Board of Directors



TISH BUSSELLE
President
Educator, Vallejo Unified School District(bio)

PATRICIA (PATTY) HSIU
Vice President
Consultant, FlyingLeap Consulting (bio)

JOHN C. BOYLE
Treasurer
Venture Capitalist (bio)

BETTY TILL
Secretary
Leadership Development Coach, LifeWork Solutions (bio)

RALPH ARMENIO
Businessman (bio)

MAUDE N. BREZINSKI
Retired Educator

LUCRETIA-DEL J. BROUSSARD
Retired Educator (bio)

JOAN CASSMAN
Attorney (bio)

NISHA CHAUDRY
Businesswoman (bio)

RICHARD L. (DICK) DAVIS, MD
Retired M.D. (bio)

KARIFA DIAWARA
Certified Public Accountant, Diawara & Assoc. (bio)

JENNIFER FISHER
Marketing (bio)

WILLIAM S. FREEMAN
Attorney/Partner

NATASHA LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ
University Faculty Member (bio)

J. FRANK MCCABE
Attorney (bio)

ALLY NUSCHY-LENAT
Adjunct Professor, Skyline College (bio)

TIMOTHY K. (TIM) ROAKE
Attorney (bio)

JAY STRAUSS
Businessman (bio)

CARL A. SERRATO
Health Economist/Market Researcher

JAMES (JIM) WHITEHEAD, PH.D
Biochemist, Executive Vector Laboratories (bio)

SHEILA WOLFSON
Retired Special Education Teacher (bio)

Board Member Biographies



TISH BUSSELLE, PRESIDENT
Member since July 2005
Tish Busselle served full time from 2004-2008 as a special consultant to the State Administrator / State Trustee for the Vallejo City Unified School District. She continues in that role part time as well as doing consulting work for other school districts, including the San Mateo-Foster city School District, where she had bee assistant superintendent for many years. Prior to coming to San Mateo, she was chief of the Office of Governmental Affairs at the California Department of Education in Sacramento and held legislative positions in Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas. Tish holds a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Tish chaired the Samaritan House Main Event in 2004 and 2005, and was volunteer coordinator of the agency's 2004 and 2005 Family Sharing Program. Her other current community affiliations include being Board member and Immediate Past President of the Board of the San Mateo Public Library Foundation and Vice President of the Board and co-chair of the Curriculum Committee for the San Mateo / Foster City / Burlingame / Hillsborough Leadership Program. She also serves on the advisory board of for kids!, the San Mateo - Foster City Community Education Foundation, and is an active member on several commissions at St. Paul’s Church in Burlingame. Return to top of page.

PATRICIA (PATTY) HSIU, VICE PRESIDENT
Member since July 2009
Patty Hsiu has over 24 years of management and leadership development experience. She is currently the owner of FlyingLeap, a consulting organization specializing in coaching, leadership development, facilitation and communications. Patty's interests lie in giving individuals the information and ability to do their best work, and in helping organizations develop ways to benefit themselves and their employees by doing so. Prior to starting her own consulting business in 2005, Patty served as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition and Development for Apple Computer for over four years. Before that, her professional experience was in the retail home furnishings business with Pottery Barn and in the clothing business for The Gap and Macy's San Francisco. Patty holds a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences from the University of California at Berkeley. She served on the Hillsborough Schools Foundation Board for three years, and has been a member of the San Mateo High School Foundation since 2004, where she is Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
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JOHN C. BOYLE, TREASURER
Member since July 2005
John Boyle has a strong background in both business and nonprofits/public service. . He currently serves as a City Councilman for the City of Menlo Park and is an active board member of the Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation for the Future and of the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust (HEART) for San Mateo County. His business experience includes over 15 years of experience in high-tech management and operational roles (including 3Com, Verifone, HP) and 10 years of venture capital investing (including general partner roles at Worldview Technology Partners and Matrix Partners). John holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA degree from Stanford University. John and his wife, Amy, live in Menlo Park and are active in their church, local schools, and other several other non-profit organizations. Return to top of page.


