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Foundation Staff

Staff of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation

At Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation (SVMHF), we are proud to employ a stellar staff that assist us in reaching our goals of providing exceptional health care to our community.

Learn more about our staff below:

  • Kendra Howell, MPP, Executive Director

Kendra has worked at SVMHF since 1994, beginning as Program Director for Children’s Miracle Network. As Director of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, she is responsible for assisting the Board of Governors in all aspects of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts as well as reaching out to community members and businesses to promote funding critical resources and programs that benefit the Healthcare District. Prior to becoming an employee of Salinas Valley Memorial, Kendra worked in various positions at Disneyland including being named Disneyland Ambassador. Kendra holds a Masters of Public Policy from CSU Monterey Bay/Panetta Institute.

Kendra can be reached at (831) 755-0778 or email at khowell@svmh.com.

  • Sheri Dawes, CFRE, Development and Accounting Coordinator

Sheri has been with SVMHF since 1994. In 2013, she was one of 6 people in California to become a Certified Fund Raising Executive and joined a group of only 5,700 professionals around the world to hold the CFRE designation. Sheri assists in all areas of planning for the the Foundation’s many events, maintains all financial and donor data, and researches and prepares grant applications.

Sheri can be reached at (831) 759-1823 or email at sdawes@svmh.com.

  • Melissa Gross, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program Manager​

Melissa has been with the Hospital since 2008 and became part of SVMHF in 2010. Melissa graduated from Golden Gate University in San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management, and is a member of AFP. She is responsible for the fundraising activities and operations of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) program, which includes 16 annual corporate campaigns, 3 annual Radiothons, national fundraising events and our local Miracle Makers’ Gala Dinner and Auction.

Melissa can be reached at (831) 755-0777 or email at mgross@svmh.com.

  • Chelsea Storm-Larsen, Donor Relations Coordinator

Chelsea joined SVMHF in 2016 as the Donor Relations Coordinator. Chelsea graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Community Health. She currently sits on the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Board as Membership Chair for the third year and is on the local National Philanthropy Day committee. Chelsea is passionate about connecting with donors and learning why they support the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Chelsea can be reached at (831) 759-3017 or email at cferraro@svmh.com.

  • Jaime Shipman, Department Secretary

Jaime has been with the Hospital for 27 years and joined SVMHF in 2013. She works with the Foundation Board and Staff to complete projects, supports special events and coordinates meetings.

Jaime can be reached at (831) 759-1880 or email at jshipman@svmh.com.