The American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region is proud to announce its 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala raised more than $1.3 million to support the organization’s mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in times of crisis.
This signature fundraising event, themed “A Pillar of Hope and Resilience,” was held on Saturday, March 22, at The Conservatory at One Sansome in downtown San Francisco. More than 350 guests gathered to celebrate this annual event, recognize this year’s humanitarian honorees and contribute to the Red Cross mission.
Thank you again to our fabulous Gala Co-chairs, Kenzie Ferguson and Elizabeth J. Folger, our Gala Committee, Honorary Committee, board members, sponsors, in-kind supporters and volunteers who helped make this incredible event possible. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in 2026!
Thank you for making a critical investment in our community. If you missed the opportunity to contribute, we invite you to donate through this link.
Your gift to the American Red Cross could be matched dollar for dollar by your employer.
Click here to find out if your company has a matching gift program.
Fund the Mission video for the 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala on March 22, 2025.
Special thanks to Roaring Mouse Productions for their work and continued partnership.
Special thanks to Red Cross volunteer Dave Sieburg for putting this beautiful retrospective video together.
After a distinguished 30-year career as a marketing executive, Betsy Witthohn embraced her calling to serve others by joining the Red Cross in 2017 following the devastating Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. Her Red Cross journey is notable for her roles in disaster response, leadership development and client care. She has deployed to more than 20 major disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and typhoons, often serving as job director or similar leadership role. As a member of the Red Cross National Incident Command Team, she has brought her expertise to bear in crisis management, ensuring mission success through a data-driven, collaborative approach. Betsy has received numerous Red Cross accolades, including Volunteer of the Year in 2019 and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Wells Fargo, The Malott Family Foundation, Maja Kristin and Linda Dotson will receive the 2025 Visionary Partner of the Year Award for their transformational contributions to lifesaving resiliency efforts in response to the climate crisis. Their generosity empowers the Red Cross to deliver impactful programs that prepare communities for climate-driven disasters and accelerate recovery for those most affected.
We honor a strong 100-year partnership and over $73 million in support of disaster preparedness, relief and community resilience. This long-standing collaboration, fueled by foundation, employee and customer generosity, and employee volunteerism, highlights a shared commitment to address community needs.
The Malott Family Foundation’s commitment to supporting urgent humanitarian needs driven by the worsening climate crisis has provided crucial funding that will help the Red Cross adapt its disaster response and recovery services to better support families, as well as growing its capacity to help frontline communities. Their investment reflects a dedication to building resilience and alleviating suffering.
Maja is a committed philanthropist who is making a positive difference in the lives of others. Her love for humanity is evident in her contributions to her community. She has been a loyal supporter of the Red Cross since 2017 and as a North Bay resident, she knows first-hand the importance of disaster preparedness due to the repeated wildfires she’s experienced. Maja’s lifework underscores a passion for bridging differences and inspiring philanthropy to support worthwhile causes.
Linda’s lifelong journey with the Red Cross has spanned from childhood memories to informed philanthropy. Linda adopted a new way of thinking about her philanthropy during the pandemic and shifted to a “giving while living” philosophy. Since then, Linda has approached her giving with a love of learning and is dedicated to addressing prevention and relief efforts to support vulnerable populations and communities.
Returning for a second time to co-chair the Red Cross Gala, Kenzie Ferguson is a recognized leader in corporate philanthropy and broader social impact strategies.
As Vice President of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Delta Dental of California, she oversees the strategic vision and direction of the company’s philanthropic giving, community service, and social impact programs. Under her leadership, Delta Dental has directed millions of dollars in support of vital community initiatives, including over $5 million in donations to the American Red Cross.
Kenzie serves as the newly appointed board chair for the Red Cross Bay Area Chapter and is co-chair of the 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala. Her efforts as co-chair, combined with her work on the Gala Committee since 2021, have helped raise an additional $2.5 million in support of the Red Cross’s lifesaving work, contributing to a total of over $8 million.
Kenzie is deeply passionate about the Red Cross mission and is committed to finding innovative ways to fund and support their lifesaving services. Her philanthropic and civic engagement spans the globe, with experience living, studying, working, and volunteering in Russia, the Netherlands, and Morocco, where she supported orphanages and children’s libraries.
Elizabeth’s first connection with the American Red Cross was in San Francisco after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. As a Red Cross volunteer, she escorted people back to their homes down ghost-town streets in the Marina. She was struck by how lives were upended by this natural disaster and how the Red Cross’ care and attention was critical during this dire time.
Elizabeth believes in the “the power of our volunteers” who can and do engage to improve our community. She learned her volunteer management and fundraising skills from such organizations as the Arthritis Foundation of Northern California, the San Francisco Symphony and the Salvation Army. As an American Red Cross volunteer, Elizabeth wishes to use her experience to expand its visibility and mission and reach out to current and future supporters.
The 2025 event will be her third as co-chair. She is pleased to co-chair for the second time with Kenzie Ferguson, with whom she co-chaired the 2023 Gala, to help create the 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala, “A Pillar of Hope and Resilience.”
Vern Glenn is the Sports Director at KPIX 5. He joined Ch 5 in June of 2012 as weekend Sports Anchor/weekday sports reporter. He has picked up five Emmy Awards in the last six years for Best Sportscaster. In October 2020, Vern was inducted into the SF/NorCal Silver Circle Hall of Fame.
He had previously been at KRON 4 News since 1990. While at KRON, he was tagged with the nickname "Mr. Involvement" for literally throwing himself in the middle of his feature stories.
Vern is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Returning for his third Red Cross Gala, Devon Bell brings intelligence, passion, humor, and an entertainer’s sensibility to everything he does. His commitment to helping people runs to his core and has guided his path throughout his career.
Devon’s first career was as a real-time captioner for the deaf and hard of hearing. Over the course of 20 years, he has captioned for U.S. Presidents, astronauts, and during live surgeries.
“The pace and the pressure of a live event, the sense of accomplishment and achievement with its success were all good precursors to becoming a fundraiser.”
Devon grew up in the same small town as lifelong friend Greg Quiroga, who first recruited Devon as a ring man in 2010. Devon was hooked, and he joined Stellar Fundraising Auctions as an auctioneer in 2014. Well over 100 auctions later, he still loves the work.
“It’s an honor to be part of any nonprofit fundraising/benefit event,” says Devon. “It’s joyous and poignant and so much fun to help facilitate a community’s expression of support for an organization they love. I feel blessed to play a role, and I try to bring that celebratory feeling to every performance.”
Devon works with schools, arts organizations, and public interest groups throughout the Bay Area and beyond. He lives in Davis and takes any and every opportunity to play music, to play with his kids, and to play music with his kids.
As guests mingle during the cocktail reception, the 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala will come alive with the dynamic rhythms of SFJAZZ, the world’s largest non-profit jazz presenter. Celebrating 41 years of inspiring audiences, SFJAZZ will set the tone for an unforgettable evening with its signature energy and artistry, a perfect prelude to the night’s festivities.
The Red Cross Gala and our mission succeed thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners. Their support ensures we can answer the call whenever and wherever there’s a need. We are grateful and proud to celebrate 30 years of the Gala with our 2025 sponsors.
Contact event manager Sofia Knoblach to get involved.