Team

Michelle Ahearne, Executive Director

Natural Highs: Horror Movies, Reading and Live Music

Michelle rejoined SMF as Executive Director after working as a consultant with the organization to engage in strategic planning and other organizational development. She earned a BA in Social Work from Cornell University and a MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 10 years. In her free time, she consults for other nonprofits and volunteers at church and on the Director’s Circle at Shakti Rising, a nonprofit organization that provides holistic, gender-specific and trauma-informed services to young women, ages 15–30, who are dealing with multiple issues including substance abuse, body-image issues, interpersonal violence, and depression”  with: a social change organization transforming the lives of women, girls, and the larger community.

She also serves as on the Advisory Board for the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research at the University of San Diego.

Originally from upstate New York, Michelle has been part of the San Diego community for the last 5 years.  
 

Sasha Clifton, Director of Programs & Community Engagement

Natural Highs: Laughing & Mountain Climbing

Sasha Clifton has been committed to the non-profit sector for more than ten years. Her love for recreation and program development began with her summer days as camp counselor for Girl Scouts, Spirit of Nebraska. Following summer camp Sasha would lead camping and rock climbing trips to South Dakota with girl scouts who wanted to engage more deeply in their love for nature and adventure. While studying at the University of Nebraska and earning her BA in Recreation Administration and Nonprofit Management, Sasha continued her climb at Girl Scouts from receptionist, to store associate and eventually camp director, program director and volunteer coordinator. Sasha moved to San Diego, CA in the fall of 2007 where she continued to volunteer for Girl Scouts, San Diego – Imperial Council and further her programming skills at the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. Sasha quickly began providing services to the thousands of people affected by epilepsy in San Diego. The epilepsy community was in need of education and support; a sense of strength from one another in the fight to participate in all life experiences Read More...

Marcia Waitt, Education Coordinator

Natural Highs: Golfing, Gardening & Cooking

After earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University, Marcia has worked in education as both a teacher and counselor at the secondary level for twenty-five years in both California and Iowa. She is a Master Educator, always striving for new and innovative teaching methods and approaches to the curriculum. Marcia has always been interested in the effects of drug and alcohol use on the adolescent personality in addition to its physical effects, and primarily its impact on identity formation during this critical period of development. Furthermore, she has observed the effects and impact of role modeling on a young person’s behavior. Also a parent of both grown children and a teen, Marcia believes it is critical to engage parents in this message.

Christin Martin, Administrative Coordinator

Natural Highs: Going to church and Spending Time with Family and Friends

Christin Martin a San Diego native joined SMF January 2009 while obtaining her AA degree at Grossmont College. She plans to continue her education at San Diego State in hopes of attaining her BA in English. Christin has gained non-profit experience while working for The San Diego Electrical Training Center. The Natural High message hits very close to home for her, because she has seen first hand through family and friends how drugs can destroy lives. Christin is a woman of strong faith and credits all her achievements and success to God. She enjoys movies, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Allura Garis, Youth Engagement Coordinator

Natural Highs: Activism & Music

Allura is a freshman at Mesa College. She learned about Natural High at its booth at the Vans Warped Tour Concert in San Diego in 2010, when she was a student at Point Loma Charter. Before joining the Natural High staff, she volunteered more than 1,500 hours and has always been an influential youth voice and face in multiple Natural High campaigns. Allura created the "I Chose a Natural High" blog, co-presented at that Boost Conference and at multiple events in the community.

Krista Fiser, Operations Manager

Natural Highs: Running (Bio & Picture Coming soon!)

Board Members

Jon Sundt, President and Founder

Natural High: Surfing

Jon Sundt, is the President and CEO of Altegris Investments, a broker dealer specializing in providing sophisticated investors with access to hedge funds and other alternative investments. He is also the founder and President of International Traders Research Inc. (ITR), a highly acclaimed research firm that provides performance information on alternative investment programs worldwide.  ITR’s research has been used and quoted by a variety of financial publications and organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Alternative Investment Management Association, among others.

Outside of his business ventures, Jon is the founder and President of the Sundt Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to preventing substance abuse by changing the hearts and minds of youth. To accomplish this mission, the Foundation hosts assemblies, provides educational material and has produced the highly acclaimed ‘Natural High’ video series, featuring the nation’s top action sports athletes. The Foundation’s work has been far reaching, touching the lives of millions of students across the country.

Jon is a lifelong resident of La Jolla and attended UCSD, majoring in Computer Science and Economics. When he is not working with Altegris or the Foundation, Jon is at home with his wife, daughter and son.

Josh Billauer, Board Member

Natural High: Surfing

Josh Billauer has been with Wells Fargo Advisors (and its predecessor firms) since 1998. A First Vice President – Investments and PIM Portfolio Manager, Josh helps to manage nearly $500 million of individual and institutional assets.

Josh currently serves as a Board Member for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a national non-profit that raises awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research. His philanthropic work has earned him several accolades, including recognition on San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, the San Diego 10News Leadership Award and a NonProfit Times “Top Non-Profit Executives” list.

Josh also serves as a Sergeant with the San Diego Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA) and sits on the Board of Directors for the Sundt Memorial Foundation, a San Diego charity whose mission is to promote an anti-drug lifestyle to our nation’s youth. Josh’s non-profit contributions have been published in major publications, including the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, San Diego Union Tribune, Los Angeles Times, La Jolla Light, NonProfit Times, and others.

Josh completed his undergraduate work at University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and later earned a Masters of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial and Tax Planning from San Diego State University (SDSU).

Josh and his wife Ricki have two daughters, Lexi and Sadie. Josh was a competitive surfer with UCSD, winning two national titles. His personal interests include the going to SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo with his daughters, movies, surfing, travel, and golf.

Doug Kay, Board Member

The Sundt Memorial Foundation welcomed Douglas G. Kay to its Board of Directors in 2008. Doug has been a passionate supporter of SMF for many years and will be an asset as a board member, bringing with him a wealth of experience and relationships with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations locally and nationally. 

Doug is currently the President of New Providence Private Equity, LLC and is the founder of Blue Sky Marketing. He holds a BA in Political Science from California Polytechnic University and has held several leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, including Director of Public Policy at Focus on the Family. He and his wife, Cathy, have four children and seven grandchildren.