Our Team
Get to know the Foundation Team
Sean Fannan, Founder
As the Founder of the Marcella Foundation, Sean has dedicated the majority of his career to the gaming industry, everything from making one of the most successful iPhone games of all time, Tap Tap Revenge to starting an advertising company for mobile games that reached hundreds of millions of users. He aspires to leverage his expertise in entrepreneurship and engineering to give back to the community where he grew up, and looks forward to partnering with people to help build a better community in the city of South Lake Tahoe.
Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director
Melissa comes to the Marcella Foundation with over 13 years experience in nonprofit and government stewardship, and has been instrumental in creating the vision and direction of the Marcella Foundation from its inception. Melissa is the founder Lift Literature, a volunteer-led nonprofit with a mission to transform the way that kids engage in reading. Before leading nonprofits, she was a financial manager for environmental restoration projects all over Lake Tahoe, responsible for managing a $25M portfolio. Melissa was honored with the Tahoe Chamber 40 under 40 award for her work in financial management for Lake Tahoe as well as her service to youth in the community. She holds an MPA from CSU Chico, and BA in Business Admin from St. Mary’s College of California.
Kele Song, Director of Strategy
Kele Song serves as the Director of Strategy at the Marcella Foundation, where she spearheads the development of the organization's strategic initiatives. With a background as a seasoned Product Manager in Silicon Valley, Kele brings a deep-seated passion for innovation and problem-solving to her role. Equipped with a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications, coupled with a master's degree in public policy, Kele possesses a formidable skill set in strategic planning. Her expertise ensures that the Foundation remains agile and effective in achieving its mission.
Ryan Wallace, Director of Leadership and Volunteer Engagement
Ryan comes to the Foundation with over 20 years experience working with disadvantaged youth in schools and as a premier wresting coach for both professional MMA fighters and middle/high school wrestling teams. Ryan is the creator of the Momentum Mentors concept and often serves as a motivational speaker and mentor to those who, like him, have experienced limb amputations and teen cancer diagnosis. The Foundation is thrilled to have Ryan on board to develop our youth mentorship program and build out a strong volunteer base for the Foundation’s work around food insecurity, literacy, and youth mentorship.
Bob Fannan, Board Secretary
After camping here in the Tahoe area many times as a kid, Bob decided to move here in his late twenties. He worked at the casinos for many years, where he met his wife and started a family. Eventually, he went back to school to get his teaching credential and worked here in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District at the elementary level, before retiring in 2010.
Diane Fannan, Board Treasurer
Diane came to South Lake Tahoe in 1978 from Los Angeles. It was meant to be a short visit but she fell in love with Lake Tahoe and has never left. For the first twenty years, she worked at the casinos as a maitre'd in the cabaret showroom. She met her husband and they started a family. Her second career was at Barton Hospital, retiring in 2011.