Brie Griset Smith, CSPG

Chief Giving Officer

Brie Griset Smith, Chief Development Officer at the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), brings over 25 years of fundraising leadership experience across Southern California. With a focus on health, education, sustainability, and equity, Brie has raised over $250 million during her career, forging impactful collaborations with business, nonprofit, academic, government, and philanthropic leaders. Her expertise lies in tackling complex challenges and building philanthropic strategies with donors that uplift communities.

Before joining IECF, Brie held senior fundraising roles at Discovery Cube, where she expanded major gifts, planned giving, and grant programs, nearly doubling fundraising efforts and securing capital contributions for STEM, early learning, and environmental initiatives. Her 16-year tenure at United Way included spearheading significant resource development efforts, raising over $100 million, and serving in national leadership roles to enhance corporate philanthropy across the United States.

At IECF, Brie works alongside our CEO, Michelle Decker, as well as Board Members and volunteers to expand opportunities for Inland Empire residents to thrive. Brie shares, “I am excited to assist our donors in bringing their philanthropic visions to life by connecting them with the causes that matter most to them—whether through the establishment of personalized, permanent charitable funds, our Signature Funds, or by supporting other impactful community causes through planned giving.”

A fifth-generation Southern Californian, Brie holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Pepperdine University. She lives in Upland with her husband, Peter, and their cat, Monroe.

To reach Brie by phone, call 951-241-7777 x.111

CONNECT WITH BRIE

Paula Myles, CSPG

Director of Donor Services

Paula brings over two decades of expertise in finance, donor relations, and nonprofit leadership to her role. From 1998 to 2024, Paula led IECF’s finance team as Chief Financial Officer, transforming the Foundation’s financial operations. Before her tenure, bookkeeping and finance duties were outsourced, but Paula’s leadership established a professional in-house system. She managed all accounting and investment transactions, human resources functions, and compliance with legal requirements and National Standards for US Community Foundations.

In 2015, Paula earned her Certified Specialist in Planned Giving designation, equipping her with a deep understanding of complex charitable giving vehicles. This certification allowed her to support the Charitable Giving Team by aligning donors’ philanthropic goals with effective giving strategies. Her expertise, paired with decades of interaction with donors and fund holders, prepared her for her current role as Director of Donor Services, where she focuses on building meaningful relationships and enhancing donor engagement.

Before joining IECF, Paula served as Controller for a software development firm in Orange County. She and her husband Steve reside in Moreno Valley, where they enjoy spending time with their family, including their grandchildren, and cheering on their favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

To reach Paula by phone, call 951-241-7777 x.115

CONNECT WITH PAULA

Claudia Preza-Marin, CSPG

Giving Officer, Riverside

Claudia Preza-Marin brings over 14 years of experience in the fundraising sector, specializing in major and planned gifts. A passionate advocate for planned giving, she loves connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to create lasting impact. In her previous role as Associate Director of Major Gifts at the International Rescue Committee, Claudia played a critical role in raising funds for global crisis and humanitarian aid relief. Her extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Mount St. Mary’s University and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles.

An advocate for inclusive philanthropy, Claudia is deeply interested in BIPOC giving trends, particularly within the Latinx community. She is an active leader in the field, serving as secretary of the board for the Southern California Council of Charitable Gift Planners. Claudia holds a B.A. in English from Mount St. Mary’s University and a master’s degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University, with a focus on Latin America.

Based in Corona with her family, Claudia enjoys traveling with her family and exploring the Inland Empire. “I’m thrilled to collaborate with IECF’s supporters to strengthen our vibrant and rapidly growing community,” she says.

To reach Claudia by phone, call 951-241-7777 x.113

CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA