Board of Directors
Officers
Genevieve Riutort; Coalition Board Co-Chair, President and CEO, Westside Food Bank
Genevieve brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and management to her role as Westside Food Bank's leader. Her personal experience as a single woman of color raising a family amidst food and housing insecurity informs her hunger relief and anti-poverty work. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, as a child, Genevieve benefited from numerous social service programs, and years later, as a single mother of three in the midst of a divorce, Genevieve relied on governmental safety net programs such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) WIC, subsidized healthcare, and subsidized housing. It was getting a job at WSFB in 2004 that put her on the path out of poverty to being able to support her family. She served as Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer at Westside Food Bank before taking on the role of President and CEO in 2022. WSFB's revenue and food distribution program has more than tripled in her tenure. Genevieve is passionate about bringing innovative approaches to difficult problems and collaborating for community impact.
Genevieve brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and management to her role as Westside Food Bank's leader. Her personal experience as a single woman of color raising a family amidst food and housing insecurity informs her hunger relief and anti-poverty work. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, as a child, Genevieve benefited from numerous social service programs, and years later, as a single mother of three in the midst of a divorce, Genevieve relied on governmental safety net programs such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) WIC, subsidized healthcare, and subsidized housing. It was getting a job at WSFB in 2004 that put her on the path out of poverty to being able to support her family. She served as Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer at Westside Food Bank before taking on the role of President and CEO in 2022. WSFB's revenue and food distribution program has more than tripled in her tenure. Genevieve is passionate about bringing innovative approaches to difficult problems and collaborating for community impact.
Christina Crawford; WC Coalition Board Co-Chair, Community Health Manager, Providence St. John's Health Center
My name is Christina Crawford, Community Health Supervisor at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. As a caregiver at Saint John’s, I firmly believe in our mission and core values which focuses on serving all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Being of service and preserving the dignity of some of our most vulnerable members in the community is a strong focus of the work my team and I do. I currently oversee the programming of our Homeless Care Coordination team in the ED, our Health Education team, which includes outreach and CalFresh application assistance, as well as being the lead in connecting our caregivers at Saint John’s with opportunities to volunteer in support of our local organizations.
As a Board member of the Westside Coalition, I firmly believe in the work that I see happening through this amazing network of individuals. I can confidently say that I leave every meeting feeling inspired and filled with both hope for our community and gratitude for the organizations, faith communities and individuals that are in attendance each month.
My name is Christina Crawford, Community Health Supervisor at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. As a caregiver at Saint John’s, I firmly believe in our mission and core values which focuses on serving all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Being of service and preserving the dignity of some of our most vulnerable members in the community is a strong focus of the work my team and I do. I currently oversee the programming of our Homeless Care Coordination team in the ED, our Health Education team, which includes outreach and CalFresh application assistance, as well as being the lead in connecting our caregivers at Saint John’s with opportunities to volunteer in support of our local organizations.
As a Board member of the Westside Coalition, I firmly believe in the work that I see happening through this amazing network of individuals. I can confidently say that I leave every meeting feeling inspired and filled with both hope for our community and gratitude for the organizations, faith communities and individuals that are in attendance each month.
Rick Stoff; WC Coalition Vice-Chair, Co-Founder, Board Member and Former ED, Volunteer Collective
Rick Stoff grew up in Queens, NY and moved to Los Angeles in 1976. He worked in sales most of his career but found his calling in nonprofit, volunteering, serving on boards, and ultimately working for Chrysalis. Rick retired in 2018 after 15 years at Chrysalis recruiting businesses to hire his clients who needed second chances because of their barriers to employment like a history of homelessness or interactions with the justice system.
He will tell you that retirement is a great thing, But Rick could not stay retired, and Volunteer Collective is his second chance to help more of our neighbors change their lives. Rick serves as the C0-Founder, Board Member and former Executive Director of VC. Rick has said many times, he wants to do all he can to help the nonprofit members of the WSC coalition get the volunteers they need to meet their mission.
