Michael Berlin

Michael is a licensed attorney with Private Asset Management, Inc. where he has been providing general counsel since 1994. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Michael began his law career there prior to relocating to North San Diego County more than 35 years ago.

Michael joined Coastal Roots Farm’s Board of Directors in 2022 where he serves as treasurer. Prior to joining the Farm’s board, Michael served as President and capital campaign Chair at Temple Solel, President of the Melvin Garb Foundation, was on the board of Hands of Peace and Hillel San Diego, championed Hillel San Diego’s capital campaign resulting in the Melvin Garb Center at SDSU, sat on the financial management committee at Seacrest Foundation, and participated in other nonprofit boards and committees.

Michael studied economics at Northwestern University and earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Michael and his wife Carolyn have two sons. He enjoys travel, exercise, hiking, cooking, reading, engaging with people of all backgrounds and experiences, and being a grandpa!

Javier Guerrero

Javier Guerrero is the Farm’s President and CEO. Javier works with Coastal Roots Farm staff, board members, funders, partners, and volunteers to advance the Farm’s impact initiatives of Equitable Food Access, Regenerative Agriculture, Environmental Education, and Jewish Life, welcoming people of all backgrounds.

Javier has worked in the San Diego nonprofit sector for over 20 years and brings extensive experience in nonprofit administration, organizational management, and resource development. Prior to joining the Farm four years ago, Javier served eight years as Executive Director of San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido, overseeing the Museum’s capital campaign, move to a new indoor/outdoor location, and expansion of exhibits and programming.

Javier currently serves on the Board of Directors for Boy Scouts of San Diego and Imperial Counties, served on the Board of North County Philanthropy Council for nearly ten years, and is an active volunteer in the community.

Todd Frank

Todd Frank is the Board Vice Chair. Todd E. Frank, CPA/PFS, MBA is the President and CEO of Frank Financial Advisors. Todd has been active in the financial services industry since 1993 where he spent many years as a corporate finance executive prior to finding Frank Financial Advisors in 2003.

Todd received his BS Degree from The University of California at Berkeley in 1987, and his MBA in 1992 from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. He earned his CPA credential with Arthur Andersen & Co. as an auditor and consultant. Todd is a member of the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs.

Todd also holds the designation of Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Laura Kreiss

Laura is an entrepreneur, inventor, real estate developer and philanthropist with a passion for international relations, community leadership and children.

In addition to serving as Coastal Roots Farm’s Assistant Secretary, Laura is a member of Scripps Foundation where she advocates for research in search of the cure for cancer and on the Board of Directors for Film for Posterity. Laura is partner to film producer and director James B. Harris and former partner to icon Stanley Kubrick.

Laura is also former professional tennis player who has a passion for film, theater and television production.

Elaine Becerra

Elaine is a Senior Wealth Strategist with Northern Trust San Diego where she helps clients build a roadmap to efficiently use assets to achieve goals over their lifetime and create a legacy. Elaine focuses on working with women and clients going through life transitions including selling their companies or moving into retirement, helping them navigate the many dimensions of wealth planning.

Elaine studied mathematics and civil engineering at the Federal University of Parana, in Brazil and previously studied accounting.

Elaine is passionate about helping others. In addition to serving as Secretary on Coastal Roots Farm’s Board of Directors, Elaine is on the Board of Directors for Center for Community Solutions, collaborates with Visions Globel Empowerment, supports Escuela Vera Angelita, and is a member of three professional organizations including the Association for Corporate Growth, the North County Estate Planning Council, and STEP.

Elaine lives in Encinitas with her husband, two young sons and a daughter. As a blissful Brazilian she has a passion for farming, gardening, cooking and entertaining. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.

James Farley

Jim Farley is the President and CEO of the Leichtag Foundation, a position he has held since 2007 when the Foundation became independent. Prior, Jim served as General Counsel of the Foundation from 1995 – 2007 when he was practicing as an attorney. Jim’s professional background and diverse community leadership experience catalyzed the Foundation’s purchase of Leichtag Commons, home to Coastal Roots Farm since its founding in 2014.

A longtime San Diegan whose community activism dates back to his youth, Jim draws upon many years of volunteer leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In addition to serving on Coastal Roots Farm’s Board of Directors, Jim is a member of the Board of Directors at Jewish Funders Network. In past years, he served as President of the Board of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities and the Quail Botanical Garden Foundation doing business as San Diego Botanic Garden and as a member of The San Diego Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Jim is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. He earned a law degree from California Western School of Law and a Master’s in Taxation from New York University. He practiced law for 33 years. He and his wife live in Carlsbad, California. They have two married children and six grandchildren. Jim is a passionate horticulturalist, an avid reader, and a lover of music.

Charlene Seidle

Charlene is the CEO of the Leichtag Foundation where she has played a key leadership role in the development and implementation of Leichtag Foundation’s strategic framework; oversees grantmaking; has designed innovative and creative programs such as funder partnerships and consortia, the Jerusalem Model, the International Office for Jerusalem Partnerships, the Hive at Leichtag Commons, and others; and provides overall management and strategy development.

Charlene won the 2013 JJ Greenberg Memorial Award, an international prize given to one outstanding philanthropic professional under the age of 40 each year.

Charlene is a frequent speaker, presenter and writer about topics pertaining to philanthropy, Jewish community trends and social change. In addition to serving as Coastal Roots Farm’s Board Chair, she is on the board of the Jewish Funders Network. She also formerly served on the board of San Diego Grantmakers and has served on many committees and councils. Charlene spent 18 years working for the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego in increasingly responsible positions including serving as President and CEO of the organization.