Improving the Lives of LA County’s Most Vulnerable Youths & Young Adults
in foster care
homeless
Victims of Sex Trafficking
In-crisis or at risk
GIVE – MENTOR – LOVE is a Foundation of dedicated professionals serving LA County youths and young adults in-crisis, at risk, homeless or in foster care, and victims of sex trafficking.
We are a layer of the healing process GIVING immediate and continued support of basic needs and financial assistance; MENTORING to help them rediscover their self-worth; and LOVING unconditionally to help them thrive.
History of our Organization
2010
We started volunteering with foster girls in the Pasadena, CA area who were exploited, in-crisis and suffered unspeakable traumas.
2019
We established GIVE – MENTOR – LOVE Foundation to expand our footprint and services in order to support youths and young adults in-crisis, at risk, homeless or in foster care, and victims of sex trafficking across all of Los Angeles County.
Today
GIVE – MENTOR – LOVE Foundation partners with LA County Specialized Bureau for Commercial Sexual Exploited Children (CSEC), ZOE Los Angeles, and Learning Works Charter School.
Our Leaders
Board of Directors + key leadership
Donna Pierson
Founder, Chairman of the Board
Donna Pierson is the Founder and Chairperson of GIVE – MENTOR – LOVE Foundation. She started the Cottage Guild at Rosemary Children’s Services in Pasadena with four friends in 2010, which later transformed into the GIVE – MENTOR – LOVE Foundation in 2019. This now feeds her passion for volunteering with youth and young adults in-crisis, at risk, homeless or in foster care, and victims of sex trafficking.
Ginger Umutyan
President, CEO
Ginger Umutyan is a dynamic leader and compassionate advocate who has been instrumental in advancing the mission of Give-Mentor-Love Foundation since joining as a volunteer in 2019 and the board in 2020. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Ginger brings unparalleled dedication and expertise to her role, empowering and transforming the lives of young women and children in need. Her leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to giving, mentoring, and loving those served by Give-Mentor-Love, helping them rebuild their confidence and envision brighter futures. In addition to her role at the foundation, Ginger is the founder and president of TEMVAT, LLC, a bookkeeping service designed to support nonprofits and corporations. With her extensive background in financial management, Ginger shares essential financial literacy skills with the youth in Give-Mentor-Love's programs, empowering them with budgeting knowledge, digital skills, and career-readiness tools that are critical for success in today’s world. A respected figure in her community, Ginger served on the Board of Trustees for The Gooden School, further demonstrating her commitment to impactful service. She balances her professional accomplishments with a rich personal life as a devoted wife and mother to six children, exemplifying resilience, compassion, and the power of positive change.
Natalie Friberg
Vice Chair of the Board, Director of Communications
Natalie Friberg is the Vice Chairperson of Give – Mentor – Love Foundation and Director of Communications. She oversees and handles public relations and marketing of the foundation to help spread awareness for the youth, young adults, and victims we serve. Ms. Friberg is the co-founder of an online real estate data company, and formerly, she was the Editor-in-Chief of DREAMS Magazine, a luxury lifestyles magazine in Southern California.
Kathy Lee, AMFT
Director of Community Services
Kathy Lee is the Director of Community Services and a member of the Board of Directors at Give-Mentor-Love Foundation. Kathy is an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT) who recently completed her graduate studies at USC. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in psychology at Loma Linda University. Kathy has experience collaborating closely with underserved, at-risk youth and high school graduates. She provides assistance in helping youth reach their vocational study goals as well as providing mentorship, guidance, and connection to needed resources. Kathy was born and raised in San Francisco and is a first generation college graduate.
Eric L. Ball, MA.
Board Member
Eric is a product of the South Los Angeles area and is one of three children raised in View Park, Ladera Heights and Inglewood California. He attended Westchester High School and then Arizona State University for his undergraduate studies. He eventually earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University at Dominguez Hills. He holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University and he is currently a Assistant Regional Administrator / Program Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services Emergency Response Command Post (ERCP), the Runaway Outreach Units (ROU) and newly created Commercially Sexually Exploited Children’s (CSEC) units in the Bureau of Specialized Response Services. Eric has been with the Department of Children and Family Services for 30 years. He has a strong passion for working with hard to place high-risk youth and he has been dedicated to this cause throughout his entire professional career. Not only does he manage and supervise the DCFS ROU and CSEC units he is also responsible for facilitating and managing the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) process in the newly created CSEC “DREAM COURT” at Los Angeles Superior Court, Edelman’s Children’s Dependency Court; the court room Dedicated to Restoring, Empowering, Advocating and Mentoring the CSEC population. Eric also serves as the DCFS Law Enforcement Liaison for runaways and is the Department lead for the Los Angeles Sheriff Department’s Human Trafficking Bureau Locate and Recovery Initiative.
