Leadership

Barnaby (2)

Barnaby Murff

Chief Executive Officer

Barnaby 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.

Dr. Kayla Wright, Ed.D

Director of Programs

Kayla brings 12 years of leadership experience in the child welfare field, including as Program Director for Alliance Human ServicesProgram Administrator for three locations at Children’s Way Foster Family Agency, and as a Supervising Social Worker at Homes of Hope Foster Family Agency and at Wings of Refuge Foster Family Agency. Prior to foster care, Kayla worked in higher education as an academic advisor and counselor. She completed her Doctorate in Education at Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA, where she wrote her dissertation on the barriers youth in foster care face with entering 2- and 4-year colleges. She completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Marina Del Rey, CA.

Tammy Bio Photo v2

Dr. Tammy Johnson, Ph.D

Director of Operations

Tammy 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.

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 Banking Relationship Advisor,
Northern Trust Wealth Management
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
Jessica Kastner Jessica Kastner Staff Attorney, Advokids
Fost/Adopt Parent
Francesca Orsi Francesca Orsi
Senior Vice President, Drama Series, HBO
Miguel Sanchez Miguel Sanchez Lascurain
Vice President, Brand,
Web and Creative, TiVo
Fost/Adopt Parent
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 Senior Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft

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 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 Ana Campos Torres Family Support Specialist Ana Campos Torres, MSW, ASW Luis Tlalacalco Office Assistant Luis Tlalacalco Bonnie Sharpe Associate Director of Programs Bonnie Sharpe, MSW, ASW Joe Udeochu Staff Accountant Joe Udeochu Alejandra Hernandez-Flores Foster Care and Adoption Assistant Alejandra Hernandez-Flores Ana Campos Torres Foster Care Social Worker Anthony De La Cruz, MSW Bonnie Sharpe Quality Assurance Specialist Christina Hedrick Danny Ou HR and Operations Specialist Danny Ou Joy Sinclair Family Recruitment Specialist Joy Sinclair Keisha Harris Communications Specialist Nia Phillips Keisha Harris Foster Care Social Worker Lilly Villa-Rechav, MSW, ASW