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Who We Are

The mission of the foundation is to give to California-based, non-profit organizations dedicated to the betterment of others. A core value of our mission is to nurture those organizations who create loving, supportive communities and model “pay it forward” behavior, as this is how we honor Leo’s legacy.

Leo’s Legacy

Dr. Leo Buscaglia, affectionately known as “Dr. Love,” inspired millions through his bestselling books, powerful lectures, and unforgettable television appearances. As a professor at USC, he was known for his class “Love 1A,” which became a global movement celebrating empathy, connection, and emotional well-being. Leo believed love was the most powerful force we have  and it should be practiced daily. The Foundation continues his mission by supporting organizations that embody his message in real and tangible ways. 

Leo’s Books

Leo Buscaglia’s books have touched the lives of readers around the world. His work reminds us that love, kindness, and human connection are not luxuries  they are necessities.

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Board & Staff

Meet the dedicated team behind the Foundation’s mission. Our Board and staff are passionate about advancing Leo’s message of love through action.

Frank A. Gomez, PhD - President

Frank A. Gomez, PhD - President

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Susan Keefe – Vice President

Rebecca Gomez, PhD- Treasurer

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Jessica Morales-Chicas, PhD- Secretary

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Janette C. Brown, EdD

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Heather Macias, PhD

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Jordan Weltman, JD

Shawn Herz, LMFT

Advisory Board Members

  • Suzanne Torgerson 
  • Joan Winchell 
  • Dominic & Suzanne Cortese
  • Paul A Gilbert 
  • Marilyn Simcox 
  • Claude Zachary 
  • Susan Sullivan 
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Frank A. Gomez, PhD - President

Dr. Frank A. Gomez is the Executive Director of STEM-NET, a multicampus consortium focused on STEM research and education, based at the California State University Office of the Chancellor, and Professor of Chemistry. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Cal State Los Angeles, Ph.D. from UCLA, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. His research is in microfluidics, point-of-care diagnostics, fuel cells and batteries. In his spare time, he enjoys watching classic old movies, playing the piano, and gardening. He writes his connection to the mission of the foundation is as follows: “I was first exposed to Leo and his writings while in graduate school. Years later, I still try to live each day loving what I do.”

Susan Keefe – Vice President

I’ve spent nearly 30 terrific years in business as a software leader looking after the success of many of the largest global customers in the world. Currently, I spend my time and energy focused on how I can positively impact our climate crisis. As an advocate and an ally, I work to educate, inspire and engage communities on how they can protect themselves and our precious ecosystems from preventable, harmful plastic pollution. I believe our dynamic, diverse communities play a critical role toward change – they simply need to be positively engaged.

The teachings of Dr Leo Buscaglia speak to me because they are rooted in love, hope and positive “in the moment” thinking. I serve on the board to give voice and legacy to Leo’s teachings. At the foundation, we are fortunate to give to small, California-based non-profits who are a shining example of love and hope. As Leo taught “love always creates, it never destroys” and our board invests in those who lead by example and build healthy communities. By focusing solely on programs that impact the betterment of others, we can amplify the power of love, kindness and compassion in a world that needs these qualities now more than ever.

Rebecca Gomez, PhD- Treasurer

Rebecca “Beckie” Gomez served on the Tustin City Council from 2010 through 2018 and was re-elected in 2020. She served as the Area 1 Trustee for the Orange County Board of Education from 2016 to 2022.

Beckie is the two-time past President of the Greater Orange County Health Information Association.  She is currently the President of the Tustin-Santa Ana-Orange Branch of AAUW and is a Director for AAUW California. Beckie  served as the President of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, Tustin South Bobby Sox, Tustin High School Academic Boosters, TUSD Coordinating Council, Thorman PTO and Currie PTA and other non-profit boards. She was a longtime softball, basketball and soccer youth coach.  Beckie has held various healthcare management and consulting positions, was a tenured faculty member and retired as the Dean for the Health Science Division at Cypress College. She is the past recipient of the William J. Olsten Award for Excellence in Records Management and the Core Values Winner for “Commitment to our Shareholders” from Tokos Medical Corporation. The Orange County Register named her as one of the “100 Most Influential” in Orange County in 2020. She was named the 2021 Educator of the Year Award by the California Health Information Association. In 2022, she received the Orange County School Board Association’s Marian Bergeson Award for Outstanding School Board Member and the inaugural Cesar Chavez Award from the Orange County Department of Education.  Beckie received her Bachelor of Science degree from the UCLA School of Public Health  She holds a M.S. in Healthcare Administration, a M.A in Sports Management, and a Ph.D. in Law and Public Policy. Along with her AAUW positions, she currently serves on the Boards of Planned Parenthood for Orange & San Bernardino County, the Leo Buscaglia Foundation, the Tustin Community Foundation, and the Defender’s Hub to support public education. She spends her “extra” time playing pickleball and softball and is an avid UCLA women’s basketball, softball and football fan along with Sparks basketball.

