Lila Guirguis, MPA
Executive Director

Lila (she/her) has 30 years of leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors, designing and scaling systems that improve lives at the community and population level. Her work spans Los Angeles County and beyond — from founding cross-sector initiatives to advising national and international partners — always with a focus on equity, collaboration, and turning knowledge into action.

Previously, Lila founded and led the Magnolia Community Initiative, mobilizing 75+ organizations and parent leaders to drive measurable improvements in child and family well-being. She also created the City of Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child, shaping policy and a five-year master plan to become an Early Learning City.

Frances Nova-Jauregui, LCSW
Associate Executive Director

Frances Nova-Jauregui (she/her) is the Associate Executive Director at the Karsh Family Social Service Center, where she provides strategic leadership and oversees programs and operations to deliver high-quality social services. She plays a key role in program development, staff supervision, and building partnerships to expand the Center’s impact.

Frances earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Occidental College and her master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. With a career rooted in social work, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to thrive.

Daniel Berger
Director of Volunteer Engagement

Daniel (he/him) has committed his career to leaving the world a better place than he found it and to supporting others to do the same. Daniel joined the Karsh Center in 2026 following a decade with Los Angeles-based environmental nonprofit TreePeople, where he helped to lead the organization during a period of sustained equity-centered growth in roles including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director. Daniel began his career with the American Civil Liberties Union, where he spent 15 years in diverse positions spanning communications, advocacy, and organizing, culminating as the Director of the organization’s New York Hudson Valley Chapter.

Roberta Berrent
Director of Development

Roberta Berrent brings 20 years of nonprofit development and communications leadership to Karsh. Most recently, as Director of Donor & Community Relations, she led fundraising strategy and execution for Builders of Jewish Education—including major giving, the annual campaign, events, and communications— working in close partnership with staff and volunteer leadership. For 12 years, Roberta served Temple Israel of Hollywood as Director of Development & Communications, leading annual and major fundraising for the temple and its three schools. She designed and led four campaigns that funded the rebuilding of the schools, chapel, community theater, library, sports field, and playgrounds, as well as the establishment of a school endowment fund. Before pursuing her calling in community service, Roberta built a career in entertainment, bringing her creative and strategic instincts to roles as a writer, producer, and director at Walt Disney Television and ABC News.

Elizabeth Green, MNLM
Director of Public Affairs and Communications

Elizabeth (she/her) has been a proud member of the Karsh Center team since 2018, focusing on leveraging the talents, insights, and passion of volunteers in service of the Karsh Center’s clients and vision for impact and change. Elizabeth was born and raised in LA and has spent 15 years in the nonprofit field, from summer childhood recreation programs to Jewish teen sports and community-building to communications and journalism focused on foster care and juvenile justice. Across this range of areas, she’s seen the power of volunteers coming together to work toward a common goal, building impactful relationships, and strengthening communities and she is honored to spearhead that work at the Karsh Center.

Navah Kelman Becker
Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement

Navah Kelman Becker (she/her) is excited to be a part of the Karsh Center team. Having grown up in Los Angeles and Berkeley, she has dedicated her (mostly West Coast) career to helping people of all ages find personal meaning and connection in Jewish spaces. She has a passion for experiential education and creating community in all forms, having worked professionally in religious school, day school, and camp settings.

Delmy Garcia
Data Manager

Delmy (she/her) is a lifelong Los Angeles resident, spending most of her upbringing in Koreatown. Her passion in social impact work is rooted in her firsthand experiences with economic inequities. Delmy holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brown University and a multi-disciplinary skill set that includes data analysis and technical expertise.

Aileen Guzman
On-Call Administrative Assistant & Interim Program Coordinator

Aileen (she/her)  is committed to building meaningful partnerships and fostering strong relationships with the organizations and communities that engage with the Karsh Center. She is passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate their unique paths and is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all. Through compassionate service and a collaborative approach, Aileen strives to ensure that everyone who comes through the Karsh Center’s doors feels supported, valued, and connected to the resources they need.

