Meet Mona Foundation's Los Angeles Chapter

Champions of Mona's mission and our ambassadors within the larger philanthropic and humanitarian community.

Mona Foundation Chapters are Mona’s advocates and champion our goals in their local regions. Every chapter represents Mona to organizations and businesses in their area, engages the youth in philanthropy at the local level, and helps build our leadership and financial resources by hosting events or other activities in Portland, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The LA Chapter is dedicated to bringing together the greater LA community to support the Mona’s mission to bring quality education to those that need it most, promote gender equality and inspire community service. The chapter holds several events during the year. For information please email Keith.

Katrina Shrago

Katrina Shrago is a junior in high school in the Los Angeles area with aspirations to attend university to study either business alone or in combination with architecture. She excels at painting and photography as well as math. Because her father is from London, she has spent a great deal of her life in England and Europe.

Katrina has the opportunity to see the world and learn about different cultures which has led to her desire to help out with different charitable organization especially those involving young children.

"I love supporting the education of children."

Lauren Schnell Davison

Lauren is an associate marriage and family therapist, life coach, writer and speaker. She has been in the public eye appearing as herself in reality TV shows, multiple news channels and lectures around the world -empowering people to live their best lives.

Since Lauren discovered the Mona Foundation it has been a dream come true to help children and especially girls have the freedom and opportunity to realize their true potential!

"Mona Foundation is a dream come true to help children and especially girls have the freedom and opportunity to realize their true potential!"

Paul Davison

Paul Davison is a fierce advocate of socially-responsible business practices. Currently, Paul serves as Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of a leading natural digestive health and wellness company. Previously, Paul served as Vice President at Proctor & Gamble’s New Chapter Vitamins division, in addition to leadership roles at other natural products, healthy beverage, and plant-based nutrition companies.

Paul is also a fifth-generation West Pointer, former Army master paratrooper, award-winning screenwriter, “recovered” reality television producer, novelist, and the father of two young girls.

Paul learned from an early age that a life lived in service to others was a life worth living, which made getting involved in the Mona Foundation a natural next step. Moved by the fact that investing in the education and empowerment of young girls can lift entire communities out of poverty and hopelessness, Paul is excited about working together to further Mona’s inspiring and vital mission.

"Life lived in service to others is a life worth living."



Stella Havkin

Stella Havkin is an attorney in the Los Angeles area. She has received her B.A. from York University in Toronto, Canada with a focus on Psychology and Political Science in 1984. Ms. Havkin received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in May 1987. Ms. Havkin has been a member of the California State Bar since 1988.

Ms. Havkin’s practice has focused on commercial litigation and bankruptcy. She has been named as 2013 – 2018 Super Lawyer in the Super Lawyer Magazine in the field of Consumer Bankruptcy Law. She is also the Chair with the State Bar of California Bankruptcy Legal Specialization Board.

"I believe education is key to eliminating global poverty."



Maya Beesley



Maya Beesley is the captain of her Isreali dance company, a varsity tennis player, and proud International bachelorette junior at Agoura High School. She has a deep passion for equality and a love for education so getting involved with MONA resonated with her from the start. The opportunity to make a difference for others around the world who do not have access to education fills her heart.

Maya loves the way Mona LA chapter builds community and inclusion for teens to be involved and makes it fun in the process. “I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I did not have access to learning. It is a human right and should be available to all boys and girls.”

"Education is a human right and should be available to all boys and girls."

Olivia Villaluz

Oliva Villaluz is an interior designer who loves to create environments that invite and inspire with a truly unique elegant style. A few of her notable projects include the Fess Parker Wine Tasting Experience at the Santa Barbara Hilton, Epiphany Cellars in Los Olivos, Brick Barn Wine Estate in Buellton, and the Fess Parker’s award winning restaurant “The Bear and Star” as well as the renown boutique hotel the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood.

Oliva does not take hard work for granted but knows that all young girls need access to education to support them to find their gifts and blossom in the world.

"All young girls need access to education to find their gifts and blossom in the world."



