Gap's Board of Directors is comprised of passionate individuals who have all been touched by GAP's mission, whether through personal experience and group support or through a relationship with a Grandfamily or a kinship caregiver. William D. "Bill" Fox | CHAIRPERSON Bill is an entrepreneur who has owned businesses that range from software management and training to automotive services to the food service industry. He also spent 21 years with IBM and is a veteran having served four years in the US Army in the Army Security Agency. Bill was on the Board of Directors of White Wing Labs, Inc. from 2000-2004. He is a strong community member and has been a Rotarian for many years. From 1993-2006 he was with the Conejo Valley Rotary Club and served in many capacities, up through holding seats on the Executive Committee, including Vice President and President. He currently is a member of Simi Valley Sunrise Rotary. Joan St.Louis, RN MHA | SECRETARY Joan has been on the GAP board for 5 years and has focused on strategic planning and direction. She is a retired Administrator for Kaiser Permanente. Joan graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and also has a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Executive Management degree from UCLA. Joan is member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Association of California Nurse Executives. She also serves on the Board of ONEgeneration. Andrea L. Friedenthal | BOARD MEMBER Andrea is with Off-Road Adventures Magazine. Fundraising and corporate donor chairperson for various non-profit humanistic organizations; Ocean Park Community Center, Abused Women & Children's Home, Red Cross Disaster Relief, pilot coordinator for Flying Samaritans, coordinate monthly international medical mercy missions to remote areas; recruit, schedule and transport medical teams. Gina Taylor-Pickens | BOARD MEMBER Gina was born in Cleveland, Ohio and got her start in the New York theatre community. On Broadway she was featured in "Eubie", "Leader of the Pack", "Beehive" and the famed production "Dreamgirls". In 1979 Gina burst onto the music scene as a member of the female disco group "Musique". She toured the world performing the chart topping hit "Push, Push in the Bush" in some of Europe's finest nightclubs and also sang for US servicemen stationed overseas. Gina has lent her vocal prowess to back-up such artists as Barry Manilow, Anita Baker, Toto, Freddie Jackson, Jennifer Holiday, American Idol (Season 1 and 2), and Sister Act (1and 2). Gina currently lives with her husband Jim in the San Fernando Valley. They have a son and a daughter. Sylvie de Toledo, MSW, LCSW, BCD | FOUNDER OF GAP & BOARD MEMBER Sylvie de Toledo is a licensed clinical social worker who is perhaps best known as the founder of Grandparents As Parents, Inc. She co-authored the book Grandparents as Parents, a Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family. She and her co-author Deborah Edler Brown are in the process of writing a second edition of the book. Sylvie is a nationally recognized expert on issues relating to relative caregivers taking on the responsibility of raising children because the parents cannot. She has presented many workshops on the topic of relative caregivers throughout the county. Sylvie was part of a team working on a national curriculum for kinship education. Sylvie has received numerous awards, been interviewed by both national and local newspapers and magazines. She has been formally recognized by the Alliance for Children's Rights, the Southern California Psychiatric Society, The Wiley Center for Speech and Language, the United States Senate's Special committee on Aging, The County of Los Angeles, and the California Coalition of Relative Caregivers. The late United States Senator John Heinz commended her for her "cooperation, knowledge, judgment, ability, diligence and loyalty on behalf of relative caregivers." Stuart Waldman | BOARD MEMBER Stuart is a decorated veteran of the United States Army. He served as a Cavalry Scout for an Armor Battalion of the First Infantry Division. He left the service with an honorable discharge after receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. He was Chief of Staff to Assembly member Lloyd Levine from 2002-2007, and prior to that he was Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg. Several community groups have recognized Stuart's continuous service to the community. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the North Hollywood Rotary Club, a Distinguished Alumnus by Los Angeles Valley College, one of 36 Distinguished Jewish Individuals by Hillel, and has also been honored by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association Worker's Compensation Section. He was recognized as one of 25 emerging leaders in the Valley by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. Currently, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA). Barbara Wasson | BOARD MEMBER Barbara is a founding member, National Coalition of Grandparents, Calif. Coalition of Grandparents & Relative Caregivers, Grandparents as Parents, Inc. President Emeritus and Board of Directors, Grandparents as Parents. Advisory Council- Older Women's Issue, LA Area Agency on Aging. Special awards: Congressional Recognition of Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community.   