
Originally a freelance consultant for United Way, Haley joined on full-time because she felt the organization’s story needed to be told in bold, strategic ways. Coming to the team with a strong background in commercial and nonprofit marketing, Haley considers herself a storyteller first and foremost. She is heavily involved in the local arts community as a filmmaker, theatre practitioner, and writer, and regularly weaves her arts background into her work here. Haley holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College and is a founding member of the local arts-and-advocacy collective, The Fools Collaborative. Sh is proud to be part of a vast network of folks in the mid-Central Valley working to move the needle on equity-related issues. “No one’s free until everybody’s free” -FLH
Arasely Rosas
Director of Impact
Arasely is a Fresno native who briefly left the valley to get her degree in political science from UCLA. (Can we get an 8-clap? 👏) She brings more than a dozen years of non-profit experience to our team, and she hopes to use her skills and experience to make a real impact for families here in her hometown. As the Director of Impact, Arasely are her team largely work around the enhancement of our 211 Helpline. Her goal is to make sure callers know there are resources available not just in times of crisis, and that help is available long-term for families and individuals who really need it. When she’s at home, Arasely enjoys staying active with her husband, two kids, and their fur babies. You’ll often find her working on DIY projects or watching sports (most likely her Bruins).
Lilly Ramirez
Executive Assistant to CEO and Board
The youngest of four, Lilly lived in many different cities growing up, including San Jose, Gilroy, San Francisco, and Pittsburg, California. She received her bachelor’s in Communication Studies from CSU, Long Beach. Lilly finds it fulfilling to see the United Way mission reflected in her daily work. She believes the most important thing that United Way does is provide working families with essential resources and tools to overcome seemingly-impossible barriers. Lilly helps manage schedules and communication for our CEO, board, and leadership team members. She has a German Shepherd who loves to play and cuddle.
Harbir Sandhu
Senior Bookkeeper
Harbir (Hardy) attended UC Berkeley for three years, graduating in 2020. During his time there, he took his first Financial Accounting class, which spurned his interest in pursuing a career in accounting. After graduating, Harbir returned to his hometown of Fresno and gained experience working in the agriculture sector before making the move to United Way. Harbir thinks the most important thing that our organization does is connect residents to resources they can utilize to build a more prosperous life. He appreciates that his colleagues are passionate, mission-driven people and believes the team camaraderie makes difficult work enjoyable and rewarding.
AubreyEnna Johnson
Resource Development Manager
AubreyEnna grew up in Wyoming. She graduated from CSU Fresno in 2019 as a Humanics alumni with a bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Philanthropic and Community Based Leadership. AubreyEnna’s committment to United Way’s mission stems from her experience as a mother. As a parent, she believes it is essential to abolish systemic barriers in order to create a better world for all children. Aubrey’s favorite part of working at United Way is learning from her co-workers, who teach by example. She is grateful to work with Social Justice Warriors who make equity their personal mission. Aubrey thinks a key component to breaking down systemic racism is by building systems that embrace equity solutions, and by advocating for and implementing laws that dismantle barriers and build equity. AubreyEnna thinks that some of the most important work at United Way are the initiatives that create cash infusions and put real dollars directly in client pockets. Her hope is that one day we can all truly LIVE UNITED!
Dayana Jiselle Contreras
Senior Program Manager
Dayana obtained her bachelor’s in Mass Communications and Journalism from CSU Fresno and master’s in Humanities from CSU Northridge. Her career started in Radio as an on-air host for both English and Spanish programs. She went on to work with Telemundo in promotions and The Fresno Bee as a community reporter, later transitioning to social service work. She has worked leading programs such as WIC, Medi-Cal, LISTOS, and now the USDA Food and Farmworker Relief Program. Dayana is a proud daughter of immigrants from Mexico. Her grandparents and parents were farmworkers during the Cesar Chavez era. She is also a mother of two little ones, and an adopted mother of a furry Maltese Poodle baby named Choco Pan (Chocolate Bread in English). Dayana is highly involved with community outside of work, coordinating block parties, resource fairs, and even an annual women’s conference. She enjoys reading, hosting community events, and serving on the Board of Directors for Impact, a faith-based non-profit. Dayana was born and raised in East Fresno, where the United Way office resides, and she is invested in serving the community that surrounds this area. She is especially passionate about helping farmworkers, mothers, and first-generation students. Dayana appreciates that United Way understands clients are not facing just one obstacle, but that they face a systemic barrier of obstacles, and she enjoys being part of an organization committed to targeting the root of those obstacles, not just the surface.
Nakia Vue
Senior Program Manager
Janelle Castillo
211 Resource Specialist
Janelle graduated from Fresno State with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Women’s Studies. She is continuing her studies in the Master of Public Administration program. Janelle is passionate about improving Fresno and Madera Counties. Through her work she hopes to contribute to improving the quality of life of our community members. While working at UWFM Janelle has learned that while it’s not always easy, it’s always rewarding to do equity work. Race equity work is the most important thing United Way does. It strengthens all the other work we do. The LIVE UNITED mantra is a reminder that we’re in this together. Our mission is a big one, but we can achieve it by working with our community members and partners.In her free time, Janelle enjoys climbing at Metalmark gym, enjoying Fresno’s local events, and spending time with her fiancé.
