Board Position: Chairperson
Employer: Pixar Animation Studios
Position: Director of Production Finance
I’ve known about the amazing work at We Care Services for Children ever since my wife Wendy first started working there in 1997. But I learned of the real magic of the children when we adopted our son Brendan, a 2002 We Care graduate. We Care turned out to be a perfect fit for me, joining my experience with an amazing cause and an inspiring team dedicated to making a difference in so many lives.
Board members can make a difference. An active board like We Care’s provides leadership to the senior management team, acts as a sounding board for key decisions, and offers key connections to the community, particularly for fundraising. What’s even more amazing about being involved at We Care is that the rewards of Board membership swing both ways. I feel more connected to my community and I am contributing to a place that made such a difference in my own life, as well as helping to ensure We Care’s place in the lives of so many future families. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I encourage everyone to find their inspiration and get involved.
To We Care, most recently and significantly, I bring my experience as Director of Production Finance at Pixar, where I oversee a team that is responsible for film and other project budgeting and strategy.
Board Position: Vice Chairperson
Employer: RC Fisher & Co.
Position: Principal Owner
My connection with We Care Services for Children covers over a 20-year relationship through the Walnut Creek Kiwanis Club. We Care has always been a primary beneficiary of the Kiwanis’ “Children-Priority One” campaign; either through direct donations or assistance with organizations such as “Bikes for Tykes.” I have always been a firm believer in We Care’s Mission Statement of giving children with special needs the skills for a better start in life!
I am an insurance agency principle with R. C. Fischer & Co. in Walnut Creek. I have 22 years of experience in employee benefits which allows me to assist the organization in analyzing cost effective ways to control insurance costs. I am also a member of the State Bar of California.
Board Position: Treasurer
Employer: Cornish & Carey Commercial Real Estate
Position: Vice President
My wife and I are blessed with two typically developing children who are now ages 6 and 8. I had thought about donating time to a local not-for-profit once the busy years of toddlers were behind us. Having young children and understanding how much nurturing is needed for them to develop made the decision to work with We Care an easy one. I was introduced to We Care by another board member, and once I understood some of the many wonderful services provided by We Care, it reinforced my decision.
I am a commercial real estate agent with a financial services background and was asked by a board member for my opinion on some of We Care’s facilities planning. I hope to provide some new insight and vision from a facilities and financial perspective as the organization grows and seeks ways to better serve its clients. As I learn more about the not-for-profit and children’s services business, I hope to be a valuable resource to the organization in the increasingly important role of raising local awareness and corporate financial support for We Care.
Board Position: Secretary
Employer: Retired Safeway Executive
Shortly after retirement as Vice President of Advertising for Safeway, Inc., I volunteered to help another nonprofit in Contra Costa County. Initially, I offered my background in advertising and marketing to publicize the nonprofit in the community. Following that activity I served on the Board of Directors for several years.
My involvement in the nonprofit sector served to whet my interest in volunteering for We Care, an organization that gives children with special needs the skills for a better start in life. I believe I can offer my talents and experience in helping this organization further its goals and spread the awareness and good works of We Care to the community.
Board Position: Board Member
Employer: Hitachi Data Systems
Position: Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs
Greg Coplans learned about We Care Services for Children when his son was researching nonprofits for volunteer positions. Greg had served on a board for a nonprofit organization, based in Santa Clara County, for three years that assists disabled adults to find employment opportunities, and was thinking about looking for board opportunities in Contra Costa County where he lives. After reading about the amazing work We Care does with young children in the community, he knew this would be the right place for him to become involved.
As senior vice president Corporate Affairs for Hitachi Data Systems, Greg has executive oversight for the general management of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, which supports nonprofits and encourages employees to volunteer locally. In addition, he leads the legal, global trade, compliance and internal audit functions of the company, and serves as Secretary to the Hitachi Data Systems Board of Directors.
Greg has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and a Bachelor of Laws degree from King’s College, University of London. Prior to moving to California, he practiced with a London law firm as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He is a member of the State Bar of California.
