Lori Gangemi has been President and Chief Executive Officer of AbilityFirst since 2004. In this role, she leads a staff of 275 employees and has ultimate responsibility for all of AbilityFirst’s programs, services and facilities. She is also accountable for the organization’s financial health, and for implementing the Board of Directors’ policies and strategic plans.

Lori has a 20-year track record of success in the nonprofit arena. Prior to taking the helm at AbilityFirst, Lori led the March of Dimes Southern California Chapter, the largest of 54 March of Dimes chapters in the nation, with six offices throughout Southern California. She previously led the March of Dimes’ San Diego-Imperial Chapter, and began her career with the March of Dimes in Washington. Lori’s experience also includes stints as executive director for the American Heart Association in Seattle and corporate relations director of that organization’s Dallas division.

Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Washington State University in Pullman. She is a member of the Los Angeles Downtown Rotary Club and is an alumna of the Southern California Leadership Network.

Steven Schultz became AbilityFirst’s Vice President of Finance and Administration in 2006. As the agency’s chief financial officer, he manages the financial resources of the agency and works closely with our Finance and Investments and Audit Committees. Steve is also responsible for the MIS and facility maintenance departments and our HUD 202/811 housing projects.

Steve joined AbilityFirst after more than 13 years with the Florence Crittenton Center in Los Angeles, where he began as Director of Finance and Support Services and later reached the position of Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. Previously, he held accounting and business management positions with All Saints Church, Beverly Hills; All Saints Church, Pasadena; and Infant Hearing Resource in Portland, Oregon.

Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Idaho State University. He is active in the community, involved with Westwood Charter Schools and Westwood Hills UCC.

Mary Beth Perrine is Vice President of Development for AbilityFirst, and has been with the organization since 2003. She is responsible for all fundraising and donor relations, including AbilityFirst’s annual, planned, and deferred giving programs.

Prior to joining AbilityFirst, Mary Beth led development efforts for Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. She was Director of Development for the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation for 13 years. She began her career as Director of Personnel for Unitours/Club Universe in Glendale, California.

Mary Beth was graduated cum laude, with a double degree in English and Spanish, from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She also holds a Certificate of Specialization in Creative Writing, and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Executive Women International’s Los Angeles chapter, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and a former member of LA 5 Rotary.