Rick Stoff grew up in Queens, NY and moved to Los Angeles in 1976. He worked in sales most of his career but found his calling in nonprofit, volunteering, serving on boards, and ultimately working for Chrysalis. Rick retired in 2018 after 15 years at Chrysalis recruiting businesses to hire his clients who needed second chances because of their barriers to employment like a history of homelessness or interactions with the justice system.
He will tell you that retirement is a great thing, But Rick could not stay retired, and Volunteer Collective is his second chance to help more of our neighbors change their lives. Rick serves as the C0-Founder, Board Member and former Executive Director of VC. Rick has said many times, he wants to do all he can to help the nonprofit members of the WSC coalition get the volunteers they need to meet their mission.
Pastor Christie Webb; WC Secretary, Pastor, Mt Olive Lutheran Church, Santa Monica
Pastor Christie has been the Pastor at Mt. Olive Church since 2023. The church's involvement in Westside Coalition and other community organizations is part of what drew her to this call at Mt. Olive. Pastor Christie has a heart for people, worship, and living our faith in our daily lives. She sees her connection to Westside Coalition as a way for her and the congregation she serves to do that work.
Pastor Christie has been the Pastor at Mt. Olive Church since 2023. The church's involvement in Westside Coalition and other community organizations is part of what drew her to this call at Mt. Olive. Pastor Christie has a heart for people, worship, and living our faith in our daily lives. She sees her connection to Westside Coalition as a way for her and the congregation she serves to do that work.
Tim Sweeney; WC Treasurer, Executive Director, WIN (Westside Infant/ Family Network)
Tim is currently the Executive Director of WIN, an early relational health organization serving families with young children on the Westside and South LA. Prior to that he served as Executive Director of Well Baby Center and Director of Programs at Venice Community Housing, during which time he also served on the board of the Westside Coalition and was co-chair of the Celebrating Success breakfast. Tim believes our best work is done in partnership and in community, and he is honored to contribute to the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen our community through collaboration.
Tim is currently the Executive Director of WIN, an early relational health organization serving families with young children on the Westside and South LA. Prior to that he served as Executive Director of Well Baby Center and Director of Programs at Venice Community Housing, during which time he also served on the board of the Westside Coalition and was co-chair of the Celebrating Success breakfast. Tim believes our best work is done in partnership and in community, and he is honored to contribute to the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen our community through collaboration.
Rev. Dr. Frances Wattman Rosenau; Pastor Culver City Presbyterian Church
Dr. Rosenau has served as pastor of Culver City Presbyterian Church since 2016. Prior to moving to Southern California, she served as Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Albany, New York. In addition to her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary, she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Congregational and Community Renewal with a focus on Multiethnic and Multicultural Ministry. She has a passion for the global church and has lived in India, Scotland, Arizona, Upstate New York, Paris, and Chicago.
As a leader in the faith community, Pastor Rosenau believes in building strong partnerships with our neighbors and service providers. So often, well-meaning people of faith implement programs for our neighbors without fully understanding the larger context of services that are already provided. When faith communities stay connected to service agencies and other congregations, they are able to ask critical questions and partner together. Pastor Rosenau is honored to grow connections in the faith community through the Westside Coalition.
Dr. Rosenau has served as pastor of Culver City Presbyterian Church since 2016. Prior to moving to Southern California, she served as Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Albany, New York. In addition to her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary, she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Congregational and Community Renewal with a focus on Multiethnic and Multicultural Ministry. She has a passion for the global church and has lived in India, Scotland, Arizona, Upstate New York, Paris, and Chicago.
As a leader in the faith community, Pastor Rosenau believes in building strong partnerships with our neighbors and service providers. So often, well-meaning people of faith implement programs for our neighbors without fully understanding the larger context of services that are already provided. When faith communities stay connected to service agencies and other congregations, they are able to ask critical questions and partner together. Pastor Rosenau is honored to grow connections in the faith community through the Westside Coalition.