Willa Meller | VICE-CHAIR Willa Meller has has been active with GAP since 2007. Willa is chairperson of the Events Committee for GAP and is promoting on a daily basis the slogan, "Where's The Money" as she focuses on fundraising for the organization. Willa has over 20 years experience in financial management of corporate entities in the capacity of Accounts Payable Manager/Supervisor in companies as The House of Blues, ITT Gilfillan, Famililan Pipe & Supply Inc, as well has over 14 years at the Los Angeles Unified School District. Willa has actively performed volunteer work for several community groups such as The Tree People, Red Cross and The Great Outdoors. Willa was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Los Angeles for her mentoring the Children of the L.A. Best after school enrichment program for Computer training area. Raymond Cruz | BOARD MEMBER Raymond is a development consultant to non-profit organizations. He has an extensive background in business management, business development, and senior project management consulting. His experience includes management roles with several Fortune 500 National Banks, Aerospace and Professional Finance and Accounting Consulting firms as well as functional responsibilities in the operations and financial areas. Various certificates in Counseling, Mediation Skills, Negotiation and Conciliation from Pepperdine University's Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution and the American Association of Christian Counselors. His experience includes nearly 35 years of youth and music ministries, arts and drama productions, men and elder boards, and biblical counseling centers with various faith-based organizations including but not limited to the United Church, in New York City, Cornerstone Community Church and Hope Coming Church and Counseling Center in Simi Valley. He began his Operations Management and Consulting career in 1975. His consulting background also includes an international assignment as Senior Project Consultant for a major manufacturing firm for nearly two years experience in Mexico and South America. Victor Sampson | BOARD MEMBER Victor is a financial manager at Coldwell Banker. From 1992 to present, Mr. Sampson has served as an Inheritance Tax Referee and Probate Referee for the State of California. He is currently or has served with LA NV Area Planning Commission, Porter Ranch Architecture Review Board, Porter Ranch CAC Planning Committee, Northridge CAC Land Use Committee, L A Police Permit Commission, LA Business Tax Commission and Children at Risk, Inc. Suzanne Tracy | BOARD MEMBER Suzanne is an educator with vast professional research and publishing experience. Founder of S.T.A.R.S. - [Student Travel and Research School]. Has served on the Board of Directors of Playhouse. Owner of EZ Properties, a real estate investment company. Catherine Goodman, D.S.W. | ADVISORY BOARD Catherine Goodman, DSW, has done research on grandfamilies over the past 10 years, through a grant from the National Institute on Aging, and California Social Work Education Center. She has taught practice and research in the Social Work Department, CSULB for almost 30 years and brought in almost $2 million in grant money for research on grandparent caregiving and program development in aging. Her publications over the last 30 years are vast and Catherine is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of relative caregivers. Joseph MacKenzie, Esq. | ADVISORY BOARD Joseph MacKenzie, Esq. has been practicing law for over thirty years. His knowledge of the juvenile, welfare and court systems in Los Angeles is unchallenged. Dr. Jeff Hananel, D.O. | ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Jeff Hananel has been practicing pulmonary and critical care medicine at Kaiser Permanente, Panorama City Medical Center for twelve years. He has been both the Division Chief at Panorama City and the Regional Coordinating Chair for Pulmonary medicine for the Southern California Kaiser Permanente group. Dr. Hananel has been involved with GAP since 1997. He has provided pro bono medical care to relative caregivers in the program and volunteers at all GAP events. Madelyn Gordon | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Madelyn served on the Grandparents As Parents Board from 1999 - 2007. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director was the Vice President of Rehab Data, Inc. from 1988 - 2007. She is an entrepreneur and has been involved with a number of successful businesses over the last twenty five years. She has a degree In Secondary Education and a Masters Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. She currently serves on the Mayor's Coalition on Aging, LA City, Dept of Aging Council, as well as on numerous committees and task forces throughout Los Angeles County.