Teresa is a proud New York native whose commitment to service began early, growing up in a family of five children where giving back wasn’t just encouraged — it was expected. That foundational value shaped her life’s purpose. Since moving to California in 1991, she has devoted more than 25 years to the corporate event and nonprofit sectors, creating meaningful experiences that inspire, uplift, and build community.
Driven by a deep belief in the power of service, Teresa has dedicated her career to helping people see — and feel — the profound impact of volunteering. She is recognized as a trusted leader in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) space, partnering with organizations to build purpose-driven programs that strengthen teams and communities alike. Her leadership style is grounded in trust, collaboration, and authenticity — always empowering others and valuing every voice at the table.
Over the course of her career, Teresa has developed a reputation for building authentic, long-lasting relationships with corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. She approaches every initiative with gratitude and purpose, and considers it a privilege to help others experience the joy, connection, and personal growth that come from service.
Teresa co-founded ISM Sports with her husband Dave in 1999, producing major events nationwide, each with a charitable component. Her expertise spans budgeting, venue negotiation, sponsorship strategy and fulfillment, marketing, operations, hospitality, and large-scale event production. She has also led volunteer and service-based programming through organizations including Kids Korps USA and HandsOn San Diego, creating hundreds of impactful service opportunities for youth, families, and corporate teams.
Her leadership in nonprofit management spans more than two decades, strengthening organizations, building cross-sector partnerships, and designing service experiences that empower individuals to connect, serve, and lead with purpose.
Passionate, enthusiastic, and grounded in gratitude, Teresa believes every volunteer moment has the power to change lives — including our own.
Teresa lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, Dave. Their sons, Nick and Matt, are graduates of San Diego State University and her daughter, Elizabeth, is currently attending the University of Alabama. Teresa’s love of family and community continues to fuel her mission: bringing people together to serve, support one another, and create meaningful impact year-round.