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.

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Bonnie Sharpe, MSW, ASW

Director of Programs

Bonnie (she/her) is a dedicated and compassionate leader at the core of Extraordinary Families. With an extensive background in child welfare and social services, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Bonnie has been an integral part of the organization since 2014, during which she has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and tireless passion for making a positive impact on the lives of children and youth in foster care. She holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Chico.

Mark Zipoli

Interim Director of Operations

Before his retirement in 2021, Mark was responsible for directing the day-to-day administrative, financial, and human resource operations of Extraordinary Families.  With 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, 18 of which were spent directing Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles, he also worked in the wholesale seafood industry, the U.S. State Dept., George Washington University, The J. Paul Getty Trust, the Internal Revenue Service, the New York Friends Group, and Simon & Schuster Publishers.  Before Child Welfare Initiative (CWI) merged with Southern California Foster Family Agency (resulting in Extraordinary Families), Mark was a member of the Strategic Restructuring Committee which brought about the merger.  He received his B.A. in English from Queens College/City University of New York and has published short stories in nearly a dozen magazines; his novel, The Long Habit of Living, was published by Createspace in 2010.

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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

One third of our Board of Directors has lived experience as foster care and adoptive parents. They are committed to helping Extraordinary Families fulfill its mission.

Leonardo Bolanos Board Chair Leonardo Bolanos Wealth Strategist, Northern Trust Nigel Lifsey Vice Chair Nigel Lifsey Senior Fund Accountant, Post Advisory Group
Co-Founder, Urban Society Long Beach
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
Michelle Visage Michelle Visage
Television Host, Media Personality
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

Staff

Our professional staff bring many years of expertise in the child welfare system, especially recruiting, training, and supporting foster and adoptive families.

Jill Rosenberg Foster Care/Adoption Supervisor Jill Rosenberg, MSW Anthony De La Cruz Lead Adoption Social Worker Anthony De La Cruz, MSW Marta Valle Intake Administrator Marta Valle Lorena Bernal Family Resource Center Program Manager Lorena Bernal, LCSW Stephanie Carmona Family Navigator Stephanie Carmona Tessa Rouse Lead Foster Care Social Worker Tessa Rouse, MSW Stacie Ruhl Foster Care Supervisor Stacie Ruhl, MSW, ASW 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 Jackie Takarabe UP4Youth Specialist Jackie Takarabe 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 HR and Operations Specialist Luis Tlalacalco Angelina Worrell Accountant Angelina Worrell, MBA