David Perez Jr
211 Resource Navigator
Rachel Ward
Marketing Program Manager
Rachel was born and raised in Fresno, CA. She attended both Fresno City College and California State University Fresno and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design with a Minor in Marketing. While attending Fresno State, Rachel worked as a Marketing Coordinator for University Courtyard then eventually moved into several marketing/management roles following her graduation. Rachel is a proud dog mom of two lovely fur babies (Hazel and Teddy). In her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling, creating art, supporting small local businesses, and volunteering. In addition to working at United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, Rachel also bartends and DJ’s in the Tower District/Downtown Fresno! Rachel is committed to the mission because she knows how vital it is for the entire community to break down the barriers that keep them from elevating and reaching their greatest potential. Rachel’s favorite thing about UWFM is how the team is dedicated to amplifying the assistance and services needed by the community. The LIVE UNITED mantra is so important to Rachel because it creates a space where everyone is equal, and all deserve the same quality of life and prosperity.
Pa Houa Yang
Free Tax Prep Manage
Pa Houa graduated from CSU Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Her favorite part of managing the Free Tax Prep program at United Way because is helping taxpayers maximize their refunds. Pa Houa believes the most important thing United Way does is bring local nonprofit organizations together to attack systemic issues collaboratively.
Viri Leon
Talent Manager
Viri is proud to work for United Way because she very strongly believes in centering community to solve systemic issues. She knows that equity work can instill hope, and that people working together can do far more in unity than as individuals.
Karina Perez
Program and Community Specialist
Karina is usually the first person you’ll meet if you come into the office at 4949 E Kings Canyon Road. One of the biggest lessons she took from her time completing her degree in Sociology at Fresno State is how powerful an impact it can make when individuals have access to resources and services available to them. Karina helps do exactly that as a member of our outreach and education team. When she’s at home, she loves to spend time with her family, hang out with her dogs, and work on her photography.
Megan Flores
Operations Analyst
Megan is from the Central Valley, born and raised. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration and a Master’s in Health Care Management. Megan leads outreach activities, handles administrative responsibilities, analyses program data, and fosters community engagement. Her favorite part of working at United Way is the collaborative nature of the team, as well as being part of an organization that actively focuses on breaking down barriers in the community. In Megan’s opinion, the key to dismantling systemic racism lies in increasing awareness and educating the community. It’s about fostering understanding and empathy to bring about positive change.To her, the LIVE UNITED mantra is a reminder that the collective strength is far greater than the sum of individual efforts.
On the weekends, you’ll often find Megan enjoying quality time with her family and her beloved Goldendoodle, Lucky. Lucky is not just a pet; he’s a cherished member of her family.
Carissa Contreras
Resource Development Operations Coordinator
Ciana Torres
Resource Development Associate
Charles Wheeler
Resource Development Associate
Susan Good
Regional Advocacy Coordinator
As Regional Advocacy Coordinator, Susan helps give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves. She served for 14 years as District Director for two California state senators, and worked in bank management for 17 years before joining UWFM. Susan also currently owns and operates her own consulting firm specializing in government advocacy and public relations. Her hobbies include ballroom dancing, political activism, and spending time with her husband, Dave, and dog, Princess.
Miguel A. Gastelum
Marketing Consultant
As a Marketing Consultant, Miguel enjoys creating graphics that make an impact for UWFM’s many programs. He believes it’s important to provide tools and resources for the public and disenfranchised communities, such as the 21 Day Race Equity Challenge. For fun, Miguel enjoys theatre, singing, visiting Disneyland, and hanging out with his cat, Audrey.
Lindsay Fox
Special Advisor
Lindsay Fox grew up in Clovis, California, before moving north to earn her BA in Political Science from UC Davis and Masters of Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento State. While in Sacramento, she served as a prestigious Jesse Marvin Unruh Fellow for the California State Assembly. Lindsay has also served as the Foundation Consortium for California’s Children and Youth, managing a state level public-private partnership between the foundations and the California Department of Education. She has worked with the Fresno County Office of Education and the Central Valley After School Foundation and currently serves as Chair of the California Volunteers Commission. From her experience in all of these roles, Lindsay has built a career focused on identifying gaps in services, policies, and programs, then finding bold, innovative, and strategic solutions to meet those needs. Under Lindsay’s guidance, United Way Fresno and Madera Counties has shifted focus from simply addressing the immediate needs of the mid-Central Valley’s most vulnerable community members, to playing a more active role in attempting to dismantle the big structural and institutional issues that keep people in cycles of poverty. Lindsay’s free time is spent with her three children -Rhea, Keith, and Lauren-along with her husband Kenny, and dog, Winnie.