Ginny Merrifield | Executive Director
Ginny and her husband are proud parents of three young adults. Her children attended Carmel Del Mar School, Carmel Valley Middle School and Torrey Pines High School.
In 2002, Ginny co-founded the Pacific Ridge School, an independent middle and high school in North County San Diego, focused on academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement. California State Senator, Mark Wyland, selected Ginny as California Woman of the Year, representing the 38th Senate District in recognition of her achievements and commitment to quality education in San Diego. Ginny currently serves as a founding Trustee on the Board of e3 Civic High, a charter school co-located in the new San Diego Central Library building. She recently served on the Board of Governors of The San Diego Foundation, chairing Strategic Planning and serving on the CEO Search Committee and Policy Committee.
Ginny Merrifield most recently was the Chief Operating Officer of CONNECT. Prior to her role at CONNECT, Ginny served as Executive Director of the Gary and Mary West Foundation, the second largest private foundation in San Diego County. As Executive Director, Ginny oversaw a $20 million per year grant portfolio comprised of approximately 50 nonprofit organizations in San Diego and Omaha.
Ginny and her husband moved to San Diego in 1990, after purchasing a privately held national industrial distribution business, where she served as a Director and a majority shareholder until the company was sold in 2010. Ginny holds a BA degree in Geological Sciences from Princeton University.