Kristina Mihovilovic, LCSW
Board Member
With over a decade of experience in social work, Kristina has dedicated her career to enhancing community welfare and advocating for the underserved populations in Los Angeles County. A native of Southern California, she began her journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Woodbury University. Her early exposure to the intertwining issues of mental health and criminal recidivism during a law clerk internship at the LA District Attorney’s office steered her towards a lifelong commitment to social work. Upon earning her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, Kristina served at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Human Trafficking (CAST), where she provided direct support to victims of both domestic and international labor and sex trafficking. This role was a precursor to her impactful tenure at the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, which began in 2008. Here, she has held multiple leadership roles, including supervising the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children’s Unit, represented LA County at multiple law enforcement and trafficking task forces and played a pivotal role in shaping LA County policy on trafficking and locating runaway youth. Currently, Kristina supervises at the Pasadena DCFS office and actively serves as the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Regional Liaison where she provides case consultation and trainings on investigating, identifying, and engaging with exploited youth. Her expertise also extends to her role as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Angela Miller
Board Member
Angela Miller is an independent consultant in the executive benefits and insurance industry. After attending the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, she made her way out to Los Angeles where she has enjoyed a 38-year career finding solutions for her corporate clients. She has earned many industry awards and is a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Angie enjoys giving back to others and has been active with several Pasadena area charities. She currently is on the boards of: Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, Linda Vista Annandale Association, USC Arcadia Hospital (formerly Methodist Hospital) Planned Giving (Committee), Christ Child Society of Pasadena, Wunderglo Foundation, and Purple Hearts. She also serves on the house committee for the Annandale Golf Club. She and her husband, Fritz, live in Pasadena. They have four children and grandkids that they enjoy chasing around in addition to traveling and attending sporting events. Born in St. Louis, Angie is a diehard Cardinal fan and with her husband enjoys all things UCLA Bruins.
Paul Rusnak
Board Member
Paul Rusnak is Chairman and CEO of Rusnak Group. Since establishing his first automobile dealership in 1959, he has made the Rusnak brand synonymous with Southern California car culture and one of the region’s most widely recognized. Rusnak emigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1948 and has made LA’s San Gabriel Valley his home for the last five decades. For his charitable contributions and business acumen, Rusnak has received numerous awards and recognition, including an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2016 from Sias University.
Christian Scali
Board Member
Christian Scali has a diverse law practice that includes advice and counsel and complex and high stakes litigation. His clients are in a variety of industries, including restaurant and hospitality, property management, entertainment, clothing manufacturing and ecommerce. Valued by clients for his outside general counsel advice and guidance, Christian resolves the critical issues, disputes and lawsuits facing his clients to minimize risks. Along with being on the Give Mentor Love board of directors, Christian is on the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) Litigation Section Executive Committee, and is a delegate for the Board of Directors of the Independent Auto Dealers Association of California (IADAC).
Roberta Einstein
Board Member
Roberta Einstein is a native of Southern California raised in West Covina, CA. She followed her dreams and pursued a degree in Theatre and Fine Arts at the University of Southern California (USC). Her journey brought her to New York City, where she pursued her modeling and acting aspirations. In 1979, she embarked on a new adventure, joining the renowned Tiffany & Company, which is where she found her remarkable sales acumen and unwavering dedication, which allowed her to quickly rise through the ranks, becoming one of the top 5% of sales professionals globally. Her exceptional performance and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with clients set her apart, earning her a reputation for excellence in the industry. In addition to Roberta's achievements at Tiffany & Company, she showcased her creative prowess as a producer, spearheading the production of "The Super Bob Einstein Movie". Moreover, she has played a pivotal role in numerous projects. She is one of seven children, which instilled in her a strong sense of family values and determination. When she's not immersed in her professional endeavors, she finds solace in the Palm Desert area, where she currently resides. She cherishes the precious moments spent with her grandchildren and family, relishing in the joy and love they bring to her life.
Kristina Boutros
Secretary
Kristina is a UC Santa Barbara graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science/International Relations. Her work experience focuses primarily in marketing management and corporate event planning. Kristina has several years of experience as a conference event manager from the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara and has also served as a Congressional Campaign Manager for a regional candidate. Kristina worked for McGraw Hill as an Electronic Marketing Consultant managing communications for many of the McGraw-Hill Construction’s information products and services for the design and construction industry. She also has administration experience in home healthcare, developing and creating policies and procedures for Medicare and JCAHO Certification. Kristina has lived in the Pasadena area for 24 years, married and mother to six beautiful children. Outside of raising her children, Kristina is currently the administrator at Jason Boutros MD INC managing credentialing, finances, and hospital contracts. As a mom to four young adult women, she is a strong proponent of helping other young women find resources that empower them to become independent, strong, contributing members of the community.
Steven Kochert-Springer
Peer Advocate
Steven Kochert-Springer (he/him) graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Chicana/o/x Studies and is currently completing his pre-medical pathway. During his time at UCLA, he participated in several programs, including High AIMS, Bruin Guardian Scholars, Underground Scholars, and the Academic Advancement Program. He prides himself on being a mentor for incoming transfer students, sharing his knowledge and experiences to help others navigate their educational journey. His passion for social justice is evident in his advocacy for undocumented students and support for initiatives like the Opportunities for All (O4ALL) movement. Steven currently works at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Surgical Department, where he dedicates himself to caring for and advocating for patients. His dream is to obtain a dual degree, becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon and earning a master's in public health. Steven serves as Give – Mentor – Love Foundation's Peer Advocate.
