Laura is happy to be part of the team at North Marin Community Services. She is a Bay Area native, raised in Petaluma. She is a graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley, where she majored in Social Welfare. After working as an IT consultant for bay area non-profits, she spent several years as a data analyst at Santa Rosa Junior College, and joined the North Marin Community Services team in March of 2022. In her spare time, Laura hangs out with her cat Andromeda, reads everything under the sun, and devotes endless hours to solving puzzles.

Emily Bugos is a long-time member of the Novato community and has dedicated her career to the Child Development industry. She obtained a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education in December 2020 from San Francisco State University. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Education with a focus on community-based public health. Emily has worked within SFSU as a Head Teacher with Associated Students Early Childhood Education Center serving children 0-5 years, and as an Elementary Education Dept Teaching Assistant (she will also be a lecturer there this fall). She has experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, and has worked at various childcare centers including Bright Horizons at Letterman Digital Arts Childcare Center. She holds a Site Supervisor Permit and has familiarity working with CA State licensing requirements (Title XXII) and CA Dept of Education (Title V) regulations. Emily is a Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Certified Trainer, consults for Early Care Educators of San Francisco, and has presented at various conferences. Emily progressed through the NUSD public school system, from kindergarten through high school, and is an alumna of the Novato Youth Center afterschool program. Working with children and families has always been a passion for Emily, who believes that these relationships are at the heart of the work that we do. She is delighted to be welcomed to the NMCS team and to become part of such a strong community of people working to offer high quality programs. In her personal time, Emily enjoys reading, indoor cycling and hiking with her dog.

Christina Hetzer (she/her) completed six years of a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University with an emphasis in LGBTQ+ Psychology. She has experience working with marginalized and underserved adults and children in various settings including community mental health, residential, shelters for the unhoused, and the juvenile justice system. She has a background in case management, triage and crisis response, and psychological assessment and evaluation. She stepped away from the program in 2017, after obtaining a master’s degree, to explore other career opportunities in the field while focusing on her other dream of starting a family. Without hesitation, she took the first opportunity that presented – school-based prevention and early intervention – and has grown in this position, working out in Shoreline Unified ever since. Through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) grant-funded position, Christina has provided individual and group counseling for students (K-12) and has supported training/education and outreach for students, staff, and parents/caregivers in various areas including social-emotional learning, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and social media safety. Her background in Animal-Assisted Therapy has been welcomed in Shoreline and she hopes to continue serving the community with a four-legged friend at her side. More recently Christina’s role has shifted to a focus on program development and coordination of services to enhance school climate/culture and improve access to care.

Christina takes great pride in the collaborative relationships she’s built with community partners and colleagues throughout Marin County and the more intimate relationships she’s built with students, staff, and families within Shoreline. It is through these connections she feels rooted in the community in which she serves.

Christina lives in Sonoma County with her spouse and two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, working in the garden, hiking, biking, and going on adventures with her family.

Donnell is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 14 years of experience working with adults and children experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and trauma. Donnell has worked extensively in both the for-profit and non-profit business sectors and was the owner/operator of her own bookkeeping business for many years.  Donnell enjoys working in a setting where she can utilize both her knowledge and skills of program planning and administration and her skills of therapy.

Donnell earned her M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Sonoma State University. Prior to becoming a therapist, Donnell pursued a teaching credential and has been certified as an Instructor of Trainers by Girl Scouts U.S.A.  and has developed and led many staff and agency trainings. She has created and implemented multiple mental health rehabilitation programs and effectively managed budgets exceeding $2 million. Her latest endeavor was to research, select and help implement therapeutic social and emotional learning curriculum for the YWCA’s preschool program.  Donnell is trained in multiple therapy modalities including wraparound, cognitive behavioral therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapies (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is certified by Boston University's Center for psychiatric rehabilitation in psycho-social rehabilitation and Hazelden's Co-Occurring Disorders program.

Donnell and her husband enjoy farm life where they have two large fluffy cats, dogs, mules and chickens and love to spend time taking daytrips to local or nearby points of interest whenever they can. Donnell loves to organize and plan events and to use any other spare time for sewing, quilting and crafting.

