Leadership

Barnaby (2)

Barnaby Murff

Chief Executive Officer

Barnaby (she/her) joined Extraordinary Families in 2016 as the Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations. Supporting missions that promote empowerment and improve the quality of life for children and families has been the cornerstone of her work for over two decades, serving such organizations as The Music Center, The Colburn School, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. Barnaby’s background guiding institutional advancement focuses on building strong and lasting relationships with constituents, stakeholders, partners, and the community, as well as expertise in board development and communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the American University of Paris.

Tammy Bio Photo v2

Dr. Tammy Johnson, Ph.D

Director of Operations

Tammy (she/her) brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit operations and international education. Prior to joining Extraordinary Families, she served as Senior Director of Operations at the YWCA of San Gabriel Valley, overseeing finance, operations, programs, and grants management. Her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Extended University supported English language learners and international students in their studies. From teaching in South Korea to doctoral studies in teaching of cultures in developing countries, Tammy offers a unique perspective to our diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Her lived experience being adopted through foster care connects her to our mission. Tammy holds a MA in Teaching from Chapman University, MA in Linguistics from Cal State Long Beach, and a Ph.D. in Education from Claremont University.

Jess Photo 2023

Jess Blaisus, MLitt, CFRE

Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations

Jess (she/they) is an accomplished nonprofit leader who has spent close to two decades in the social sector. With a proven track record of success in raising funds, organizing teams, and adapting quickly to new situations, Jess is dedicated to making a positive impact in their community and looks forward to continuing to do so through their work with ExtraFam. They hold a Master of Letters in Shakespeare and Performance, and over the course of their career, progressive fundraising roles have enabled them to achieve their CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive). In addition to their professional achievements, Jess also navigates the challenges that come with a spouse in military service. As a parent of three young boys, they empathize with the challenges, highs, and lows of parenthood and are excited to be a part of ExtraFam’s team.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors cares deeply about children and families involved in the child welfare system – with nearly half having fostered and adopted from foster care – and they are committed to helping Extraordinary Families fulfill its mission.

Leonardo Bolanos Board Chair Leonardo Bolanos Wealth Strategist, Northern Trust Dawn Bridges Treasurer Dawn Bridges Vice President, U.S. CAD
Fost/Adoptive Parent
Brooke Halsband Secretary Brooke Halsband Associate, Hilton & Hyland Fenton Bailey Fenton Bailey Co-Founder, World of Wonder
Fost/Adopt Parent
Sarah Boone Sarah Boone-Perez Kane County Hospital
Fost/Adopt Parent
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman Actor Michelle Visage Michelle Visage
Television Host, Media Personality
Nigel Lifsey Nigel Lifsey Senior Fund Accountant, Post Advisory Group
Co-Founder, Urban Society Long Beach
Francesca Orsi Francesca Orsi
Senior Vice President, Drama Series, HBO
Jocelyn Tetel Jocelyn Tetel
Vice President Advancement,
Skirball Cultural Center
steve vai Steve Vai
Musician, Philanthropist
Tiffany White Tiffany White Stanton
Costume Designer
Fost/Adoptive Parent
Nigel Lifsey Karmel Graham Product Management Director, GAS Inc.

Staff

Together, our professional staff brings many years of education and experience in the care of children and youth in the child welfare system and the recruitment and support of foster and adoptive families.

Jill Rosenberg Foster Care/Adoption Supervisor Jill Rosenberg, MSW Marta Valle Intake Administrator Marta Valle Bonnie Sharpe Associate Director of Programs Bonnie Sharpe, MSW, ASW Lorena Bernal Lead Adoption Social Worker Lorena Bernal, LCSW Tessa Rouse Lead Foster Care Social Worker Tessa Rouse, MSW Stacie Ruhl Foster Care Supervisor Stacie Ruhl, MSW, ASW Anthony De La Cruz Foster Care Social Worker Anthony De La Cruz, MSW Alejandra Hernandez-Flores Foster Care Social Worker Alejandra Hernandez-Flores Meena Wardak Foster Care Social Worker Meena Wardak Kayla Sberna Foster Care Social Worker Kayla Sberna Lili Villa-Rechav Foster Care Social Worker Lili Villa-Rechav, MSW, ASW Danielle Calderdon Up4Youth Program Specialist Danielle Calderon Christina Hedrick Quality Assurance Specialist Christina Hedrick Joy Sinclair Family Recruitment Specialist Joy Sinclair Ana Campos Torres Family Support Specialist Ana Campos Torres, MSW, ASW Paola Lopez Programs Assistant Paola Lopez Elliana Akiyoshi Executive Assistant Elliana Akiyoshi Luis Tlalacalco Administrative Support Luis Tlalacalco Angelina Worrell Accountant Angelina Worrell, MBA Joe Udeochu Accountant Joe Udeochu