KATHY AROLA
Board Chair
Kathy graduated from U.C.S.B. and has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. She was a teacher and school administrator for 25 years in P.V.U.S.D. She currently works part time for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and for the Association of California School Administrators as a School Leadership Coach mentoring new school administrators.
Kathy is a strong advocate for safe and affordable housing and brings her passion, energy, and a focused work ethic to the organization. During her many years of work in public education, she has seen firsthand how poverty and homelessness affect children and their families. She believes that Habitat can help strengthen families, affect generational change, and revitalize our communities by building “simple, decent, and affordable housing” and helping families to become self-reliant through homeownership. She recognizes the great need for affordable housing for all public sector employees in the Monterey Bay area and wants to work to find solutions.
Kathy has been married to her husband Rockne for 43 years. She enjoys activities with her four grandchildren on her farm in Corralitos, exploring the beautiful west coast, and traveling abroad.
KEVIN DONNELLY
Board Treasurer
Kevin has been on the Board of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay since 2019, where he currently serves as Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is a strong supporter of Habitat, and he is passionate about the role of Habitat in providing affordable housing and making home ownership a reality for so many deserving families.
Kevin currently works at Eliyan Corporation as VP of Strategic Marketing, and previously held executive roles managing technology development and business operations at Cypress Semiconductor and Rambus, Inc. Kevin holds a BS in EECS from the University of California, Berkeley and a MSEE from San Jose State University.
In his free time, he likes to spend time with friends and family and enjoys attending concerts.
DOUG MAHONE
Member at Large
Doug Mahone is a retired research architect, trained at MIT. He moved to Santa Cruz following a 40-year career consulting on energy efficiency codes and programs, and as co-founder of a 45-person consulting firm.
He enjoys giving back to his community as a Board member at Habitat for Humanity, and he says he continues to be amazed by the complexities and challenges of building a home in Santa Cruz, and by the amount of resources and talent that Habitat marshals to overcome those challenges.
He also serves as a Board member for Ecology Action.
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NANCY AMADEO
Board Member
Nancy Amadeo has served in a number of appointed and elected positions representing the City of Marina since 2005. These include Planning Commissioner, Design Review Board, Tree Committee, Public Works Commissioner, and City Council Member. As a result of being a City Council Member, she was appointed to serve on the Boards of Access Media Productions, Community Human Services, League of California Cities Public Safety Committee and Monterey County Mosquito Abatement District. She still serves on the Mosquito Abatement Districts Board of Trustees. She also served on the Downtown Vitalization Committee. As a result, she received an excellent education attending numerous conferences given by the League of California Cities related to planning, budgets, California law, and city government.
Nancy was a licensed child care provider for 22 years caring for infants and toddlers, 0-3 years old and retired in 2013. During that time she also helped create two local nonprofits, Marina in Motion and Marina Youth Arts. She still sits on those boards as President of Marina in Motion and Vice President of Marina Youth Arts.
She has been married to her husband, Dan for 50 years. They have 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys singing and baking.
FRANK HALASZ
Board Member
Frank Halasz is a retired technology and business leader. He started his career as a researcher at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, before moving on to co-found and manage three technology-based start-ups as well as spending too many years as a General Manager at Microsoft TV. He holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology and an MS in Statistics from Stanford University.
Frank has been a regular construction volunteer with Habitat Monterey Bay on and off since 2011. He moved up to the Board in 2025, but continues his weekly stint working at our construction sites. To Frank, Habitat represents the pure joy of building something with his hands after a career spent in front of a computer screen. More importantly, it is a chance to give back to his community by helping to solve the biggest issue facing our Monterey Bay community - affordable housing.
Frank has lived in Santa Cruz with his wife Maureen since 1989. He has two adult children, neither of whom live in Santa Cruz - in part because of the lack of affordable housing.
DELMY CARDOZA
Board Member
Delmy was born in El Salvador and moved to California 22 years ago. She works as a Bookkeeper for Pacific Sun Property Management.
Delmy has an unusual perspective as a Board Member because she is also a Habitat Homeowner. They moved into their Habitat home on August 28, 2018. Delmy says, “That date is the greatest day for our family. Our almost impossible dream became real.” She and her husband feel they can plan for their future with a more stable financial situation. They have two beautiful children, Ally (8) and Cesar (18), and Cesar has just started at San Jose State University. She attributes this success to Habitat. She loves to help people and is grateful to be on the Board and have the opportunity to be a part of and give back to the Habitat community.
