Our Team

Kenneth McGuire, Board Chair, Chief Executive Officer – Innovations Health Systems

As the current Chief Executive Officer of Innovations Health Systems and the former Chief Executive Officer for Horizon West HealthCare, McGuire brings a wealth of financial knowledge and operational experience to Child Advocates. At Innovations Health Systems, Ken manages all aspects of this multifaceted holding company which delivers health care services to northern California.  At Horizon West Ken oversaw all aspects of the operation for the company which owned and operated 27 Skilled Nursing Facilities located in California and Utah. Prior to joining Horizon West, Ken was Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for the Small Business Capital Division of Wachovia Bank. He is also involved with other charities and Boy Scout Troop 13 in Newcastle CA.

Diana Nyman, Vice Chair, Senior Packaging Engineer, The Gillette Company (retired)

Ms. Nyman graduated from Michigan State University with a Packaging Engineering Degree and worked in Package Engineering/Design for Digital Equipment Corporation, Cadbury, and The Gillette Company. She has lived in the Sacramento area since ’93 and has been actively involved in numerous community organizations, including the Sierra College Foundation, the Johnson Ranch Racquet Club, and the Catta Verdera Country Club Advisory Board. She has been a CASA with Child Advocates of Placer County since November 2008, and is also a member of our Friends of CASA Advisory Council.

Joshua Price, CPA, Treasurer, Manager, GALLINA LLP

Mr. Price is a Certified Public Accountant with GALLINA, LLP, where he specializes in providing auditing, tax and accounting services to small- and medium-sized privately-held companies in a variety of industries, including not-for-profit organizations.  Josh also heads the task force for assurance services compliance across GALLINA LLP, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Josh is excited to bring his expertise to Child Advocates, helping us ensure fiduciary compliance.

Art Lyon, Secretary,  President, HomEq Servicing Corporation (Retired)

Mr. Lyon retired from a 30 year career in financial services and public accounting in 2011. He holds a MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelors of Science from Texas Tech University.   Mr. Lyon has served in various volunteer capacities in Placer County, including Bayside Church ministries, the Boys Scouts of America and Sacramento Valley Teen Challenge.  He became a CASA with Child Advocates of Placer County in May 2011 and has a passion for serving fatherless youth and the most vulnerable children in our community.  Mr. Lyon has been actively involved in recruiting other men to the CASA\A2Y program.

Yaa Aggrey-Fynn, Project Manager, VSP Vision Care

Yaa started her career in teaching and research at the University of Ghana before making the move from academia to the corporate world after earning her MBA. Prior to joining VSP, Ms. Aggrey-Fynn worked in various roles in the Health Insurance and High-Tech industries. She is a fellow with the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program which develops leaders to become catalysts for change in their workplace and community. Yaa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master of Science in Animal Physiology from the University of Ghana. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University and is a certified Project Management Professional and Six Sigma Green Belt.  Ms. Aggrey-Fynn has a passion for helping children achieve their full potential, and is active in youth mentoring. A 14-year resident of Placer County, Yaa is excited to serve her community through her work with the Child Advocates board.

Sandy Bendorf, President and Founder, GoldRush Communications, Inc.

Ms. Bendorf has 30 years of experience in PR/Marketing, and used that experience to create the marketing firm GoldRush Communications, a full-service PR and communication firm that prides itself on providing both high-level communication strategy and meticulous delivery. Sandy Bendorf founded GoldRush Communications, Inc. (GRC) in January 2000 following a successful 17-year career in Silicon Valley working for some of the world’s largest technology companies, including Motorola and Hewlett-Packard. Sandy is also a partner in the non-profit Earth it Up!, which diverts waste and upcycles it for the benefit of charitable organizations. Earth it Up! takes items that would otherwise end up in landfills or the oceans and converts them into useful, interesting purses, totes and lunch bags. Sandy has been a CASA volunteer for a 14 year old youth since 2011.

Ryan Darke, MHA, Director of Performance Improvement- Kaiser Permanente

Ryan Darke is Performance Improvement Director for Kaiser Permanente–Roseville Medical Center, where he has worked for over 15 years.  Ryan considers it a privilege to lead improvements for an organization that is a recognized leader in healthcare. Ryan received the inaugural recipient of the Leadership in Diversity Award for Kaiser Permanente in the Sacramento Valley.  Ryan received his Bachelors of Science in Physiology from University of California, Davis and a Master’s of Health Administration from the University of Missouri. Happily married with three children, Ryan spends much of his free time investing in the lives of youth in our community. He coaches Soccer, teaches Sunday school, and formerly has led cub scouts, and coached baseball and softball.  Ryan spent 5 years on the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District School Board from 2003-2008, and considers it an honor to serve on the Child Advocates of Placer County Board.

Mary Flores, Vice President of Operations – PRIDE Industries

Ms. Flores serves as a key part of Pride Industries’ senior management team. As such she is  responsible for base wide Integrated Facilities Services operations nationwide, as well as commissary services to the federal sector, which has lead PRIDE to become the Sacramento region’s 3rd largest manufacturing and service company with annual revenues of nearly $190 million. She has participated in the Dartmouth College Tuck Emerging Leadership Program,  Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Leadership Program, Sacramento State Leadership Program, Sacramento Metro Chamber Leadership Program and various other training programs for business, management, leadership, finance and accounting, team building, training.Mary is affiliated withSt. Judes, SPCA, and the PRIDE Industries Foundation. She shares a passion for making a difference in the community, specifically for disadvantaged children/youth, elderly and  women.

