Our Leadership Team of Volunteers
Nonprofit Connection (NPC) Santa Cruz County Team
Rose has been active as an effective, collaborative community builder and advocate in the local nonprofit community since moving to Santa Cruz in 2010. She has over 35 years of experience in the design, management, and governance of nonprofits in the community service, social justice, and education sectors. A former legislative representative, Rose is particularly adept at brokering solutions that cut across the traditional boundaries separating nonprofits, government, and for-profit businesses. Since moving to Santa Cruz, Rose has served on several Boards and Committees, including Leadership Santa Cruz County, UCSC Dreamweavers, and a local Bond Oversight Committee. She has also co-founded two local organizations, Now from Here and Breaking the Glass Ballot. Rose is proud to serve on Boards that reflect her values of equity, integrity, justice, and connection, most notably as President of the Santa Cruz County Board of Education, a director of the CA County Boards of Education, and a founding Board Member of Digital NEST.
David Cattivera
Board President
Co-Principal,
Venture Leadership Collective
David brings extensive knowledge and expertise in nonprofit leadership to his role as Co-Principal at Venture Leadership Collective (VLC). With a social sector career spanning decades, David has worked in organizations in every capacity, from volunteer to executive director, giving him unique insight and experience in managing the day-to-day priorities and strategic objectives of organizations.
David’s nonprofit journey started as a weekly volunteer with the Santa Cruz AIDS Project while still in high school and his lifelong commitment to working in support of community was solidified during the two years he served with an AmeriCorps literacy program. More recent experience includes being the Executive Director of a housing organization in the Bay Area, as well as several interim executive positions through his work with VLC. His interim work has found him working in leadership roles at organizations including Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, Redwood City 2020, the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund, and Headlands Center for the Arts.
A proud first generation college graduate, David holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Business from the University of the Pacific. When not volunteering or spending time with his wife and two school-aged children in the Santa Cruz Mountains, David can be found in the garden or on a quest for the next great vegetarian meal.
Matt Payne
Board Vice President
Hardware Product Manager, Intel Corporation
A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Matt is an experienced tech professional who has been actively contributing to the wellbeing of the Santa Cruz community for the past ten years. Matt’s volunteerism reflects his commitment to equal access to education and healthy living for all. As a co-founder of the Emerging Leaders Circle of United Way, Matt helps young professionals connect to community-serving organizations. He is also a member and officer of the Board of Directors of Digital NEST and has been involved in Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Alexander Pedersen
Board Secretary
Director, Small Business
Development Center
Capitola City Council Member
Alexander Pedersen is a dedicated community leader and small business advocate, currently serving as the Director of the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and a City Council Member of Capitola. With a diverse background in small business development, economic growth, and community leadership, Alexander is committed to addressing the needs of Santa Cruz County and fostering a thriving, inclusive community. Outside of his professional life, Alexander is an active volunteer in his community, serving on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations and is dedicated to promoting community wellness through leadership and economic development. In his free time, Alexander enjoys engaging in community activities, travel, and outdoor sports.
Suzanne “Z” Doty
Treasurer and Finance Chair
Seniors Commission Chair and Co-Chair of the Women’s Commission of Santa Cruz County
Suzanne has spent the last 30+ years working on women’s issues such as gender inequality, gender pay gap, and violence against women while co-owning a retail business as the VP of Operations focusing on project management, inventory control, onboarding, training, customer service, and financial management. She has extensive background in public speaking as both a keynote speaker and workshop leader with a focus on women’s economic power, as well as testifying and advocating for change at the county and state level. She has organized and designed conferences on both the state and national level, and is skilled in recruiting and networking.
Kayla Traber
Programs and Engagement Chair
Community Engagement Manager, Grey Bears
Kayla is a devoted Development Manager and seasoned Project Manager, driven by the power of community connection and collaborative initiatives. My expertise lies in program development, process optimization, and adept change management.
In January 2024, I took on the role of Development Manager at Grey Bears, a position that aligns seamlessly with my passion for community engagement. Here, my responsibilities include spearheading strategic initiatives to foster meaningful connections within the community, working closely with volunteers, and nurturing relationships with sponsors, nonprofits, and local businesses. Together, we execute impactful fundraising campaigns and organize events such as the 50th-anniversary Harvest Festival, underscoring the value of collaboration in every endeavor.
Prior to joining Grey Bears, I served as an R&D Project Manager at Threshold Enterprises, Ltd., where I led cross-functional teams in implementing the TraceGains program and managed projects in new product development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to achieve success.
Tracey Weiss
Executive Director, O'Neill Sea Odyssey
Tracey Weiss is a nonprofit Executive Director with 20+ years of experience in environmental education. She uses her passion for environmental education to inspire and engage youth and their adults to take stewardship of California’s natural world. Tracey excels in executive leadership, grant management, fund development, strategic vision and engagement, Board management, and developing pathways to better engage students in environmental education.
As an Executive Director since 2006, Tracey possesses in-depth knowledge and experience in leading both the complex day-to-day operations of an organization as well as guiding its vision, growth, and financial reserves. She is a skillful builder of partnerships and a master implementer of strategies that strengthen an organization’s objectives and outcomes. She has a proven track record for developing an organization’s vision and direction and building a roadmap to get there. As a demonstrated leader, Tracey brings tenacity, compassion, and inspiration to her big-picture, proactive approach to management.
Interns
Elsa Tamayo Alvarez
CHHS Field Training Intern
CSUMB
Honorary Advisors
Linda Bixby
Founding Board
Nonprofit Consultant
Keisha Browder
Founding Board
CEO, United Way Bay Area
Maria Elena De La Garza
Founding Board
Executive Director
Community Action Board
Antonia O. Franco, EdD
Founding Board
President and Chief Operating Officer,
Digital NEST
Keith Holtaway
SBDC Small Business Consultant