Jade Wolf

Jade is an artist and author who just released The Creature Connection, a children’s book filled with imaginative creatures and stories about connecting to nature, each other, and ourselves. She also makes original designs for unique clothing and home goods as co-creator of the art collective Cool Beep Beep. Jade practices meditation and YiXue regularly and loves dancing and being in nature. Being ever curious about connections and how to better serve our children and environment.

Jade is deeply inspired to support the Mona Foundation’s mission to create a more kind world by enriching and supporting the growth and education of children, girls, and women everywhere.

"II am deeply inspired to support the Mona Foundation’s mission to create a more kind world."

Jason Joel Lautenschleger

Jason first became acquainted with Mona in 2007 when he was introduced to the foundation’s efforts through his wife, Katie. His clinical side was immediately drawn to the efficiency and clarity of Mona’s mission. His emotional side was blown away by the over-sized heart and passion of Mona’s family. Jason primarily works in television as Director of Development for 222 Productions.

When he’s not doing that, he’s creating games for the company he co-founded, Game Night in a Can or hosting his podcast, Creative Confidants. The common threads running through all of his endeavors are creativity and story-telling. He feels honored and blessed to have found a group like Mona that shares and celebrates those attributes.

"Mona uses the creativity of amazing people all over the world to address immediate needs of those who deserve a chance to share their story."



Barrett McLaughlin

Barrett McLaughlin is a game creator, entrepreneur, Advertising Creative, and has been a contestant on over 8 game shows. He hosts live game events, manages the Silverlake soccer club The Eagledogs, and is a student of Permaculture.

Barrett was drawn to Mona because the impact of the scholarships is so great, and every dollar goes so far.

In his own words, “The best way for all of us to grow peacefully on this Earth is to educate as many people as possible. And the Mona Foundation does it so beautifully. I’m excited to be a part of it!”

"Education is the key to a peaceful world, and I’m excited to be supporting it through Mona Foundation."



Katie Delahanty

Katie became involved with the Mona Foundation in 2007 when she was hired as an assistant fashion designer for Mona Board member Diane Samandi’s sleepwear company, Jonquil. Over the years Katie’s position evolved from design work to ecommerce and social media management. In 2011 she launched www.inbloomintimates.com and began writing a blog to help drive traffic to the website. Feeling limited in writing solely about lingerie, she turned the blog into a fictional serial, posting two chapters a week about a girl named Olivia Bloom who worked at a lingerie company. It had never occurred to Katie that she was a writer, but she soon discovered a passion for storytelling. After nine months of posting–and live-tweeting as nine of the characters–Katie realized she’d written her first novel. Shortly thereafter, in a crazy turn of events, she landed a literary agent and ultimately a three-book deal.

Katie holds a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. She credits this education, combined with a family who supported the pursuit of her dreams, as essential to unlocking the hidden potential that has brought serious joy into her life. It is her wish that all children be given the opportunity to realize their gifts and share them with the world.

"I imagine a world where everyone has the opportunity to realize their innate gifts and fulfill their highest potential. It starts with education. I love that Mona supports schools’ needs–instead of dictating how funds are used–to help them grow."

Duane Clark

Duane Clark is an international director, screenwriter, and producer. He has directed over 100 hours of television all over the US, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, and South Africa. Mona Foundation’s mission spoke to Duane because he saw immediately that Mona’s approach to creating impact and movement towards alleviating poverty through gender equality makes sense. “Mona runs efficiently and intelligently. They make every dollar count and are impacting positive change in communities throughout the world.” The philosophy of creating a community of “friends of Mona” makes all efforts exciting and fun instead of an overwhelming task. It is through the engagement and participation of members working together to make a difference that so much gets accomplished.

Duane also likes how Mona includes the efforts of the youth to become involved because he knows the issues we face with poverty around the world are not going to change overnight. The next generation needs to be aware, and active and to carry the torch of Mona Foundation’s mission.

"Mona runs efficiently and intelligently. They make every dollar count and are impacting positive change in communities throughout the world."



Eva LaRue

Long known and well respected as an actor on popular shows like CSI Miami and All My Children, Eva LaRue has earned Emmy and NAACP nominations for her portrayal of strong women, and currently has found continued success as a motivational speaker, luxury travel writer/Ambassador for Travel.Luxury and a parenting influencer with her YouTube, Eva La Rue Channel Series, “ParenTeen”.

