The American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB) is a non-religious, non-political 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California, serving Riverside County, with growing outreach in Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Board of Directors & Advisory Board
The American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB) is led by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Board with experience in law, finance, real estate, survivor advocacy, youth services, and veteran outreach. Together, they guide ASCB's work providing housing, stability, and pathways to independence for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, and youth aging out of foster care in Riverside County and surrounding counties.
Board of Directors
Susan Vanderburgh, JD, MPA
Angeline Benjamin
Alaja Hobbs
President & Founder
Vice President
Secretary & Treasurer
Advisory Board
Joel Rivera
Maria DiGiovanni
Leon Jones
Advisory Board Member
Advisory Board Member
Veteran Advocate & Supporter
Susan Vanderburgh, JD, MPA — President & Founder
Susan Vanderburgh, JD, MPA, serves as President and Founder of the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California. ASCB provides housing, stability, and pathways to independence for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, and youth aging out of foster care. Susan has led ASCB since 2022, overseeing governance, compliance, grants, and outreach. She brings more than 18 years of experience in litigation, real estate, and compliance. Susan holds a Juris Doctor from Purdue Global Law School, a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Redlands. Susan mentors entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders through SCORE and the California State University, Fullerton Center for Entrepreneurship. She also serves as Treasurer of the Lake Menifee Women's Club. She leads ASCB to champion people who are often overlooked. Susan speaks English, Cantonese, and Spanish.
Angeline Benjamin — Vice President
Angeline Benjamin serves as Vice President of the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California. She has helped lead ASCB since its founding in 2022. Based in Queen Creek, Arizona, she also works with clients in Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Angeline is a personal development coach, speaker, and trainer who helps women in business and second-career professionals overcome fear and limiting beliefs. Since 2020, she has served as Director of the Virtual Thursday Network for the Global Society for Female Entrepreneurs. Before coaching, Angeline spent more than 30 years in food safety and quality assurance, including 18 years managing food safety and crisis management programs for Taco Bell and Yum Brands. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude, from Notre Dame de Namur University. Angeline serves with ASCB because she believes in giving back her time, expertise, and resources.
Alaja Hobbs — Secretary & Treasurer
Alaja Hobbs serves as Secretary and Treasurer on the board of the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California. She lives in Los Angeles County. Alaja keeps ASCB's board records and oversees its financial reporting, supporting its governance and compliance. As a legal intern with the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department, she helped families prepare for custody and juvenile delinquency cases. She has also mentored youth through an initiative to end youth homelessness and currently serves as a Judicial Law Intern with the Superior Court of Guam, where she has reviewed more than 100 court proceedings. Alaja holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, from Prairie View A&M University and is pursuing her Juris Doctor at Purdue Global Law School. She serves with ASCB to help young people aging out of foster care build secure, successful futures.
Joel Rivera — Advisory Board Member
Joel Rivera has served on the Advisory Board of the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California, since 2022. Joel is a Southern California REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker and lives in Lake Elsinore. He brings expertise in real estate, finance, and affordable housing to ASCB, along with more than 19 years of experience helping Riverside County families buy, sell, and invest in homes, including first-time and VA buyers. On the advisory board, Joel contributes ideas for fundraisers and community involvement. His work guiding people toward homeownership and financial stability supports ASCB's mission of providing safe, sustainable housing and pathways to independence for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, and youth aging out of foster care. Joel speaks English and Tagalog.
Maria DiGiovanni — Advisory Board Member
Maria DiGiovanni has served on the Advisory Board of the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California, since 2022. Maria is an international advocate and speaker working to end violence against women and children. She is CEO of FoRe! International, a Producer at Living Royal Productions, and a National Speaker for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Maria brings more than 20 years of experience in etiquette, protocol, life coaching, and public relations. She is a Dame Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Constantine the Great and St. Helen. On the advisory board, Maria shares her experience in survivor advocacy to support ASCB's work with survivors of domestic abuse. She also organizes community events that help ASCB expand its reach into Orange County. Her own journey of resilience informs her advocacy. Maria lives in Lake Forest, California.
Leon Jones — Advisory Board Member, Veteran Advocate
Leon Jones has served as a Veteran Advocate and Supporter for the American Society of Community Benefits (ASCB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Menifee, California, since 2023. Leon is a U.S. Army veteran. He supports ASCB's veteran initiatives, part of its mission to provide housing, stability, and pathways to independence for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, and youth aging out of foster care. After his military service, Leon built a career in insurance, lending, and financial education as a broker with Straight Talk Financial Services. He is also a music producer, recording artist, and performer who has used music to mentor hundreds of at-risk youth in Los Angeles County, where he lives, steering them away from crime and jail. He serves with ASCB because he believes financial stability, music, and community help veterans and young people rebuild.
Follow ASCB
© 2026 American Society of Community Benefits. All rights reserved. American Society of Community Benefits is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 88-2372225. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
30141 Antelope Road, Suite D848
Menifee, CA 92584
Telephone: 951‑400‑5529
