Dr. Delores A. Jacobs is the chief executive officer of The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community Center. Jacobs is nationally recognized as a skilled leader, responsible for managing one of the oldest, largest and most dynamic LGBT community centers in the country.

Since Jacobs took the executive position with The Center in 2001, the organization has grown into a vibrant $5 million dollar, community-based, non-profit agency with more than 50 staff and 800 volunteers. Today, The Center serves more than 46,000 people per year with 40 programs including programs specializing in providing service to those living with HIV, youth, seniors, families, Latino services, a cutting edge permanent supportive housing project for LGBT and HIV positive transition-aged youth and a large behavioral health department.

Jacobs is a trained psychologist who has devoted considerable time and talent to training and education efforts in the public health and non-profit sectors. In addition to a professional background that includes program design and evaluation, Jacobs is best known for her work creating innovative collaborations between a variety of sectors --health care, private, public, corporate and non-profit . Complementing that award-winning work is Jacobs’ unceasing effort to empower community members and to ensure that clients and organizations remember the twin mission of all non-profits: to provide care for their constituencies and to work tirelessly to impact public policies that can improve the lives of our most vulnerable community members.

Jeffrey M. Wergeles, CFRE is the Director of Development at The Center where he oversees all fundraising activities. Prior to joining The Center he was a fundraiser at KPBS where he had responsibility for major and planned gifts. Wergeles was originally hired by KPBS in 2000 to manage their new fundraising initiative, Gays and Lesbians for Programming Excellence. This was the first LGBT fundraising program at a public broadcasting station. Eight years later, KPBS is an integral part of the gay community and the gay community is an integral part of KPBS.

Wergeles has an extensive resume of community involvement. He has served on the boards of Mama’s Kitchen and the Greater San Diego Business Association serving two terms as board president at both organizations. Prior to working at KPBS he was a member of their Community Advisory Board and several development/capital campaign committees there. He just completed a term as vice president of the Diversionary Theater and is currently on the boards of the June Burnett Institute and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Wergeles holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive designation and a degree in economics from UCLA.

A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Patrick is a cum laude graduate of the University of San Diego, where he received a B.A. in psychology and literature. While attending USD, he was the undergraduate coordinator for the university’s Writing Center.

Prior to coming to The Center, Patrick served as an assistant director and instructor with the Princeton Review, a data manager with the American Names Association, and a business analyst in strategic sourcing with General Instrument Corporation.

Patrick oversees facilities, information technology and grants and contracts management. He joined The Center in May, 1998.

Amber Cyphers Stephens
Director of Communications

Amber Cyphers Stephens began working at The Center in 2004, assisting with the development, acquisition and implementation of the Youth Housing Project, one of the first projects of its kind in the United States. After leaving to accept a position as executive editor of Bottom Line Magazine San Diego, where she oversaw the complete redesign and reimaging of the publication, she returned to The Center in 2008 as director of communications. 

Stephens has more than 10 years experience as an editor and writer, and has received numerous awards, ranging from San Diego Press Club awards to being named one of San Diego’s 50 People to Watch by San Diego Magazine. 

Stephens graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Communications.

Carlos Marquez
Director of Community Programs and Public Affairs

Carlos Marquez is the Director of Community Programs & Public Affairs at The Center where he oversees public policy and community programs. Prior to joining The Center, Marquez worked in Government and Community Affairs for the Service Employees International Union, Local 221. Marquez has also served as a Public Policy Associate for the United Way of America and a Research Associate for the ACLU’s National Legislative Office. Marquez is active in the community as the local Chair and National Executive Board Member of Pride At Work.

Recently, Marquez was named one of the “15 under 30” LGBT political figures to watch by the Gay & Lesbian Times. He currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from San Diego State University.