About Zuma Foundation
Board of Directors
Welcome Letter
Our Story
The Zuma Foundation is a Malibu California based nonprofit organization formed to create athletic, health and wellness initiatives and events, including triathlons for all ages. Our local funding mission is to directly benefit Malibu’s youth-serving nonprofits focused on character development, healthy lifestyles, and mental health and wellness.
Board of Directors
Michael Epstein
Michael is a Malibu resident, a lifelong athlete, fundraiser, and former lifestyle marketing executive. Known for his creativity and dedication to ground breaking organization, Michael has created some of the most unique events in the world of Endurance Sports. Turning a family health challenge into decades of positive impact, Michael has overseen over 20 million dollars of funds raised for primarily youth focused organizations. His personal motto – making a difference in people’s lives can be seen throughout his accomplishments. Michael prides himself on bringing people together to make themselves and the world a better place.
Tony Mark DRE
Tony is a second-generation realtor and lifelong Malibu resident who has consistently been recognized as a top producer during his 25+ years in real estate. He is known for representing a distinguished clientele that includes celebrities, corporate executives, and members of the entertainment community. Tony lives in Malibu with his wife Jessica, and their three children. When he isn’t working, Tony can be found surfing at Point Dume or mountain biking in the Santa Monica Mountains. Every year, Tony participates in the Triathlon in Malibu, inspiring others to take part, and is the Team Captain for the Compass/Malibu’s Most Wanted Team.
Merlin Clarke
Merlin is a Malibu Resident who brings a decade of service to local communities as a business owner and non-profit executive.
Merlin is a founding board member and currently the Director of the Do Good Bus, committed to being a driving force in bringing awareness to social injustice and the immediate needs of organizations serving the Los Angeles area. Merlin, a former triathlon competitor, has held board and advisory positions with The Venice Family Clinic, The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica, One Voice, and The Shark Fund of Malibu.
Kevin Steele PHD
Dr. Kevin Steele is a Malibu Resident actively engaged in the health and fitness industry. He began his career with a private personal training business while a faculty member in Physical Education, Sports Medicine, and Coaching at Pepperdine University. Dr. Steele served as Director of Education, Research, and Member Services; Health & Tennis Corporation of America. He joined the senior management team of 24-Hour Fitness as the VP of Health Services/Corporate Sales, later he became Vice President of Sports Marketing for the company. Kevin relishes his weekly bike rides along the Malibu Coastline.
Kasey Earnest
Kasey Earnest is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Malibu. After establishing her career in the Non-Profit arena, in 2005 she joined the Malibu Boys & Girls Club, a then brand-new non-profit in the small rural community of Malibu. Through her leadership, vision and the support of an engaged board of directors and staff, she has led the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu from a modest beginning of a staff of 3 and membership of 30 young people in a single trailer, to an expansive community for youth with 4 locations, 30 staff, 300 volunteers (annually), and has grown the membership to 800 members with a reach of over 1,600 young people
Benjamin Cox
Ben Cox is a graduate of the University of San Diego’s Knauss Business School. He is a long time cycling industry veteran with nearly 30 years of retail experience and is owner of Newbury Park Bicycle Shop, Cali Cruisers and Dreambuildbike.com.
Newbury Park Bicycle Shop is one of the top specialty retailers in the US and was recently honored as the Bicycle Retailer of the year for 2022. Ben’s passion for cycling is showcased in their Dreambuild program and their direct partnership with multiple high level charity centric cycling events including 14 years with the Triathlon in Malibu.
A welcome letter from the Board of the Zuma Foundation
First, we want to welcome you to the Zuma Beach Triathlon in Malibu! We believe this event will show what triathlon in Malibu can be when the balance of the needs of the athletes, the community, and our fundraising partners is blended together for success for all. Like a powerful wave at Zuma Beach, together we are creating a force to do good for all. We welcome you with open arms to the shores of our wonderful community, we support you as you swim, bike and run along the beautiful Malibu Coastline. We hope you fully embrace the Zuma Beach Triathlon, whether it’s training here for the summer, bringing your family down to the most spectator friendly event in the sport of Triathlon, or volunteering and helping with our new Triathlon For Kids. We hope to help create generations of healthy families from kids to grandparents at World Famous Zuma Beach. Together we will create a powerful experience and lifetime of memories.
Welcome to Malibu – Come race, train, enjoy and help us give back!  Â
The Zuma Foundation Board of Directors