CSUSM Foundation Board Welcomes Seven New Directors

The Cal State San Marcos Foundation Board has welcomed seven new directors for the 2026-27 academic year.

Under the leadership of Chair Simon Kuo, retired vice president of corporate quality at Viasat, and Vice Chair Kristin Crellin, senior vice president at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the Foundation Board advances philanthropic investments that support student success and academic excellence.

The new directors join the board at a time of significant progress at CSUSM. The university is ranked No. 1 in the nation on the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index and is expecting a record 17,500 students this year. This momentum extends to Blueprint for the Future, CSUSM's comprehensive campaign to advance student success, research and the university's impact across the region. To date, the campaign has reached 86% of its $200 million goal in philanthropic and research funding.

"I am pleased to welcome this new cohort of directors to the CSUSM Foundation Board," Kuo said. "As CSUSM continues to evolve, their experience and leadership will help us harness the power of philanthropy to change the trajectory of students' lives. I look forward to working with our new directors as we build on this progress and continue advancing the goals of Blueprint for the Future."

The Foundation Board's newly elected directors are:

Barbara Fischer

Fischer is an attorney at Fischer & Ritchey LLP, a law firm that focuses on estate planning, business formation and planning, nonprofit formation, operations and compliance, and charitable and gift planning. She earned a master's degree in legislative affairs at George Washington University and worked for two U.S. senators and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives as a legislative assistant. She then obtained a law degree from California Western School of Law and is a partner with her daughter in their law practice.

Kevin Harkenrider

Harkenrider retired from Viasat in August after a 19-year career with the company, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief corporate officer. Previous roles with Viasat included chief operating officer, president of commercial networks and president of satellite services. His background spans more than 40 years in diverse industries such as shipbuilding, information technology, electronics manufacturing and telecommunications. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Greg Hunter

Hunter is the CEO of Hunter Industries, an irrigation manufacturing company founded in San Marcos in 1982. A mechanical engineering graduate of Cornell University, he has spent his career helping advance innovative irrigation and outdoor solutions while continuing his family's legacy of leadership at Hunter Industries. He also has a strong commitment to community service, having served for more than a decade on the Board of Managers of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego, including four years as chairman. A lifelong learner, he enjoys challenging himself academically and has been taking advanced mathematics courses at CSUSM.

The Foundation Board's newly appointed directors are:

Rebeca Perren

The new faculty representative, Perren is a CSUSM marketing professor whose work focuses on business education, emerging technology, consumer behavior and marketplace equity. An award-winning educator and researcher, she has led community-engaged student initiatives, including an internship program and a student-run digital marketing agency serving regional nonprofits. Nationally, she serves on the American Marketing Association Foundation Board of Advisors, which she will chair in 2027-28, and is an inaugural member of the PhD Project Advisory Council, advancing diversity and representation in business education.

Rae Lynch ('27)

A student representative, Lynch is a CSUSM senior majoring in communication with a minor in biological sciences. Passionate about science and healthcare, she plans to pursue a career in sales or marketing within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. As an intern with CSUSM University Communications, she supports social media management and contributes stories to the CSUSM NewsCenter. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council.

Ashley Ortiz ('27)

A student representative, Ortiz is a CSUSM senior studying global supply chain management. She hopes to pursue a career in procurement, production, logistics or demand planning, where she can leverage data, collaboration and strategic decision-making to improve business operations. She also serves as the director of student outreach for the Global Supply Chain Management Society and is a member of the Student Philanthropy Council.

Julianna Hunt ('28)

A student representative and shadow director, Hunt is a CSUSM junior pursuing studies in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences (CHABSS). Following graduation, she plans to attend law school, with the goal of building a career in corporate law. She serves as a community adviser with CSUSM Housing and as a student assistant for the CSUSM Innovation Hub. She is also a member of the Student Philanthropy Council and the Delta Zeta sorority.

About the California State University San Marcos Foundation Board

The California State University San Marcos Foundation Board is composed of community leaders and philanthropists who cultivate and encourage charitable investment in the university, build meaningful regional relationships and encourage a culture of philanthropy. All gifts to the university are accepted and administered by the California State University San Marcos Foundation, an official 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization of CSUSM.