About us

The Determination Foundation believes that determination and mentorship for students who are starting the next phase of their life is an important key to success. Whether the student chooses continued education, learning new practical skills, or entrepreneurship, the foundation is built to connect young adults with mentors for Life.

The mentors come from various backgrounds but have all succeeded using determination as a cornerstone in their respective lives. Additionally, all The Determination Foundation members have credited mentors as a positive beginning to their transition from high school student to young adulthood.

Starting with 2020, The Determination Foundation will work with the Linda Abril Education Academy to provide up to 10 students with $1000 scholarships and a network of lifetime mentors. The Linda Abril Education Academy is an alternative school that is part of the Phoenix Union High School District in Phoenix, Arizona.

Your contribution will go directly to these students who will be nominated by their peers, teachers, and foundation members. 100% of all funds will go directly to the students, as all foundation members donate their time and resources to all foundation activities. Eligible students will have a good community standing with their peers, family, and school to qualify for a scholarship and the Mentorship for Life program. In addition, The Determination Foundation will provide the school with a lecture series to highlight achievement through determination.

Board Members

Ronnie Brandon – President

Ronnie was born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Oakland, California. He graduated from Oakland Technical High School and attended California State University Hayward.

He lived in Tokyo, Japan for 9 years, studying Japanese at Sophia University, teaching ESL for several Japanese Pharmaceutical firms, and working as a Sales Rep for a lar

Ronnie was born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Oakland, California. He graduated from Oakland Technical High School and attended California State University Hayward.

He lived in Tokyo, Japan for 9 years, studying Japanese at Sophia University, teaching ESL for several Japanese Pharmaceutical firms, and working as a Sales Rep for a large Japanese publishing company named Gakken-Kyukensha.

Ronnie worked as an Operations Manager in Honolulu, Hawaii for 7 years for a Japanese Travel Agency called JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) and later moved back to the mainland, Oakland, California where he worked as a Risk Investigator for BOA Merchant Services for 3 years.

He relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 2005 staying with BOA working as an Operations Analyst in Card Services until 2018. Ronnie is now semi-retired teaching tennis and more recently playing and teaching Pickleball. The fastest growing sport in the USA.

Show Less

Caleb Rodgers – Treasurer

Ronnie Brandon – President

Caleb was born in Missouri and has previously lived in Tucson, AZ, Oregon, and Utah. Growing up in a family of 9 he learned the values of hard work and building positive relationships. After working in accounting for several years he decided he wanted to help the world in a different way and moved to Phoenix, AZ to work toward a graduate

Show Less

Dan Contreras – Officer

Ronnie Brandon – President

Dan Contreras – Officer

Dan lives in Phoenix, AZ and has traveled extensively throughout the World, spent 30 years as an advertising executive with Gannett and Digital Media Communications. Dan is currently an executive specializing in international tech finance. Dan has volunteered with groups such as Junior Achievement, Big Brothers and Sisters and The Arizona Heart Association.

Joel Nathanson – Officer

Joel was born in Minneapolis, MN and moved to Scottsdale, AZ with his family in 2000. He has been an entrepreneur his entire life, starting his first door to door retail shop at the age of 11. Today Joel is a partner in a capital advisory firm and has spent the last 15 years consulting hundreds of small business owners across the country,

Show Less

Nathaniel Miller

Joel Nathanson – Officer

Nathaniel was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He joined the Army at the age of Nineteen. During his eight-year military tenure, he became a paratrooper and worked in aviation as an operations specialist. After a few years of military service, he was promoted to the sergeant ranks and fought in the Afghani and Iraqi war. After the military, he became a police officer in Arizona for twelve years. While in law enforcement, he spent six years as community relations officer and ran the Explorers Program. He also attended Wayland Baptist University and received a bachelor’s degree in management. Nathaniel has transitioned back to his business management endeavors and is currently in a business consulting program.

Show Less

David Gonzales - Officer

Joel Nathanson – Officer

David Gonzales - Officer

David G. is from Phoenix, Az. Growing up in a large but poor family, he experienced many hardships in life. These experiences
developed him into the man he is today. He attributes his success to God
and is thankful for the good mentors he has

had in life. Professionally, David is an entrepreneur who specializes in problem-solving and build

had in life. Professionally, David is an entrepreneur who specializes in problem-solving and building relationships. He has worked in sales & service for large companies such as T-Mobile and Google. David knows all about building something from scratch and is passionate about helping the next generation overcome adversity,
and achieve their goals/dreams through determination. He also graduated as valedictorian from Linda Abril (formerly Suns Diamondbacks Education Academy) in 2014.

Show Less