Board of Directors
After serving on the LifeWorks board for nearly 16 years, Cathy Wieschendorff is retiring. She has been an important part of all the changes and growth that LifeWorks has accomplished since she first volunteered with the agency. Cathy was initially a board member for the Family Education Center and when that program became part of LifeWorks, she did too. Cathy was motivated to continue her interest in providing Parenting Education and Counseling for children and families, a focus that LifeWorks has maintained all these years.
Cathy has worked as a School Psychologist in many school districts throughout Sonoma County and brought that valuable experience and knowledge to the board. She led the board as President for several years and will be remembered for her thoughtful and careful management style as well as her wisdom and friendship to all of us who have worked with her.
From Cathy’s perspective, she sees how much LifeWorks has expanded our mission to serve more of the community both within Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. She is most proud of the agency’s ability to reach out to families both in their homes, in schools and through our counseling center. She also takes pride in how LifeWorks has been able to grow despite competition for funding in the nonprofit world.
Cathy’s steady and conscientious leadership has been an asset to the board. From helping with fundraising to designing programs to promoting the agency throughout the community, her skills will be missed. Cathy looks to the future for LifeWorks and has confidence that our response to the effects of the Pandemic will meet the new and continued needs of Sonoma County families.
Thank you again Cathy, for all the years of dedication! We will miss you.
Orlando Macias
PRESIDENT
Retired City of Santa Rosa Police Officer with a lifelong commitment to youth and families in the North Bay.
Merrill Vargo
VICE-PRESIDENT
An experienced nonprofit leader, with an extensive background in fundraising, public relations and nonprofit organizational strategy.
Jennifer Adams
SECRETARY
A proud resident of Cotati with a background in marketing for skilled nursing who is dedicated to the well-being of our youth and seniors in Sonoma County.
Kent Seegmiller
TREASURER
A former educator and businessman with an extensive background working with non-profits and the local community.
Beverly O’Donnell, MA
MEMBER
A retired School Educator with expertise in special events.
Ellen Mundell, MA
MEMBER
A former School Counselor with educational expertise and counseling experience.
Emily Harrington
MEMBER
A Sonoma County native with a successful business development career in both the education and financial services industries.
Arnold Rosenfield
MEMBER
A retired Sonoma County Superior Court Judge who worked to develop programs and protocols to aid families and children at risk in the justice system.
Advisory Board Members
Ernesto Olivares
MEMBER
Santa Rosa City Council Member dedicated to public safety, gang prevention and working to find solutions for economic recovery.
Tara Jasper
MEMBER
Entrepreneur and owner of Sipsong Spirits. Tara has been a longtime supporter of mental health and other non-profit work throughout the county.
Kinna Crocker, Esq.
MEMBER
A nationally-recognized attorney with ten years in the courtroom and a strong commitment to the community.