BETTY TILL, SECRETARY
Member since July 2008
Betty Till has over 20 years experience in leadership positions in business and healthcare. As a Leadership Development Coach through her own company, LifeWork Solutions, she currently provides executive coaching for physicians and healthcare executives who are preparing for new leadership roles or transitioning into new companies and roles, as well as those who want to increase their probability for success in their current roles. Formerly, Betty served as a corporate executive at a variety of companies, coaching senior managers in crisis communications, developing corporate business and marketing strategies, and communicating merger and acquisition goals and information to employees. She carries numerous professional coaching and counseling certifications, and is qualified to administer and interpret a variety of assessment tools and surveys. With a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, Betty began her career as a Registered Nurse, providing care for critically ill patients at a major trauma center; that experience led to teaching at Austin Community College, where she pioneered an Associate Degree program for paramedics. In addition to Samaritan House, her current community involvement includes sitting on Sequoia Hospital's Community Advisory Council and volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank and Rebuilding Together.
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RALPH ARMENIO
Member since July 2011 Ralph Armenio’s business background is in the real estate and financial-services industries. In 1979, he received his real-estate and broker’s licenses, and worked as a commercial broker for Cushman and Wakefield for six years, then managed two of that company’s commercial branches on the Peninsula. Subsequently joining Grubb and Ellis as a Vice President, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Manager of the San Mateo and San Jose branch offices. In 2005, he joined Intero as Vice President and Managing Officer in San Carlos, then opened the company’s San Mateo office in 2007. After 20 years in commercial real estate, Ralph decided to pursue his interest in investments by joining Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor, and later as a Vice President and Wealth Management Banker with Merrill Lynch / Bank of America. Ralph recently chaired the membership committee at the San Mateo County Association of Realtors, where he conducted orientation and survival seminars. A native San Franciscan, Ralph holds a bachelor’s degree in business from San Jose State University, and spent several years in the sales industry before moving into the field of real estate. He has lived in San Mateo for 40 years and raised his family here. Ralph enjoys family time, golfing, and being an outdoorsman. Return to top of page.


LUCRETIA-DEL J. BROUSSARD
Member since July 2008 Lucretia-del Broussard has been an elementary-school teacher and principal, a college instructor, a resource teacher for grades K-5, an educational writer, a program reviewer for the California State Department of Education, and an educational consultant. She was the principal of San Mateo Park School, where she created a student-centered, academically focused, diversity-sensitive, caring and safe environment; implemented a system of home-school-community partnerships; established a three-tier / two-way communication system; guided institution of the school's first homework center, website, and principal's newsletter; led the staff in the creation and management of a math-science magnet school; and fostered a variety of curriculum expansion and leadership development programs. A resident of San Mateo for 40 years, Lucretia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the NAACP, and the First Baptist Church of San Mateo. Her others civic involvements have included the American Cancer Society, the Whitney Education Foundation, the "Children as Peacemakers" international movement, the Martin Luther King essay contest, and Congressman Tom Lantos's homeless theater project. Lucretia earned education degrees from Southern University and the University of Chicago. Return to top of page.