Eva is a board member, media director and brand ambassador for the company Circle4Parents.com – A virtual village for parents providing affordable, expert coaching on all parenting issues for topic specific support and solutions. As a passionate philanthropist and activist, Eva is the Spokesperson and Ambassador for the Tahirih Justice Center, a non profit, legal network helping women and girls fleeing gender based violence, sex trafficking and abuse. Being a member of the Baha’i Faith has solidified her belief that it is an obligation and a privilege to use whatever influence you have to leverage positive social impact in your community and the world. Having been invited to join in Richard Branson’s Philanthropic Leadership Forum on Necker Island, she is continuing to merge passion with purpose by joining the Los Angeles Board of the Mona Foundation. Eva’s most beloved job is proud mom to her teen daughter Kaya, who is also a writer and activist, having had her op-ed on “Child Marriage in the U.S” published this summer in Teen Vogue. Eva is also mom to 2 spoiled dogs.

"Mona is a project close to her heart, because it focuses on grassroots initiatives of universal education and gender equality as a means of eliminating poverty and achieving positive community transformation in the US and abroad."



Matt Earl Beesley

Matt Earl Beesley is a cinematic director who has worked all over the world for the past 30 years. His many credits include CSI Miami, Bosch, Chicago Fire, and Revenge. He was also the second unit director on the Academy Award-winning film Braveheart and Wayne’s World II and is currently Co-Executive Producer/Director on Dynasty.

His passion for justice and equality is matched only by the love he has for his family. The mission of Mona speaks directly to what is most important for him. He is thrilled to put forth his efforts to such a worthy cause.

"When I heard the statistic that one girl educated impacts 100 lives, I just said, “Where do I sign up?”"

Tamar Hermes

Tamar Hermes is a monetizing mentor, entrepreneur, and Mona enthusiast. The mission of the Mona Foundation, empowering young girls through education, speaks directly to her vision of raising women up to their highest earning potential. As a money coach, she is impressed with how Mona makes their dollars go so far by keeping expenses low and carefully planning and communicating with schools to refine its needs. This way the money goes directly towards education, not a large staff payroll. “The impact of Mona Foundation continues to grow, and its dream to alleviate poverty is gaining traction as so many lives are positively affected by each girl that is educated.”

It is an honor to serve as co-director of the newly formed Los Angeles Chapter. Sharing this noble cause and building our circle of “friends of Mona ” creates an energized and positive network that is unstoppable. It is in the spirit of love and conviction that we need to one day live in a world where all children have more than enough to eat and have the gift of a good education.

"I’m thrilled my efforts go directly to helping girls all over the world. Mona stretches her dollars in such effective ways."

Tammy Randall Wood

Tammy Randall Wood, ASID is the founder and principal of Interior Archaeology, a comprehensive interior design firm specializing in interior architectural design and curated furnishings. Tammy has designed award winning projects all over the US and has been featured in numerous magazines.

Tammy’s goal in designing homes is to create what she calls Noble Spaces; spaces with the power to support you in the life you creating and the person you are striving to be.

Tammy studied Television and Film in Los Angeles and went on to study Interior Design at Parsons in NY, eventually earning her NCIDQ Certificate (one of the highest accreditations in the field) as well as Professional Membership in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

"Understanding is in itself the greatest of all motivators. There is a longing in every human heart for meaning; there is a natural craving for knowledge of the outer and inner realities of creation."

David Wood

David Wood is the CEO of Human Touch, originally hired to develop a turnaround and growth strategy for this 35-year old health and Wellness Company. An innovative and driven business professional, he managed a restructuring which led to debt retirement and strong annual growth and profitability. David’s expertise led to successful market and product strategies that drove product innovation in such companies as GN Netcom/Jabra and Bose Corporation. While at Bose, David pioneered and developed an extensive leadership development program for high performing colleagues and has been a frequent presenter for both internal and external learning programs. David engaged his undergraduate education in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, has general management certificates from Harvard Business School and an MBA from Boston University.

"It is my core and conscious mission and privilege to engage my own strengths and virtues for the benefit of others."