Maria worked for the County of Marin- Behavioral Health and Recovery Services as the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator and helped support their efforts to reduce ethnic and racial disparities by investing more resources, training, and support for Community Health Advocate and Promotores programs in underserved communities (including Latine individuals, mono-lingual Asian populations, and individuals living in Marin City), and increasing coordination and cultivating relationships with grassroots, faith-based, and other community providers and partners. In this role, she fostered strong relationships with key community partners, led Mental Health First Aid trainings, Family Support Groups, and Parenting Classes. She was previously a therapist at an inpatient facility providing services for people with dual diagnoses and has trained and worked in a variety of clinical settings and provided psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families, with a focus on addressing the needs and disparities in the immigrant Latine population and LGBTQ+ communities.

Alaine Kalder joined NMCS as the organization’s first HR Generalist in February 2020. Alaine was promoted to HR Manager in October 2021. Prior to NMCS, Alaine worked in Human Resources at VIP Petcare, with a focus on recruiting, talent management, and employee relations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Illinois, Chicago and PHRca certification.

Michelle Keane began her journey at North Marin Community Services (then the Novato Youth Center) in December of 1998.  She began as the After School Kindergarten Aide, and since then has taken on a variety of classroom roles in all Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs - from the infant room to preschool.  In 2017 she became the Preschool Head Teacher and focused on providing quality care, and an enriching, developmentally appropriate environment for the children in her care.  In 2020, she was promoted to ECE Assistant Manager, where she splits her time between the classroom and providing more focused support to the ECE Program.  She also runs the Developmental Playgroup Program, offering support to families that don’t have access to affordable and high-quality preschool. Michelle holds an AA degree in Early Childhood Development from Santa Rosa Junior College.

Liliana comes to North Marin Community Services with experience in the non-profit sector working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, followed by transitioning into a Staffing Consultant role with AppleOne Employment Agency and experience within Administrative Support. Serving in an array of roles from intake, case management, recruitment, administrative and management, Liliana has been a strong support for the community and organizations.

Graduating from Sonoma State University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Liliana knew her future roles would involve directly working with the community. Returning to an organization which directly supports youth, adults and families has been a place where she feels most comfortable and passionate. Now, as a mother of 3 young school aged children, Liliana sees the importance of community support for all.

Isaura has been with our organization for more than 20 years and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She has been working for several years with our Amigos program and for many years with the Thriving Families program, assisting some of our most vulnerable families to strengthen relationships, reduce barriers to care, connect them with critical resources and participate in wraparound team meetings. Her support and effective case management have allowed many families in Marin to overcome personal crisis and family emergencies. These interventions have created family stability reducing the likelihood of child abuse.

While her days are filled with difficult stories of challenging circumstances, Isaura receives each family with an open-heart and her full attention, treating each family or individual with the utmost dignity, compassion and respect.

Isaura has also done contract work for Children & Family Services and in 2015 became certified as a Visitation Supervisor through Marin County’s Superior Court. Isaura received the North Bay Business Journal’s 2022 Latino Business Leadership Award. She lives with her husband and son in Novato.

Paul was born and raised in Novato attending local schools and has distinct memories of meeting his friends at what was then known as the Novato Boys Club. Paul graduated from Marin Catholic High School and received a Bachelor of the Arts from the University of Chicago.  After several years in the outdoor recreation industry, Paul returned to the Bay Area and began a career focused on helping others through non-profits.  Over the last 15 years he has held multiple leadership positions at the Alameda Food Bank and Hand in Hand Parenting, with an emphasis on operations and finance including time as Executive Director at both organizations.  Paul has a record of building capacity and creating programs that improve the client experience while protecting the bottom line. When not working Paul enjoys exploring the outdoors with his three children, preferably on bicycles.