JOAN CASSMAN
Member since July 2009
Joan Cassman has practiced law at Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco for 32 years. Her expertise is in the firm’s three primary areas of public sector engagement – general municipal law, and the transportation and water industries. As chair of Hanson Bridgett's 25-member Government Group, Joan provides legal services to public agency clients, including cities, counties, special districts and agencies that deliver essential government services. Since 1989, she has been City Attorney for the City of Millbrae; she also currently serves as General Counsel to the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Management Authority, the transportation-management Joint Powers Authority, and the Mid-Peninsula Water District. A graduate of Williams College and Wellesley College and Hastings College of the Law, Joan was a passionate advocate for public education while her children were attending San Mateo public schools in the 1980s and '90s. She helped form the San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation and served on its Board of Directors for over a decade. Joan's accolades include being named a "Northern California SuperLawyer" by San Francisco magazine in 2007 and 2006; the Ann Benner Award of the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo; and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Honorary Service and Lifetime Service Awards.
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NISHA CHAUDRY
Member since July 2011 Nisha Chaudry was born in India and moved with her family to California when she was 12 years old. She has served as Chief Financial Officer for Crown Electric, Inc. in San Francisco since 1989, and has also been a Customer Service Agent for Alaska Airlines at San Francisco Airport since 2008. Prior to joining Crown Electric, Nisha was in purchasing and human resources / recruiting for Trans Data Corp., Inc. in Belmont for seven years. She attended San Francisco State University with an emphasis in psychology and finance. Nisha has lived in San Mateo County for 30 years, and is passionate about this community. In addition to serving on the Samaritan House Board, Nisha is involved with Interplast / ReSurge International, Harvest from the Heart, the San Mateo County Crisis Center, and Second Harvest Food Bank, and is a past President of the Foster City Lions Auxiliary.
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RICHARD L. (DICK) DAVIS, MD
Member since July 2009
A Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate of the University of Minnesota, Dick Davis subsequently earned his MD from that university's medical school before serving on active duty as a pathologist in the United States Navy Medical Corps for eight years. After leaving the US Navy, Dick served for more than a decade at the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles as Head Physician in the Neuropathology Laboratory, and Associate Professor and Professor of Pathology. Subsequently, he was Professor of Pathology, Neurology, and Neurological Surgery and Director of the Neuropathology Unit at UC San Francisco for nearly two decades before becoming Professor Emeritus in 1998. His honors and awards include having been cited as one of eight neuropathologists in "The Best Doctors in America" (1992-93 and 1994-95), and a Meritorious Achievement Award (1998) from the American Association of Neuropathologists (1998). His activities have included membership in various professional organizations and serving as editor or editorial board member of numerous professional publications. He is the author of 164 scientific articles on neuropathology in peer-reviewed journals, and author/editor of 37 professional chapters and books. A longtime member of the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, Dick served on that organization's Board of Trustees many times, including having been Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Central District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, including two terms as President.
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KARIFA DIAWARA, TREASURER
Member since July 2007
Born in Guinea, West Africa, Karifa Diawara was educated in France, receiving both his BS and MS in Economics and Management (with emphasis in Accounting and Finance) from the University of Reims, France. He received his Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Karifa is the founder of Diawara & Associates, CPAs, a Palo Alto-based CPA firm. Prior to launching his firm, Karifa was a director at Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen, & Co. Karifa, who speaks seven languages, has a unique career that includes working for the United Nations in Ethiopia, providing management and accounting training for local business owners. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
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JENNIFER FISHER
Member since July 2009
Since 2002, Jennifer Fisher has been a volunteer for various political campaigns and community-based organizations in Menlo Park, developing campaign messages and marketing materials and managing various community-based activities. Before becoming a volunteer, Jennifer served as Field Marketing Director for Cisco Systems for five years, developing and implementing marketing programs in finance, healthcare, energy and government for use in the company's corporate and field sales organizations. Previously, she was a Business Development Manager for 3Com Corporation, and a Program Director specializing in alternative energy (wind and solar) and advanced semiconductor markets for Strategies Unlimited. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in economics awarded by the University of California at San Diego and Davis, respectively.
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NATASHA LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ
Member since January 2011
Natashia López-Gómez is Core Faculty for the Human Services Program at Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), where she has taught “The Latino/Hispanic Experience in the United States” every school year since 2005-06. She has also previously offered a variety of other NDNU courses in communication, organizational human relations, Latin American culture and Spanish, including one that prepares those working in community-service agencies to perform a variety of tasks in Spanish for non-English speaking clients. Natashia’s professional experience includes consumer advocacy for youth, low-income, and/or Spanish-speaking clients through the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Medical Center, Mid-Peninsula Citizens for Fair Housing, the PAL Program of the San Carlos Police Department, the San Mateo County Alcohol and Other Drug Services Department, the Family Violence Project of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, and the San Mateo County Victim/Witness Center. A published author and the recipient of numerous awards and honors, Natashia’s public appearances include having served as Mistress of Ceremonies and co-producer of NDNU’s first annual Latino/Latina Leadership Conference in April 2010; poetry performances at various venues; and many speaking engagements focusing on women of color. Her memberships and affiliations include the Harvard Alumni of Color Association, the Harvard Club of San Francisco, NDNU’s Latinos Unidos (faculty advisor), and the Special Education Parents’ Support Group of the San Mateo – Foster City School District, which she founded. Natashia holds a bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Risk and Prevention Education from Harvard University.
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J. FRANK MCCABE, Member since July 2008
Frank McCabe has been an attorney in private practice in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He graduated from Williams College in 1965, and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1968. After clerking for a federal judge on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Frank went into private practice in 1973, and has continued to practice civil and criminal law with an emphasis on federal court work. In addition to Samaritan House, Frank serves on the board of directors of the United States District Court Historical Society, and is a former board member and treasurer of the Burlingame Community for Education. Return to top of page.


