Meet the Board of Directors

Dr. Kelly Bentz -President

Dr. Kelly J. Bentz, earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of California Los Angeles, Master of Science in School Psychology from California State University Stanislaus, and her Doctorate in Human Development with a specialization in Neuropsychological Development at University of California, Davis.  She served public education students from 1980 to 2015 as a Teacher, Psychologist, and School Administrator. In 2015 Dr. Bentz began Fresno Pacific University as an Associate Professor and Program Director, building and managing credential programs for Special Education Teachers, School Psychologists, and School Counselors at a satellite campus in Merced.

Since her retirement in 2021 Dr. Bentz continues to serve as President of the Wesley Foundation Merced, Leadership Chair for the United Methodist Church of Merced, Vice President of the Merced County Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission, and maintains active memberships in the Merced branch of the American Association of University Women.

Donna Hall, Founder and Secretary

“I have been concerned about the youth and young adults who are and are not in our church for a long time.

In September of 2001 a group of us Methodists who are very concerned about the need for our church to work with college students started visioning what we needed to do.  This leads to us forming the non-profit, Wesley Foundation Merced in 2003 so that we could welcome, value and guide students in a supportive Christian environment.

Student Christian support through Wesley Foundation Merced continues to be one of my main areas of interest and participation.”

Larry Hall – Treasurer

“I have been the Treasurer for Wesley Foundation Merced for more than 15 years.  My career background is in finance, administration and income tax return preparation.

I am currently employed as the Treasurer for Gateway Community Church in Merced. Also, I am happily married with three children and four grandchildren. I have lived in California most of my life, raised in the Napa Valley, and I received my undergraduate degree at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.”