Our Board
Brandon Bernstein
Brandon Bernstein is an accomplished Financial Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Prior to his career in wealth management, he worked as an Investment Banker in Corporate, Public, and Real Estate fixed income, giving him a unique perspective on the financial landscape. Today, he advises and implements financial strategies for affluent families and individuals, privately held companies, and non-profit organizations, helping them achieve their financial goals.
Brandon's dedication to his clients has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition from Forbes as a Best-In-State Advisor for 2020-2022, and as a "Five Star Wealth Manager" in Los Angeles Magazine for eight consecutive years, from 2013-2021.
Outside of his work as a Financial Advisor, Brandon is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for The Beacon House Association of San Pedro, a residential drug and alcohol program for adult men. In his free time, Brandon enjoys surfing, skiing, and spending quality time with his family.
"Prince" Michael Jackson Jr.
"Prince" Michael Jackson Jr. imparts inspiring levels of passion and diligence on everything from philanthropy to independent film and media production. As founder of King’s Son Productions, Prince catalyzes the creation of music videos, shorts, features, and so much more. At the center of operations, he attracts a community of artists around him to bring unforgettable content to life together.
As co-founder of the charity Heal LA, he aids and abets victims of homelessness, hunger, poverty, and child abuse through boots-on-the-ground activism, food drives, toy drives, and other events in major cities across North America. Prince's community work has been lauded by, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Los Angeles Times, and many more. Prince was also awarded the 2018 “Youth Advocacy Award” from Motif Awards International Selection Committee & Board of Governors. Prince proudly carries on a legacy of creativity and philanthropy as the eldest son of Michael Jackson.
He enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing with his dogs, and spending time with his family.
John Muto
John Muto realized the importance of giving back at an early age, a value that has guided him ever since. Growing up as a big Michael Jackson fan, he was inspired after watching the 2003 documentary Michael Jackson’s Private Home Movies, where he was first introduced to Jackson’s charitable side and his foundation, Heal the World Foundation. Seeing Michael’s dedication to helping others made a lasting impression on John and shaped his own desire to pursue a life of service.
Today, John serves as the Co-Founder & President of the Heal Los Angeles Foundation, which he launched with Michael Jackson’s first-born, Prince Jackson, in 2019. The two met while pursuing their undergraduate degrees at Loyola Marymount University, where they first started Heal LA as a student service organization. After graduating, they transformed Heal LA into a nonprofit organization to continue expanding its impact in the community.
John is a lifelong sports fan who loves cheering on his Lakers and Dodgers and sharing those experiences with family and friends. He is also an avid collector who appreciates the traditions of the sports experience, from keeping physical tickets to saving newspapers from memorable moments. His biggest passion is collecting autographed baseballs, and among his prized possessions is one signed by Michael Jackson, which he considers the highlight of his collection.
Jarvis Sam
Jarvis Sam is the visionary CEO and Founder of Rainbow Disruption, a forward-thinking DEI firm revolutionizing workplaces through innovative diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. As the former Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Nike Inc., Jarvis championed initiatives to enhance diverse representation and inclusive leadership, collaborating with iconic figures like Serena Williams and LeBron James and partners such as the WNBA and NFL. Recognized for his groundbreaking work, he earned spots on Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Sports (2021) and Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. A Houston native, Jarvis graduated summa cum laude from Rice University with degrees in History, Public Policy, and Sport Management, later earning an MBA from Brown University and IE School of Business.
Jarvis is also the author of the best-selling book DEI CREDENTIAL, a cornerstone resource for organizations and professionals striving for DEI excellence. His thought leadership extends to academia as a Professor of Practice at Brown University and UC Berkeley, where he educates future leaders on DEI principles. A sought-after speaker, Jarvis has delivered over 400 speeches and panels worldwide, cementing his reputation as a global authority in the field.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Jarvis is a passionate advocate for the arts and community engagement. He enjoys musical theater, recently starring as Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls, and frequently delights audiences with renditions of Tina Turner’s greatest hits in Portland, OR, where he resides. With a love for concerts, film, and sports, Jarvis's vibrant personality and multifaceted interests reflect his dedication to creating a more inclusive and dynamic world.
