Born and raised in Chicago, IL, I moved to California at 19 years old in hopes of becoming the next Merryl Streep. When that didn’t exactly work out, I ended up working in radio for 12 years in promotions and marketing and spent the last two years of my career there as a morning show co-host on pop station Channel 933. After radio, I wanted to work in the non-profit field, so I started working at San Diego Blood Bank where I’ve served in roles including fundraising, special events, communications, marketing, and public relations. Today, I am the Director of Community Relations and Media for San Diego Blood Bank and Southern California Blood Bank. I’m responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of our community relations strategies and public relations activities. I manage media, government, and hospital relations and cultivate relationships across various sectors to raise the profile of San Diego Blood Bank and Southern California Blood Bank. I also serve as the primary media spokesperson for the organization.
About Claudine Van Gonka
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
The loves of my life are my husband and father. I have a wonderful extended family of cousins, second cousins, and third cousins that gets together as often as we can.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My current job is the best job I’ve ever had. I get to collaborate with large and small companies, other non-profit organizations, media folks, politicos, and community leaders to find ways to make our community a better, more innovative, and healthy place to live. I also have the privilege of working with many blood transfusion recipients, sharing their stories to inspire others to donate. It’s an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
You can do whatever you set your mind to. There are always barriers or roadblocks, and it may not happen as quickly as you’d like, but hard work and perserverance pays off in the end. Have a plan but remember to have fun along the way!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’d love to keep doing what I’m doing until I retire – but who knows when that will be.
Claudine Van Gonka & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Coasterra, Casa De Pico, Miguels downtown
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived and worked in San Diego for 36 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
During my time in radio, I met so many interesting, unique people, it’s really hard to say.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
San Diego Blood Bank, Confetti, The Elephant Bar in La Jolla was the place to be back in the 90’s!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The variety of cultural events, food, and experiences that are all around us.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
It would have to be Scott Baio. I had a massive crush on him growing up and actually crushed on him until I was 35 years old! We’d have to meet somewhere on the beach like Jakes Del Mar or Poseidon.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Big Fish, Forrest Gump, The Breakfast Club, Breaking Bad
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was born with a tooth
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The weather in San Diego. I can’t fathom how I ever lived anywhere else.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Our CEO at San Diego Blood Bank, Doug Morton. Doug is beloved by all his employees and treats them all with respect, honesty, and transparency. Doug leads with integrity and by example. He thinks logically and acts strategically. He is open-minded, flexible, and cultivates a positive and collaborative work environment of trust and transparency.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, friends, food
