2022 40 Under 40 Winners

Danielle stepped outside her usual job responsibilities to help develop a transfer process for two of the hospitals she supports, creating a model that CommonSpirit’s Shared Services team is implementing at other sites.

Danielle is a board member for St. Mary’s Dining Room, a local human service organization. 

In addition, she organizes the San Joaquin County and Child Abuse Prevention Council Adopt-a-Child program each holiday season, coordinating community gifts for at-risk children.

She earned an MBA from the University of Arizona in 2021.

My journey into health care philanthropy was one of those "happy accidents"! I was ready for a career change but I had a 6 month old son so it had to be the right change for myself and my family. I had lunch with a good friend and she had mentioned that she heard of a job opening in the foundation at our local community hospital. She was so encouraging and explained why she thought it would be a good fit. I was naive and oblivious, not knowing anything about health care and was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up. The extent of my philanthropic understanding was serving meals at our local homeless shelter. Fast forward six years later and it was truly one of the best decisions of my life!

As I became accustomed to two completely new words, both philanthropy and health care, it was quickly obvious that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I fell in love with the mission of Dignity Health and all the incredible work they were doing in our community. This city was the same city that had raised me, educated me, embraced me and enriched me. Giving back to that same community felt like I was making a difference for multiple generations. There would be so many times where I questioned whether or not this life was real and the opportunities to be so involved in our community were actually a part of my job!

In 2019 I was approached by the (then) Dignity Health system office to work on a regional shared services team. I would still be working with my local community hospital but I would also be working with two other regional hospitals in the system. I wasn't sure if I was ready to leave everything I had done thus far and I did not know what limitations I would have in place while working with two other foundations. My boss at the time truly believed in me and pushed me professionally. He knew what I was capable of and taught me so many things along the way. If he hadn't encouraged me the way he did, I am not entirely sure I would have made the leap from local foundation to the system office. That leap of faith to the system office has led me to now work with some of the most incredible people in health care philanthropy on the CommonSpirit Health national philanthropy team. 

My greatest passion is giving back in my community. I was born, raised, educated and now professionally raised in Stockton, CA and any chance that presents itself to help others around me is an incredible opportunity. I love seeing others use their time, talents and treasures here as well. We are a community filled with the most loving, caring, and compassionate souls and to be able to connect with others while bettering this community is something that fills my heart with so much joy. Sharing this experience with my 6 year old and showing him all of the amazing things that we can do here in our hometown to show others compassion, love and dignity is truly one of the most rewarding things I could ever feel in this lifetime. 

My favorite quote from St. Catherine of Siena is be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. Health care philanthropy can take you in so many different directions but always remain true to who you are as a person and what you believe in and you will find your path. It will be different than someone else's but that is their journey, not yours. You will find your purpose in health care philanthropy, I promise, and it will be worth it.