President/ Founder – David J Chao, MD
Dr. David Chao started the SDSMF with Dr. Charles Camarata in 2002. He and the other medical board members provide free orthopaedic surgery and pre/post operative care to kids with medical needs, the Foundation hosts free Saturday morning injury clinics and educational seminars. The San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation has served as a framework to coordinate doctors throughout the San Diego community and provides a pathway for willing physicians to donate their time and services to the community. The Foundation has given hundreds of thousand of dollars in services, including treatment to such famous athletes as Heisman Trophy winner, Reggie Bush.
Taste at the Cove is the signature fundraising event for the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation. Every year, over 800 people attend a sold-out, sunset, oceanfront event at La Jolla Cove. Over $300,000 is raised annually by this event, thanks to over 40 restaurants, fashion show participants, and unparalleled auction items.
Since 1995, Dr. Chao has been practicing Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in San Diego. In addition to his orthopaedic surgeon duties, Dr. Chao serves as a team physician for several sports teams and events, including the San Diego Chargers for almost 12 years. He has been the Chief Medical Officer for ESPN’s X-Games at over two dozen summer and winter games. Dr. Chao has consulted on multiple MLB, MBA, NHL, and NFL athletes, and has served as team physician for multiple local universities and high schools.
Dr. Chao’s endeavors do not end there; he is an active member of many community organizations including San Diego International Sports Council (Board of Directors), Junior Seau Foundation (Board Member), Wells Fargo Bank (Community Board Member), Floyd Landis Foundation (Founding Member), and San Diego Chargers Community Foundation (Leadership Team Member).
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Director – Leslie Herrmann
Leslie started with the SDSMF in June 2007. She began volunteering with Taste at the Cove as a member of the auction committee and was brought on full time by Dr. Chao in October. As the Director of the SDSMF, Leslie is responsible for the day to day operations of the foundation. Current initiatives include a major branding and marketing overhaul, expansion of medical programs into all areas of San Diego and continuous community outreach.
After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in Communications, she moved to Los Angeles to begin a career in Public Relations and Marketing. In the height of the internet boom she worked with such entertainment clients as Warner Bros and HBO to launch movie websites and create online promotions. Looking for a new adventure, she did a career move to sales and marketing for the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel at the Hollywood & Highland complex.
Her passion for non-profit grass root foundations and community service has been ongoing for the past 17 years. While in Santa Barbara a majority of her free time was devoted to AIDS awareness and volunteering.In 2006 she relocated with her husband and step son to San Diego. She and her family are enjoying their new life in America's finest city!!!
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Event Director (Taste at the Cove) – Kira Finkenberg
Kira started with the SDSMF in May of 2003. She is the Event Director for Taste at the Cove, the SDSMF’s annual fundraiser event, 2008 will be 6th year leading the event. In her professional life she owns a marketing/promotions/advertising/event planning business, The Kira Co. www.thekiraco.com.
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Treasurer – Robert Chakarian, CPA
Robert started with the SDSMF in 2002. Mr. Chakarian is a founder and president of Chakarian & Associates, CPA's Inc. a California corporation. Chakarian & Associates provides Individual, Partnership and Corporation tax planning and preparation, accounting services, management advisory and consulting services and retirement planning. Mr. Chakarian has over 20 years of experience in the public accounting field. Mr. Chakarian is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mountain Shadows Community Homes, a 117 bed facility for the developmentally disabled.
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