Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Renee Young – Board President

Ms. Young has over 25 years’ experience in business development and sales.  Her professional background has been with leading multi-national management consulting firms in pursuit of multimillion-dollar efforts.

Lynn Sarf – Board Vice president

Lynn is a former major gifts office for the Claremont Colleges. She brings valuable experience to House of Ruth with fundraising and has been serving on the board for over one year.

 Leslie Negritto – Board Treasurer

Leslie Negritto is currently the Vice President for Finance and Administration/Treasurer and provides fiscal leadership for Claremont Graduate University housing.

Susan Castagnetto – Board Secretary

Coordinator, Intercollegiate Feminist Center for Teaching, Research and Engagement Lecturer, Philosophy at Scripps College. Susan has served on the board for 1 year.

Thomas Allison – Board Member

Thomas is a Family Attorney in Pomona, CA. Founder of the Social Justice Advocacy Project, Thomas volunteers his time with a monthly legal clinic for House of Ruth. Thomas has been supporting House of Ruth since 2016.

Julianne Baumann – Board Member

Juli is owner of Exact Escrow. Juli is a long-time supporter of House of Ruth and has previously served on the board for 2 terms. After a brief year off, Juli is starting up another term on the board.

Brian Kraatz – Board Member

Brian Kraatz is an Associate Professor at Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, CA), and has volunteered with House of Ruth since 2017.

Robin Leonhard – Board Member

Robin is very actively involved in the Claremont community and has served on the board of directors for numerous terms over the years, including Board President. Robin is a long-term supporter of House of Ruth and begins another term of dedicated service.

Lisa Phillips – Board Member

Dr. Lisa W. Phillips, M.D. is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist at the Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Hospital in Loma Linda. She specializes in providing telehealth services and is the lead for recruitment of psychiatrists at the VA Hospital.   Dr Philips has served 2 terms on the House of Ruth board as Secretary.

William Swartz – Board Member

William (Bill Swartz) coaches the Pomona-Pitzer men’s soccer team and teaches Pomona College Physical Education classes. This Year Bill was appointed to the Pomona College President’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Violence Intervention and Prevention.

Ehmandah Ramsey – Board Member

Ehmandah is a Life Coach, Entrepreneur, Speaker, founder of She Stories and host of Hey Suga podcast.
With 15+ years of experience providing life guidance in the community, Ehmandah serves as the Co-Pastor of the E Church. She is also a domestic violence survivor.

 

Deborah Caruso – Board Member

Deborah has over 30 years’ experience in the public sector, specializing in human resources and organizational leadership. She brings her extensive experience as an HR Director and adjunct professor to the House of Ruth.

Pat Bell – Executive Director/Ex Officio

Pat Bell has worked at House of Ruth since 2008, most recently as Executive Director.  Her efforts have helped increase private funding with foundations and social media, most notably, the annual Purple Purse Campaign.