Our Board of Directors
We are looking for board members!
The Board of Directors (Board) determines the goals and direction of the Teen Kitchen Project (TKP), and institutes policies necessary to achieve the goals it sets. The Board is responsible for the overall financial management of TKP, and for the selection and evaluation of the Executive Director.
The Board actively engages individuals and communities in the work of the organization to ensure that TKP best serves its constituency and remains true to its mission.
Click here for more information on Roles and Responsibilities of TKP Board Members
Amanda Rotella, Board President
Community Relations Specialist, Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Amanda grew up in Santa Cruz County. She obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees at Fordham University in New York City. Before joining the Santa Cruz Libraries team as the Community Relations Specialist, she worked at the Santa Cruz Economic Development Office. Amanda loves being involved in the Santa Cruz Community, supporting local businesses, and engaging on local issues.
Amanda learned about Teen Kitchen Project through the Community Foundation Board match program and continues to be inspired by the mission and impact of the organization.
When Amanda isn’t spending time outdoors or training for a triathlon, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and puzzles.
Lisa Finkelman Smith, Vice President
Resident Services Coordinator, Bay Avenue Senior Apartments, Capitola
Lisa is currently a Director for the Finkelman Foundation and is on the Second Harvest development board. She previously served on the boards of Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Foster Grandparents, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and the Tennis Club of Rio Del Mar.
Prior to working at Bay Avenue, Lisa was a patient relations liaison Patient Pathways for dialysis patients and was also an in-take coordinator for Hospice of Santa Cruz County. She has a strong background in medical practice management working with dermatologists, plastic surgeons, physical therapists, and nephrologists. Lisa left the medical field to work in high tech in the 90’s. While at Sun Microsystems, she was a principal in the NetDay96 school wiring project working closely with the President and Vice President of the United States, and the Ministry of Education in South Africa.
A graduate of San Jose State with a degree in Sociology and Social Work, Lisa lives in Aptos with her husband, Bruce, daughter, Cassandra, and two dogs, Coco and Tink.
Kate Winkler, Treasurer
Retired CEO of Ruby Receptionists
Kate is the CEO of Ruby, a virtual receptionist and live chat answering business serving our small business community. She has been in the technology sector for over 25 years having been a three-time CEO as well as a technology investment banker. Kate holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Kate also holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses and started her career as a CPA.
Kate moved to Santa Cruz from the Midwest in 2009 to be closer to the heart of our technology capital. She chose Santa Cruz because of the tight-knit community of the residents and the quality of life that comes from the mountains, ocean and access to high quality food. When not at work, you can find Kate out and about with her husband, daughter and dog, playing in a co-ed soccer game, hiking in our local mountains or out on the water.
Cindy Harrison-Evans, M.S.W. Secretary
Hospice Social Worker, Kaiser Permanente
Cindy has a masters degree in social work; Cindy has worked has a medical social worker for over 25 year with various healthcare organizations: For the past 11 years, Cindy has worked for Kaiser in the hospice department as a hospice social worker offering psychosocial support, anticipatory grief counseling and care planning.
Cindy is part of an inter-disciplinary team and enjoys the collaboration with the various team members. Cindy is a co-lead for a unit based team and co-leads a bi-weekly bereavement support group.
Cindy has volunteered at Dominican hospital as a certified lactation counselor; Cindy briefly volunteered at hospice of the valley as a grief support volunteer. Cindy participated on the Parent-Alliance board at Rio Del Mar elementary for over three years.
Cindy has lived in Santa Cruz county for over 15 years with her spouse, Brian Evans and their three children: Zachary, Caitlin and Samantha.
Lisa McCamey, Director
Felony Supervisor, Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender
Lisa McCamey was born in California and raised in California, Virginia, and Alabama. She attended college at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1986 she earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in History, English and Sociology. In 1993, Lisa earned her Juris Doctor degree and a certificate in Public Interest Law from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco.
Lisa came to Santa Cruz County in 1998 when she got a job working as a public defender. In 2003 she moved to New York City to work with Legal Aid and to be closer to her mother, who had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This experience taught her to appreciate the invaluable support of neighbors and friends who were there to help with meals and compassion during a difficult time.
Lisa returned to Santa Cruz County in 2005 and ultimately opened her own criminal defense law firm. She is President of the Santa Cruz County Criminal Defense Bar, and is active in the criminal justice system, supporting youth initiatives, mental health and homeless programs, and criminal justice reform.
Lisa and her teenage daughter love to travel and learn about different cultures and ways of life. It was her daughter who introduced her to the Teen Kitchen Project when she was approximately 7 years old. Her daughter loved learning how to cook, a skill that gave her confidence and an appreciation for healthy food and the joy of sharing her creations. Lisa learned more about Teen Kitchen Project and grew to appreciate the love and care Teen Kitchen Project brings to its mission of providing those in need with healthy meals that address their specific issues.
Lisa Krigsman, Director
Founder & CEO, Start Here
Research Biologist, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary/Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NMFS)
Lisa is the founder of Start Here, a photo management and professional organizing company, and a federal fisheries biologist. She obtained her bachelor’s in marine biology at U.C. Santa Cruz and her masters from San Francisco State University. Her educational aspirations are what brought Lisa to Santa Cruz in 1994 and her connection to the community is what keeps her here.
As an active Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotarian, Lisa has supported Teen Kitchen Project in various ways, including a 3-day, 200 mile bike ride. Lisa has also assisted other non-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals through her communication and development skills. When she is not counting fish, deep-sea corals, and sponges, she is on the beach walking with her dogs and husband. Lisa is an avid reader, bike rider, runner, and hiker.
Kathleen McCarthy, Director
Principal and Founder, Kathleen McCarthy Consulting
Kathleen is the founder of an independent consulting practice that partners with social sector organizations dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of underserved communities. With over 20 years of experience in various health sectors, including Medi-Cal Managed Care and philanthropy, Kathleen provides strategy development, program development, and project management services to non-profits, foundations, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and other public agencies.
In her prior role at the Central California Alliance for Health, Kathleen was introduced to the impactful work of Teen Kitchen Project (TKP). Kathleen was excited to join the TKP Board to help advance its important mission.
Kathleen holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Non-Profit Administration from San Francisco State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Studies from the University of California – Santa Cruz. Kathleen lives with her husband and two teenagers in Santa Cruz, where she enjoys running and hiking on local trails and beaches.
Lisa Cardoza, Director
Loan Officer, Premier Mortgage Resources
Lisa Cardoza is a second-generation Santa Cruzan.
She is a loan officer at Premier Mortgage Resources with 31 years in the industry. She has a deep desire to help individuals and families obtain and maintain homeownership.
Lisa was recognized in the Top 1% Mortgage Originator in the United States in 2021 and 2020.
Lisa has been a volunteer for Ride-A-Wave for the past eighteen years and a board member for the past six years. This organization provides beach and water activities for children with disabilities. She was also involved with Best Day Foundation, another organization for children with disabilities, from 2006 to 2021.
Lisa an Auxiliary Board Member for Second Harvest Food Bank.
Lisa is also a funding member of The Village. The members provide a monetary donation, and The Village distributes funds quarterly to different local non-profits.
Lisa’s extra interests include running, mountain biking and hiking.