Angelina has worked for Marin Community Services (and previously Novato Youth Center) for nine years, and has held various positions including Student Intern, Elementary Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, School Age Head Teacher and more recently Child Development Program Coordinator. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State and continues her education through College of Marin, taking ECE and administrative courses. Angelina is a lifelong Novato resident, attended Waldorf and NUSD schools. She quotes, “I am excited to grow in my new position and to learn new things each and every day. Working with the children and their families brings me joy. Seeing the smiles on their faces and being able to make a difference in their lives is why I get up in the morning. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the support and guidance of those around me. You can always find me singing, dancing, and cracking a joke inside and outside of the office. I look forward to beginning my next chapter at NMCS!”

Stephanie Williams joined North Marin Community Services in September 2018. Stephanie is an experienced fundraiser that brings donors closer to NMCS’ core work and its positive impact on the children, families and community of Northern Marin. Prior to joining NMCS, she worked as a fundraising consultant and advised clients on best practices to deepen and diversify their funding base. She also taught a suite of fundraising classes at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. Stephanie was the past Director of Annual Giving for the Marine Mammal Center, where she helped grow the annual fund during a successful capital campaign for its current facility. Stephanie holds a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College. She is the author of “Donor Preferences and Charitable Giving,” published in the International Journal of Educational Advancement.

Stephanie served on Charity Navigator’s Consultative Council of Nonprofit Leaders and is a past board member of Marin Charitable. She is passionate about helping children and families in need. Stephanie is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She enjoys fundraising and communicating to donors the power and effect of their investment.

Jim Correa joined the NMCS Board of Directors in 2017. “Being part of the North Marin Community Services board of directors for the past six years has been one of the highlights of my career. I am honored and privileged to serve the NMCS staff and clients as the Board President for the upcoming year and contributing to continue making NMCS the best organization,” he shared.

Captain Jim Correa was raised in San Rafael after moving to California from New York City at the age of two. He began his policing career at the San Rafael Police Department in 1997. At the San Rafael PD, Jim worked as a field training officer, street crimes unit officer, detective, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. In May of 2017, Jim was hired as a captain for the Novato Police Department. He is most proud of his work associated with community engagement, gang prevention, and domestic violence and child related investigations.

Jim, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, lives in Novato with his wife and two children. He has strong connections within our communities, church, schools, and youth sports. Jim is a board member for the North Marin Community Services, serving as the board president. He has previously served as the chairperson for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also served on the Not in Our Town (NIOT) steering committee. NIOT was an anti-hate and anti-bias partnership with several community-based organizations, including the Novato Unified School District and North Marin Community Services. Jim also enjoys coaching youth baseball and is a member of the little league board of directors.

Jim holds a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, Claremont Graduate University Executive Leadership Institute/ Drucker School of Management, California Chiefs of Police Association Executive Development course, as well as the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Jim completed the Leadership Novato- Novato Chamber of Commerce Leadership course in 2023.

Captain Correa is proud to serve the Novato Police Department and honored to help lead the department and volunteer in the community where he lives and is raising his family.

“I’m truly honored to serve on the NMCS Board of Directors, a responsibility I take very seriously. Working to support our participants and staff is one of the highlights of my policing career.”

"NMCS was instrumental in seeing me through a rough patch of my life and after getting back on my feet, it was an easy decision to give back in service and support to an organization so near and dear to my heart."

“A TFI client's joyful tears, a Food Pantry client's friendly smile, so precious.”

“I choose to serve on the board because I believe in NMCS’s mission of ensuring opportunities for all. NMCS is a strong advocate for change and equality, and their work ensures the underserved are heard, seen, and have access to the much-needed safety net services that help families, youth and adults thrive. I am honored to be part of their community.”

“The desire to be a part of North Marin Community Services centers on my belief that people matter, as individuals, as family members, as community members.  And yet, our social justice system and our safety net for those who are impoverished (and/or disabled, from diverse communities, legal and illegal immigrants and so on) are both profoundly unjust and demonstrably unequal. I personally do not know how to take steps to correct such wide scale injustice or to patch the basic safety net – and yet, serving on the Board of NMCS is one way that I can help course correct. Working with like-minded fellow board members and staff, gives me the satisfaction that at least in this corner of the US, our community members receive needed, essential services timely and effectively, while treating the recipients with dignity and respect.”

