Board of Directors
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Tri-Counties is the smallest of the Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters in California. A volunteer Board of Directors representing our geographically diverse area governs the Tri-Counties chapter. Board meetings are held quarterly.
Laurie Barene
A native of Santa Barbara, Laurie Barene brings a plethora of experience to the Tri-Counties table. An alumni of UCSB, she has been honored by both the Jaycees for outstanding participation and the California Association of Student Councils for outstanding community contributions.
She was the past PTA president for the Kellogg Elementary School in Goleta, and has a sales and finance background with Paine Webber & Fidelity National Financial. Today she works as an Account Executive for Cox Media and continues to enjoy life with her pride and joy, her two children.
Mark Donovan
For nearly 30 years, Mark has been leading home mortgage teams at respected companies such as Wells Fargo, BankAmerica, Norwest and US Bancorp. Currently, he is vice president and area manager at Countrywide Home Mortgage, covering Ventura as well as parts of San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, and Mark now brings his management skills and extensive community contacts to Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Equally impressive as his professional track-record, Mark is committed to charitable causes in Southern California. He was previously a wish granter at Make-A-Wish Foundation, working on a number of children’s wishes. Mark was also involved with successful fundraising efforts for other organizations, including American Cancer Society, Ventura County Rescue Mission and Special Olympics. With Countrywide and past employers, he was active in projects for Habitat for Humanity as well as Christmas in July, remodeling homes for the underprivileged.
Bringing together his professional abilities and personal passions, Mark now joins the board of directors at Make-A-Wish Foundation to extend our reach in local communities, particularly in Ventura County. Mark earned his B.A. in finance from University of Colorado at Boulder.
Pat Flynn-Cherenzia
Pat is currently the regional logistics procurement manager for Hewlett Packard, recently relocated to the Ventura County area, with her husband and two young children. Prior to this position, Pat was responsible for the design and implementation of a global 5 year project which took her to over 80 different countries for extended periods of time. Previously Pat worked as the Director of a Consulting arm of an international freight forwarder, and as a program manager for U.S. Customs, located in Washington, D.C. (yes she met many interesting people, no she did not get to ride in a cigarette boat in Miami!)
Due to Pat’s extensive travels and extensive family, she has a strong sense of family bonding, a desire to assist others in a meaningful way, and a background in strategic planning, financial acumen, and operational excellence. She is currently a volunteer for the local United Way chapter. Pat is originally from Philadelphia, holding a BS in Management/Marketing from St. Joseph’s University and a Masters in Global Management from University of Phoenix.
Kim Lochwood, PhD
Kim Lockwood is a current Executive, Life and Career Coach with a background with small businesses and clients with life development issues and health considerations. Working in the past with various organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Big Brothers-Ventura County, and the Brain Injury Association, he brings a plethora of experience to the Tri-Counties table. A husband of 30 years to his wife Gloria, a father of 7, a grandfather of 8, and a foster parent to over 300 children since 1977, Kim was introduced indefinitely to the Make-A-Wish Foundation when he became a Wish Dad in 2007.
Kim concurrently serves on the boards/groups of the Bereaved Parents of USA, The MAGIC Foundation, Obesity Help, and Ventura Unified School District Balboa School. He has also founded The House of Grace in Ventura County, a pediatric care facility for neurological affected neonates and youth, drug withdrawal infants, hospice services, adoption services and community education and outreach. When The House of Grace was sold Epiphany in 2004, he remained an active member as Director of Community Development for the next three years. He holds both a MBA and Ph.D. in Health Care Administration.
A licensed FAA Commercial Single Engine Rated Pilot, Kim has worked in various churches and worship centers as an organist, choral director, and orchestra director-coordinator. He and his family enjoy traveling and visiting the United States in their motor home, and in his leisure time he plays golf, goes bowling, and exercising.
John MacFayden
Bringing his eye for operational details to the Make-A-Wish® board, John currently works for Guitar Center, the nation’s largest retailer of musical instruments, as its director of loss prevention and safety. He has also held positions in operations and loss prevention with Sears Roebuck & Company.
With a love for life, people and animals, John has been a volunteer with the Red Cross, the National Marrow Donor Program and the Anissa Foundation where he served on the board of directors. His firm belief that the most important thing is to give back and make a difference in someone’s life led him to his involvement in these organizations and Make-A-Wish.
John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Master’s degree in Business.
Dennis Michael
As a board member, Dennis brings to Make-A-Wish Foundation a deep understanding of the medical community and concern for people in need - from coordinating United Way campaigns to instilling that same respect in his children, one of which is in medical school.
Dennis has been involved in the medical field for over 30 years and recently retired as the territory manager for Bristol-Myers Squibb in the medical imaging division. Previously, he has worked in several capacities at DuPont Pharmaceuticals that include territory rep, marketing manager, sales training, human resources and business unit director.
His unique business experience helps lead Make-A-Wish Foundation into the future. Dennis demonstrates principled leadership and sound business ethics. Dennis is originally from Chicago and received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Quincy University in Illinois.
Edward Martin
Ed is currently a marketing manager at WellPoint Inc., an S&P 500 index company and the nation’s leading health benefits company serving the needs of approximately 34 million medical members nationwide. He is responsible for developing direct marketing, advertising and marketing communications programs for Wellpoint’s national Medicare business.
Coming to Make-A-Wish as a wish dad, Ed is now driven to see our mission realized for the children we serve. His business and marketing experience has already been invaluable to our organization on a number of projects. His passion for helping his community has also drawn him to other successful fundraising efforts with the American Cancer Society and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
His biggest hero is his daughter Brianna, who successfully battled a malignant brain tumor: her positive approach to life and to the daily physical challenges she faces has been his greatest inspiration. Ed holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge, and is married with four wonderful daughters.
Christine Sztukowski
Christine is with Independent Capital Management providing Estate Planning needs and information to her clients and community. She also worked in Sales and Management, Human Resources, Health, and Life Insurance Administration for over 25 years. Before joining the board Christine organized and chaired 2007 and 2008 Toy Drives within the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors to gather funds and key wish items for the chapter.
She knows first hand what it’s like for a family living day to day with a child who has a life treating illness. She grew up in a home with a mother who was part of establishing the Epilepsy Society helping Ventura accept and understand the illness. In following her mother’s footsteps she is dedicated to her community and to helping make it a great place to live for all people.
Christine returned to school after her children left home and has an Associate Degree in Business Management from Ventura College and a Human Resource Certificate from USCB. She is on the Advisory Board for the Business Department of Channel Island High School, is a member of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors, as well as a member of the Ninety - Nines Inc. Women Flying Organization encouraging women to fulfill their dreams.
Christine and her husband are enjoying teaching their three grandchildren to ski down a hill, sail a boat to the beautiful Channel Islands, and fly a plane hoping they too, will enjoy life to the fullest.
