2024 Moonridge Philanthropy Leaders Summit

Dedicated to preserving Latino culture through food and encouraging diversity in the kitchen, he launched the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund – a non-profit whose mission is to uplift Latino youth through education and mentorship. Aarón is also the co-founder and creative director of Cocina, a media company and full-service production house founded with a simple premise: create and share stories that represent the best of Latino culture.

Aarón’s television career spans over two decades starring on hit shows such as Food Network’s Chopped and the Emmy-nominated series Taco Trip. Additionally, he has produced and hosted several Spanish language shows including El Sabor de Aarón.

In addition to being the chef/owner of several restaurants throughout the U.S. (Johnny Sánchez, Showbird and Adobo Cantina), Aarón is a partner in the world-renowned tattoo shop and museum, Daredevil Tattoo in NYC.  He lives in New Orleans, LA with his two dogs, Moose and Balto.

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Delano Las Vegas and Luxor Hotel and Casino

Justin Fredrickson serves as the Executive Chef of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Delano Las Vegas and Luxor Hotel and Casino. In this role, he is responsible for the operations of more than 32 food and beverage venues and leading more than 600 team members. Since 2017, when he started in this role, Fredrickson has worked closely with each venue to ensure the success of all culinary initiatives and that brand expectations are consistently exceeded.

Previously, Fredrickson oversaw day-to-day operations as Kitchen Manager at Elmo’s Bar & Restaurant in Buffalo, NY from 1993 to 1999, while simultaneously earning his associate degree in hotel management from Erie College, also in Buffalo, NY. He went on to hold numerous culinary positions at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, including Assistant Executive Chef of the property.

Fredrickson is an active member of MGM Resorts’ “Focused on What Matters” volunteer initiative and enjoys volunteering at Chefs for Kids, alleviating malnutrition and hunger in children through education and awareness.

Par is the owner, founder, and CEO of Tolles Development, a multi-disciplinary development and management firm that believes thoughtful development creates stronger communities. Founded in 2016, the Tolles portfolio features a diverse range of office, retail, and industrial properties across Nevada. In addition, Tolles Management is currently the largest third-party property management company in northern Nevada.

Before founding Tolles, Par held several leadership positions including President of Basin Street Properties, President of Dermody Properties, Principal of Nevada for Trammell Crow Company, and Managing Director of Northern Nevada for CBRE. Par is a co-founder of the Village on Sage Street (a groundbreaking, public-private transitional housing development) and sits on the Board of Directors for the Volunteers of America, Northern Nevada HOPES, Karma Box, and is Chairman of the Fundraising for the Cares Campus.

Verdi DiSesa is a Managing Director and Market Team Lead at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In his senior role, Verdi directs a group of Bankers to deliver tailored financial strategies for some of the most affluent investors, entrepreneurs, executives and business owners in Northern California. He serves as a champion to help clients pursue their most meaningful goals and leave legacies for the generations to follow.

Verdi works in concert with his team members to develop best practices and drive toward positive outcomes. He views himself as a problem solver of last resort—anticipating needs and removing obstacles in their paths. Verdi’s dogged determination and collaborative mindset are instrumental in building an environment of excellence. His strength lies in developing the talents and skills that enable each individual to succeed.

As a member of the leadership team in San Francisco, Verdi draws from the richness of his J.P. Morgan experience to expand the firm’s impact in the region. He has served on the National Associate and the National Advisory Councils, and at Senior Leadership forums for the Private Bank. He has also been recognized as one of the Private Bank’s Morgan Circle top advisors.

Over the course of a 15-year career in wealth management, Verdi has guided clients in navigating through two financial crises and the longest bull market in history. Before joining J.P. Morgan in 2013, he worked with the Credit Team at Goldman Sachs in San Francisco, and previously was part of the Private Wealth Management Group in Goldman’s New York office.

Verdi is a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned a degree in History with a focus on International Finance. He was a two-time captain of the varsity squash team.

Deeply enmeshed in the San Francisco community, Verdi recently served as Commissioner of the Olympic Club’s squash program. He also serves as a Chair, board member, and on the Executive, DEI and Forest Health Committees of the Tahoe Fund, which seeks to protect and preserve the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Outside of the office, Verdi, his wife, Kelsey, his daughters, Georgia and Lola, and their dog, Linus, spend much of their time in the Sierra Nevada mountains.