Jessica Morales-Chicas, PhD- Secretary

Dr. Jessica Morales-Chicas earned her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Human Development and Psychology from UCLA and is currently a Full Professor at Cal State LA in the Child and Family Studies Department. Her 20 years of work in education span all levels, from preschool through university-level. She teaches courses on lifespan development, diversity, research methods, and advocacy while researching how ethnic diversity and curricular opportunities impact STEM motivation. Dr. Morales-Chicas is a principal investigator and research leader on multiple federally funded projects focused on student success, well-being, and equity in STEM education and beyond. She also serves as a research consultant and has worked with various organizations such as CSU STEM-Net, the City of Los Angeles, and Action for Healthy Kids. Additionally, she serves as the Co-Director of the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program at Cal State LA. Collectively, her research and community efforts focus on closing equity gaps and increasing access to STEM education. In addition to her professional commitments, she is also a social justice advocate and serves on the board for the Universal Human Rights Initiative (UHRI) and is the Secretary for the Leo Buscaglia Foundation. 

Dr. Janette Brown 

Dr. Janette Brown is the former Assistant Vice Provost of the USC Emeriti Center, where she served from 2005 to 2024, and previously held the role of USC Career Center Assistant Director for 10 years. She also spent over a decade as the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) Executive Director, working nationally and internationally to reimagine retirement in higher education.
With nearly 30 years at USC, Janette led efforts to connect generations through intergenerational learning, student mentorship, and retiree engagement. She conducted survey research at the USC Davis School of Gerontology, taught at the USC Rossier School of Education, presented research across four countries, and authored works on aging, purpose, and transitions.
A longtime advocate for community connection and lifelong learning, Janette sees her role on the Leo Buscaglia Foundation Board as a natural continuation of her commitment to love, service, and spreading kindness.
She is a proud USC alum, Trojan parent, and USC Women’s Renewment leader. In her spare time, she conducts life and career coaching sessions, coordinates USC travel trips, and enjoys van camping in the southwestern US.

Heather Macias, PhD

Heather Macías, Ph.D., (she/they/ella) is an Associate Professor in Teacher Education in the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Her work as a faculty member includes coordinating the Dual Language Development Master’s Program, supervising secondary student teachers in the Long Beach area, and instructing a variety of courses in the Single Subject Credential Program. Heather collaborates on a variety of research projects, including several funded National Science Foundation grants focusing on integrating culturally responsive teaching into higher education STEM courses. She has received various awards while working in higher education, including the CSULB Early Academic Career Excellence Award and La Academia Liderazgo Fellowship from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Heather’s research interests include drag pedagogy, culturally affirming teaching pedagogies, secondary ethnic studies teachers, and strategies to support marginalized preservice teachers. She also regularly presents at national conferences and publishes articles in both educational research and teacher practitioner journals. Heather is a founding faculty member for CSULB’s Black Lives Matter at School Planning Committee and the Queer, Trans Future Educators group. Prior to her graduate work, Heather worked as a high school teacher and coach in the San Fernando Valley and as a Disneyland entertainment cast member. She spends her free time attending musicals, plays, and drag shows; taking pictures of her wife and dogs; and going on ghost tours when traveling. Her proudest accomplishment is having Bianca del Rio follow her on Instagram.

Jordan Weltman, JD

Jordan Weltman retired in June 2017 as Vice President—Global Head of Customer Finance, Boeing Capital Corporation and moved from the Seattle area to Orange County, California. Among his roles at The Boeing Company, Jordan served as chairman of the Delta Air Lines creditors’ committee and co-chair of the American Airlines creditors’ committee during the bankruptcy proceedings for those two companies. Jordan is a 1975 graduate of Yale College and 1978 graduate of University of Pennsylvania Law School. As a native of Long Island, New York, Jordan is an inveterate Yankee fan, and through the magic of MLB.TV is able to record and watch every game. He still receives the paper version of The New York Times every day, which confirms on a daily basis that the world needs more of the wisdom of Leo Buscaglia.

Shawn Herz, M.S.G, LM.F.T.

Shawn holds a Master of Science in Gerontology and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. Since 2013, she has worked at Heritage Clinic, providing specialized clinical services and support for older adults and their caregivers. Previously, Shawn served as Clinical Director for the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center at USC’s Gerontology Center for 18 years. With over forty years of experience, Shawn is recognized for her extensive knowledge, compassion, humor, and expertise in aging, mental health, and caregiver issues.

Shawn was introduced to Dr. Leo Buscaglia’s teachings in the late 1980s by her daughter’s pediatrician, who shared quotes about love, kindness, and the power of hugs. These teachings, from “Dr. Love,” profoundly influence Shawn’s work and personal life, as she believes love is the most powerful force in the universe.