Meet Our BoardBuilders Coaches

The BoardBuilders coaching team consists of trained executive coaches with decades of nonprofit leadership experience, each bringing their unique specialties and rich backgrounds to the table. Whether you’re navigating leadership challenges, seeking strategic clarity, or striving for personal growth, our coaches are here to guide and support you every step of the way.

REGINA BETTE 

Regina Bette, a seasoned nonprofit leader with 12 years of executive experience managing budgets from $10 million to $20 million, brings a wealth of expertise to her coaching practice, focusing on C-Suite executives. With a 15-year board tenure and current involvement with Mariners Outreach Foundation, Regina actively supports Catalina Island’s youth through initiatives like field trips, college tours, and scholarships. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes a collaborative partnership, specializing in organizational change management, data-driven decision-making, national accreditation, leadership development, securing and managing grants, and exploring DEI impact on work group and organizational performance, fundraising strategies, and mergers/acquisitions. Regina’s coaching style is characterized by a democratic, goal-focused, and collaborative approach, enriched by straightforward feedback, ensuring positive outcomes for both individuals and organizations. Confidential coaching references are available upon request.

PAUL CASTRO

Paul, a senior consultant at Applied Strategy Associates, draws on his extensive background in executive and senior leadership to offer expertise in executive coaching, organizational capacity building, board development, and interim executive services. His professional nonprofit experience includes roles such as Interim Executive Director at The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and the Center for Storybased Strategy, Interim Vice-President at The National Network to End Domestic Violence, President and CEO at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, and Adjunct Faculty at American Jewish University and Visiting Faculty at Zelikow School of Nonprofit Management, teaching governance, advocacy, ethics, and nonprofit management. Additionally, he has served on national and regional boards including as Chair of the Board at Evident Change and as a member of the National Advisory Group for the Nonprofit Finance Fund’s Healthy Outcomes Initiative Project and the California Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC).

MITCH DORGER

Mitch Dorger, a seasoned management consultant based in Pasadena, California, boasts over four decades of professional experience, including 21 years as a chief executive officer, with 17 years dedicated to leading nonprofit organizations. Since 2011, he has been providing invaluable consultancy services to nonprofit entities, specializing in strategic planning, board development, financial management, organizational effectiveness, and personal leadership coaching, characterized by his relaxed and empathetic style. With a knack for creative problem-solving, Mitch has guided numerous individuals and clients towards success. Previously, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for a decade and held leadership positions at the Claremont Colleges consortium and an organization supporting seven colleges. Prior to his nonprofit roles, Mitch spent 26 years as a career Air Force officer, culminating in his position as the Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Academy. He holds a B.S. Degree in political science from the United States Air Force Academy, an M.A. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and an Executive MBA from Claremont Graduate University.

DEBRA J.T. PADILLA

Debra J.T. Padilla’s top skills are networking, strategic thinking, empathic listening, and holding a space for the team to be their highest and best. She is results-oriented, achieving in any metric, leadership, relevant, big picture outlook, strategic planner, integrated elements, thoughtful, superb work ethics, values with a moral compass, advocacy, influence, relationships, experienced in many portfolios, multi-faceted, commitment, passion, arts/culture fundamentals, diversity equity and inclusion, root cause problem solver, and embraces change. After a lifetime commitment to the arts, her concern and devotion, particularly to ensuring access for working-class artists and artists of color, is genuine and profound. She is culturally competent but works with cultural humility in all her collaborations, allowing her to appreciate others while living in the light of her own cultural identity. Her leadership comes from faith and the gift of listening to others with empathy and compassion.

ANDREA FOGGY-PAXTON

Andrea Foggy-Paxton, an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience spearheading innovative youth development and educational initiatives across government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. As the Founder and CEO of Foggy-Paxton Consulting, Andrea has demonstrated her commitment to advancing social causes through strategic consultancy. Over the past decade, she has served as the Managing Director of the Broad Center Los Angeles, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s trajectory and impact. Previously, Andrea has held key leadership positions, including Executive Vice President at Reasoning Mind in Houston, TX and as a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for over seven years. Andrea’s dedication to community service is evident through her active participation on various boards. She serves on the Coro Southern CA Board and Executive Committee, the Black Lives Matter Grassroots Board and Finance Chair, the iCivics Board, serving on both Program and Development Committees, and sits on the Board of the LA County Board of Education and its Audit Committee

JONATHAN ZEICHNER

Jonathan Zeichner, a dedicated nonprofit founder and CEO with over three decades of experience, has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of underserved populations in Los Angeles. Notably, he served as CEO for 13 years at A Place Called Home, following the founding and leadership of the acclaimed Inside Out Community Arts and directing the Imagination Workshop at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute. Recognized with awards such as the Executive Service Corps Megan G. Cooper Leadership Award and the Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management’s Award for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation, Zeichner is a respected figure in the nonprofit sector. In addition to his extensive leadership roles, Zeichner is an accomplished writer, director, and actor. As an independent consultant, he now shares his wealth of experience by supporting nonprofit organizations and executive leaders, fostering growth, and guiding meaningful transitions. Zeichner’s coaching approach emphasizes authenticity, transparency, curiosity, direct yet compassionate guidance, and integration of humor and warmth, all aimed at achieving desired outcomes while maintaining professionalism and excellence.