Heritage
Walter S. Johnson was born in East Saginaw, Michigan in 1884. He moved West while still a youngster, ultimately settling in San Francisco, and graduated from the University of California law school in 1914. After working briefly as an attorney and serving in World War I, Mr. Johnson became a partner in, and later the president of, Tarter, Webster & Johnson, a wholesale lumber firm. In 1927, he founded the American Box Corporation, which later became the American Forest Products Corporation, and served as its president for more than forty years. Mr. Johnson also helped create the Friden Calculating Machine Company in 1933 and was elected president in 1945 on the death of its founder. He remained active in the management of both companies until well into his eighties. Mr. Johnson died in 1978.
Mr. Johnson received considerable public recognition in 1959 with his lead gift to the city of San Francisco for the reconstruction of the Palace of Fine Arts. The building, designed by Bernard Maybeck and originally constructed in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, had captured Mr. Johnson’s fancy when he visited the Exposition as a young man. The Palace remained an enduring interest throughout his life.
Mr. Johnson became interested in supporting older youth with foster care experience as a result of his friendship with a nonprofit serving this population. Providing educational and employment opportunities for vulnerable young people have been an important mission and legacy for Mr. Johnson and his descendants.
Staff
Executive Director
Ashley Fontanetta
Ashley brings a background in both financial services and nonprofit management. Before joining Whittier Trust, Ms. Fontanetta worked as a Financial Advisor, where she was responsible for advising wealth management strategies for her clients and their families. She also spent several years as a director of a nonprofit organization serving chronically-ill youth in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Ms. Fontanetta earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California and has completed advanced studies at USC’s School of Social Work and The American College of Financial Services. She remains an active volunteer in the community, working with organizations that focus on homelessness, youth mentorship, and education.
Program Director
Yali Lincroft, MBA
Yali Lincroft is a Vice President of Whittier Trust’s Philanthropic Services department. Before joining Whittier Trust, Ms. Lincroft worked for several private family foundations and governmental agencies in California and nationally. Ms. Lincroft has received recognition for her leadership, including the 2024 Partner of the Year from the California Association of Local Conservation Corps, the 2018 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year from the Network of California Community College Foundations, the 2018 Council on Foundation/HUD Public Private Partnership Award, and the 2013 White House Champion for Change award. Ms. Lincroft received her MBA from the University of California at Davis and her BA in history with honors from the University of California at Berkeley.
Grants Manager
Chuck Hoblitzelle
Mr. Hoblitzelle manages the Foundation’s grantmaking process. He performs philanthropic due diligence on applicant organizations, reviews grant budgets and financial reports, and maintains our grants database. Mr. Hoblitzelle has more than 15 years of experience managing nonprofit programs in the U.S., India, and Africa. He received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Francisco State University.
Board of Trustees
Trustee & President
Nate Bruckner
- Chair, Investments Committee
Vice President
Sandy Bruckner
Trustee & Secretary
Kaitlyn Tamulonis
- Member, Grants Committee
- Member, Nominations Committee
Trustee
Jessica Johnson
- Chair, Grants Committee
- Member, Audit Committee
Trustee
Christopher Rupright
- Member, Audit Committee
Trustee & Treasurer
Monty Johnson
- Member, Grants Committee
Trustee
Katie Hayden
- Chair, Nominations Committee
- Member, Investments Committee
Trustee
David Shackelton
- Chair, Audit Committee
- Member, Nominations Committee
- Member, Investments Committee
Adjunct Trustees
Becca Fox & Kristin Johnson
Outside Committee Members
Chris Johnson & Peter Lillevand
Financials
Audit
A pdf link to our Audited financial statements are in this section. If you have any other financial questions not addressed in these audits please contact us directly.
