Officers

Chairman of the Board: Ben Montoya

Ben Montoya is a retired engineer for San Diego Gas & Electric Co. where he was employed since 1986. Ben has a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of San Diego. Ben is an elder at First Presbyterian Church San Diego and is President of the Downtown Fellowship, a collaborative of 40 church and ministry partners who serve the most vulnerable in downtown San Diego. In retirement, Ben teaches Middle School math at City Tree Christian School.

President & CEO: Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg

Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg is the President and CEO of the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care,  and is the global authority of reproductive grief care. As one of the world’s foremost experts on reproductive grief care and pregnancy loss, Michaelene is a published author, lecturer and speaker and has appeared in over 100 radio and television programs.

See Michaelene’s full bio here.

Secretary: Patrick Gaughan

Patrick Gaughan is Senior VP & Chief Mission Officer for CommonSpirit Health’s Colorado/Utah/Kansas Division. Prior to joining CommonSpirit, Patrick held leadership roles in mission integration and operations/process improvement with Alexian Brothers Health System in Illinois and began his career in healthcare as a cardiac, vascular, and thoracic surgery intensive care nurse at St. Anthony Medical Center. Patrick has a nursing degree from St. Anthony Nursing School, a BSN in Nursing from Northern Illinois University, and MHSA master’s degree from Xavier University. 

Treasurer: Joe Jordan

Joe Jordan earned his BBA degree from the University of Notre Dame. Following graduation, he served 5 years active duty in the supply corps of the US Navy. Following his active duty, he was employed in banking, finance and accounting. He is a certified public accountant.

Joe is a CFO of a graphic arts and design firm with offices in California, Arizona and Nevada. He has served as treasurer of the Institute since 2013. In addition to his nonprofit work with the Institute, he serves on many boards and committees serving education, homelessness and foster youth. He supports the Institute with his financial background and is a strong believer in their mission.

Members

Fred Clark

Fred Clark earned a B.A. degree at the University of Southern California, a J.D. degree at the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. at Harvard University. Mr. Clark has been in the investment business since graduating from Harvard, first at Goldman Sachs and then Pacific Equity Management which he founded.

Mr. Clark is very much involved in philanthropy. Some of the boards he sits on include the Berkeley Institute, Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, Inner-City Scholarship, Inc., Institute for Family Studies, Institute on Religion and Public Life, Patients’ Rights Council, and the Witherspoon Institute. He currently volunteers as a teacher at an inner-city school.

Mike Fredenburg

Mike Fredenburg is a cyber security consultant with a focus on data security and privacy standards. He works with clients throughout the United States.  He was also the founding president of the Adam Smith Institute.  As an Institute board member, Mike works with the office staff to help set IT policy and often helps in adopting and evaluating new technology.

Mike is a nationally published author and has had columns published in such publications as the Union-Tribune, the Daily Transcript, California Political Review and National Review Magazine. Mike received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at University of California Santa Barbara and his Masters in Business Administration at San Diego State University.

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson is the managing member of a family held real estate investment firm and President of the Johnson Family Foundation. He has a background in banking, real estate and finance. Brian received his B.A. in economics and political science from Pitzer College and a
MBA from the University of Oregon. He is a supporter of the Institute and proud of the work they do to bring healing and hope to grieving families. He currently resides in Poway with his wife and sons.

Margot Kyd

Margot Kyd spent nearly 30 years of her career at San Diego Gas & Electric and Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holding company. Now retired, Margot served as a corporate officer for nearly 24 years in a variety of capacities including Senior VP & Chief Administrative Officer. Margot received an MBA from Arizona State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Kentucky. In addition to the Institute, Margot also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students Foundation and the Magis Institute. Margo is also a member of the Board of Regents of the Augustine Institute and a Trustee Emeritus of the University of San Diego.

Maryanne Odom

Maryanne Fraunces Odom holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Public Accountant.  After a number of years in public accounting and the banking industry, she retired to raise four children and focus on community activities.  She spent over 15 years teaching Religious Education, leading adult bible studies and currently serves as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and Alpha leader. She served as a Girl Scout Leader for eight years and served in various leadership positions with the Coppell Service Unit.  Maryanne also served as a board member of the Coppell Assistance League as the Secretary and Scholarship Committee Representative for six years.

Maryanne has served on the Cistercian Preparatory School Parent Club Board in various capacities for the past 8 years. She currently serves as the President of the Board leading 30 officers in their service to the school. In 2014, along with others, Maryanne chartered a new chapter of the Young Men’s Service League, a mother/son service and leadership organization. In the chapter’s three-year history, Maryanne has served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and two terms as President. The chapter has 160 members and serves over 20 different philanthropies in the Dallas area. The chapter provides over 3,000 hours of community service a year. In addition, Maryanne serves as a mentor to two freshmen at Cristo Rey Catholic School in Dallas.