R. Stephen Doan received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971, graduating summa cum laude, with highest department honors. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the UCLA School of Law in 1974. He has been a member of the California State Bar Association since 1974 and belongs to its Sections on Taxation and Probate and Estate Planning.
He is very involved in volunteer work, having served as Grand Master of Masons in California, Chairman of the Board of the Midnight Mission on Skid Row, President of the Youth Fund of Southern California, President of the Boys and Girls Club of Venice and a Vestry member of his church.
David R. Doan has been a member of the Board of Directors for The Midnight Mission since 1998. As a senior member of the Board, he serves as the Board Secretary. He is also active in many charitable organizations in the Los Angeles area. He worked for the Los Angeles Police Department from 1973 to 2011.
Since retiring from active duty in 2011 as a Deputy Chief of Police, David continues to volunteer for the department working on leadership training, mentoring of command officers and special projects for the Chief of Operations.
Christine Murphy Hernandez, Ph.D. is the SVP of Organizational Development and Talent Management at Tokio Marine North America Services. She has over 20 years’ experience in leading transformational change, visioning and building global talent management systems, and managing all aspects of organizational development, particularly specializing in culture change through the M&A process.
In her current role, Christine is responsible for the creation and execution of the enterprise talent management strategy for Tokio Marine in North America, including selection, leadership development, succession planning, and human resource information systems. She also acts as a special consultative resource to Tokio Marine’s Global HR Group in Japan, assisting with the development and execution of Tokio Marine’s global talent management strategy, expatriate cross-cultural training, selecting and developing global high potential employees, and employee engagement through a shared corporate vision, mission and values strategy. Also under Christine’s umbrella is overseeing Corporate Communications; she sits on Tokio Marine’s new Global Branding Committee and is active in building a federated Communications Network across recent corporate acquisitions. Last but not least, Christine also provides organizational development support to Tokio Marine’s Global Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
Christine graduated magna cum luade with a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University’s School of Divinity, focused on community based organizing. She has a Master’s Certificate from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in Conflict Resolution, and an MBA from the UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. She recently finished her Ph.D. in Industrial Psychology from Alliant International University focus on Global Leadership Development. Additionally, Christine is a Six Sigma Black Belt and holds an SPHR designation from the Society of Human Resources.
Saul Alvarado is the Vice President of Business Partnerships at E&I Cooperative Services, where he leads strategic alliances with all contract holders, go-to-market strategies, and ensures financial excellence across E&I’s extensive portfolio of contracts in the higher education and K-12 sectors throughout the United States.
Before his tenure at E&I, Saul showcased his leadership skills at W.W. Grainger, Inc., assuming pivotal roles such as Sr. National Sales Manager, spearheading the company’s largest education contract with a sprawling clientele of over 1,800 nationwide. His journey with Grainger also saw him excel as a District Sales Manager and Government Sales Manager in Southern California, where he adeptly led a high-performing team of sales professionals.
Before his corporate journey at Grainger, Saul honed his expertise as Managing Partner at Pinnacle AGI, where he represented both private and public clients on investment, procurement, and economic development endeavors. His impact extended to the City of Los Angeles, where he served as a Senior Business/Economic Advisor to three mayors, leading pivotal city investments and public procurement contracts to the benefit of both civic and business communities.
Outside the realm of business, Saul passionately channels his energies towards philanthropy, with a keen focus on education, human health, and development. His commitment is reflected in his roles on esteemed boards, including serving on the Board of Directors of The Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, chairing the Board of Directors of USC LAA, and holding a board membership with the Board of Governors, USC Alumni Association. He has previously contributed his expertise as a member of the Board of Trustees of the California Masonic Foundation.
Saul earned his bachelor’s degree in public policy & administration from the University of Southern California (USC), laying the foundation for his multifaceted career trajectory.
Maria Beckman is Senior Vice President/Consumer Banking and Merrill Edge Region Executive for the Los Angeles-South Bay Region, overseeing ten Market Leaders and a team of 725 associates across 71 financial centers. In this role, she is responsible for developing, implementing and executing a plan to deliver Bank of America’s “One Team” strategy focused on our client management process, cross line of business referrals, and building a World Class Sales and Service Force.
