The Staff and Board of MRG Foundation are pleased to announce Dena Zaldúa as Development Director effective March 19, 2019.

Ms. Zaldúa will be staff lead on MRG’s fundraising programs including our overall strategic vision, leadership and implementation. As a bilingual, bisexual, Jewish, Latina daughter of an immigrant, Ms. Zaldúa’s passion for social justice is both very personal and the driving force behind her 20-year career working mostly in philanthropy with non-profits and educational institutions. She has found a home for her calling to bring about a just and joyful world in her work as the Development Director for MRG Foundation.

“MRG is honored and humbled to have Dena as a part of our team — her career and service work has very clearly reflected a calling toward justice and building collective power through a professional commitment; simply put, she has dedicated her skills, intellect and life work to love and hope,” said Se-ah-dom Edmo, MRG’s Executive Director.

Before joining MRG, Dena was the Operations Manager for the Center for the Study of Women in Society at the University of Oregon. Prior to that, she was Development Director at Parenting Now and Associate Director of Development at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Dena also works as a consultant to help individuals, groups, and organizations check their race, class, gender, and other privileges and learn how to truly walk the talk of equity and justice. Dena earned a BA in Art History and Women’s Studies from Williams College, and is a member of Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Williams College Latinx and Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Alumni Associations.

Dena will be working from her home office in Eugene, where she lives with her son.