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Meet the WISEPlace Staff



Kathleen Davis Bowman, Executive Director

      Ms. Bowman holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. Following a successful corporate career spanning over twenty-five years, Kathi joined the YWCA South Orange County as Executive Director in 1996 and saw the facility through its transition to WISEPlace in 2000. For more than twenty years prior to joining the YWCA, Ms. Bowman contributed her time and talents to numerous non-profit and church organizations in advocacy of women and children. She brings her considerable corporate expertise and business acumen to the position of Executive Director of this community based social service agency. Kathi has worked with the Board to bring fiscal accountability to the agency, and upgraded the office systems and equipment as well as made many capital improvements to the facility.
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Amy Worff, Fund Development Assistant

      Amy Worff joined WISEPlace July of 2008 as a Fund Development Assistant. Amy has spent the past few years organizing many different events for a wide variety of companies. She is currently attending Orange Coast College for an Associates Degree in Psychology. She plans to transfer to a university upon completion.
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Tiffany Tabares, Program Manager

     Tiffany is our program staff person responsible for the daily operations and procedures of the WISEPlace program. She comes to us with a strong background in the treatment of substance abuse, domestic violence, and crisis counseling. Being a survivor of domestic violence and a 16-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous, Tiffany brings first-hand experience and understanding to her position. Tiffany knows just how life-changing agencies such as ours can be to a woman in transition. She earned her Associates Degree in Human Services at Cypress College and completed certification as a Certified Addictions Treatment Specialist. She also earned certificates in Domestic Violence, Victimology, and as a Human Generalist. She is currently attending CalState University Fullerton for a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.  Tiffany is the proud mother of four children and two grandchildren, with whom she loves spending as much time as possible.
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Grace Womack, Financial Empowerment Coordinator

      Grace has an undergraduate degree in Theology. She has worked with homeless families and homeless women, both as a staff person and as a volunteer, for more than 15 years. In addition to her work at WISEPlace, Grace and her husband have a ministry that assists homeless and low-income families. She is currently attending CalState University Fullerton for a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. Grace and her husband have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren that they like to spend time with.
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Yvonne Collins, Case Manager

      Yvonne joined the WISEPlace staff on September 25, 2007 as a Case Manager. As a pro-active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, she enjoys working with other women in recovery. She has spent the last few years of her career working with dually diagnosed homeless women and their children. Yvonne has also volunteered her time at the California Youth Authority where she worked with incarcerated juveniles. Yvonne earned her Bachelors degree in Sociology from Pitzer College in 2006, and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Yvonne is the mother of two grown children, and just recently became a grandmother.
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Lorna Dantuma, Bookkeeper

      Lorna joined the YWCA staff in 1992 and has progressed from Bookkeeping Assistant to Bookkeeper. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting and spent twenty-five years in various accounting functions prior to joining the YWCA staff. Lorna aided in the transition to QuickBooks computer accounting system in 1999, and a merchant card electronic transmission system in 2000. She also adds many decorative touches to WISEPlace as she puts her creative gifts to work for special events.
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Ana Laura Hernandez, Office Manager

        Ana is our WISEPlace Office Manager. She joined the WISEPlace staff in late 2006. As Office Manager she supports and promotes the mission, philosophy, values and goals of WISEPlace by providing administrative support and operational services to the Executive Director and staff. Ana is a CalState University Fullerton full time student majoring in Sociology. Working with women and helping them is her goal for the future.
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Gloria Ruiz, Facilities Manager

      Gloria was promoted to the full-time position of Facilities Manager in November 1996 after having worked part-time for the YWCA since January of the same year. She worked for Marriott Corporation for a number of years and has had her own catering business. Her experience includes Banquet Captain, Certified Server, ROP Trainer-Restaurant Training, and she has worked at the Center Club for over three years as a Server/Bartender, training bartenders for the Club. Her gift for catering is evident everywhere at WISEPlace, from festive buffet tables at events to floral arrangements in every room. Gloria handles the challenges posed by a 50-year-old building well.
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