“Together we are strong.”

Throughout her life, Gina Fromer has devoted her career, energy and talent to serving the needs of families in San Francisco and communities across California. In April 2019, following more than four decades of leadership in youth and family services and education programs—including in some of San Francisco’s most underserved neighborhoods—Gina joined Children’s Council of San Francisco as Chief Executive Officer. In 2023, her title was elevated to President & Chief Executive Officer.

Gina manages a staff of 140+ and oversees Children’s Council’s $236 million budget to support San Francisco children, families and early educators. She leads the organization’s partnership with the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood, as well as a host of other city and state agencies and organizations. Gina believes that quality child care and early education is a basic human right.

Raised in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, Gina began community service in her teens as a counselor for Young Community Developers, which provides support and training for young adults.

She began her career at Head Start, then rose through the ranks of the San Francisco YMCA to become District Vice President, overseeing three YMCA branches serving 15,000 families. She raised over $8.5 million for the Bayview YMCA capital campaign to complete the building of the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA.

Most recently, Fromer was CEO of the San Francisco Education Fund, where she directed community volunteer programs, educator grants and student scholarships designed to help public school students succeed. Prior to that, Gina served as the California State Director at The Trust for Public Land, where she created new parks in park-poor neighborhoods in Los Angeles and San Francisco, while protecting landscapes across the state.

Gina has a wealth of leadership experience and deep connections to a vast array of communities across the state. Having advocated on behalf of families and children her entire life, she says, “It is all about empowering people to advocate for themselves, to create the social justice and social change needed to change the world.”

“I joined the North Marin Community Services Board of Directors because I believe in the power of collective action and the impact of positive change within our community. I connect and believe in NMCS’s mission, and when I was a youth, the organization helped support my family when we were in need. My mother gave back to NMCS in the Novato Human Needs Center years through service on the board. And, for me, by being part of this dedicated team, I can give back by contributing my skills and knowledge toward creating a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in need. Together, we can create lasting change, inspire hope, and empower individuals and families to thrive. Serving on this board allows me to shape a brighter future for our community, where everyone can access essential resources, support, and opportunities.”

“I am honored to be a member of the North Marin Community Services board, because the organization helps its participants live up to their potential while being treated with dignity and compassion."

“I am honored to serve on the board of North Marin Community Services, which mission closely aligns with my values. This dynamic team solves complex challenges for our neighbors, making sure there is opportunity for all in our diverse community.”

“I chose to serve on NMCS Board because I believe in the Mission: To empower youth, adults and families in our diverse community to achieve well-being, growth and success.”

“Deciding to serve on the NMCS Board was not a difficult decision for me. Not only did I want to share my time and energy serving the less fortunate in my wonderful hometown community of Novato, but I also wanted to carry on in my mother's footsteps. My mother, Annette K. Smail, was one of the founding forces in the formation of the Novato Human Needs Center 50 years ago and also served on the Board!”

Kate joined the board of North Marin Community Services in 2015, and she brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience both as an internal change agent as well as a governance leader, and most recently as president of her own nonprofit consulting group. Her experiences range from securing multi-million-dollar philanthropic revenue, to streamlining organizational processes and procedures. Kate is currently a doctoral candidate in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC where her favorite research topics are nonprofit governance dynamics and the fundamentals of accountability and change within the nonprofit sector. She lives in Novato with her opera-loving husband and her two sweet and sporty kids.

“Giving back to the community is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference in our world. NMCS is where our community connects, the services provided touch so many people every single day, and it has been an honor to contribute to its success as a board member.”

“I am very proud of my service to NMCS over the years. I have witnessed many people in our community benefit from its programs and I continue to admire the leadership and staff which makes it happen.”

“Our mission to help support under-resourced families in Novato with a variety of critical services was both motivating and inspirational. I believe in equity and leveling the unequal playing field for our participants and providing a voice for families and individuals who are unable or afraid to speak up. Advocating for these families and helping them be productive members of our community lifts us all up and was instrumental in me wanting to be part of this important work.”