Sonya Caruso

Sonya’s passion for stewarding non-profits to achieve a greater impact and effectiveness has resulted in over 20 years of experience in non-profit strategic development. Throughout her career, she has worked in key positions both nationally and internationally. Sonya received Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management from the University of Oregon and holds a Certification in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from Indiana University.

In 2023, she became Nationally Board Certified as a Health and Wellness Coach. She currently lectures at Oasis Senior Centers on the nutrition and lifestyle habits of people living in the Blues Zones. Sonya also maintains a health coaching practice for individual clients. Through coaching she empowers her clients to take control of their health and wellness through improvements in nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle.

During the past two years, Sonya was the Executive Director at Volunteers in Medicine – San Diego, a free clinic serving the uninsured in San Diego County. She experienced first-hand the impact of providing healthcare services to vulnerable populations within our community.

Her non-profit experience includes working for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the University of Oregon Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, Sportstar Marketing Group and the San Diego Museum of Art.

Sonya has also worked within a diverse array of philanthropic sectors as a consultant, helping each client leverage their capacity and adjust their organizational culture to uncover growth opportunities.  Some of her clients included the SoCal Women’ Health Conference and Expo, the National Association for Autism Research, and the Pacific Dental Services Foundation. She has also increased organizational capacity as the Director of Development for the Fieldstone Leadership Network and the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation.

Sonya is active within her local philanthropic community. She has volunteered in a leadership capacity as the Chair of the Ashley Falls Jog-A-Thon, an Advisory Board Member of Villa Musica and on the Gala Committee for Ocean Discovery Institute. She currently serves on the Resource Committee for the San Diego River Park Foundation.

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