Eric Pleschner
Eric Pleschner’s commitment to the arts, business, and philanthropy was shaped by a remarkable family legacy. From a young age, he was surrounded by individuals whose creative and charitable pursuits left lifelong impressions. His great aunt Kiviette was the longest reigning costume designer on Broadway from 1920 to 1950, while her cousin Lillian Nassau became a globally respected authority on Tiffany glass. Their legacies live on through museum donations and institutions that still bear their names. Eric’s grandmothers played pivotal roles. One championed charitable work in San Francisco and involved him early on, another earned a master’s degree in art and ran an antiques shop. His grandfather, a career business consultant, was an important mentor. Charles Becker, who joined the family in the mid 1970s, introduced Eric to the world of philanthropy and would later become the namesake of the Charles A. Becker Foundation.
Eric graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Business, but his entrepreneurial and philanthropic pursuits had already begun. He launched his own graphics and publishing business, later opening an art gallery to support local emerging artists, and helped establish a gallery association in Sacramento. In 1992, while running the gallery, he became CFO of a nonprofit with a multi-million-dollar annual budget, and participated in an arts delegation to St. Petersburg, Russia. That cultural exchange evolved into a landmark partnership for international adoption, uniting children from Siberian orphanages with families in California.
In 1997, Eric helped establish the Charles A. Becker Foundation alongside Charles, financial advisors, and attorneys. As President for nearly thirty years, he has overseen the distribution of more than ten million dollars to impactful youth programs and community development projects. His leadership has allowed him to work closely with a diverse range of organizations, sometimes serving as an advisor or board member. Eric’s dedication to empowering young people stems from personal experience with childhood trauma and a deep belief in the transformative power of positive influence. He is passionate about helping youth build confidence and pursue their passions, believing that doing so not only uplifts individuals but also contributes to a better and more hopeful future.
Raymond Dennis
Raymond Dennis, MBA, MTH is a highly respected individual with a diverse range of experience and expertise. He retired as Vice President of Loyola Marymount University and now serves as a Pastor and Faith Leader in South Los Angeles. Ray is deeply involved in his community, with a particular focus on issues related to education, faith, and social justice.
In addition to his community work, Ray is a current California Notary and a Board Member with the University Credit Union of Los Angeles, where he lends his financial expertise and guidance to help the organization achieve its mission. He also operates a licensed childcare facility with his spouse in the South Bay, which provides much-needed support to families in the area.
Outside of his professional and community work, Ray is an avid sports fan who enjoys supporting all the local college and professional sports teams. He is also a devoted family man, married with five adult children. His dedication to his family and community has earned him great respect and admiration from all who know him.
Nikki Garcia is a Practice Director at Robert Half, specializing in placing accounting and finance professionals. With a strong background in nonprofit development, Nikki has made significant contributions to the industry. Prior to joining Robert Half, she served as a Development leader for the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), where she played a key role in the creation of the highly successful multi-million dollar 50/50 Raffle program and benefit gala. Under her leadership, LADF experienced a remarkable 1,000% increase in fundraising.
Nikki's dedication to the Los Angeles community has been widely recognized, and her efforts contributed to LADF being awarded the prestigious 2020 ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year. Her remarkable achievements have also earned her the distinction of being named the 2021 NextGen Collective 30 Under 30 honoree.
Nikki holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Chapman University, with a Minor in Integrated Educational Studies."
Nikki Garcia
Michael Scott
Michael J. Scott is a dedicated police officer who has been serving the Los Angeles community since 1998. As a Senior Lead Officer in the Community Safety Partnership Unit of the San Fernando Gardens, he works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents he serves.
In addition to his duties as a police officer, Michael is also the founder of the Los Angeles Police Baseball Foundation, a non-profit organization that brings police, youth, and the community together through America's favorite pastime. The foundation's youth clinics and interactive events have positively impacted thousands of children in Los Angeles and beyond. Michael's commitment to youth outreach extends beyond the baseball field, as he also created and trademarked the "Just Say No!" school program, which aims to prevent drug use, gang involvement, crime, and bullying. This program has reached over 30,000 kids and has been an inspiration to many.
Outside of his work and philanthropic efforts, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, four children, three grandchildren, and extended family. He is also an avid sports and music fan and loves attending live events. Michael's dedication to serving the community and positively impacting youth is truly admirable, and his efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals.