Our Founders

Mary Fagnano,
Co-Founder/Executive Director

Along with her husband, Jay, Mary founded the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation in 2015. Mary left her career of 23 years in advertising and marketing to start the Foundation, which was inspired by Nick’s character strengths. Mary gained experience in the nonprofit sector, while working on TJNFF nights and weekends. Between 2014 and 2019, Mary held advancement positions at the University of Southern California and served as development officer for Hope Street Margolis Family Center in Downtown Los Angeles. In November 2019, Mary became TJNFF’s full-time Executive Director. Her passion for the Foundation’s mission combined with her love for her son and desire to keep Nick’s light shining, has increased the Foundation’s revenue and allowed for a positive impact on over 9,750 young people and volunteers.

Jay began his career as a restaurant entrepreneur after which he became a sales executive in the corporate food service industry. Upon retiring from the corporate world in 2015, he established Thrive Kitchen LA, which has grown into a highly successful Los Angeles catering company serving universities, professional sports teams, private in-home events, and corporate events. His knowledge of event planning, finance, staff management, and logistics has been critical to the success of the Foundation’s fundraising and community-building events. Jay has been instrumental in garnering support for the annual NDHS/TJNFF Baseball Extravaganza fundraiser. Jay and Nick shared a deep connection through baseball, and much of the Foundation’s mission is grounded on the principles Jay imparted to Nick as his dad, coach, and his best friend.

Jay Fagnano,
Co-Founder/Vice President

Board Leadership

Joseph LaBrie

BOARD CHAIR
Dr. Joseph LaBrie is a professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University in LA and a nationally recognized researcher/scholar on adolescent and emerging adult (college student) development.
Kristine Charlotte Williams

SECRETARY
Kris is recently retired after a long first career in management, product development and design, and marketing and business development with major national retailers, and a second career as a librarian.
Hugo Sanchez

TREASURER
Hugo is the Director of Finance at LA Promise Fund. He is responsible for financial management across the organization and Westbrook Academy. Sanchez has 15+ years in finance including consulting with institutional clients and director roles for organizations focused on youth.

Board Directors

Sarah Batizy

Sarah manages all aspects of student life, including clubs, events, external partnerships, and the Hybrid High Senior Pathways and Advisory Programs.
Amy Godinez

Amy served as a club lead for Club Thrive in Joy during her time at USC Hybrid High. She is now a full time business major at USC Marshall School of Business. “Amy’s Sweet Delicias” is her small business, creating desserts from her home bakery.
Scott Hagizadegan

Scott is a speaker, entrepreneur, best-selling author, marine captain and philanthropist. Scott is the founder of his current company, Shield IT Networks.
Mary Hawley

Mary has over 30 years of experience in broadcast media sales and has held various marketing leadership roles. She currently leads the corporate sponsorship team at one of the top NPR affiliates in the country, KPCC.
Josue Najera

DIRECTOR OF DR PROGRAMS
Josue is a partner at Equinox Commercial Real Estate. He and Nick grew up playing baseball together and, before joining the board, Josue was a co-leader on several TJNFF trips to the Dominican Republic.
Elizabeth Rojas

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING (STAFF)
Elizabeth has served as a co-leader on several TJNFF trips to the DR. She is a two-time graduate of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, and is an independent gerontologist in the Los Angeles area.
Joye Swan

Dr. Joye Swan earned her PhD in Applied Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She is currently professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Social Sciences at Woodbury University in Los Angeles.