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Board Members

Donna Kindschuh

Donna Kindschuh

Board

Born and raised in Denver Colorado, I worked in the corporate world until I stopped to raise my children. We moved to Visalia in 2015 because of my husband's work. I have done a lot of volunteering, primarily the League of Women Voters of Tulare County. Green Acres Little Theater.

Kristine Herd

Kristine Herd

Board Emeritus

Our longest serving member, is the Owner / Operator at IS&T Consulting . Kris has graciously supported our foundation through time and hands on work.

Marie Line Labbee

Marie Line Labbee

Vice President

I'm an entrepreneur, mom, community advocate and marketing educator. My passion is to make digital marketing easy to understand. This world is always changing!

Melissa Lopez

Melissa Lopez

Board

Melissa Lopez is the Catering and Events Director at Revel Venues and Co- Owner of The Collective Catering. She has helped build the organization since 2019, which includes four event venues, multiple hospitality staff, Full service catering, and bar services. Melissa is a 2023-2024 Leadership Visalia graduate and a 2024-2025 Steering committee member. Prior to her current position, Melissa lived in New York for over 20 years where she managed large dental teams. Dentistry was always a passion, but her love for serving others allowed Melissa to flourish in the hospitality industry quickly. When not working, Melissa enjoys true crime and mystery shows, and is a huge Disney fan.

Griselda (Gracie) Morgan

Griselda (Gracie) Morgan

Board

My name is Griselda Morgan, I am 43 years old and I have been running a senior in-home care company for the last 9 years. I started caregiving at the age of 19 in the year 2000 while I attended Fresno State University as a pre-med student. I worked for a few in home care companies and assisted living for disabled adults as a caregiver and scheduling coordinator since then, until I opened my business in March of 2006. My business provides assistance with all activities of Daily Living as well as assistance with hospice care. I realized very early that I loved caregiving and was fulfilled by helping the seniors that most needed it and making a difference in their lives,Keeping them safe and comfortable in their home is one of the most important aspects of my business. building friendships with those that I cared for that eventually turned into almost family. I love to listen to music and visit with friends and family. I have an Autistic child that helps keep me grounded and spend most of my free time with him. I love to help people and be a lending hand in their time of need.

Elia Havner

Elia Havner

Treasurer

A life long Central Valley community member, sister, mother, wife and retired from being an Accounts Payable Specialist at Suncrest Bank.

Lisa Gutierrez Celaya

Lisa Gutierrez Celaya

Board

A proud Central Valley native, I was born and raised in Delano, CA, and have called Visalia home for the past 17 years. Inspired by my mother’s leadership—serving on Delano’s city council for over 12 years and as mayor for four terms—I’ve always felt a strong pull toward community involvement.

I earned my B.A. in Art from Fresno State in 1994 and began my design career in Sacramento, starting with Tower Records and then joining Government Technology (now e.Republic), a media company connecting tech leaders with the public sector.

In 2001, I launched my freelance graphic design business, working with clients like the United Spirit Association and E2k Entertainment, contributing to projects for the 49er and Charger Girls. After moving to Visalia in 2007 to raise my family, I continued freelancing and later joined Visalia Unified School District in 2015. I now serve as a full-time graphic designer for VUSD, supporting schools with everything from branding to site beautification.

Mary Jo ( MJ) Eastes

Mary Jo ( MJ) Eastes

Board

My primary community volunteer work is centered around Arts
Visalia, including fundraising for children's art classes and gallery
exhibits. 
Other community projects with which I been active recently
include “Art on Fire”, the recruiting and selecting of local artists to
creatively ‘theme-paint” 25 fire hydrants the length of Main Street
in downtown Visalia.
As a member of Visalia’s Breakfast Lions Club, I’ve been an
active helper of many of our community events and fundraisers
aimed at finding more ways to promote and give back to our
community.
Here is a list of my current board responsibilities:
 Vice President, Arts Visalia
 Member of the Visalia Breakfast Lions Club
 Advisory Board member for Salvation Army
 Vice President, Arts Consortium
I am also an active Pickleball player. As the fastest growing sport
over last few years, with all age groups, I feel that there is a huge
opportunity for Visalia to get our community members active and
moving. I challenge you to try it!