She enjoys outdoor activities with the family; camping, hiking, walking their dog and meeting neighbors at the dog park almost every night. They love travel and often go back to El Salvador.
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GABE SANDERS
Board Secretary
Gabriel grew up in Sonoma County and spent the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic serving his home county working with community-based organizations to administer CARES Act funding to low-income community members in need of gap income and emergency services. He earned his Master’s in Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey and now calls Monterey home.
Gabriel has held many posts advocating for affordable housing and land use advocacy. From his time with the California Department of Housing and Community Development to his current position as Director of Housing and Community Development Policy at the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.
He loves tasting wine, is an active patron of the arts, enjoys Esports, powerlifting, he speaks fluent Spanish, and is conversational in French and Arabic.
MAXWELL SINCLAIR
Board Member
Maxwell serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at Santa Cruz County Bank and has a strong background in finance, HR, and risk management. He earned his MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.
He has served on multiple Boards in a volunteer capacity and loves giving back. Habitat is extremely grateful for the level of strategic thinking Maxwell brings to our organization. And his commitment to the mission is strong - he has volunteered several times at Habitat build sites because he loves being connected to the work.
His personal interests are golf, fishing, and volunteering.
KELLY STRACKE
Board Member
Kelly is new to Habitat but says he is eager to learn and get involved with such a wonderful organization. He ran a supply chain data company for years until he was able to fulfill his dream of being a stay-at-home dad, which he truly loves.
He also serves as Monterey County Parks Commissioner, and he is passionate about making our parks accessible and enjoyable to communities across the county. Other causes he cares about: Arts and Culture, children, education, health, human rights, & poverty alleviation.
When he isn’t being a self-appointed Super Dad for his three young children, you can find him playing disc golf or volunteering at community events.
MARK THOMAS
Board Vice Chair
Mark comes to Habitat with a wide world of experience in land development, real estate, environmental law, environmental education, and nonprofit leadership. He has served as a rafting ambassador in Siberia, a national park developer in Mongolia and an environmental surf activist in Mexico.
Though retired after teaching for 40 years, Mark continues to enjoy working as a realtor and property developer. His favorite moments are at home as a father of three wonderful kids and an incredible wife.
He joined the Habitat Board to make Santa Cruz a better, more inclusive place to live and to provide affordable housing to as many people as possible. He has a special place in his heart for those who share this calling to serve the public good.
DAVID TORRES
Board Member
Born and raised in Santa Cruz County, David is aware of the challenges of attaining homeownership in our area. He has seen a lot of friends and families move out of the area and not be able to come back due to housing costs. David says that, “Being involved in Habitat is important to me because I love to see members of our community be able to stay and own a home of their own.”
He is currently a Home Loan Sales Manager with Bay Federal Credit Union and has been there over 9 years. He originates home loans and oversees a team of 7 home loan consultants.
Outside of work he really enjoys being involved in youth sports for his 3 children. He helps coach them all whether it be soccer, softball, football, baseball, etc. and he absolutely loves it.
Join Our Board of Directors
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is poised for future growth with a solid financial foundation, an experienced Board, committed volunteer base, and top tier brand recognition.
Help build strength, stability, and self-reliance! Join other Board members as we help guide the organization towards its key strategic goals:
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Increase the footprint of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay
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Build organization strength and resilience
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Elevate advocacy and community engagement
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay Board of Directors meet the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Interested parties should email Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay CEO, Catherine Stihler at cstihler@habitatmontereybay.org. Qualified applicants will receive an invitation to apply.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
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A strong dedication to Habitat for Humanity’s mission.
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Effective communication skills, including listening, articulating ideas clearly, and advocating for Habitat for Humanity's mission.
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Time and commitment to attend and participate in monthly Board Meetings, annual retreat, and to join at least one committee.
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Commitment to attend and promote Habitat events.
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Collaboration with staff and other Board Members, networking in the community, and providing counsel in areas of expertise.
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Contribute to fundraising efforts, whether through personaldonations, soliciting donations, or leveraging personal and professional networks.
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Familiarity with region, building industry, local government.
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
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Attend new board member orientation.
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Attend and participate at board meetings:
11 meetings a year on the 4th Wednesday of each month, with a few exceptions. -
Participate on at least one committee.
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Attend and promote Habitat Events, such as Galas, Dinners, Auctions, etc.
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Attend Board Retreat(s).
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Represent Habitat in our community.
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Make a personal gift annually.
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Provide counsel and advice in areas of expertise.
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Support staff in carrying out Board policies and activities.
