Joe has eighteen years experience in commercial lending and commercial real estate.  He was a Vice President at Comerica Bank for 10 years and has been employed as the Western Region Vice President at Capital Automotive Real Estate, Inc. since 2001.  Joe has worked with small-medium sized businesses and their owners his entire career.  His goal is to contribute to the continued success of Project Walk by drawing on his general business to assist Project Walk in its operations.  He hopes that his contributions will help Project Walk attain its goal to continue to expand its recovery opportunities for those with a spinal cord injury.  Having played collegiate football at the Division I-A level and being an avid mountain biker. Joe feels a great compassion for Project Walk’s clients and is honored to be in a position to be involved with an organization with such a noble cause…to improve the quality of life for those who experience a spinal cord injury.  In Joe’s words, “Seeing people who were never supposed to walk carry their wheelchairs, take their first steps, dance with their daughters again or play basketball is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced and it is a testament to human will”.

Joe is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a concentration in Finance and Economics. In addition to being a board member of Project Walk Spinal Cord Recovery, Inc., Joe also serves on the board of another local San Diego business, Hinkle Automotive Management Company, Inc. 

Diana is a Certified Public Accountant and a manager in the Audit and Enterprise Risk Services with Deloitte & Touche LLP. For over seven years, she has specialized in servicing various technology companies in the public and private sectors.  Diana began her career in San Jose and relocated to San Diego in 2005. 

Diana loves to spend time with her husband, Michael, and their young daughter Sofia. She travels to Northern California frequently to visit her family. Prior to having a family, Diana spent much of her free time traveling. She looks forward to traveling more often as her children grow older.

Diana is a native of the Bay Area. She earned her bachelors degree with the honors distinction of magna cum laude in accountancy with a minor in Spanish from Santa Clara University.

Jerry is a community leader who managed and expanded several global technology companies serving the energy industries worldwide until his retirement in 1997. He currently provides strategic support and mentoring to early stage technology companies and community nonprofit organizations.  His current Non-Profit Affiliations include:

• Chairman Emeritus – Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
• San Diego Foundation Board of Governors since 2002 and currently is Vice Chair Board of Governors and serves on the Board Governance Committee. Serves on the Science & Technology Working Group since 2000. He also is a member Organizational Success Program Working Group since 2003.
• Founders Circle - San Diego Social Venture Partners
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees - EJE Elementary Academy Charter School in El Cajon

His Past Non Profit Affiliations include:

• Chairman - International Forum for Corporate Directors from 1996 - 1997
• Chairman - Chairmen’s RoundTable from 1998 – 2000
• Board Member - Del Mar Foundation from 1998 – 2002
• Board Member – Friends of the Powerhouse Del Mar from 1998-2008
• Founder/Board Member - Del Mar Village Association from 2002 – 2004
• Advisor -  Excellence & Justice in Education (EJE) in El Cajon  2002 - 2005

Jerry’s other board affiliations include being a board member of Ebert Composites, Inc. in Chula Vista and an advisory board member for Advanced Monitors, Inc. in San Diego. Jerry also graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Davida Herzl is an emerging social entrepreneur based in San Diego, CA with a diverse background in business, law, politics and the citizen sector. Her current work centers on the environment and underrepresented communities.

Davida is a member of our founding board, and has been integral to our growth and transformation into a thriving nonprofit organization. Davida received her law degree from USD, and holds a triple-degree in Economics, Political Science and Communication from UCSD. Formerly, Davida was Founder and President of TradeWise, a company providing import/export services and custom overseas manufacturing for a major retailer. Davida is also a member of The Consultant Group, where her clients have ranged from multinational giants and major business executives to small business owners and grassroots non-profit organizations. She has consulted businesses on a variety of topics, from responsible management of offshore manufacturing to governmental relations to basic strategic and leadership issues. She is bilingual and has had extensive work experience in Mexico and China.

Over the years, Davida has demonstrated her commitment to the community and its needs by bringing her leadership to pressing issues. Most recently, Davida co-founded The Scripps Foundation for Science and the Environment, and currently serves as President of NextEarth Foundation where she brings an entrepreneurial and analytical approach to problems of the environment.

Davida established and currently manages our ongoing relationship with the law firm of Foley & Lardner and other legal partners.  For Davida, Project Walk is more than just a volunteer project. “This work is an essential part of my life and career. I’m here because Project Walk changes and transforms lives, and I want to do everything in my power to help Project Walk reach as many people as possible.”

Most recently Davida was recognized as a lifetime Next Generation Fellow of the American Assembly at Columbia University.