Edwin G. Schuck, Jr.
General Counsel to the Foundation
Mr. Schuck brings over 40 years’ international large-firm experience to his tax and corporate law practice, which focuses on middle market and public complex business transactions, market mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, ESOP leveraged buyouts and executive compensation. His practice also involves corporate governance, fiduciary responsibility, tax-exempt entities and finance, public and private finance, partnership, joint venture, real estate and international and cross-border taxation and transactions, as well as federal, state and local tax controversies and litigation. Prior Practice Schuck Law Group’s offices are in downtown Los Angeles. Mr. Schuck began his law practice in 1970 in New York at Sullivan & Cromwell, where he specialized in taxation. He moved his practice to Los Angeles in 1980, where he has been a tax partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson and at McDermott Will & Emery (Chair of California Tax Practice). His law practice has expanded to include the corporate, M&A and complex business transactions described above. He is an active member of the New York and California State Bars.
Julie Dell'Aquila Hernandez
Advisory Board Chair
Julie is an Advisory Board Chair for Give - Mentor - Love Foundation. Julie recently retired from the wine and spirit industry after 19 years to devote more time to her family and to dedicate more time giving back. She believes when you are blessed, and you can, you must give. She has a passion for serving our youth, identifying their needs, and fundraising for their future. Whether it is creating a home away from home at the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside where she has served on the Board of Directors since 2010, giving hope, courage, and love to those with none on the Cottage Guild serving Rosemary’s Children Services as a board member in 2013 to what Give - Mentor - Love - Foundation is today, or holding hands of the dying and her work with Southern California Hospice Foundation since 2010, and as a PTO Chair at St. Rita School in Sierra Madre, she is always on a mission to find ways to spread love and kindness to support our youth throughout Southern California. She is a wife and mother of triplets.
Brittianna Robinson
Peer Coach
Brittianna is a resilient and outgoing survivor youth advocate with a powerful story that can connect with diverse communities. Through her involvement in programs like Give - Mentor - Love, Saving Innocence, Two Wings Qualified Academy, UCLA’s Healing Youth Justice Reimagined Fellowship, The RightWay Foundation plus more. She's currently fulfilling her purpose by using her lived expertise, voice and faith to aid in the process of improving systems for youth across Los Angeles County. Brittianna has a clear vision of ways to improve the child welfare and juvenile justice system, while also empowering current and former CSEC youth. Brittianna is passionate about her purpose and excited to further her philanthropist endeavors. In addition to her advocacy and county employment, she is also a Chef! She has recently graduated from Los Angeles Trade Technical College with Associates Degrees in Restaurant Management, Professional Baking, and Culinary Arts. Brittianna's culinary career centers around her LLC, Nana’s Secret. Her way of giving back to her community is by offering likeskill culinary classes to systematically impacted youth in various shared living spaces, as well as previously mentioned non-profits. Nonetheless, Brittianna is a powerhouse, a true pillar of LA County.
Talya Thompson
Peer Coach
My name is Talya Thompson, and I am from Los Angeles, CA. I am an Advocate, Survivor, Peer Coach, Resource Navigator and much more. I am pursuing studies in Business and Civic Engagement. I am deeply committed to serving and supporting my community by providing guidance and reassurance and being a dependable source of support through each individual's healing journey and goal planning. I enjoy things like going out to eat and nature hikes! The advancement of community engagement resonates with me on a personal level. I find great fulfillment in bringing laughter and positivity to those around me, especially my survivor sisters. I am dedicated to using my time and skills to contribute to the betterment of my community, particularly by introducing realistic genuine experiences and wellness to individuals. The guidance to opportunities Is never ending. My passion lies in empowering others to thrive, rather than simply survive.
Kara Craig
Peer Coach
Hi, I'm Kara Craig! As a Peer Coach at Give - Mentor - Love, I'm passionate about empowering others. When I'm not coaching or studying fashion at the Fashion Career Institute, you can find me creating art, snuggling with my cat, or shopping with my grandma. I'm all about living life to the fullest and staying true to myself.
Amari Weatherby
Peer Coach
Amari is a dedicated advocate for foster youth and a passionate healthcare professional in training. Having entered the foster care system at the age of 13 and aging out without a permanent placement, Amari uses her lived experience to support and empower others navigating similar challenges. As a Peer Coach for Give - Mentor - Love, she provides guidance and mentorship to foster youth, helping them build resilience and achieve their goals. She is also actively involved with California Youth Connection, a nonprofit organization that advocates for foster youth and those impacted by the juvenile justice system. Amari has earned her Phlebotomy license and is currently pursuing a degree at Pasadena City College, where she is studying to become a Radiologist. With a strong commitment to both healthcare and youth advocacy, she strives to make a meaningful impact in her community by combining her personal experiences with professional expertise.
