The Board of Directors, as the governing body of Tahoe SAFE Alliance, determines the organization’s mission and purpose, assists with developing policies and procedures, and provides proper financial oversight. They accomplish this by reviewing and evaluating the annual long-term budgets and finances to ascertain that the organization’s funds are managed and expended in a fiscally sound manner while ensuring Tahoe SAFE Alliance has adequate resources.
The board plays a vital role in setting fundraising goals and then engaging in fundraising activities to identify, cultivate and solicit funding sources to support operations and programs.
The board is ultimately responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical integrity. They also select and support the Executive Director and define their responsibilities.
Tahoe SAFE Alliance Board of Directors for 2011 – 2012
Officers:
Heather Tone, President
A local resident and Real Estate Advisor, she has witnessed the affects of abuse firsthand many times over, which has had a profound effect on her view of the world. Those experiences prompted Heather to join Tahoe SAFE Alliance in 2003 as a volunteer, mostly working the fundraising events. Seeing what an incredible organization Tahoe SAFE Alliance was, and hoping to make an even greater impact on the community, Heather became a member of the Board in 2005 and is currently serving as President. Heather believes that all children deserve a home with peace and love and will continue to work tirelessly until that goal is achieved.
Sean Farnan, Vice President
Sean joined the Board in May 2010, and is currently serving as Vice President. He recently re-located to the Tahoe Basin after 27 years in Southern California. Sean is originally from New York where he attended Suffolk County Community College on Long Island, and then Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. After 20 years in the financial services sector, both in the mortgage and insurance industries, in 1998 Sean turned his attention to the non-profit world. Sean is currently the Development Director for Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village. Prior to arriving at Lake Tahoe School, Sean was the Donor Relations Director for the Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara, and also served as the Executive Director of the Ventura County Junior Golf Association and The First Tee Ventura County. Sean is the father of a young son, Sawyer; they love living in Tahoe, enjoying golf, boating and the great outdoors together.
Heidi K. Doyle, Secretary
Heidi is a Manager and Volunteer in Interpretative Programs for California State Parks. “The pursuit of happiness should not just be an American mantra; rather the reality for all. However, I have witnessed that for many-hidden within the serenity of Tahoe- is the ugly reality of relationally violence and harassment. This is true for both full time residents and visitors. I have utilized the valuable services provided by Tahoe SAFE Alliance professionally and am grateful that this resource is available in our community. On a personal note, I have seen the lives and behavior of our children changed after participation in one of the many prevention programs made available to our youth at our local schools and youth centers. I firmly believe that the cycle of violence and inappropriate behavior needs to end with this generation through education and positive role modeling. As a board member, I am committed to work to further our mission and am grateful to live in such a caring and compassionate community that shares these values”
Daren McDonald, Treasurer
Daren is a Certified Public Accountant performing tax, financial, and audit services for for-profit and not-for-profit entities alike since the turn of the century. During his years of public practice, Daren has worked on improving internal financial control environments, reporting and budgeting, and taxation analysis. He has served as the Treasurer for Tahoe SAFE Alliance since 2008. He is currently the principal of his private firm, Daren M. McDonald, CPA.
Board Members:
Paula Lauer, MA Bilingual Psychotherapist
A board member since August 2006, Paula was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she obtained her Master’s degree in clinical psychology. She is a bilingual psychotherapist in community mental heath and has worked for the hospitality industry, in social services and private practice. Paula has experience and knowledge working with diverse populations, understanding of systems and organizations, knowledge about family dynamics and the agencies serving them, as well as advocacy and empowerment. Paula sees her involvement with Tahoe SAFE Alliance as a way of staying connected with and supporting her community, she is passionate about Outreach and Community Relations and has been part of Día-V and the Monólogos de la Vagina productions. Paula currently lives in the North Lake Tahoe area with her husband, looking forward to raising their first child in the community.
Darlene Pearson Bray
Darlene joined the Tahoe SAFE Alliance board in 2009 after volunteering for many years. She relocated to Tahoe City from Seattle after meeting and marrying a local gent. Darlene’s “hats” include psychotherapist, actor, art collector, and wanna-be race car driver. Darlene supports the agency in many capacities including fundraising and serves as the creative director for the agencies educational theater productions. She completed Tahoe SAFE Alliance’s Crisis Intervention Training, and is thrilled to once again be so deeply connected with such a great agency.
Dina Marshal
Dina moved to North Tahoe from Florida where she was active in Foster Care issues facing South Florida. Now a full time resident in Incline Village for over 4 years and a Nevada State Delegate, Dina is active in several community projects and volunteers at The Pet Network, Read To Succeed, Disabled Sports and Golf Fore Education among others. Dina recently said that she wanted to find an organization that she could totally get behind and know she was making a difference locally; Tahoe SAFE Alliance has filled that role. Having worked and recruited nationally for top Fortune 500 companies, she knows the difficulty in finding and retaining top tier talent. She is impressed with the staff and board’s participation and dedication here at Tahoe SAFE Alliance, as well as the focus, each and every individual involved in Tahoe SAFE Alliance shows.
Brian Gonsalves
Brian Gonsalves is Tahoe SAFE Alliance’s newest board member, having joined in November 2010. He is an attorney in Kings Beach, CA practicing primarily in the areas of real estate, civil litigation, and business services. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1995 and his law degree from the University of Hawaii School of Law in 2005. While in law school, he earned a CALI Award in Real Estate Development and Finance, the Ruddy F. Tong Memorial Award, and a grant from the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Brian has volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and is currently on the board of the Young Lawyers Section of the Nevada State Bar. He is a member of the Nevada State Bar Annual Meeting Planning Committee and a member of the Tahoe Truckee Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in Nevada and California. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Gonsalves worked in the field of commercial finance.
Rodger S. Agre, M.D.
Rodger has a psychiatric practice in Incline Village, NV. He joined the Board of Directors to help support the community in which he lives. He brings almost 50 years psychiatrist experience, which he hopes will provide understanding of the impact that stress has on individual’s lives. He believes the opportunity to be part of a team that assists individuals who are having difficulty in their lives is one of the most fulfilling experiences one can have. As the newest member of the Board, he looks forward to the rewards that come from being a member of a group of people who are so dedicated to this important cause.
Tahoe SAFE Alliance is actively recruiting new board members. We are looking for individuals with strong ties to their community. If you have fundraising experience, we are particularly interested in talking with you. This is a volunteer position with a three year term. Please contact Heather Tone at heather@heathertone.com
