Meet our dedicated Seacrest Foundation staff
Robin P. Israel, MPA
Chief Foundation Officer
Arthur & Sophie Brody Philanthropy Chair
760-516-2018
risrael@seacrestfoundation.org
Robin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and later moved to Arizona, where she attended the University of Arizona. With nearly 36 years of experience in philanthropic work, Robin currently serves as the Chief Foundation Officer of Seacrest Foundation and as a member of the Seacrest Village Executive Team. She leads her team with purpose and dedication, ensuring that future generations have a safe and secure place to live. Robin oversees the vision and all philanthropic activities of the Seacrest Foundation, which support both Seacrest Village and Seacrest at Home. In collaboration with a dynamic and diverse Board of Directors, she plays a strategic role in planning for the organization's future.
Robin holds a master’s degree in public administration and has been a featured speaker on public relations, marketing, and philanthropy. She has published several articles and twice co-chaired the National Association of Jewish Aging Services’ annual conference. Committed to her community, Robin is actively involved with various organizations in Southern California.
Robin and her husband, Ron, reside in Carlsbad. They have two compassionate and remarkable children, who share their commitment to giving back and improving the world for others. Robin enjoys distance walking, swimming, traveling, and, above all, spending time with family and friends.
Philanthropy is her life’s work, driven by the principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Robin believes that relationships are the foundation of any successful endeavor and have always made her work truly meaningful.
Shona Borevitz, CFRE
Director of Philanthropy
760-516-2003
sborevitz@seacrestfoundation.org
Pronouns: She/her
Born and raised in North San Diego County, Shona then attended the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated with a B.A. in Spanish Literature, doing a study abroad year in Madrid, Spain. She has spent nearly two decades working in nonprofit fundraising across the U.S. She is proud to have led a talented team to raise $8M annually to support those living with HIV/AIDS as the Event Director for AIDS Walk New York, the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. She has also been the Director for various other mass-participatory fundraising bike rides, runs, and walk-a-thons to raise funds for LGBTQIA Equality, to send children to Jewish summer camp who could not afford it, and more. Currently, Shona serves as the Director of Philanthropy for Seacrest Foundation and is honored to work with the generous and inspiring San Diego Jewish Community in raising funds to support Seacrest seniors in need. In this role she oversees the daily operations of the Foundation office and works closely with Chief Foundation Officer to create and execute the Strategic Plan for Seacrest Foundation. She is the publisher/editor for Seacrest Foundation’s biannual Happenings Magazine and is responsible for all charitable giving programs including The 211 Club. Shona believes, as Jews, we are commanded to honor our mothers and fathers, and it gives her great joy to work with families who are doing just that: supporting our community’s mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers in need.
Shona’s favorite place is the beach. She loves the 5 a.m. workout at OrangeTheory, traveling whenever possible, and spending time with her family (partner Tony, and three gorgeous kids: Elli, Gabe, and Madi).
Karen Moy, Ph.D.
Special Events Manager
760-516-2015
kmoy@seacrestfoundation.org
Karen joined the Seacrest Foundation team as the Special Events Manager in December of 2021. She is a native Southern Californian from Rancho Palos Verdes and has enjoyed living in San Diego since 2005. She is a Fulbright scholar and spent five years at the University of Auckland, New Zealand pursuing her doctoral degree in Public Health. She also has a master’s degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Health Sciences. Prior to joining Seacrest Foundation, she ran her own nonprofit for seven years, organizing fundraising events to support a variety of causes and local nonprofits. Karen is also an experienced grant writer and has secured millions of dollars in funding for community health-related research projects and programs, both in California and New Zealand. She has an advanced belt in Krav Maga and was an instructor for women’s self-defense classes prior to the pandemic. She also enjoys boxing, golfing, gardening and spending time with friends and family.
Elana Schiff
Foundation Associate
760-516-2019
eschiff@seacrestfoundation.org
Elana, a San Diego native, returned to her hometown in 2017 after spending most of her adult life in Arizona. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in 1988. During her time in Arizona, she balanced a career in the Cosmetic/Retail industry with raising her daughters and became involved in various non-profit organizations. Elana served on her synagogue board and several others, even leading as chapter president for the NCL Sonoran Centennial Chapter.
This journey ultimately led her to pursue her passion for the non-profit sector. Before joining Seacrest, Elana worked as the Event and Donor Relations Manager for another local non-profit while actively volunteering throughout the community.
Elana has a long-standing connection with the Seacrest community. Her grandparents were residents, and she frequently brought her daughters to volunteer at bingo during her summer visits. Her parents remain active supporters, and she has collaborated with her mother on several Women’s Auxiliary Gala committees in recent years.
Elana’s deep-rooted passion for Seacrest Village brings her to the Foundation, and she is thrilled to be part of the team. When she’s not traveling or spending time with her family, you’ll find her enjoying a walk or a sunset at the beach. Elana currently resides in Del Mar.
