Executive Director

Julia Miele, Executive Director

Julia is responsible for oversight of organizational operations, including five community service programs and numerous health and wellness programs. Julia joined the YWCA in December 2008, succeeding Sally Young, who retired after 23 years of dedicated service. Julia came to the YWCA from AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), where she served as Director of Fundraising supporting AHF's worldwide HIV/AIDS treatment and care programs. Her experience prior to AHF includes work with the American Cancer Society in Los Angeles and Population Services International in India and Washington, DC. Julia lives in Santa Monica with her daughter, Isabella, and Isabella's guinea pig, Princess Mabell. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Directors

Hilton Brown, Director of Athletics

Hilton joined the YWCA March 2009. In his role of Athletic Director, he brings 12+ years of coaching 5 different youth sports, instructing adult novices at sports and starting up various leagues. Hilton is also a multi-sport athlete himself who passionately believes in sports for all the life skills it teaches, i.e. socialization, competition, teamwork, coping with success and failure. Hilton's philosophy regarding both life & sports is simple: Teach, Build & Reward. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Veronica Castro, Director of Youth Development

Veronica Castro has been working directly with youth for 8+ years as a teacher, director, coach, and dance instructor.  She is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and attended Northern Arizona University where she was a member of their dance team and received BA degrees in Education and Speech Communication.  Her creative courage is evident in the innovative programs and events she has founded. She started teaching in 2001 at Marana High School, where she built a thriving full-time dance program and coached the State Championship Dance Team. She created and directed the Tucson Hip Hop Show, which went on to become an annual sold out event attracting some of the most talented dancers in Southern Arizona and thousands of spectators. She was also the founder and director of the Youth in Motion dance camp for children ages 6-14. Veronica has taught dance and directed shows in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, and Thailand. Living, working, and traveling with people from over 30 different countries increased her cross-cultural competency and teaching skills.  On her free time, Veronica performs with the Up With People Special Events Cast and Groovin Motion. She is also a Master Teacher for the Viva Arizona Hispanic Performing Arts Conferences, Danceclass101.com, and Inside Out Community Arts in Los Angeles, CA. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sharon Donaldson, Director of Lifelong Wellness

Sharon Donaldson has been with the YWCA since 1984. In addition to managing our recreational programs, Sharon also runs the Encore program, a free exercise and peer support program for women with cancer. Sharon earned her BA from Cal State University, Northridge and is a certified fitness instructor with the American Council on Exercise. She is also a National Trainer for the YWCA of the USA for the Encore Program. Sharon’s passion is health, fitness and the great outdoors. She lives in Topanga Canyon with her husband, Rick, and three parrots, “Big Boy” (Umbrella Cockatoo), “Chewie” (Triton Cockatoo) and “Ollie” (Blue Fronted Amazon). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Linda Diaz, Director of Member Services

Linda Diaz is our Director of Member Services, but when it comes to her job, she calls herself the “Jill of all Trades” – doing everything from managing valet service in the parking lot to helping people with community resources to assisting lobby guests with their queries and requests. Linda is a native from El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, and has two grown boys (or so they think they are!)  She lives in Culver City with her boys and her very special Ferret, Oso, who keeps her entertained and makes her laugh. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Allison Griffith, Assistant Director of Housing

As the YWCA's full-time, live-in Assistant Housing Director, Allison works the late afternoons, evenings and is on-call at night and on weekends. Responsible for the therapeutic environment of the household, Allison manages house routines, program implementation and resident support and guidance. Allison earned her Associate of Arts degree in Childhood Development from Los Angeles Valley College and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services, with an emphasis in adolescence from California State University Dominguez Hills. She has also received training in domestic violence counseling. She has been the Assistant Housing Director for ten years.

Nina Moench, Director YWCA Family Cooperative Pre-School

Nina Moench has been an Early Childhood Educator for over 10 years.  She has a BFA from Otis Art Institute and has studied Child Development at SMC and UCLA Extension.  In opening the YWCA Family Cooperative Preschool in 2011, Nina was able to merge two of her passions in life, environmental design and early childhood education.  She is a certified level 1 specialist in The Outdoor Classroom Project and is especially proud of our preschools' new natural playscape.  Nina is a 3rd generation California native and lives in Santa Monica with her husband and two children.

Barbara Olinger, Director of Family Development

Barbara Olinger has a Master's degree in Social Work and has worked with children and families in educational and therapeutic settings for over 30 years. She began her relationship with the YWCA taking post-natal exercise classes (her son is now 24 years old!). Following this, she started volunteering (facilitating a New Mom's Support Group), became an Independent Contractor teaching Toddler and Me classes, and then joined the YWCA team as a part-time employee supervising and writing grants for several programs. In 2004, she became a full-time staff. Currently, Barbara facilitates Infant/Toddler and Me classes, leads Parent Support Groups, and supervises Cottage Activity Time and the YWCA Family Cooperative Pre-School. Barbara has two sons and lives in Venice. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sharrie Wunder, Director of Transitional Housing and Education Program

Sharrie Wunder is responsible for intake and case management, program staff supervision, budget and revenue, and program administration for our Transitional Housing and Education Program. Sharrie earned her BA degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her MA degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. She has been involved with the YWCA since the inception of the Program and has worked in residential services for the past 26 years. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Staff

Gordon Ewing, Lead Teacher CAT

Monica Colvin, Lead Teacher CAT

Kathy Salinas, Teacher CAT

Melissa Harrell, Teacher CAT

Maria Miranda, Teacher (CAT and Pre-School)

Gina Oster, Lead Teacher, Pre-School

Henriette Backer, Lead Teacher, Pre-School

Jaklin Hai, Teacher, Pre-school

Amanda Harris, Teacher, Pre-school

Support Staff

Patricia Cavanaugh, Evening/Weekend Receptionist

After years of managing creative departments in the cosmetic and marketing industry, and now semi-retired, Patricia Cavanaugh stopped by the YWCA to inquire about the life drawing class. She is an artist and a breast cancer survivor. To her delight, she discovered not only art, but the YWCA’s Encore program for cancer survivors, which allowed her to enjoy and benefit from the pool exercise, yoga classes, and peer-support. Patricia truly cherishes the time she is able to interact with YWCA members and staff. When not at the YWCA, Patricia spends time with her two sweet grandchildren, husband, family, and artistic pursuits.

Pedro Garcia, Facility Maintenance

Pedro Garcia began work with the YWCA in 2006, but has been associated with the organization since 1998. In fact, Pedro helped to build (and rebuild after the 1994 earthquake!) the beautiful residence that houses our Transitional Housing and Education Program. He also was the individual who placed in the house's walls a time capsule that holds all past records of the residence, which was formerly a home for girls operated by the Amaranth Matrons and Patrons Association. Pedro worked for the late Norm Berg, who was the general contractor for the YWCA property and donated hours of his time to the beautification of our surroundings. Pedro and his wife, Flor, live with their son, Sergio, and dog, Doby, in Los Angeles.

Robert Lock, Facility Maintenance

Robert Lock has been with the YWCA for over 20 years. Robert keeps the YWCA beautiful by doing everything from cleaning mirrors, to vacuuming floors, to watering lawns, to cleaning bathrooms. Prior to coming to the YWCA, Robert worked for Allan Mason Cleaning at Crossroads School and the Boys & Girls Club. What Robert likes best about the YWCA are the people and YWCA members. In his spare time, Robert runs marathons, plays basketball, rides a bicycle, and dances the two-step, tango, and salsa. Robert lives with his mother and his parrot, Michael, in Inglewood.