LAURIE WISHARD
PRESIDENT

A seasoned human services executive with extensive experience in social service program development, Laurie is currently celebrating her 23rd year with Family Service. Originally joining Family Service in 1984 as Director of Senior Services, Laurie was promoted to Vice President in 1986 and assumed her current role as President in 1997. As President, Laurie oversees Family Service's 200+ employees at 22 locations who serve over 18,000 people annually. Before she assumed her responsibilities as President, Laurie co-authored four books including: Sixty Plus in America: A Sourcebook of Senior Benefits and Services; Adoption: The Grafted Tree; Sixty Plus in California: Making the Most of Senior Benefits and Services; and Men's Rights: A Handbook for the 80's. Laurie serves on the National Ways to Work Board, the San Mateo County's Work Investment Board and Joey's Corner Board. She recently helped ensure the financial sustainability of Family Service by completing the organization's 7.5 million dollar capital campaign. Laurie holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a M.S.W. from California State University, Sacramento. A San Mateo resident, in her spare time Laurie enjoys walking, reading and practicing to improve her Spanish.

DEBORAH MILLER
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS AND CLIENT SERVICES

Deb Miller signed on with Family Service in 2006. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Deb’s educational background includes a B.A. in Business from San Francisco State University and an M.B.A. in International Economics from the University of Washington. Following her studies, Deb spent over twenty years working in a for-profit environment, including time as an independent consultant and as a Silicon Valley executive. These experiences cultivated Deb’s broad perspective on operational efficiency and her strong commitment to creating an environment of continuous improvement. Eventually, Deb transitioned to a career in the non-profit realm, working in a senior level position for a Peninsula social service organization before joining Family Service. She brings a wealth of business-savvy and leadership skills to her role as vice president of programs and client services, a newly created position. At Family Service, Deb cultivates external relationships, develops new business opportunities for programs and services, and spearheads the overall strategic planning. A current resident of San Mateo, Deb enjoys exploring the culinary arts with her friends in her free time.   

KIMBERLY HINES
VICE PRESIDENT OF MAJOR GIFTS AND PLANNED GIVING

A sixth-generation native of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Kimberly Hines joined Family Service’s team in 2007 as the vice president of major gifts. Currently a resident of the San Mateo Park area with deep roots in the Hillsborough community, Kimberly came to us following nine years at the Salvation Army’s Dallas and San Francisco headquarters. Celebrated highlights of her previous role include vastly increasing the Salvation Army’s corporate giving campaign; securing and stewarding major charitable partnerships with Southwest Airlines, the Dallas Cowboys NFL, and others; pioneering and launching the successful “Tools for School” benefit called Flower Power; and extensive fundraising for a $52 million capital campaign. At Family Service, Kimberly’s work encompasses cultivating and stewarding donors, and matching their philanthropic interests to our menu of programs and services. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Kimberly is active in the Charter 100 Club; San Francisco Auxiliary of the Fine Arts Museums; Association of Fundraising Professionals; Northern CA Planned Giving Council; and volunteers for Studio 333 in Sausalito. In addition to a passion for community involvement, Kimberly’s interests include painting, photography, fashion, interior design, movies, and cooking for family and friends.

SUSAN HOUSTON
DIVISION DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SERVICES

A native of Denver, Colorado, Susan holds a bachelor of arts in both Social Work and Spanish from Chico State and has completed one year of graduate school. Her past experience includes extensive time working with people with disabilities. Employed by Family Service since 1984, as Division Director of Senior Services Susan's responsibilities include overseeing the operation of six programs (at the agency's headquarters and its Fair Oaks Intergenerational Senior Center); direct services; second careers programs; senior center programs; and coordinating with funding sources. The founding member and former president of Northern California's Forum on Older Workers, Susan also is involved in California's Coalition for Older Working Women; San Mateo County's Fall Prevention Program; the Steering Committee of the New Beginnings Coalition; and is a participating partner in Peninsula Works. In the past, Susan authored a popular weekly column on senior issues called "Senior Savvy" that appeared in several local newspapers, including the San Mateo Daily News. She is also the 2006 recipient of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and Commission on Disabilities “People Who Care Award.” A current resident of Burlingame, Susan enjoys flamenco dancing, gardening, yoga and exercise in her spare time.

ANN TORRES
DIVISION DIRECTOR OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

A resident of Brisbane and native San Franciscan, Ann studied Elementary Education and Liberal Studies at San Francisco State University. Her past career experience includes time working as a teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District before moving on to a position at the Leo J. Ryan Child Development Center in 1981. Ann later joined the Family Service team when it assumed management of the Leo J. Ryan Center in 1989. As part of her responsibilities for Family Service, Ann manages the division's budgeting and contracts; oversees the child development leadership team; five child care sites; as well as the Neighborhood Child Care Program's network of 12 homes. One of Ann's missions for her division is to not only insure that they provide quality care for children, but also help them become school-ready. A recipient of the San Mateo Association for the Education of Young Children's (AEYC) 2000 award, Ann is also a past President and a current member of the organization. In addition, she is actively involved in the San Mateo Consortium for Quality Program; the Canada College-based Mentor Selection Committee which matches students with mentors in San Mateo County; and sits on several committees for the national arm of the AEYC. Ann counts scrapbook-making and family-related social gatherings as some of her favorite extracurricular activities.