Board Position: Board Member
Employer: Wells Fargo Bank
Position: Vice President, Technology Manager
In 1979, I was first introduced to We Care through De La Salle high school’s intern program. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life seeing the difference We Care made in the lives of families right in my own neighborhood. The experience impacted me so deeply that I went back to We Care for another 1-2 years volunteering and working with the kids that meant so much to me. Additionally, I dedicated myself to working with kids in various capacities like coaching soccer and mentoring for the next 10-15 years. Every one of those experiences helped me to grow and made me feel connected to the community.
When I was given the opportunity in 2009 to become involved again in a board member capacity, I jumped at the chance. I have worked for the past 25+ years as a Technology professional and consultant in the Bay Area for Fortune 500 corporations. My roles have varied but I have consistently been given the opportunity to leverage my skills in analysis, communications, project management and leadership with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. I am eager to put all of these qualities to work in a board member capacity for such a great organization as We Care. I am once again inspired by the dedication and commitment of the staff to helping the children and families of We Care and I am very proud to be part of the team.
Board Position: Board Member
Employer: KT Hanks Consulting Group, Inc.
Position: President and Project Management Consultant
It was unlikely that I would find many hints to the “meaning of life” as an independent business consultant in the financial services industry. However, after volunteering in We Care’s Explorers classroom for a year, I must admit, it was a very humbling and very meaningful experience. We Care provides services for approximately 200 children every year, and that particular year, I was able to touch the lives of 18 children and make a difference.
Shortly thereafter, in 2001, I joined We Care’s Board of Directors. This opportunity has allowed me to stay connected to the center and give back to the community through an organization that I have become very passionate about. I have been inspired by We Care’s awesome staff and their dedication to serving children with special needs and because I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact it has made to the children and their families, I only wish we could serve more.
Board Position: Board Member
Employer: Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery
Position: Technical Services Manager
Being a member of the We Care Services for Children Board has given me an opportunity to become a part of a tremendous organization, which is dedicated to helping children in our local community. As the Technical Services Manager at Tesoro/Golden Eagle Refinery, I bring to the Board experience in project management, personnel, finance, and business.
Through my involvement with We Care, I hope to find many ways to use my background to help strengthen our community, while helping to ensure that children with special needs continue to receive the services they need to lead productive adult lives.
Board Member – Alumni Parent
Currently I am a stay at home mom of three. My two older children are typically developing kids. Hudson, my third, is special needs and is a 2010 graduate of We Care. Being a parent of a special needs child can bring to life a passion in you, an aggression, a dedication and fight that you may never have had the chance to uncover otherwise. Your child, never having a chance to attend a school like We Care, is much the same… you may never come across teachers who share that same passion, aggression, dedication and fight as you do. Being at We Care for me was the difference between being lost and being found. At this school, I felt found.
When the opportunity was presented to become a board member, it immediately felt right. I feel like this will be my way of giving back to a place that gave me hope.
I am very excited about this new venture in my life. My goal just starting out is to help new parents feel connected, safe, cared for; to assist in creating a cohesive environment, as well as, encouraging alumni parents and families to remain involved as much they would like once their child has graduated.
Board Position: Board Member
Employer: V2R Solutions
Position: Principal/Strategic Marketing Consultant
I got involved with We Care because I have a niece with Down’s syndrome and I saw first-hand how much work and dedication my sister provided during her early development. She’s 7 now and doing really well. I know it has a lot to do with the early therapies she received. I also know how much stress this can cause in families and how much support they need. My sister was lucky that she had family near-by and resources for my niece’s care. She also lives in a school district that has terrific programs that helped my niece develop her social and intellectual skills. Not everyone is so fortunate and I would like to help make a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families.
I am a strategic marketing expert and former corporate executive with extensive experience in branding, product development, market research, traditional & online communications, PR, and general business operations. I have worked for large multi-billion dollar global companies well as entrepreneurial start-ups. I am particularly effective at turn-around strategies and integrated marketing campaigns. I would like to use this expertise to help We Care raise community awareness, generate funding and promote the benefits of their programs.
