Board
BRENDA GANT
President
Brenda Gant has been a member of CSF since 2009 and has served in various offices and capacities over the years. She supports CSF because she strongly believes in education and the difference it can make in people’s lives. She believes that everyone who wants to continue their schooling should be able to do so, and is grateful to be involved with an organization that supports such students. Brenda obtained her BA in Latin American Studies at UCLA and received her MBA at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. Brenda lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for over 20 years where she held a number of jobs, mostly notably as the General Manager of Photography by Samia, the Kingdom’s premier all-women’s photography studio. She also served as president of the American Ladies of Jeddah.
Brenda currently works as an office manager at two businesses in Pasadena, CA. She is also very active in the community, and is a member of several local non-profits. She is a Chamber Ambassador for the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, the Parliamentarian for the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club where she served as President for two terms. She is a member of the LCF Tournament of Roses and has been on the Memorial Days parade committee for the past 9 years. Brenda was an Alumni Scholar at UCLA and recently served on their scholarship review panel. Brenda has four adult children and is the stepmother to two more. Her husband, Jeff Hughes, works for the City of Glendale. She enjoys traveling, participating in book clubs and attending cultural events. In 2020, Brenda was a contestant on Jeopardy!
Rose Linda Gonzales
V.P. Scholarships
Rose Linda Gonzales is a seasoned real estate professional and licensed Realtor® whose commitment to her clients is unsurpassed. She creates a positive experience and communicates effectively through the entire process. Rose Linda has been fortunate to maintain lifelong relationships with her clients. She also has a strong background in real estate finance. She also holds one of the most prestigious designations — Certified Residential Specialist or CRS — which requires accomplishing both educational and production qualifications. Aside from her professional life, Rose Linda has been the Scholarship Chairperson for CSF since 2016, and actively volunteers in various organizations within the communities she serves.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Rose Linda was a Communication Arts major at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. She fluently speaks and writes in Tagalog. Rose Linda is also a writer and has published a short story, poem, and various articles in local newspapers and magazines.
KAREN MATHISON
V.P. Fundraising
Karen has been involved with CSF since 2006. She served as president from 2016 to 2020, and held other positions within the organization. Karen explains her passion for awarding scholarships stems from her first-hand experience receiving a $200 scholarship herself as a graduating high school senior. “More than the money,” she said, “My scholarship represented that people believed in me, and I believe the key to anyone’s future is an education, no matter what type. The most gratifying experience in CSF is looking at the grateful eyes of unsuspecting recipients, and that’s what buoys my spirit.”
Born and raised in Southern California, Karen graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in Business, with emphasis in Marketing. During her tenure with Acapulco Restaurants, she was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and was responsible for a $2 million budget for over 30 restaurants. When Karen decided to be a stay-at-home mom, she began using her talents volunteering in numerous community and school organizations. Karen and her husband, Marshall, have lived in La Cañada Flintridge since 1983 and enjoyed raising their three children in the lovely setting of the foothills. Marshall is a retired partner from the public accounting firm Deloitte, and together they enjoy traveling to their home on Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana, but most importantly they enjoy spending time with their children and their families.
MARSHALL MATHISON
Treasurer
Marshall has been involved with the Community Scholarship of La Canada Flintridge since 2014 and presently serves as the Treasurer and member of the Board. He has had a passion for children and education for many years and served on the Board of Junior Achievement of Southern California for over 20 years, including as Chairman of the Board from 2013-2015.
Prior to his retirement in 2016, Marshall was an audit partner with Deloitte for 14 years and with Arthur Andersen prior to that time for 27 years. During his professional career, he traveled extensively with his clients, mentored younger staff and was in leadership positions at both Andersen and Deloitte.
Since retiring, Marshall has enjoyed traveling with his wife Karen, spending time in Montana, having some golf adventures and becoming a grandfather.
TRISH MCRAE
Secretary
Trish McRae joined CSF in May of 2018. Currently, McRae is the Secretary and is excited to help the Foundation thrive and expand its membership. As a CSF liaison to schools, Trish is working to spread the word about the scholarships available to students. She believes her quest to seek out new CSF members will bring long term benefits for students as they receive their scholarships to assist them on their way to achieving their dreams in life.
With degrees in Child Development and Marketing, Trish has made it her life’s mission to inspire children and teens to achieve their greatest potential. Originally from the town of Gilroy, the Garlic Capital, Trish worked in advertising, public relations and also had an extensive career as a realtor. Simultaneously, she served as a stage manager in children’s musical theater, was a coach for soccer and softball, Girl Scout Troop Leader and mentor to teens.
Married for over 34 years, she has 3 children with her husband David who is a Senior Load Dispatcher in the power industry and past member of the GUSD Board of Education. They moved their family to La Cañada Flintridge over nine years ago, and Trish has dedicated herself to motivating children to attain their brightest future.
Philanthropic endeavors are of enormous importance to McRae and she serves as the president of the LCF Junior Women’s Club, program chair of the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada, LCF Tournament of Roses Association member, and serves as an Ambassador for the LCF Chamber of Commerce.