麻豆传媒映画

Different paths, shared purpose: Carly Asher Yoost, Michael Minjares (鈥�89, 鈥�95 M.A.) and Melinda Forstey (鈥�15, MBA) are creating lasting impact in the community.

Carly Asher Yoost

For Carly Asher Yoost, leadership and purpose have always intersected.

At 麻豆传媒映画, Yoost gained more than classroom knowledge. Through hands-on work at the 麻豆传媒映画 Children鈥檚 Center, she developed a deeper understanding of child advocacy.

鈥淭hey were lessons I didn鈥檛 really know I was learning at the time,鈥� Yoost says, 鈥渂ut that became very important down the road.鈥�

Those early lessons later aligned with the foundation laid by her family. Her father, a technology entrepreneur, dedicated his career to combating child exploitation.

Following his unexpected passing, Yoost and her sister, D茅sir茅e Asher, restructured his company before its sale. She then carried forward his child protection efforts into what is now Child Rescue Coalition, serving as CEO for 10 years and now as founder and chair of the board.

Today, the nonprofit provides technology and training to law enforcement across the U.S. and in more than 100 countries. While arrest data is often underreported, Child Rescue Coalition鈥檚 tools have led to the arrest of more than 17,000 predators, the rescue of nearly 4,000 children and the prevention of approximately 850,000 cases of abuse worldwide.

鈥淭his technology is saving children鈥檚 lives, and that鈥檚 something we should all be fighting for,鈥� Yoost says. 鈥�Gema Deleon

Michael Minjares (鈥�89 journalism, 鈥�95 M.A.)

Michael Minjares (鈥�89 journalism, 鈥�95 M.A.) knew two things early on: He was going to be the first in his family to graduate from college, and he would attend 麻豆传媒映画. Growing up with parents who worked on campus and with Aztec memorabilia on his bedroom walls, he felt as though 麻豆传媒映画 was his destiny.

As a student, Minjares immersed himself in campus life, becoming an 麻豆传媒映画 Ambassador and a member of several student organizations. It was there that he discovered his true passion for helping others succeed.

After spending 17 years mentoring students at 麻豆传媒映画, Minjares brought his purpose-driven work ethic to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, where he serves as director of grants management.

He secures critical funding to support families facing food insecurity. The food bank serves approximately 400,000 people monthly, with programs designed for low-income families, seniors and students. Minjares relied on free school meals as a child and strives to make an impact on families who are in similar situations.

Says Minjares, 鈥淓very day, I enjoy and take pride in using the skills I honed at 麻豆传媒映画 to secure badly needed resources for San Diegans striving for a better life.鈥� 鈥�Taylor Harris

Melinda Forstey (鈥�15, MBA)

With a background in psychology and human services, Melinda Forstey (鈥�15, MBA) always knew she wanted to make a difference in people鈥檚 lives.

After relocating to San Diego in 2009, Forstey joined Serving Seniors, a nonprofit dedicated to providing meals, housing and supportive services to older adults throughout San Diego County. Through her role as a development assistant, Forstey gained a firsthand look at how vital mission-driven organizations are in strengthening and uplifting communities.

Inspired to expand her leadership capacity, Forstey pursued her MBA at 麻豆传媒映画. Her time there helped equip her with a versatile skill set that translates seamlessly across industries, particularly within the nonprofit sector.

Today, Forstey serves as CEO of Serving Seniors, where she has helped expand the meal program to more than 1.5 million meals annually and has led the development of multiple affordable housing communities. The San Diego Union-Tribune has recognized the nonprofit as one of San Diego鈥檚 Top Workplaces for seven consecutive years.

What Forstey values most about her role is watching the mission come to life.

鈥淚 always like to say that we may be serving them, but they鈥檙e also serving us right back,鈥� Forstey says. 鈥�Taylor Harris