Laurel Rest
President
Laurel is currently employed by the FDIC as Corporate Affairs Counsel for the San Francisco Region and she advises management on labor, employment and security issues. She also handles employment litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and labor issues before federal arbitrators. Prior to joining the Board, Laurel has worked as a Public Defender in Los Angeles County and Alameda County, representing juvenile offenders and indigent clients. She was also the first women to be President of the California Public Defenders Association, a professional organization with a membership of approximately 1500 attorneys that were heavily involved in advocacy work in Sacramento.
Jodi Servatius
Vice-Chair
An educator for thirty five years, Jodi Servatius is Professor Emerita of Education at California State University, Hayward. She joined the Family Builders board in the fall of 2002 and formerly served as its president. She and her husband adopted four sisters, then ages two through six, in 1988. This personal adoption experience has created passion for promoting the adoption of so-called "hard to place" children, and especially assuring that large sibling groups are not separated in adoptions.
Mark Randall
Treasurer
Mark brings to the board financial acumen from a 30-year career in banking and bank regulation. He just retired from the FDIC, where he was an Ombudsman and managed bank receiverships. Mark has served on various governmental boards and a chamber of commerce. He and his partner adopted their 11-year-old son through Family Builders.
Allen Moy
Secretary
Allen brings over 14 years of experience in nonprofit organizations including nearly seven years as Director of Operations of the National Community Building Network in Oakland—a membership-based alliance of over 700 local anti-poverty groups from around the nation. Allen holds a Master’s in Urban Administration and a Bachelor’s in Communications and Political Science, both from Trinity University in San Antonio. Allen’s passion for supporting adoption is driven by his love for his nieces and nephew who entered his family through adoption, and by the story his grandmother used to tell of explaining to her youngest son that he was adopted: "God brought me all of my children," she said. "He just brought you with your shoes already on."
Jill Jacobs, M.A.
Executive Director
Jill brings over 25 years experience in multi-cultural community based health and social services organizations. She has a Masters degree in Health Services Administration, as well as extensive experience in fiscal management, program development, strategic planning and public policy advocacy. She has been the Executive Director of Family Builders since 1996, and has developed a program model that is responsive to the needs of children and youth needing permanent families. Her many professional affiliations include: the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, California Association of Adoption Agencies, California Permanency for Youth Project, Family Builders Adoption Network, National Advisory Network for the Child Welfare League of America and Lambda Joint Initiative, National Advisory Council of Human Rights Campaign All Children All Families Initiative, Children and Family Services Network of Alameda County, California Department of Social Services State Advisory Committee on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) Children and Youth in Child Welfare. Jill is a national leader and advocate on issues affecting LGBT adoptive families and LGBTQ youth in foster care. Jill has created innovative programs to meet the needs of underserved and disenfranchised children and youth; including services for older youth, believing no child should leave the foster care system without a permanent family. Jill is the mother of two children, via adoption.
Carol Coffman
Board Member
Carol is the former CEO and President of Chela Financial, Inc., which helps students obtain student loans for higher education. Throughout her career, carol has not strayed from her commitment in assuring access to education for all children. She is equally passionate about children and families and joins in Family Builders’ commitment to finding "forever" families for children and youth who are waiting in foster care.
Linda Clark
Board Member
Linda brings over 20 years of marketing experience to her board position at Family Builders. Her experience spans advertising for Coca Cola Foods, high tech marketing for Intel Corporation, and real estate sales and marketing at Paragon Real Estate Group in San Francisco. She is passionate about family and community service. Linda is
the proud aunt of four nephews, one niece, and Godmother to three.
Garrett Hayashida
Board Member
Garrett brings human resources, technology and management consulting experience to the board. He currently works in HR specializing in compensation, systems and operations. Garrett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration / Management Information Systems from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Although not a parent himself, Garrett has witnessed the struggle of friends through the adoption process and the difference this organization can make.
Laura Housfeld
Board Member
Laura currently works for the American Cancer Society in the Relay For Life eRevenue department. Laura brings to the board a strong understanding of online fundraising and social media. Her work with the ACS has included a strategic focus on youth and urban markets. Laura has always been passionate about finding children loving homes especially in challenging environments and believes every child deserves to have a safe place in our community.
Joanna Lumimoso
Board Member
Joanna found Family Builders through her interest in improving child welfare through adoption legislation. She spent a year in law school working at the Greater Boston Legal Services where she provided free legal aid to those in need. Now a corporate litigation attorney in the areas of professional and product liability, construction, and insurance defense, Joanna brings to the board a passion for problem solving and community welfare. She is thrilled to be part of Family Builders' imperative role in providing 'forever families.'
Alan Morrell
Board Member
Alan blends his commitment to service and relationships as the Store Manager for Nordstrom San Francisco Centre. With over 22 years in customer service, his work has enabled him to interact with a diverse group of individuals from all over the world. That knowledge has helped him as he’s served on the Board of Directors for the Opportunity Village in Las Vegas, Nevada and the San Francisco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Alan and his Partner Mike are the proud adoptive parents of a 7 year old boy who surprises and delights them daily. He brings his passion and commitment to Family Builders to help connect children with the loving families they deserve.
Jana Rickerson
Board Member
Jana is a licensed clinical social worker that has worked for many decades with children, families and communities in a variety of capacities. Initially she became an elementary school teacher out of her love for learning and teaching. After several years, she decided to move into the field of social work. She has worked in HIV services, community health, and in the last two decades, focused her efforts in the field of child welfare. Currently she is a consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation working with government agencies to implement systems change in hopes of creating better ways in which families and children are served. Jana is particularly passionate about permanency for all children and diversity issues in child welfare, including efforts to eliminate racial disproportionality and disparity in foster care. Jana also has a great love for music, cooking, whitewater rafting, and is a devoted 49er football fan.
