Since its inception in 2012 at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, the Future Legends Scholarship Program has continued to grow, attributed in large part to its many dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Last Wednesday, this organization achieved another milestone by hosting the first Legendary Women’s Luncheon of 2024. Organized by Future Legends CEO, Laura Kreiss, with the support of Holly Carter, Stacie Barba, and Elaine Becerra, the luncheon included a guest list of over 45 women personally known for their philanthropy and leadership within the community. Hosted at the RSF Club, the goal was to introduce this supportive group of like-minded women to others who share a passion for supporting local youth in their educational goals. Guests enjoyed a lovely lunch of chicken or salmon salad and topped off with a delicious opera cake with berry compote.
After a brief introduction by Ms. Kreiss, Ms. Carter, the new chairperson of Legendary Women, shared about the history and mission of Future Legends which was followed by an informative presentation on Estate Planning by Ms. Becerra, previously of Northern Trust. The highlight of the occasion was when one of the current scholars, Lili Gomez, shared about Future Legends’ significant role in positively impacting her educational journey as a first-generation college student. Lili is currently attending University of San Francisco to achieve her Masters in Nursing.
Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. Reflecting on the successful event, Laura Kreiss shared, “When we help our youth pursue their educational dreams, everyone benefits. It was a privilege and a delight to spend the afternoon with such an influential group of women who recognize the importance of our mission and who have the heart to share in our vision.
The Future Legends Scholarship Fund proudly spotlights the remarkable journey of Lili Gomez, a tenacious first-generation college graduate who, in the face of formidable financial constraints, has triumphed in her pursuit of higher education. Lili’s narrative serves as a testament to the transformative impact of mentorship and the vital support provided by this organization committed to educational empowerment.
Born into a family with limited financial means, Lili faced a formidable challenge of funding her college education. Raised by a single mother navigating minimum-wage employment, Lili, the eldest of four children, nevertheless found unwavering encouragement from her family, despite their inability to contribute financially to her education.
Lili’s academic prowess shone through as she graduated from high school in 2019 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Global Health from UCSD in an impressive three years. Determined to further her educational pursuits, she dedicated a year and a half to completing nursing prerequisites at Palomar College before securing acceptance into the University of San Francisco at Orange County’s esteemed two-year accelerated Master’s in Nursing program.
As part of the mentorship offered by Future Legends, Lili was paired with Luis Carranza, an alumnus of UCSD, for his ability to provide invaluable guidance on navigating the intricacies of higher education logistics. He also extended tangible support through letters of encouragement and additional financial assistance. In addition to the mentoring, Lili also participated in the Dress for Success program, generously sponsored by Nordstrom’s, which enabled her to obtain professional business attire.
Reflecting on her journey, Lili Gomez expressed profound gratitude for the pivotal role played by the Future Legends Foundation in shaping her collegiate experience. As a first-generation college graduate poised to embark on a graduate program, she expressed, ““I am so grateful to Future Legends for being a part of my college experience. Being a first-generation college graduate who may have the chance to enroll in a graduate program has my family and me feeling a wide range of emotions!”