Our Team
Aradhna Malhotra Oliphant, Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, brings decades of experience in philanthropy, innovation, business and organizational management to delivering on our founder's vision and leading effective operations. She is inspired every day by the innovative teams at PetSpace and GenSpace.
Prior to joining the Legacy Foundation in late 2023, Aradhna was President and CEO of Leadership Pittsburgh, founder of TedEx Pittsburgh, program officer at the Forbes Funds of the Pittsburgh Foundation, and a valued for-profit, higher-ed and nonprofit board member. She continues service on the boards of First Commonwealth Bank, IWF Southern CA – The Trusteeship, the National Conflict Resolution Center and the Dean's Advisory Council for the Rady School of Management at the University of California San Diego..
She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from universities in Bhopal, India, and an MBA from Rutgers University. Her impactful work in the community including with military veterans was recognized by two different universities in Pennsylvania with Honorary Doctorates. An energetic and joyous connector, Aradhna is well-traveled and enjoys coming back home to California sunshine.
Terry McDonough, Director of Finance for the Legacy Foundation, has 25+ years of demonstrated fiduciary fiscal management experience with a broad spectrum of nonprofit organizations committed to bettering the human condition. Those include Pierce College, Washington State, Habitat for Humanity, The People Concern, The Joffrey Ballet, Jewish Child and Family Services Chicago, Pasadena Senior Center, March of Dimes and Children's Institute International.
Terry graduated from Redlands University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and management, with an emphasis on finance. She recently returned home to Southern California. Her joy for serving others extends beyond humans and includes work with the Shedd Aquarium Chicago focusing on penguins and beluga whales, spending time in Southern Baja swimming with whale sharks and sea lions, and tending to her many rescue cats including Miss Rosie who is a Los Angeles COVID rescue and Frankie, a recent adoptee from PetSpace.
Teresa Xiong, Director of Human Resources for the Legacy Foundation, joined us in January 2024 having built a career bridging nonprofit purpose and global corporate reach. She began in mission-driven work with The People Concern, where she developed a strong foundation in HR and accounting, then led global human resources initiatives in the retail sector, shaping culture and scaling organizations across international markets.
Now, she brings her expertise full circle—grounding her global perspective in service of the Foundation's mission to create thriving, people-centered communities. Teresa shares our founder's passion for building workplaces defined by excellence, well-being, and compliance, ensuring employees feel both empowered and supported. Her MBA in Organizational Leadership is from Mount Saint Mary's College and her undergraduate degree in Business and Psychology is from Antioch University. Outside of work, you'll find Teresa on the sidelines of the soccer field, cheering on her son with the same energy and pride she brings to her work.
Allison Cardona, Director of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, leads our state-of-the-art animal adoption and education center located in Playa Vista, a neighborhood of Los Angeles. She joined PetSpace in August 2025 with over 20 years of experience in the animal services sector, starting in New York City with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for 14 years.
In various roles, she managed adoptions, volunteers, disaster preparedness and response, cruelty intervention programs and partnerships with agencies in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles. A love for the vibrant communities of Los Angeles led Allison to join the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control as Deputy Director. For nearly five years, she oversaw two full-service animal shelters, animal control officers and community engagement programs. Next, at the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, she managed a $37.5 million grant and outreach fund in collaboration with animal shelters across the state.
She earned an undergraduate degree in public affairs from Empire State University and a certificate in Executive Leadership from the USC Price School of Public Policy. Beyond work, Allison enjoys hiking, yoga and exploring the many farmers' markets and community events across LA.
Christopher Leech, Director of the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, leads our innovative community center for aging adults based in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. Before joining GenSpace in October 2024, Christopher worked in aging and longevity for nearly two decades, with a particular focus on technology, policy, and direct services to older populations.
Christopher shares our founder's passion to redefine aging and longevity in the 21st Century and wants to radically transform the underlying national dialog. Earlier, he managed resident technology, training and innovation for Brookdale Senior Living, enhancing the lives of its many thousands of residents across more than 1,100 U.S. communities. Christopher also led AARP's Senior Planet Exploration Center, one of the first technology centers dedicated to training people over 60.
He holds a graduate degree in bioethics from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree in psychology and philosophy from UC Davis. On weekends, you'll find him hiking with his dog Disco around beautiful Los Angeles.
Eric Morales, Director of Facilities, IT, and Operations for the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, has worked in the nonprofit sector focusing on animal welfare and facilities management for more than 15 years. He joined the Legacy Foundation more than 8 years ago.
Eric has overseen the construction and buildout phases of both of our signature state-of-the-art facilities, PetSpace and GenSpace. He is the proud father of two humans and three dogs. In his free time, you will find him fixing something at home with the kids or leading the whole family on a hike.