Ms. Beckman has thirty years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, which includes the role of District Manager at Wells Fargo, before joining Bank of America’s Global Wealth and Investment Management team as Premier Market Manager for the Beverly Hills Premier Market. Beckman has held multiple roles at Bank of America prior to her current assignment, including Consumer Market Executive, Regional Sales Executive for the Legacy Greater Los Angeles and Southwest Regions, Business Support Executive for the Community West Region, MSM for the Alhambra Market and most recently Region Executive for the Arizona North Region.
Ms. Beckman served as the Co-Chair for the Los Angeles Chapter of I-Gen, our employee network focused on understanding and leveraging intergenerational diversity, which she and her leadership team launched in September 2013 and then served as the West Region Leader for IGEN until 2017. In this role, she mentored, coached and supported chapters in Los Angeles, Phoenix, North Texas, Houston, Kansas City and Chicago. Maria is active in multiple employee networks including HOLA, ALN, WT&O and is an LGBT Ally. She was a founding member of the Latino Strategy Executive Council in Los Angeles and established the Hispanic Business Council in Phoenix. Beckman is a three-time winner of Bank of America’s prestigious Global Diversity and Inclusion Award for her work with I-GEN and for building an inclusive work environment at Bank of America. In addition, she is a 2015 Performance Excellence and Pinnacle Club Award Winner.
Maria grew up in Bakersfield California. She is a graduate of UCLA where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. She is a FINRA registered principal with Series 7, 66, 9 and 10 licenses.
Ms. Beckman is married and has one son, Ryan, a senior at Loyola High School. She is passionate about her community and supported the Market President Council as the Senior Banking Executive for the San Gabriel and South Bay/Long Beach Markets. She serves on the boards of The Midnight Mission and Junior Achievement of Southern California and has a strong relationship with and supports multiple non-profit organizations, including March of Dimes, the American Diabetes Association and The Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Mr. Noonan serves as an Executive Vice President and Managing Director in the Construction Services Group at Alliant Insurance Services headquartered in Newport Beach, CA. In this role, he serves on the North America Construction Executive Committee. Mr. Noonan is responsible for client service and strategy inside the Construction Practice. Prior to this role, he was the Executive Vice President and Construction Industry Leader for another large broker.
Before joining the brokerage industry Mr. Noonan was the Senior Vice President of Risk Management at a top 20 ENR Construction Manager where he led the Risk Management department. He oversaw the corporate insurance program, rolling CCIP program, Subcontractor Default program, Enterprise Risk Management, Subcontractor Pre-Qualification, Surety, and all other risk and insurance-related functions. Prior to that, he served as a Regional Director with a top 5 ENR Construction Manager.
Mr. Noonan speaks at many national conferences, including the IRMI Construction Risk Conference. In 2014 he was awarded the Words of Wisdom award at the annual IRMI Construction Risk Conference. He also spends a large amount of time educating students in both Risk Management and Construction Management programs.
While his professional life is important he feels his true purpose is to help others.
Bob Nouri is the founder and President of BN Dealerships Management, Inc.
As the primary sponsor of the WhyNot Foundation (an educational development organization for children established by NBA superstar Russell Westbrook) and one of the board members of The Petroleum Club of Oklahoma City; Bob Nouri had shown not only his passion for leadership but also his commitment to serve the community at large.
Bob Nouri has previously served as a board member of the advertising at Daily Oklahoman, a board member of the Oklahoma Auto Dealer Association, on the advisory board for Regional Advertising Chrysler Auto Group and the advisory board of the Chrysler Jeep Dodge Auto Group Regional Council.
He has been the past president of the South Central Regional Council of Hyundai Dealers as well as one of the longest-serving board members of the National Dealer Council for Hyundai. He is currently one of the Trustees of Farhang Foundation and a huge supporter of the City of Hope. He will be honored as Citizen of the year by the City of Van Nuys Police Department in November of 2021. He has been responsible for over one billion dollars in revenue for 2020.
He completed his BA in Business Administration at Phillips University. In 2015, Bob Nouri left Oklahoma and moved to California and brought with him over 30 years of experience in auto Industry which has now expanded to over 14 New Cars Dealerships in Southern California and Oregon.
