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 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 $3.8 million dollar community-based, non-profit agency with more than 40 staff and 300 volunteers. Today, The Center serves more than 2,000 people every week and has become the primary gathering place for more than 100 community groups. Over the past four years, she has overseen a $1.2 million facility renovation; created targeted programs for some of the most vulnerable and underserved people in San Diego; expanded The Center’s Public Policy Department; increased the overall visibility and community recognition of The Center; enhanced The Center’s Youth Services; and launched a cutting-edge supportive housing project for LGBT and HIV-positive youth, which opened in 2006.

Jacobs’ blend of professional management and program skills helped restore community confidence among Center stakeholders and clients following one of its most difficult times. Her strength as a fiscal manager brought a new level of financial oversight and a concurrent increase in revenue to The Center. Because of her effective fundraising, diversification of staff, board and volunteers and implementation of strategic and targeted programming, Jacobs has become one of San Diego’s most respected and valued non-profit leaders.

Jacobs is a trained clinical psychologist. She began her relationship with The Center in 1998, and quickly found a passion for The Center, its work and the community it served. She became the director of Behavioral Health Services before being selected in 2001 as the organization’s chief executive officer.

She has a strong commitment to coalition-based work, at every level of the LGBT and broader San Diego community. Her community involvement includes participation in the San Diego LGBT Leadership Council, the Advisory Board for the University of San Diego’s Non-Profit Leadership and Management Program, and the County of San Diego’s HIV Planning Council.

For her dedication, commitment and leadership, Jacobs has been honored by several organizations, including the San Diego YMCA, the San Diego Metropolitan Community Church, the Tom Homann Law Association, AIDS Walk San Diego, the San Diego Democratic Club, Bienestar, the Nicky’s Board of Governors, and The Imperial Court de San Diego. She has also received commendations from U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis and San Diego City Councilmember Toni Atkins. In 2005, Jacobs was recognized with LEAD San Diego’s Visionary Award for Diversity.

A Florida native, Jacobs has received her bachelor’s, masters and Ph.D. in psychology. She is a noted researcher and has been called on to present on a variety of topics – from same-sex relationship violence to cultural competence in service delivery for under-served populations. Prior to joining The Center, Jacobs was a graduate school professor, specializing in public health issues.

Jacobs has also devoted a considerable amount of time and talent to training and education efforts in the public health and non-profit sectors. She has designed and evaluated programs in academic settings, corporate training arenas, small grassroots, government and private organizations.

Jacobs lives with her partner, Dr. Heather Berberet, in San Diego. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Teresa and Ryan.

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 directs many of the Center's programs, including the Sunburst Youth Housing Project, Hillcrest Youth Center, Psychological Services, HIV Prevention and Cyber Center. Patrick also oversees facilities, information technology and grants and contracts management. He joined The Center in May, 1998.

Amber L. Cyphers
Director of Communications

Amber Cyphers began working at The Center in 2003, 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. 

Cyphers 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. 

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

Prior to joining The Center in July 2007, Burnett was the Finance Director for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, a $43 million job training program which connects job seekers with businesses. Burnett also spent three years as the Business Director for The Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, after various corporate financial positions including eight years with SAIC. She received her Bachelors degree from San Diego State University and MBA in Finance, and is currently participating in the Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program at the University of San Diego. Burnett has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching writing and finance courses at private business colleges, and volunteers with local human rights organizations.