ALLY NUSCHY-LENAT
Member since July 2009
Ally Nuschy-Lenat has 25 years of retail department store management experience, having served in various capacities for Macy's, the Emporium and I. Magnin – all in San Francisco; and Mervyn's in Hayward. She also taught merchandising on the faculties of the Fashion Institute of Design in San Francisco and San Francisco State University, and is currently an adjunct professor of business at Skyline College. Her volunteer activities are extensive, including having been PTA President for San Mateo elementary and middle schools and on the Boards of Trustees of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Peninsula Temple Beth El, and the San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation, for which she subsequently served on staff as Development Director. She has chaired several large dinner/dance fundraising events for Drew Preparatory High School, served as co-chair of the Auction Committee for Samaritan House's Main Event for a number of years, and is an active weekly volunteer at Safe Harbor. Ally is a graduate of the University of Oregon, with a degree in history and political science.
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TIMOTHY K. (TIM) ROAKE, Member since July 2009
Attorney Tim Roake has practiced securities litigation for 28 years. Since January 2003, he has been a partner with Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher's Palo Alto office, where he focuses on securities, corporate governance, and intellectual property litigation. He represents companies and their officers and directors in securities class action, corporate governance and derivative matters; he also has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and representing companies and individuals in SEC investigations and civil proceedings involving stock option practices, accounting, and insider trading issues. He previously was a partner and chair of the litigation group of a Silicon Valley law firm, served as in-house general counsel for two medical-device subsidiaries of a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company, and specialized in securities and other complex business litigation in Gibson Dunn’s Colorado office.
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JAY STRAUSS
Member since July 2011 Jay Strauss is the Director of Business Development for Cisco Systems at that company’s San Jose headquarters. In that capacity, he is responsible for global business development for a new suite of applications, services and solutions for enterprise, public sector and service-provider customers. He has more than 20 years of experience in information technology and financial services, having held positions in business, technology, sales, sales operations and marketing. Before joining Cisco in 2007, he was a Senior Vice President for Wells Fargo, focusing on developing relationships and providing solutions for wholesale and commercial banking products and services. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2001, Jay worked as a market-development manager for Cisco, and has also held sales-management positions with Xerox and Unisys (Burroughs) Corporation. A resident of San Mateo County since 1979, Jay has just completed a six-year tenure on Second Harvest Food Bank’s Board of Directors, where he served as chair of the Development Committee, and has also served as a member of the Fundraising Committee of Silicon Valley’s March of Dimes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of San Francisco, and an MBA from the College of Notre Dame (now called Notre Dame de Namur University).
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JAMES (JIM) WHITEHEAD, PH.D.
Member since July 2009
Jim is the founder and President of Vector Laboratories, Inc., a bioscience company established in 1976 that develops and manufactures a wide range of labeling and detection products for medical research. With over 500 products sold worldwide, Vector Labs is the largest producer of certain kinds of medical-detection and -test products, and has pioneered many novel and innovative products for immunopathology and molecular and cell biology. Previously, Jim was Assistant Director of the Gastrointestinal Research Lab at the VA Hospital in San Francisco and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco; he also served as a consultant for projects at Stanford University. He has authored over 30 scientific publications and book chapters and has been involved in a variety of diverse research projects. He currently serves on the board of Celerus Diagnostics and chairs the boards of Vector Laboratories, the Bay Area Science Fair, and the Northern California Science and Humanities Symposium. Prior to a postdoctoral position in Dr. Jonas Salk’s lab at the Salk Institute, Jim received a B.S. degree in chemistry from Loyola University and attended graduate schools at the University of California in Los Angeles and Riverside, where he earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry. He has also been involved as a Special Olympics coach for many years.
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SHEILA WOLFSON
Member since July 2007
Native Chicagoan Sheila Wolfson attended the University of Illinois and the University of Texas, where she earned a B.A. in Special Education. After moving to California when her husband secured a faculty position at Stanford, Sheila concurrently taught Special Education at the Children's Health Council and obtained her master's degree from Santa Clara University. Later, while raising two children, she tutored, volunteered in the schools, and eventually worked part time in marketing for Klutz, a children's publishing company. From 1999 to 2005, Sheila served on the Board of Directors of Interplast, a medical nonprofit organization that performs free reconstructive surgery on children in developing nations and trains the local medical staff. She continues to do committee work for Interplast, and participates in an international mission for two weeks each year. She is currently a volunteer at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, where has been enjoying the experience of working with the patients, their parents and siblings for almost 25 years. Return to top of page.

KITTY LOPEZ
Executive Director



LAURA BENT
Director of Programs
and Services