Kristina Olson is a new business development leader with proven success and established expertise creating integrated brand communications, marketing strategies and marketing execution globally across multiple channels. Her success has been achieved through a combination of data, analytics and targeted marketing collateral to drive ROI and impactful marketing solutions including print, digital communications, distribution strategies and in- store interactions. Having held senior executive positions with companies such as Metromail, RR Donnelley, Valassis and Cenveo, she has developed strong client and network relationships with a hands-on approach to create solutions for short and long term strategic opportunities. Her clients have included AT&T, Hilton Hotels, Petco, Carl Zeiss, Princess Cruises, Hyundai and Blackstone. She has recently been selected as an Ambassador for the California Technology Council, a membership organization providing advocacy, research and business development to further preserve California’s leadership and achievement in technology and innovation.
Success in the business world has afforded Tina the ability to share those skills towards her social passions of education, at-risk youth and homelessness:
Kristina has an undergraduate degree in Human Behavior (Sociology, Psychology and Cultural Anthropology) from California Western/ United States International University. Her post-graduate studies were focused on Psychology and International Business.
Ms. Olson is an accomplished pianist and enjoys reading, music and the arts. She and her husband live in the Hollywood Hills and maintain an active lifestyle.
Native Southern Californian Mike Thom is Managing Director and Chief Corporate Administrative Officer for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and its primary subsidiary, MUFG Union Bank. He was appointed to this role in November 2017. Mr. Thom, who joined the company in 1994, reports to CEO for the Americas Steve Cummings and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Americas.
Mr. Thom is responsible for the Central Risk and Controls Office (CRCO), which develops strategies, policies, and governance procedures to remediate open issues across the enterprise. He also oversees Corporate Communications, Corporate Branding, Sponsorships and Events, Corporate Security, Corporate Real Estate, Location Strategy and Execution, the Chief Data Office, the Chief Economist’s Office, Crisis and Critical Issue Management, and Business Continuity Management.
During his nearly 25 years with the company, Mr. Thom has held a number of key roles including: Chief Strategy Officer, Head of Integration Management and CFO of Global and Wealth Markets. He began his career at the accounting firm Ernst & Young as a senior auditor. Mr. Thom earned a B.S. in accounting from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and a MBA from the University of Southern California.
Stephen Watson, President and Partner of Total Realty Group, is a California native. Stephen attended the University of Santa Clara. Mr. Watson has an impressive client list, which includes major financial institutions, and high net-worth individuals, yet he understands the concerns of the smaller investor. He is primarily responsible for marketing Investment Properties in the Greater Los Angeles areas.
Mr. Watson’s family has been in Real Estate development since the 1950’s. He is a seasoned real estate professional with over thirty years experience in managing real estate investments in the Los Angeles and Southern California area. Stephen has been a top income-producing agent for 15 years. In June of 2003 he purchased controlling interest in Total Investment Real Estate Brokers. During his tenure at Total Investment Real Estate Brokers has experienced significant growth, seeing revenues grow almost 225% in addition to doubling staff size. Total Investment Real Estate Brokers is a commercial brokerage that has successfully closed transactions valued over $250,000,000 in the past years. In 2009 Total Realty Group was formed and Mr. Watson became a Partner and President.
Mr. Watson is a member of The Board of Directors at The Midnight. He sits on the Board of Saint Brendan School Council and he also sits on the Board of the West End Group, a non-profit whose sole purpose is to help those in need. Mr. Watson currently lives in Los Angeles with his children.
Tom Phelan is a distinguished professional with a diverse career spanning various sectors. He has made significant contributions in both the accounting and business worlds.
Tom began his career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now known as KPMG), one of the world’s leading accounting firms. His expertise in accounting was honed during this early period of his career. Later, Tom transitioned into the world of industry, taking on a crucial role as the controller for Western Energy Development Co., Inc., specializing in oil and gas syndications. He also made a significant impact in the commercial general contracting and real estate development sector, serving as the owner and Chief Financial Officer of the CSI Group of Companies.
Tom is actively involved in various not-for-profit organizations, showcasing his commitment to community and social causes: a member of the Finance Committee for the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, a member of the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation, Director of Ashland Home in Orange County, CA, Director of Crossroads, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, Director of the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office Board in Los Angeles, CA, where he served as board treasurer, Delegate to the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference, and Trustee on the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees.
Tom is currently enjoying a well-deserved retirement, having built a successful career marked by his financial expertise and leadership.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Judge John C. Weller has dedicated his career to justice, public service, and community leadership. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley in 2002, and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 2005.
