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Meet The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s Newest Board Members

The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s board of directors is growing even more! The board and staff are honored and excited to welcome Dia Rianda, Kristin Rasmussen and Bridget Kavanaugh. Each may serve two three-year terms:

 

Dia Rianda

Investment Partner, Agriculture 

In her spare time, She serves as an outspoken advocate for USA athletes who have been exploited or abused within the Olympic system. This includes lobbying for major federal legislative change .

Dia Rianda a community philanthropist has lived in Monterey County for 40 years. Born and raised in California, Dia has given much of her time volunteering for a variety of nonprofit community service organizations. Serving for approximately 30 years as a USA Swimming Head Coach and local High School Head Swim Coach. Helped build and fundraise for two swimming pools in Monterey County and served as an Aquatics Director for 10 years in Salinas. A generous donor to USA Swimming’s “Make A Splash” program. Her proudest accomplishment is providing swim lessons/ water safety to over 30,000 children in the Salinas Valley (Most of which were reduced cost or free lessons). She has coached thousands of kids through club swimming. Inspiring most kids to attend college. She has coached age group swimmers to USA Swimming number one and top ten finishes. Has inspired athletes to swim in college, and more importantly to academic success. Coaching every year well rounded athletes who were Valedictorian’s and salutatorian’s in a number of local school districts. Dia received a National Award from USA Swimming for her contribution to Saving Live’s through Swimming.

Dia has also been an art docent within the Monterey County School districts.

Once upon a time ,she served as State Future Farmers of America Officer and California Young Farmer State Officer. Was a National Talent solo singer at the FFA National Convention and a State Contest Public Speaking winner in a variety of organization contests.

She is an active investment partner in Agriculture Business’s and has deep ties to the Agriculture Community in California and the Salinas Valley.

Annually, she prioritizes the Salvation Army, local FFA & 4-H Livestock exhibitors, Learn to Swim Programs , Women’s organizations, various other non profits and now The Foundation at Hearst Castle for charitable giving and volunteer service .

She is very excited to promote and help the Foundation at Hearst Castle expand its STEAM program for underserved children in California. She loves to support programs that inspire and create confidence in young people. Dia is passionate and sincere about the preservation of the Architecture, and Arts at California’s most important living museum( Hearst Castle).

 

Bridget Kavanaugh

Business Development Consultant, Quantum Integral Healing Arts

Bridget Kavanaugh is a California born-and-raised content designer and marketer. She is very passionate about the stunning natural beauty of California, as well as the man-made (and woman-made) wonders of the state, especially the Hearst Castle. She previously served on the City of Santa Ana Workforce Development Board and is very excited to be part of the board of The Foundation at Hearst Castle. 

 

Kristin Rasmussen

Owner, KMR Wealth Advisory, LLC

Kristin also works with her family at Rasmussen Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles, California.

Kristin Rasmussen is the owner of KMR Wealth Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor in San Luis Obispo, California.  Kristin is a Certified Financial Planner™ licensee (CFP®) and holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation. Kristin has been providing financial planning and advising clients for over 28 years throughout the United States.  

Kristin’s family has deep roots in San Luis Obispo County. Kristin is the great, great granddaughter of Manual and Mary Sebastian, proprietors of Sebastian’s General Store in San Simeon for over 50 years beginning in 1914. 

“My grandmother was orphaned at the age of 5 in 1923 and came to live with my great, great grandparents during much of Hearst Castle’s construction. The stories I used to hear from my grandmother about family, the townspeople and the Castle gave me a profound love of this magical place and a desire to support it so that others may be inspired.”

Kristin served on the Board of Directors for Friends of Hearst Castle from 2010 through 2019 holding the offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary during that time.  In addition to Friends of Hearst Castle, Kristin has served on the board of directors of the San Luis Yacht Club. 


Our Mission

The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s mission is to support the conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle, and to offer youth programs for underserved middle school students — to enhance the appreciation of the art and architecture of this world-class museum and monument, ultimately enriching the visitor experience and inspiring future generations of visionaries.

The Foundation at Hearst Castle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association affiliated with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® and the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks. EIN 77-0068533.

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SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION, AND INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO DREAM BIG!