Mary Correia-Moreno helped bridge the San Diego-Baja California border
through the International Community Foundation's Gala

left to right: Gala Event Co-chairs Conchita Vallalodid from
sister foundation FIC & Mary Correia-Moreno

"It was the only opportunity as a Board member to have contact with the sister organization," Correia-Moreno said of the International Community Foundation's Baja California partner in philanthropy, the Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad A.C. "The most memorable part was watching the two organizations come together."

The gala was held Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the Kona Kai Resort on San Diego's Shelter Island. Her co-chair of the event was Concepción Valladolid de Perez, board member of the Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, A.C. About 550 individuals attended the reception and silent auction, dinner and dance. It raised $52,800 for charitable causes that promote healthy lives for children and families in the cross-border region.

Correia-Moreno joined the International Community Foundation Board of Governors after a friend at San Diego State University told her the organization had an opening. "I didn't know much about ICF at the time. But it was a great organization, doing exciting things," she said.

Born in Portugal, Correia-Moreno came to this country with her family at age 5. She graduated from Pt. Loma High School and from San Diego State with a degree in journalism. She had interned at the Stock/Alper & Associates public relations firm in San Diego and took a full-time job at the company after graduating. In 2001, she moved to Nuffer, Smith, Tucker when it merged with Stock/Alper.

Although Correia-Moreno had organized galas and been actively involved in community service in the past, she had stepped back after the birth of her children, now ages 4 and 7, and undertaking a workday commute between Murrieta and San Diego.

However, after joining the International Community Foundation Board, her experience and her multicultural background made her the perfect choice to direct the annual gala. It also gave her the opportunity to learn more about the Baja California sister organization.

"The border is wider than you think, and we need to expand our own thinking beyond borders," Correia-Moreno said.

She remains on the Board as Chair of the marketing committee. "Our goal is to get our message out," she said. "We've been a successful organization, but kind of a silent organization."

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