Derek Hartnett
Volunteer Engagement Manager

Derek (he/him/any with respect), a Suffolk County Community College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University, brings a worldly perspective to his role as Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at the Karsh Center. From interning at the White House to working in television, his diverse experiences now drive his commitment to fostering compassion and understanding within our volunteer program and community at large. Beyond his desk, Derek finds solace in the country’s natural beauty by exploring the great outdoors and embracing the grandeur of hiking, camping, and off-roading.

Nisha Joshi
Administrative Assistant

Nisha (she/her) is a lifelong administrative support professional who has dedicated herself to non profit and education work. She is thrilled to be part of the social services team at the Karsh Center, surrounded by an experienced, knowledgeable, and supportive woman led team.

Michelle Lopez
Program Manager

Michelle (she/her/ella) was raised in East Los Angeles, and is a graduate from San Francisco State University’s College of Health & Social Sciences, with a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design & Merchandising. Prior to joining the team at the Karsh Center, Michelle managed community services programs and operations for organizations across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New Orleans, LA. Michelle is passionate about serving our neighbors to succeed and thrive and is thrilled to become a part of the Karsh Center team and community.

Ursula Mancia
Program Coordinator

Ursula (she/her) has had the opportunity to work at Wilshire Boulevard Temple for eight years in many different capacities, including as a Receptionist, Assistant Front Desk Manager at the Mann Family Early Childhood Center and as an Assistant Art Teacher for the Religious School. She has been with the Karsh Center for the last 5 years as an Assistant/Receptionist and now she is our Program Coordinator.

Danielle McFadden
Associate Director of Grants Management

Danielle (she/her) has lived in the greater Los Angeles Area for the last twenty years. She has worked in both individual giving and grants management for various organizations including New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and The Archer School for Girls. Danielle is excited to be part of The Karsh Center and collaborating on its expansion and capacity to help those often marginalized in society. She received her BFA from New York University.

Jonnathan Ortiz
Facilities

Jonnathan (he/him) is a proud Nicaraguan who has called Los Angeles his home for many years, and has been a part of the Karsh Family Social Service Center’s Programs & Operations team for almost 2 years. After many years of working in Inventory Management, Customer Service, and Financial Accounting, he treasures the opportunity to apply his skills within his true calling, serving those most in need.

Within Jonnathan’s position as Facilities Associate, he plays an integral role of the hard work behind the scenes, making our programs and services possible to the community. Beyond his role within the Karsh Center, Jonnathan if a life long learner, continuing to expand his skills both personally and professionally, and is an active member of the greater Koreatown Community.

Melissa Tovar
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Melissa (she/her). Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, Melissa feels a strong connection to this vibrant city and its diverse communities. For the past three years, she has worked at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where she collaborated closely with the IT and Events departments. This experience provided her with unique insights into how the temple organizes its events and engages with congregants. It also inspired her to do more for the community and give back. She is excited to start this new adventure as a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at the Karsh Center.

Haley Weske
Senior Development Associate

Haley (she/her) found her passion for social justice while growing up in the greater Los Angeles area, specifically her drive to alleviate poverty-related burdens and struggles. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she immersed herself in community engagement and grassroot organizing. Her prior experience includes project management, lobbying, and research all dedicated to helping underserved and underfunded communities. Now at Karsh, she is excited to use her skill set and experiences to have a meaningful impact on our community members.

Eunyoung Youn
Program Coordinator

Eunyoung (she/her) is a Korean American who has worked with the Korean community for over 30 years in various capacities, including advocacy, organizing, translation services, and supporting mental health awareness within the Korean community. She is excited to bring her lived experience, professional expertise, and community network to the Karsh Social Service Center. She hopes to help bridge gaps in service access and facilitate culturally and linguistically accessible education and resources for the underserved Koreatown community.