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On Friday, November 13, 2026, more than 1,000 community, business, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders will gather at the Manchester Grand Hyatt for AFP San Diego’s 54th Annual National Philanthropy Day, presented by PNC Bank.

“Impact through Philanthropy isn’t just a theme; it’s what we see every day in San Diego’s diverse communities,” said Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP, AFP San Diego chapter president. “The honorees show what’s possible when intention meets generosity, leadership and dedication come together. We’re honored to celebrate the honorees alongside our presenting sponsor, PNC Bank.”

“Philanthropy is one of San Diego’s great strengths—not just because of this community’s generosity, but because of what happens when people unite around the belief that our region can be better,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of the San Diego Foundation and Honorary Committee Chair for National Philanthropy Day. “National Philanthropy Day lets us recognize the donors, volunteers, fundraisers, and organizations who turn that belief into action, strengthening lives throughout our community. Celebrating them reminds us all of the extraordinary power we have when we work together.”

Eleven honorees, including eight individuals and three organizations, were selected from scores of nominees submitted from throughout San Diego County. Honorees were selected through a rigorous vetting process by AFP San Diego’s Honorary Committee.

2026 National Philanthropy Day Honorees:

• Outstanding Development Professional, Emerging Leader – Miguel Lopez, CFRE (San Diego Foundation)
• Outstanding Development Professional, Mid-Career – Amie Brown, CFRM (Meals on Wheels San Diego County)
• Outstanding Development Professional, Career Achievement – David Hanses (Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
• Outstanding Organization, IDEA – The San Diego LGBT Community Center
• Outstanding Grantmaking Organization – David C. Copley Foundation
• Outstanding Philanthropic Business or Corporation – Maya’s Cookies
• Outstanding Student Volunteer – Chris Zheng (Casa de Amistad)
• Outstanding Volunteer – Dr. Suzanne Afflalo (A Healthier Me)
• Outstanding Volunteer – Fred Davis (Serving Seniors)
• Outstanding Philanthropists – Mel & Linda Katz
• Special Lifetime Achievement Award – Ingrid de Llamas, CFRE, IAP

National Philanthropy Day Supports AFP San Diego’s Empower Fund

Beyond recognizing local philanthropic leadership, National Philanthropy Day supports the Empower Fund, powered by U.S. Bank, which provides scholarships, educational opportunities and professional development for nonprofit leaders.

In its inaugural year, AFP San Diego raised $28,000 for the Empower Fund through National Philanthropy Day, with a goal of $50,000 in 2026. Contributions directly support educational initiatives for nonprofit professionals throughout the region. Donations are accepted year-round.

AFP San Diego’s National Philanthropy Day is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank, Empower Sponsor U.S. Bank, Focus Sponsor Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at NU and dozens of partners. View the full list of 2026 sponsors.

Event Details

Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101

Tickets and partnership opportunities are available at AFPSD.org – NPD 2026! For more information, contact Fiona King at 619-538-6605 or [email protected].

About AFP San Diego

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter has supported fundraising professionals and nonprofit leaders throughout San Diego County since 1974. Through professional education, mentorship, networking and leadership opportunities, AFP San Diego connects people at every stage of their careers while advancing ethical and effective fundraising practices. With more than 350 local members and connections to a global network of fundraising professionals, AFP San Diego invests in the people behind philanthropy to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. Learn more at AFPSD.org & follow AFPSD on LinkedIn

In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Reza Shirazi, MD, EE, FACRO and Siavosh Vakilian, MD, FRCP(C), DABR

Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.

Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.

In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.

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5395 Ruffin Rd, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92103 | 858-221-9135
@uniospecialtycare | uniospecialtycare.com

Susanna Park, MD; Sandy Chuan, MD; Brooke Friedman, MD; Said Daneshmand, MD; Valerie Flores, MD; Bryn Willson, MD

At San Diego Fertility Center, parenthood starts with personalized, cutting-edge care. Nationally recognized physicians offer individualized plans spanning IVF, PGT, egg donation, surrogacy, Gentle IVF, fertility preservation, and LGBTQ+ family building. Newsweek ranked them among America’s Best Fertility Clinics in 2026: top 6% of 450+ clinics nationwide, and best in San Diego.

“Remind yourself you are not alone! You don’t have to have all the answers before you walk through the door,” says Dr. Friedman.  “Our job is to listen, explain your options, and guide you toward what makes sense for you. Because fertility care isn’t one-size-fits-all — and building your family should feel like your journey, supported every step of the way.”

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11425 El Camino Real, San Diego, California 92130 | 858-794-6363  
@sandiegofertilitycenter | sdfertility.com

Anitha Rajamanickam, MD and Ashish Kabra, MD

At NCCS, both doctors take a personal, traditional approach to cardiovascular care. Patients speak directly with their physicians and build lasting relationships with doctors who know them. 

“We became doctors to care for patients, not to run a business,” says Dr. Kabra, who trained in England and the United States and leads the practice’s office-based cardiac care. Dr. Rajamanickam, an interventional cardiologist trained under renowned Dr. Samin Sharma, shares the same philosophy.

Guided by evidence-based medicine, they tailor care to each patient’s unique history, physiology, lifestyle and goals. Both are respected, well-reviewed physicians and four-time Top Doctors. 

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3142 Vista Way, Suite 206, Oceanside, CA 92056
760-224-7776