Michael Yenigues

Michael Yenigues

Board

My background:

BA Political Science - Cal Poly SLO
MA Coaching & Athletics Management - Concordia University, Irvine CA
MS Coaching & Exercise Science/Kinesiology - Concordia University, Irvine CA

Co-founder & Director of South Valley Aquatics (Certified USA Water Polo Coach and Certified USA Swimming Coach)
Creator and Director of SOVA - VUSD Middle School Water Polo Program (https://fb.watch/nsfigD2LEb/)
Head Coach for SOVA - Visalia Water Polo Academy
Head Boys Water Polo & Swim Coach @ Mt. Whitney High School (2015 - 2021)
Director of Sport for Boys Water Polo - Clovis East High School - (2022)
Head Boys Water Polo & Swim Coach @ El Diamante High School (2023)

I have been actively organizing and promoting the funding and construction of a competitive aquatics sports complex in Visalia since 2018.

Katia Clark

Katia Clark

Board

Katia has been a resident of Visalia and Tulare County since immigrating from Mexico to the United
States in 1975.
She is currently the Co-Founder and Secretary of HATCH, the Secretary for the PFLAG Tulare/Kings
board, and was a founding Board Member (2016-2022) and past Board Chair (2018-2020) of The Source
LGBT+ Center. She also serves on the Audit Committee for The Source LGBT+ Center and was a
Founding Member and past Volunteer Coordinator for The Central Valley Mutual Aid Fund (March
2020-October 2020).
Katia works as an HR Manager for WiseIn HR, an HR consulting firm that helps small businesses and
non-profits comply with state and federal laws.
Her dedication to Tulare County has earned her the Volunteer of the Year Award from ACT for Women
and Girls in 2016 and the Heart of a Lion Award from Visalia Pride Lions in 2019.
In her free time, Katia enjoys spending time with her family, embroidery, crocheting, and community
service.

Lisa Walsh

Lisa Walsh

President

I have served on the Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation Board since 2017, holding roles as Secretary, Vice Chair, and currently Chairman/President. I am a passionate community advocate, and brings years of leadership and volunteer experience to support local parks and recreation efforts. I am dedicated to enhancing quality of life in Visalia through strategic partnerships and creative programming.

Melanie Genanatti

Melanie Genanatti

Secretary

My name is Melanie Genanatti, to most kids, I’m known as Ms. Mel. I am an outdoor enthusiast, wife and mother of two. I'm a homeschool teacher who loves parks, sports, educating, mentoring and event planning for kids.

Victoria Balderas

Victoria Balderas

Board

Victoria Balderas is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 10 years of dedicated experience in the field. A proud native of the Central Valley, Victoria is deeply committed to fostering learning opportunities and promoting growth among individuals. Her passion for community involvement is evident through her active role as a member of the Visalia Leadership Steering Committee and as an Alumnus of the 2023-2024 Leadership Visalia Class.
Victoria finds immense fulfillment in contributing to her community, which she describes as essential to her sense of purpose. Alongside her high school sweetheart, Victoria is a devoted parent to four children. When she's not immersed in her professional endeavors, Victoria enjoys traveling with her family to support her children in competitive sports, cherishing these moments as valuable family time.

Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation

AKA: Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation 

Contact Us:

Tel: 559-429-5295

Board President

Lisa Walsh 815-353-0760

Email:  

foundation4visaliaparks@gmail.com

 

Socialize With Us:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 1032

Visalia, CA 93729

 

    © 2025 Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation 

    FKA: Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation 

    501 (c) 3: 77-0424247

     


     

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