Mark Jones; Director of Mission, Outreach and Pastoral Care, Westwood Presbyterian Church
I am Pastor Mark S. Jones, Sr. I was first introduced to Los Angeles Westside needs when I served as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Westwood Presbyterian Church from November 1994 to March 2005 and have stayed connected since. I have a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary and have served at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA) - Local Councils/ Church Sessions; Mid-Council Committees of the Presbytery of the Pacific (Homeless Task force; Disaster Response Team, & Gulf Coast Mission Team), Racial Ethnic Concerns. From November 2012 through June 2017 I served as Pastor of Community United Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. I returned to Westwood Presbyterian Church on July 1, 2017 where I currently serve as Director of Mission & Outreach and Pastoral Care. I am a member of the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Clergy Round Table for Service Planning Area (SPA) 5. I participated in the Interfaith Summit on Homelessness (June 7, 2017), Mayor Eric Garcetti's 100 Days of Compassion, and his Civil University program - all designed to help eliminate homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. I network with several of the Supportive Services member agencies of the Westside Coalition. I come with a passion for mission, a deep faith in and love for God and all people, and delight for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the Westside Coalition. I have a loving wife (Romana) of 47 years, and three adult children."
I am Pastor Mark S. Jones, Sr. I was first introduced to Los Angeles Westside needs when I served as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Westwood Presbyterian Church from November 1994 to March 2005 and have stayed connected since. I have a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary and have served at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA) - Local Councils/ Church Sessions; Mid-Council Committees of the Presbytery of the Pacific (Homeless Task force; Disaster Response Team, & Gulf Coast Mission Team), Racial Ethnic Concerns. From November 2012 through June 2017 I served as Pastor of Community United Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. I returned to Westwood Presbyterian Church on July 1, 2017 where I currently serve as Director of Mission & Outreach and Pastoral Care. I am a member of the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Clergy Round Table for Service Planning Area (SPA) 5. I participated in the Interfaith Summit on Homelessness (June 7, 2017), Mayor Eric Garcetti's 100 Days of Compassion, and his Civil University program - all designed to help eliminate homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. I network with several of the Supportive Services member agencies of the Westside Coalition. I come with a passion for mission, a deep faith in and love for God and all people, and delight for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the Westside Coalition. I have a loving wife (Romana) of 47 years, and three adult children."
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Carmela Vibiano; Director of Resident Services; Community Corporation of Santa Monica
I have over fifteen years of experience in affordable housing and community development on the westside of Los Angeles and in Santa Monica. As the Director of Resident Services at Community Corp. I am responsible for providing overall direction and management of the Resident Services Department. Prior to my current role, I worked as a certified compliance specialist, resident service coordinator, and mental health professional. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Northridge. As someone committed to social justice and community well-being, I am interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors for the Westside Coalition. I believe that access to nutritious food, adequate healthcare, and safe housing are fundamental human rights. By serving on such a board, I aspire to contribute my skills, expertise, and passion to champion impactful solutions, advocate for systemic change, promote access to essential resources, and empower individuals and families to lead healthy, dignified lives. |
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Delis Alejandro; Director of Outreach at St. Monica Catholic Community
Delis G. Alejandro is the Director of Outreach at St. Monica Catholic Community overseeing all fellowship ministries and justice and peace outreaches. She was commissioned as a Pastoral Associate by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2002. A loyal Bruin she is a graduate from UCLA with a Bachelors in Sociology and a Master’s in social work. Following graduation from school she worked in community organizing and as a social worker in hospital settings (particularly in maternal childcare and neonatal units.) Shortly after being employed by St. Monica in 1987, she started attending gatherings for the then called Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition. Then as now Delis has been committed to the goals of the Coalition of working together with public agencies, organizations, and faith communities on issues of housing and hunger locally. As a member of the Board Of Directors of the Westside Coalition she would continue to support those goals. Joe Girard; Private Practice Attorney, Deacon at Saint Mark Parish in Venice
Joe Girard is a private practice California and Supreme Court attorney practicing since 1972. His office has been in Marina Del Rey since 1989. In 1995 he started transitioning his law practice from civil jury trials representing both injured persons and insurance companies to become an elder law attorney. In 2002 he was ordained a deacon in the Roman Rite of Catholicism and was assigned for 20 years to Saint Mark Parish in Venice.He resigned from that assignment in 2002, but still retain his faculties to marry, bury, baptize and preach in the archdiocese of Los Angeles and around the world. He is now a “licensed free agent.” 15 years ago he became the first private businessman to become a member of the Westside Coalition. Since ending his formal assignment and responsibilities at St. Mark, and even though he continues his professional law practice, he has more time available in which he can fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a board member for the coalition to continue his commitment to pro bono and public service activities.