Roxanna Prelo Friedrich,  Director of Client Advisory Services  - Merrill Corporation

Ms. Friedrich is a member of the American Bar Association, and an inactive member of New Mexico State Bar Association, the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, the Colorado Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association. She is a CASA for Child Advocates of Placer County where she assisted the Dependency Court Judge with guardianship cases. She has also been a CASA in Jefferson County, CO, and a Guardian Ad Litem in Albuquerque, NM. She is a former prosecutor of child abuse crimes and was a member of the Albuquerque Police Department Task Force on Domestic Violence, and Chairperson of the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute Labor Relations Board. She has been a member of numerous non-profit boards and committees, including the Komen for the Cure Policy Committee, the Girl Scouts of America, Chaparral Council, and the Storehouse of Albuquerque. She brings a passion for advocating for women and children, and enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking and traveling.

Dionne Miller, Chief Operating Officer – Sutter Roseville Medical Center

As COO, Ms. Miller is responsible for the financial, operational and quality performance of Sutter Roseville, and the implementation of Lean/Process Improvement, strategic planning, business development, and physician relations. She is also involved in fundraising and development for the medical center. Dionne joined the Child Advocates Board of Directors because “my personal interest resides in supporting efforts to support vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. The mission of CASA is aligned with my values and commitment to serve in the community in which I work.” Ms. Miller brings a variety of non-profit management skills to the board, and has expertise in women’s health care, public health and health care trends.

Don Kleinfelder, Executive Director

Mr. Kleinfelder has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, including 16 years as Executive Director. He holds a MS in Hydrology/Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada-Reno, and prior to entering the non-profit sector, worked in the private sector as a hydrogeologist, focusing on groundwater remediation. Under his guidance, Child Advocates has grown  from serving 25 foster youth in 2006 to nearly 400 foster and at-risk youth in 2012. He is a former member of the California CASA Board of Directors, Chair of the Placer County Community Services Commission, Co-chair of the Placer Collaborative Network, and an active CASA volunteer. Mr. Kleinfelder assumed the Executive Director position in November 2006.

Kathryn Hart, Program Director

As the CASA Program Director, Ms. Hart oversees the day-to-day activities of the CASA program. Prior to joining Child Advocates, Ms. Hart spent 15 years with high tech companies, where she progressed from Customer Service in Sales to Director of Global Operations. As such, she brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing and operations. Kathryn attended University of Phoenix focusing on completing her BA in Global Business Management. She has also been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Ombudsman and Adoption support services and is a past Santa Clara County CASA volunteer. Her personal knowledge as a CASA and her leadership skills is great benefit to our team.

Laurie Tyrrell, Case Supervisor

As the Foster Parent Liaison between Placer County Children’s System of Care and Placer Kids since 1999, Laurie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding foster youth issues. In this role she successfully facilitated support groups for foster/adoptive and kinship families, implemented Tweens and Teens support groups, and worked at Sierra College as the Foster Parent Trainer. She brings excellent presentation, group facilitation and community outreach skills, along with her in-depth knowledge of the child welfare system. Above all else, she has a care and passion for the children of Placer County.

Cynthia Gonzalez, Case Supervisor

For the past 30 years, Dr. Gonzalez has specialized in forensic psychology, working with victims and offenders of child abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and major violent crimes. In addition to providing mediation to divorcing couples, she conducted custody evaluations at the request of the court and testified as an expert witness in numerous criminal cases. Cynthia was involved in the development of a group home for severely abused children and an independent foster family agency, trained doctoral students regarding family violence, and conducted numerous research projects related to the consequences of abuse and the etiology of delinquency. Wanting to contribute more directly to prevention efforts, Cynthia began volunteering with CAPC. She currently has two CASA cases, recently concluded a Family Mentor case, and is very grateful for the hope CAPC staff and volunteers inspire.

Lisa Peat, Volunteer Case Supervisor

Ms. Peat retired from Washington Mutual Bank in 2004 as a Senior Account Executive. After retiring Lisa volunteered for numerous organizations, including Gold Country Wildlife and Meals on Wheels. In 2007 Lisa became a CASA volunteer for Child Advocates of Placer County, and has since advocated for eight foster children. She is also a licensed Foster Parent, and has housed two teenage foster girls. In 2008 Lisa became our first Volunteer Case Supervisor, and as such she supervises 12 CASA volunteers and 18 foster child cases.

Dina Burns, Volunteer Case Supervisor

Ms. Burns retired from Private Essential Access Community Hospitals, Inc. in 2008 as Director of Communications. In this role she worked to identify and develop strategies to maximize supplemental state and federal funding for community hospitals that disproportionately serve low-income populations. Dina became a CASA volunteer for Child Advocates in 2010 and a volunteer Case supervisor in 2011. She brings great organizational skills and a passion for helping foster youth, and is a great asset to Child Advocates.

Courtney Roullier-Bunz, Development Director

Courtney Bunz holds a Master’s degree in Communication with a Public Relations emphasis from University of the Pacific.  While in school, she completed four internships in: PR, Event Coordination, Communication and Fundraising.  Through her internships and her community service projects, Courtney found a love for non-profit work.  After graduation she moved back home to Placer County and went to work as a PR professional.  However, her desire to work for a non-profit organization was undeniable and through a chain of good people she found her way to CAPC.  Courtney is responsible for fundraising event coordination, PR & communication efforts, and donor outreach.

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Lori Nichols      Diana Nyman      Barbara Purdy      Priscilla Richter      

Susie Rodgers      Louise Santana      Erika Scheickert      Marcia Shallcross      

Ginny Simms      Tammy Spillers      Sharon Steele      Stephanie Toso      

Kay Waggoner      Diane Williams      Debby Ziegler