Judge Weller began his legal career with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office before joining the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 2007. Over the course of more than twelve years, he served in various roles, including a notable appointment to the Cyber Crime Division, becoming the first African American Deputy District Attorney selected for that assignment.
In April 2020, Judge Weller was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom. He currently presides over a misdemeanor jury trial court at the Bellflower Courthouse and, as of January 2, 2025, serves as the designated Site Judge for that location.
Judge Weller brings to the board a deep commitment to equity, public safety, and empowering underserved communities through compassionate justice.
David Prentice is a dedicated and compassionate leader with a strong commitment to serving the community. He has been working with The Midnight Mission in Skid Row since 2012, where he began as a Drug and Alcohol Advocate. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and held the position of Development Officer before being named CEO.
David’s journey at The Midnight Mission started when he was hired as a Drug and Alcohol Advocate, he was then promoted to Assistant Program Manager of a 300-bed men’s residential treatment program. Recognizing the need for improved services, he played a key role in enhancing case management and bringing greater organization to the mission. In his role as Development Officer, he was been entrusted with conducting a feasibility study for the expansion of The Midnight Mission to the San Fernando Valley, an area in desperate need of such services.
Prior to his work at The Midnight Mission, David served in the United States Army and achieved remarkable success as a top salesman in the yacht industry. These experiences have shaped his strong work ethic, resilience, and ability to connect with diverse groups and cultures.
David Prentice has a proven track record of leadership, program and policy development, strategic analysis, and fundraising. Serving non-profit organizations since 2012, David excels at building strong relationships and collaborating with community agencies, professional groups, and funding bodies. His ability to identify new and innovative fundraising initiatives has maximized program reach and effectiveness. David is also skilled in promoting organizational image and visibility through community outreach and engaging fundraising events. Furthermore, he has a talent for developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of personal growth and productivity.
David’s educational background includes a degree in Biblical Studies and a certification in counseling. He has also been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the community. David is excited to leverage his experience and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of those in the San Fernando Valley. He is particularly eager to forge stronger relationships with the community and be a responsible and accessible leader. David currently resides in Studio City with his wife, Felicita, and their dogs Charlee and Rikki.
Clancy Imislund, Managing Director of The Midnight Mission since 1974, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2020. For 46 years, he worked relentlessly, helping disenfranchised people in Skid Row find a pathway to self-sufficiency. Clancy is known worldwide for his leadership in the 12-step community, speaking globally to bring a message of life-saving hope to those in the darkest places.
Among his many accomplishments, Clancy was responsible for bringing the 12-step philosophy to The Midnight, establishing the organization as one of the first providers of addiction treatment on Skid Row, earning him the title, “The King of Skid Row.” Clancy has said that what The Midnight Mission does “is the difference between giving a hungry person a fish and teaching them how to fish.”
Clancy led The Midnight through the many dramatic changes occurring on Skid Row over the past five decades. During his tenure, he saw drastic changes in the population, which began to include not only homeless men but women and children, too. Clancy championed the Capital Campaign to build TMM’s facility at 601 S. San Pedro Street, which opened in 2005 to handle the diverse populations The Midnight Mission now serves.
TMM President & CEO Mike Arnold stated, “Clancy has been part of The Midnight Mission family for almost 50 years, and has a special place in our lives, and our hearts. He was my mentor, my advocate, my fellow Norwegian, who always understood and loved my Olli and Olaf jokes, and a kindred spirit in his desire to help people live better lives than they ever imagined for themselves. We can and should celebrate that we had the opportunity to spend so much time with this man whose presence was always larger than life, and recognize that we may never meet anyone who has left a bigger footprint on not only The Midnight Mission but the world at large than our friend, Clancy.”
Where Clancy’s life ended was a far cry from where he began. He was born in the small town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1927. At the tender age of fifteen, Clancy left home, joined the Merchant Marines, marked his sixteenth birthday in Pearl Harbor, and then joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. After the war, while in college, Clancy began drinking with other Veterans and growing more dependent on alcohol. Despite not liking the taste, he continued to drink because it was “the thing to do.” Alcohol slowly took control of his life, and after a 15 year downhill battle, Clancy found himself alone and penniless on the streets of Skid Row. He had lost everything, his career as a successful marketing executive, friends, and his family. Only the clothes on his back and portable typewriter remained, which he pawned for ten dollars so he could function a bit longer.