Mary McGuire; Chief Impact Officer, Safe Place for Youth Mary McGuire serves as Chief Impact Officer at Safe Place for Youth (SPY), the leading service provider for youth experiencing homelessness on the Westside of Los Angeles. She has worked for twenty-plus years in the non-profit and government sectors to strengthen the systems that protect the most marginalized members of society. Prior to joining SPY, Mary was Executive Director of Village for Vets, a Los Angeles nonprofit that fills gaps in services for Veterans experiencing homelessness or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. She is a passionate supporter of housing as a human right and believes that together we can end homelessness in Los Angeles.
Sarah Wilson; Executive Director, Harvest Home My name is Sarah Wilson and for the last 11 years I have served as Executive Director of Harvest Home. Harvest Home equips and empowers unhoused pregnant women to transform their lives through two residential housing programs for pregnant women and their children in West LA. I strongly believe that tackling the complex homelessness challenges in our city requires strong relationships, partnership and collaboration among organizations, faith communities, and government agencies. I would be honored to be a part of the Westside Coalition Board of Directors and create more opportunities for cohesion and collaboration in the health and human services community on the westside. |
TJ Hill; Executive Director, Disability Community Resource Center, DCRC
TJ Hill has more than 20 years of policy experience working with intersectional marginalized communities. He is the Executive Director of the Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC), an Independent Living Center that serves people with disabilities across Western Los Angeles County. The DCRC joined Westside Coalition when TJ started as the Executive Director 6 years ago. TJ came to DCRC from the Association of Community Human Service Agencies where he served as the Mental Health Policy Director for almost 10 years representing non-profit provider agencies in the LA County mental health system. Before that, he worked at the Disability Rights Legal Center, where he served as Director of Options Counseling and Lawyer Referral Service, supervising and coordinating the agency’s legal intake process. Prior to the Disability Rights Legal Center, he was a Congressional Legal Intern for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa in Washington, D.C. where he worked on special education policy, healthcare and labor issues. TJ earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. He has also worked as a rehabilitation specialist for adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. He currently serves as Board President of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. He lives with his husband and their daughter in Santa Monica, California.
TJ Hill has more than 20 years of policy experience working with intersectional marginalized communities. He is the Executive Director of the Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC), an Independent Living Center that serves people with disabilities across Western Los Angeles County. The DCRC joined Westside Coalition when TJ started as the Executive Director 6 years ago. TJ came to DCRC from the Association of Community Human Service Agencies where he served as the Mental Health Policy Director for almost 10 years representing non-profit provider agencies in the LA County mental health system. Before that, he worked at the Disability Rights Legal Center, where he served as Director of Options Counseling and Lawyer Referral Service, supervising and coordinating the agency’s legal intake process. Prior to the Disability Rights Legal Center, he was a Congressional Legal Intern for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa in Washington, D.C. where he worked on special education policy, healthcare and labor issues. TJ earned his law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. He has also worked as a rehabilitation specialist for adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. He currently serves as Board President of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. He lives with his husband and their daughter in Santa Monica, California.