Staff

Susan P. Ludwig
President
Susan became president of the Coast Guard Foundation in 2017 after serving for three years as Regional Director of Philanthropy in the Northeast. With fourteen years of non-profit fundraising work, and two decades of experience working in corporate sales and product management, Susan leads the organization towards a future where all Coast Guard members and their families have the support they need to be prepared for service, build resilience, and excel throughout their lives.

Bradley D. Sisley
Senior Vice President of Development
Brad Sisley joined the Coast Guard Foundation in 2008. As Senior Vice President, Brad develops the overall strategic and operational direction for the development program. With that in mind, Brad's goal is to ensure that Foundation's staff operate in an efficient, effective, and well-coordinated manner, and that they support and enhance the mission of the Foundation.

Nicole Evans
Director of Finance and Accounting
Nicole Evans, CPA joined the Foundation in 2020. As the Director of Finance and Accounting, Nicole oversees all accounting, finance and human resource functions of the organization. Nicole’s experience includes management and accounting positions throughout industry, non-profit and government, including within the Comptroller Division of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. Having been an active duty Coast Guard spouse for over two decades, as well as a unit ombudsman, Nicole has a strong connection to the Coast Guard and its families.

Ron LaBrec
External Engagement Officer
Ron joined the Coast Guard Foundation as a regional director of philanthropy following a 29-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard. Currently he oversees the Foundation’s external engagement programs including digital and marketing communications, public relations, events and corporate outreach, and program support to Coast Guard members.
Ron graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and holds a master's degree from Boston University. He also completed MIT’s Seminar XXI program in National Security and served as a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Specializing in search and rescue, law enforcement, and crisis management, his career in the service included senior posts as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Recruiting Command, Director of Coast Guard Public Affairs, Chief of the National Search and Rescue School, and Assistant Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Jean Brown
Senior Director of Events
Jean works closely with the President and Senior Vice President on the strategic development of our signature events all across the country. In addition to overseeing the implementation of each of these events, she also plays a key role in stewarding our corporate partnerships, supporting our volunteer fundraising committees, and managing the meetings and activities of the Board of Trustees. Jean joined the Foundation in 2006 and has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit events.

Jessie Clary
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Jessie Clary joined the Coast Guard Foundation in 2023 and is leading the Foundation’s philanthropy efforts in the Los Angeles area. She bring more than 20 years of nonprofit and business development experience to her role here, including building partnerships with key investors within the business and nonprofit community.

Marc Cregan
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Marc leads the Foundation’s philanthropy efforts throughout New England and New York. Marc joined the organization in 2019 and brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience to his role at the Foundation.

Jennifer Crowley Fyke
Senior Director of Communications
Jennifer has worked at the Foundation since 2003 and currently leads the organization’s internal and external communications. This effort includes public relations, media coverage and marketing, social media, video production, brand management, and digital fundraising and communication. Jennifer also leads the program team, helping to strengthen the Coast Guard community and service by ensuring that Foundation resources are there for members and their families, where and when they need it the most.

Kelly Hodges
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Kelly leads the Foundation’s philanthropy efforts in Texas, Louisiana and throughout America’s heartland. Kelly joined the organization in 2022 and brings more than 20 years of non-profit experience to her role at the Foundation.

Arika Kern
Philanthropy Officer
Based in coastal Virginia, Arika has a decade of non-profit experience. At the Coast Guard Foundation, Arika focuses on cultivating meaningful relationships with our most loyal supporters.

Linda Naugle
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Linda leads the organization’s efforts in the west, working closely with local Coast Guard units and supporters to identify and fulfill support needs for Coast Guard members on the West Coast, Hawaii and Alaska. Linda is based in San Francisco.

Quincy Newson
Philanthropy Officer
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Quincy Newson has worked for non-profit organizations since 2014. At the Coast Guard Foundation, Quincy focuses on cultivating meaningful relationships with our most loyal supporters.

Brian Overcast
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Brian leads the Foundation’s philanthropy efforts in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, which includes his home state of Florida. Brian has worked for national and community nonprofit organizations for his entire career, and has worked at the Coast Guard Foundation for more than ten years.

Crystal Sabol
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Crystal leads the Foundation’s philanthropic works in the Great Lakes region. Crystal joined the organization in 2023 and has more than 18 years of experience in the non-profit and business development fields.

Wendy Taylor Emerson
Regional Director of Philanthropy
Wendy, from her home base in Maryland, leads the Foundation’s philanthropy work in the Mid-Atlantic. She joined the organization in 2021 and has more than 14 years of non-profit fundraising experience.
About Us
Individual Support

Join our community of thousands to share your support of programs like this one with an online donation.