When Clancy was thrown out of The Midnight on October 31, 1958, after a brief scuffle, no one dreamed that one day he would return to become the organization’s leader. Back out on the street again, Clancy realized he had finally hit bottom. His recovery began by his walking 71 blocks, in the rain, to an alcoholic rehabilitation center on Wilshire and Fairfax. Upon entering, Clancy was finally willing to do whatever it might take to get his life back. Under the instruction of a mentor, Clancy found a job, a plan for life, and began his journey on the road of recovery.
After five years of sobriety and laborious progress on his part, his wife and family reunited. He made his way back into the work world and, after some time, became an executive at KHJ radio and television in Los Angeles, where he was instrumental in introducing the “boss radio” format. During this time, he began working with alcoholics and speaking to civic groups about alcoholism and rehabilitation. He had found his passion in helping others get their lives back. No one could describe alcoholism or talk to “drunks” the way that Clancy could.
“Clancy Imislund was the Jonas Salk of recovery,” TMM supporter and friend, actor/activist Ed Begley, Jr. explained. “With 12 steps (and often 12 good jokes), he could inoculate a large room, or one lonely and desperate soul with a cure that, unlike polio, didn’t last a lifetime, but one manageable a day at a time. The millions of people that he touched around the world will never be the same.”
In 1974, Clancy was enjoying a second successful career in publishing and radio promotion, when a member of TMM’s Board of Directors asked if he knew of any candidates that were qualified for the Managing Director position. He could find no one that would take the job and decided to do it himself on an interim basis. Clancy discovered his true calling and was so effective using his talents that he stayed on permanently.
Over the years, Clancy had a profound impact at The Midnight and in the lives of the thousands of people who have come through our doors. Clancy brought an unmatchable level of empathy and understanding to the organization. TMM Board member and former President and CEO Larry Adamson wrote, “A great man has been called to his place in God’s kingdom. Everywhere I traveled and spoke of The Midnight Mission, Clancy’s name would immediately become the subject. He was a man who had more impact on humanity than anyone I ever had the privilege to know. God, thank you for allowing me the privilege to have shared the leadership of The Midnight Mission with him. Until we meet again, my brother, until we meet again. Rest in Peace.”
Never one to mince words, Clancy was known for his direct, no-nonsense demeanor, but also his approachability. He always seemed to have the time to listen and provide a few words of wisdom. To say that Clancy was the heart and soul of The Midnight would be an understatement. Clancy saved homeless lives, as well as the lives of alcoholics all over the world. He offered hope to everyone: rich and poor, those living in tents and boxes, and those living in Beverly Hills mansions. They would all come to the Midnight to get his help to beat alcoholism. Longtime friend and TMM supporter, entertainer Dick Van Dyke said of Clancy, “He was one of a kind. How many of us owe our lives to him?!”
The cornerstone to recovery is one alcoholic helping another alcoholic. For over 61 years, Clancy lived a life that mattered and showed others by his example, how helping one person help another could make an enormous difference to those whom the world may consider hopeless. The traditions he established will have a ripple effect on the lives of those who knew him and will continue to impact for generations to come. “Clancy was the most influential person in my life,” TMM board member and friend Steve Watson said. “He taught me that it is our great honor to be able to help another human being, no matter what their pain or suffering or needs are. He helped give me a purpose for my life, and that is to help my fellow man, woman, or child.”
To carry on his legacy, Clancy leaves his five children, fifteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and thousands of friends who considered him their teacher and mentor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte, and his son.
Georgia Berkovich is the Chief Communications Officer for The Midnight Mission (TMM), where she serves a pivotal role in spearheading the organization’s communication endeavors to build brand eminence. Her responsibilities encompass fostering strategic alliances with the media, government entities, the policy community, entertainers, and community groups to expand TMM’s network. Georgia is also responsible for The Midnight’s volunteer program, communications, community affairs, and community events. She created their Art, Music & Laughter With A Mission programs, which serve as instrumental platforms for progressive engagement aimed at offering hope and building relationships with the most vulnerable people in the community.
