Merria Velasco

After 12 years working in education and arts nonprofits, Merria became the first ever Director of Development at Friends In Deed in February 2021. She joins the team as a Certified Fund Raising Executive, although started her career as an auditor at KPMG after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College of California.

In her spare time, Merria loves being a Jazzercise instructor, visiting friends around the country, and spending quality time with her family. She also enjoys activities like gardening, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors with her wildland firefighter husband – especially in the mountain town of Idyllwild where she lived for 5 years.

https://friendsindeedpas.org/merrias-story-always-a-cheerleader/