Valerie Attisha believes scholarships cause a domino effect. As director of scholarships for The San Diego Foundation, 34-year-old Attisha knows the benefits of grants more than the recipients. She sees applications from many adult re-entry students, people returning to school after a marriage ends or after recovery from substance abuse.

A scholarship gives them the opportunity to succeed. and it “may touch generations,” she says, benefiting parents, siblings and children.

A scholarship allowed Attisha to attend USD. The university, along with her family, encouraged her to make a difference. At the foundation, she established the Community Scholarship Program that’s grown to more than $25 million in assets. The fund has awarded more than $8 million to thousands of students.

Attisha also created the San Diego Teachers’ Fund. With more than $750,000 in contributions, it has affected more than 11,000 students by awarding 600 public elementary school teachers grants for activities like museum field trips.

Attisha’s work on a white paper on women and philanthropy led to establishment of the San Diego Women’s Foundation. Furthermore, she directed the San Diego Millennium Project, an assessment of regional challenges and opportunities for which she received special recognition. The San Diego Foundation received recognition from the National Scholarship Providers Association for Scholarship Excellence and the Biocom Community Partner of the Year Award.

Outside work, Attisha serves on the El Cajon Rotary Club and USD National Alumni boards and the LEAD San Diego selection committee. She plans to marry her fiancé, Jason Harmon, next summer.