Drawing from her own experiences in recovery, Georgia offers a unique perspective in her role. She speaks worldwide about her recovery and her work at The Midnight Mission, which is a testament to her dedication. She started as a volunteer at TMM in 1993 while working in the corporate and non-profit sectors before joining the organization full-time in 2010.
Georgia’s commitment extends beyond The Midnight, as she serves on the Street Symphony Board of Directors (since 2015), holding the position of Board Chair (since 2024). She also fulfills the role of Secretary of the West End Group Board of Directors (since 2019) and was made the Chairman of the Homelessness Sub-Committee of the LAPD’s Community Police Advisory Board (2024), an organization she has served for more than a decade. Her outstanding contributions were honored when she was named the 2019 Pioneer Woman of the Year by the Commission on the Status of Women and LA City Council District 14.
Georgia, a native of southern California, proudly calls Los Angeles, CA home.
Marcus Butler is Director of Security Operations. He is responsible for The Midnight Mission’s Security which includes all Security Staff, Hygiene Center Staff, HomeLight Family Living Security Staff and security oversight at the Courtyard OC located in Santa Ana. Marcus came to The Midnight in 2002 in need of assistance due to homelessness and drug addiction. After completing the Healthy Living Recovery Program in 2004, Marcus was offered a position as Manager of Security. In 2012 Marcus was promoted to his present position as Director. Marcus is an Oklahoma native and still has roots there.
Valerie Lord is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 15 years of transformative leadership in the sector. She has an exceptional track record of designing and implementing successful fundraising strategies for organizations with annual budgets ranging from $1 million to $120 million, both as a staff leader and a trusted consultant. Her expertise encompasses development strategy, grant management, board engagement, communications, and team leadership.
As a Managing Director and Senior Consultant at Envision Consulting, Valerie empowered organizations to thrive by conducting in-depth organizational assessments, serving as interim development personnel, crafting strategic fundraising plans, and building high-performing fundraising teams through targeted training and recruitment. Previously, as Executive Director of the Hollywood Police Activities League, she substantially expanded program capacity through increased grant revenue. At Bright Prospect, as Director of Development and Communications, she secured $2 million annually while successfully launching a major gifts program.
In her current role as Director of Advancement at The Midnight Mission, Valerie leads a team of 12 in raising $15 million annually. She drives innovative programming that fosters a sense of community while securing critical funding for the organization’s life-changing services.
Valerie holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Business Management from The New School and is certified in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. Her unwavering commitment to social change is reflected in her leadership, consulting, and board service, including her current role on the board of Integrated Schools.
Heather MacCartney is a dynamic and mission-driven leader with nearly 30 years of experience in human resources, spanning social services, entertainment, technology, and consulting. As the Director of Human Resources for The Midnight Mission, she is deeply committed to the organization’s mission of serving people experiencing homelessness with dignity, respect, and compassion.
At the heart of Heather’s leadership philosophy is exceptional execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring that every HR function- from talent development to compliance, benefits, and compensation- is optimized to support The Midnight Mission’s vital work. She understands that organizational success is built on the strength of its people and focuses on creating an infrastructure that empowers employees at every level to excel in their roles.
A fierce advocate for trauma-informed care methodologies, Heather ensures that the organization’s approach to staff development, leadership training, and client services is rooted in empathy, understanding, and psychological safety. She believes that by recognizing the effects of trauma and responding with thoughtful, informed strategies, The Midnight Mission can foster an environment where both employees and clients feel valued, heard, and supported.
Heather is also a practitioner of emotional intelligence in leadership, wielding self-awareness, empathy, and strategic communication to foster an inclusive, high-performing workplace. She has a keen ability to mend fractured relationships, bridge communication gaps, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, always ensuring that the mission remains at the forefront of every decision.
One of her greatest passions is building a culture of mentorship. She believes in developing leaders from within, ensuring that employees at every stage of their careers have access to guidance, training, and clear pathways for growth. She has designed and implemented comprehensive succession plans that prepare key team members for leadership roles, reinforcing a legacy of strong, mission-driven leadership.
Heather’s commitment extends beyond HR- she is dedicated to upholding every level of The Midnight Mission’s vision by aligning HR strategies with operational needs, frontline services, and long-term organizational goals. She sees HR as a service department that enhances efficiency, processes, and people management, ensuring that the organization remains a beacon of hope and transformation for those it serves.
