Charissa Gonzales

Charissa Gonzales believes fundraising is a catalyst for equity, fueling the resources that expand access to education and opportunity. Born in New York and raised on the East Coast, she moved to California to work on political campaigns and has since dedicated more than twenty-five years to mobilizing resources that improve lives and create lasting change. 

Charissa is Vice President of Development and Finance at the Campaign for College Opportunity, where she leads efforts to diversify revenue, strengthen donor engagement, mentor fundraising talent, and ensure the organization’s long-term financial health. She frames fundraising not just as a means of support but as a driver of equity, helping ensure more California students can access and complete college. 

Throughout her career, Charissa has mobilized tens of millions of dollars and partnered with nonprofit organizations across Los Angeles and the country to strengthen programs in children’s services, education, and housing. At United Friends of the Children, she secured critical resources to expand college pathways and housing for foster youth. At the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, she elevated fundraising to strengthen educational, health, and sports programming for Los Angeles youth. With the USO, she built regional fundraising structures and cultivated transformational gifts to serve military service members and their families. At the George Washington University School of Business, she helped drive a capital campaign to expand opportunities for students and strengthen alumni engagement. In addition, she has worked on presidential and statewide campaigns and trained emerging democratic leaders in Haiti through the International Republican Institute, reinforcing her belief that strong institutions and civic participation are the foundation of equity worldwide. 

Charissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Jarryd, and their three multiracial sons: one attends a public arts high school, one is a middle schooler with ambitions in STEM, and the oldest is studying business in college. 

Why I Do What I Do: I believe fundraising fuels equity. By connecting resources to opportunity, I help ensure students can access education and the pathways that change lives. 

Alma Mater(s): Georgetown University (B.S. in Foreign Service)
The George Washington University (M.A. in Political Management) 

 Your role in one sentence: I lead the Campaign’s development and finance efforts, working with senior leadership to secure resources, strengthen teams, and ensure long-term sustainability in expanding college opportunity. 

 When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am… traveling with my family, cheering on the sidelines at my son’s football games, or volunteering at their schools.  

If not higher education then what cause? 

Supporting foster youth