Foundation Board Members

Rob has been an active supporter of the Sierra Madre Public Library for over 30 years as a Friend, City Council member, and Library Trustee.  Most of us have a library story that set us on a path of lifelong learning.  Because of his own fond memories, love of reading and strong belief that the Sierra Madre Library is our cultural center and should be a gathering place for the 21st century, Rob wants to help create the best, most welcoming library possible. 

 Beth grew up in Pasadena and moved to Sierra Madre in 2008 in order to raise her family in this amazing community. She has two children who have enjoyed the library for the books as well as the services provided for years. As a 6th grade teacher at Sierra Madre Middle School she sees great value the library provides to the community as a place for children and their families to read, learn, gather, and take part in building our community for years to come. 

John Hutt has lived in Sierra Madre for more than 25 years with his wife and two children. John was a Sierra Madre Planning Commissioner for twelve years and has served on other city committees. He also served on the board of the Sierra Madre Community Nursery School. Growing up in a house full of books instilled his appreciation of reading and education. John believes in the importance of access to books and the other resources that the public library provides the Sierra Madre community. In addition, he and his family have fond memories of attending many of the library’s events and activities. He looks forward to continuing to support such an important place and resource for the city. 

Dawn Denison has lived in Sierra Madre for more than 15 years with her husband and two sons. She has volunteered in philanthropic causes and was a founding member of Sierra Madre Thrives. An avid reader, she sees the value of our library not only supporting her voracious reading habit, but for its ability to fulfill a larger civic need in building community connection, offering free educational resources, providing diverse voices in its collections, and preserving Sierra Madre’s history.  

Gina Frierman-Hunt has been a resident of Sierra Madre for 30 years and has family connections in the city going back to the 1930s. She was a Sierra Madre Planning Commissioner for 14 years and is retired from a career working in social service organizations. Always a book lover, she worked in the university library as a student to help pay expenses. Gina lived in walking distance to a public library as a child in Los Angeles, and she was happy to share that experience with her young family here in Sierra Madre. She looks forward to helping the new library thrive in the future. 

 Ellen Hoffman is a life-long Sierra Madrean, having grown up here along with her five siblings.  She is a retired first grade teacher of 30 years, who appreciated working within walking distance to The Sierra Madre Library.  She would visit with her students, for storytime or to check out books for their annual animal reports.  She has been a supporter and “Friend” of the Sierra Madre Library, and a lover of books and reading. She is very excited to be a part of welcoming in this “Next Chapter” of our local library.  Ellen’s husband,  Tom Hoffman, also grew up here, and is an attorney in town. They have 2 grown children, living and working in Los Angeles. 

Kelsie has lived in Sierra Madre for over 20 years with her husband and daughter.  She was an active volunteer at both the elementary and middle schools while her daughter was there.  Kelsie has been an avid reader her entire life and believes that reading opens the mind and imagination to new possibilities and adventures.  She sees the value of a strong library in our community and is excited to be part of fostering a love of reading as well as making the library an engaging resource for all members of our community.

Tom is an attorney with a construction background who has lived in Sierra Madre for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Danielle, have two grown children who enjoyed countless hours at the library where their love of reading and learning was nurtured. Tom’s family strongly believes in early childhood education, building strong communities through public places and programs that foster intellectual curiosity, and investing in the future of all children. Tom wants to give back to the community by helping to make the Sierra Madre Public Library a place that future generations will enjoy.

Tonja is an appellate attorney for indigent defendants, and a former City Council member.  She and her husband, Steve, are both lifelong avid readers and moved to Sierra Madre more than 20 years ago to raise their children. Tonja believes that strong public libraries build strong communities because they offer everyone the ability to access information in all its varied forms at no cost. Plus, they give people at every age a safe and engaging place to connect with friends.  She is excited to support our City’s beloved library as it ushers in its Next Chapter for future generations of Sierra Madreans.