A Los Angeles native, Heather is a mother of three, fluent in French, and has lived in five different countries. Her global perspective, adaptability, and deep sense of purpose continue to shape her work, making her an indispensable leader in the fight to end homelessness.
Bio coming soon!
As a member of the executive team, Ricardo Rosales is responsible for the overall operation of HomeLight Family Living, a program of The Midnight Mission located in Inglewood. HomeLight Family Living provides the path for families in crisis to reunify, rebuild and restore their lives. They provide education, career preparedness, counseling and life skills to break the cycle of abuse and poverty to ensure independent, successful living.
In his role as Director, Ricardo spearheaded and chaired the Transitional Housing Action Team (THAT) that brought together over 17 homeless service agencies focused on improving their programs and services. In 2014, Ricardo was assigned to lead the re-branding of the HomeLight program. He develops and organizes events to market the brand. He has forged celebrity partnerships and developed new social media strategies to raise awareness and visibility for HomeLight while cultivating new sponsors and supporters.
In 2015, Ricardo joined the City Of Champions Revitalization Initiative. The focus of the initiative was to help secure the constituent vote to help bring the new football stadium to Inglewood.
Ricardo joined the Inglewood Airport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2016.
In 2018, Ricardo joined the Inglewood Forward coalition that is focused on creating jobs and improving the quality of life for Inglewood
Before joining The Midnight Mission, Ricardo was the Program Manager for Safe Haven, a project of OPCC in Santa Monica where he was instrumental in the opening of the program in May of 2004. The Safe Haven utilizes a “Housing First” community model to serve chronically homeless individuals living with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Ricardo also worked on two of the City of Santa Monica’s homeless pilot projects: the Serial Inebriate Program and the Chronic Homeless Program.
Before joining OPCC, Ricardo worked for the County of Los Angeles for 17 years, 12 of which were with the Child Support Services Department. He was the Supervising Child Support Officer of the Policy, Planning and Training Division. Over time, he served as Quality Control Supervisor and as the Department Liaison with the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. In a Public Relations capacity, he improved the working relationship with the Department of Public Social Services. Ricardo was selected by the State Department of Child Support as a Staff Development Specialist and assisted the State Department with the development of their training curriculum. Ricardo Rosales also worked for the Department of Public Social Services.
Ricardo currently resides in Whittier with his wife Wendy and their family.
Matt Scharf believes in service, community, and the transformative power of connecting a true desire for change with the right resources to support it. As Director of Programs for The Midnight Mission, he is dedicated to cultivating an environment where clients and colleagues alike can thrive-both individually and collectively-through strategic leadership and a shared commitment to growth.
Matt’s leadership style is rooted in a blend of data-driven decision-making and empathetic, hands-on mentorship. His ability to quickly assess and address organizational needs became evident during his tenure as Recovery Program Manager, where his skillful restructuring of policies and procedures resulted in a swift promotion to Recovery Program Director. In this role, Matt supervised a team of ten staff members and oversaw a program serving 250 participants, managing complex LAHSA contracts and private funding streams for Crisis, Bridge, and Recovery Programs.
As Recovery Program Director, Matt demonstrated expertise in compliance, reporting, and stakeholder communication, including monthly and quarterly reports to funding agencies and The Midnight Mission’s Board of Directors. His ability to bridge the gap between on-the-ground operations and executive management solidified his deep understanding of The Midnight Mission’s role within Los Angeles’ recovery and homeless services infrastructure.
Now, as Director of Programs, Matt oversees a diverse team of 25 staff members and manages program budgets across multiple service areas. He excels in fostering collaboration, supporting professional development, and implementing trauma-informed care principles across all levels of service delivery. Matt’s leadership emphasizes emotional intelligence, inclusive practices, and a commitment to creating safe, respectful spaces for both clients and staff.
Matt brings a unique perspective shaped by his career journey, which began in VFX production and evolved into sober coaching, intervention work, and nonprofit management. This diverse experience allows him to approach challenges with creativity, adaptability, and a passion for systems improvement. He finds deep fulfillment in driving the success of impactful organizations and leading teams committed to meaningful change.
Currently working toward his CCAPP certification, Matt is dedicated to further enhancing his expertise in recovery and community support. A lifelong Angeleno, Matt resides in Altadena with his daughter Grace and their beloved rescue dog, Betty-Jo.
