Team WoW
Board of Directors
Russell H. Wilder
President
Russell has been a member of WoW's board since 2014. A veteran of over 40 years in the leasing and financing of equipment for businesses, he is the executive Vice President, chief risk officer for ATEL Capital Group in San Francisco, one of the largest independent equipment financing firms in the industry. He is also on the board of directors of the KARE Crisis Nursery in Grass Valley, a member of the 49er Breakfast Rotary Club of Nevada City, and a Red Rose Society member of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation. Along with his wife Deborah, he has been a donor and volunteer to several other Nevada County nonprofits. An Eagle Scout himself, as an adult, he served first as a den leader for a Cub Scout pack and then as Scoutmaster of a troop. He then ran a large annual event attended by over 600 scouts and staffed by 100 volunteers for the Pacific Skyline Council for several years. He was the registrar and on the board of an AYSO youth soccer league and officiated games for several years. In recognition of his service to youth, he is a recipient of the Silver Beaver award from the Pacific Skyline Council, scouting's highest award to adult leaders at the council level.
Carolynn Peterson
Treasurer
Carolynn is a retired RN with 40 years of experience in oncology and hospice. She has a masters' degree in nursing administration from the University of California-San Francisco and is nationally certified in oncology and hospice administration. Her most recent position was executive director of Hospice of the Foothills in Grass Valley.
She has been on local, state, and national boards for the American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society, and the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. She has served as President and Secretary on various boards. She has also been President of her local church council and on the board. She currently resides in Grass Valley with her husband Richard (a retired RN) and their two doxies.
Terry McLaughlin
Secretary
Terry was a regular weekly volunteer for Women of Worth for over four years before joining WoW's board of directors in 2019. Early in her professional life, she was employed as a private school secretary in Los Angeles and a legal secretary in San Diego County, as well as a staff member in the Legacy and Planned Giving Department of the American Cancer Society's San Diego branch. After the birth of her two children, she enjoyed a lengthy career in Marin County, providing marketing and operations for a small travel company. Since retiring to Nevada County, she has been an active member of her community, involved in numerous organizations, nonprofits, and her church.
As a past President and current committee member of Nevada County Republican Women Federated, she serves as a liaison with its members regarding fundraising and volunteering projects for Women of Worth. Terry is also a Nevada County Citizens Academy graduate, a member of her church choir and other church ministries, and is involved with a fledgling nonprofit begun in 2019 dedicated to supporting local children's programs. She has been producing a bi-monthly opinion column in The Union newspaper since 2016, during which time she has profiled various local nonprofits, including the Marine Corps League's Memorial Wall project, The Norah Foundation, Newcomers Club of Nevada County, Welcome Home Vets, The Grass Valley Male Voice Choir, Hospice of the Foothills, Nevada County Animal Evacuation, and of course, Women of Worth.
Robert "Bud" Hawley
Robert has an extensive background in institutional and private commercial real estate development, construction, and management, spanning over three decades. He has held executive roles within various renowned national companies and also co-owned a real estate firm that specialized in redeveloping properties.
Robert earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont and was a registered Engineer in Illinois (now retired). Additionally, he holds a real estate license in Arizona and an FAA remote pilot's license (now retired). Moreover, Robert has completed solar initiative studies in California to further enhance his expertise in the field.
Samantha Fish
Sam Fish is a local Realtor and Insurance Agent who operates in the golden state, with a primary focus on Placer and Nevada County. Having grown up in Lake of the Pines, this charming place holds a special place in her heart. Sam feels blessed to have a hardworking husband and two wonderful little girls.
Sam actively supports various events like the Butterfly Ball, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Sutter Auburn Faith's Hospital Foundation Faith and Fantasy Ball, as well as Local Law Enforcement Events. Her involvement extends to numerous other activities that aim to support hometown heroes, nonprofits, and the community. Sam's passion lies in giving back, and she takes pleasure in imparting the value of giving to her daughters.
In her leisure time, Sam and her family make the most of what their hometown has to offer. When she isn't occupied with work, Sam finds enjoyment in being at home, reading a good book, spending quality time with her loved ones, going on adventures, and appreciating each day as it comes.
Staff Members
Cinnamon Danielson
Executive Director
With 20 years experience working with women in crisis, Cinnamon brings her passion for women and her leadership skills to the WoW family. Making use of her Counseling and Chaplain credentials, as well as years of leadership training she is using her expertise to positively impact the vulnerable women in Nevada County and beyond.
Cinnamon has been married to her best friend Bruce for 30 years. Cinnamon has 4 children and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys family time and is an avid golfer.
Alexa DeSena
Program Director
Alexa has resided in Nevada County for 25 years and loves the community. She graduated with a BSW from Sacramento State University and has worked with children and families for over 20 years. Her passion is to bring resources and hope to families within the community, and to help each thrive and grow in the best way possible. Alexa spends her down time with her three wonderful children. She enjoys all things outdoors, attending all her children’s sporting events, and reading.
Jan-Michelle Sawyer
Marketing Coordinator
With a Ph.D. in Integral Studies: Learning and Change in Human Systems from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, Jan-Michelle’s career has spanned healthcare and education fields in her various roles as Director of Public Relations and Marketing, photographer, and Publications Manager. She was a professor and educator in Communications and Marketing at the University of Hawaii, Manoa for 15 years. Her profession as a sculptor (with sculptures on permanent public display in Hawaii and California) has been influenced by a philosophy that every public sculpture should inform, educate, and inspire the viewer. Jan-Michelle has several years of experience working in the non-profit sector. She is a certified financial literacy educator and coach. Her primary interests are adult education and financial literacy. She recently authored an eBook entitled Budgeting to Make Ends Meet.
Stephanie Monahan
Bookkeeper
Stephanie Monahan has been working in the nonprofit community for 23 years and is a new resident in Nevada County. She is so grateful for Women of Worth and their mission to help create Hope in the community.