Our Board

Kären Woodruff

Board Chair
Wells Fargo

  • Kären Woodruff is Senior Vice President, Philanthropy and Community Impact, for the Wells Fargo Foundation for Northern, Central and Coastal California Regions. She has 32 years of experience in business development, marketing, outreach, community engagement and relationship building at various organizations. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, she served as Associate Executive Director for Stanford Youth Solutions, Director of Corporate Relations with UC Davis Health System and Director of New Business Development at Amdocs. Kären has served on several local boards, including Disabled Sports USA, St. Ignatius Parish School, Los Rios Foundation and Kids Helping Kids. She is currently a board member of the California Asian Chamber of Commerce and is SFBFS’ Board Chair.

Linda Meyers

Vice Chair
Retired Educator

  • Linda J. Meyers came to the board with a strong background in academic health care administration and elementary school education. Linda grew up in the Sacramento area. She is a graduate of California State University (Sac State) with a degree in sociology/social work and has a California Professional Clear Multiple-Subjects Teaching Credential.

    Linda is devoted to her family; her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two-year-old granddaughter bring her much joy. Linda’s busy lifestyle includes community service and volunteerism as well as global adventures with her husband Fred to many less traveled regions and to National Parks in North America. She is a passionate mentor for students of all ages and serves because ending hunger is an impactful way to enhance the health and lives of children and families. She looks forward to many more years of active engagement in the Sacramento region. Linda currently serves as SFBFS’ Board Vice Chair.

Helen Singmaster

Treasurer
Raley’s

  • Helen Singmaster Hernández is the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Raley’s. Helen previously worked in the Sacramento office of Downey Brand, participating in several mergers and acquisitions, including Raley’s acquisition of Nob Hill Foods. She has over 20 years of experience in the grocery and pharmacy business. Helen has a BA in Slavic languages and literatures from UC Berkeley and a JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School. She has served on the Board of St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children and co-chaired the first Mentor Program at C.K. McClatchy High School’s Law & Public Policy Academy. Helen, a mom, stepmom and abuela, shares her love of swimming and the great outdoors with her husband, Paul. Helen serves as Treasurer of SFBFS’ Board of Directors.

Lydia Ramirez

Secretary
Five Star Bank

  • Lydia Ramirez serves as Five Star Bank’s Senior Vice President, Chief Operations & DEI Officer. She previously served as their Senior Vice President & Director of Operations and the Senior Vice President, Director of Branch Administration. Lydia has over 18 years of experience in senior level banking and is skilled in strategic inclusion implementation, operational process and sales management. Before joining Five Star Bank, she served as Vice President & Multi-Branch Manager at MUFG Union Bank. Lydia graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and recently graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a Master of Business Administration. Lydia is also a graduate of CBA Executive Banking School. She serves on the board of directors for the Sacramento Black and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Lydia serves as Secretary of SFBFS’ Board of Directors.

Nancy Smith-Fagan

Chair of the Marketing/Development Committee

Sacramento Zoo

  • Nancy Smith-Fagan comes to the SFBFS board with a diverse background in nonprofit administration and fundraising; currently serving as the Director of Institutional Advancement and Marketing at the Sacramento Zoo. Among her past career highlights, Nancy served as Associate Director/Director of Operations for the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and a master’s degree from Temple University. Nancy and her husband, Kevin, have three sons. Nancy serves as Chair of SFBFS’ Marketing/Development Committee.

Chris Griger

Co-Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee

Sutter Medical Group

  • Chris Griger, MD, MBA, FAAP, is a practicing pediatrician and the former CEO of Sutter Medical Group, a large multispecialty medical group based in Sacramento. She previously held positions as the President and Board Chair of the Santa Cruz Medical Clinic and President of Affinity Medical Group in Menasha, Wisconsin. Her board experience includes 23 years on various medical group boards. She is a member of the board of Sutter Health Plan and has served on a number of other health plan and community boards.

    Dr. Griger received her BS from Pennsylvania State University and her MD from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. She did her residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and a fellowship in pediatric nephrology at UCSF. She received her MBA from UC Irvine. She practiced pediatrics in Santa Cruz for 30 years and now see patients in several Sutter Medical Group care centers. Chris is currently a Co-Chair of SFBFS’ Nominating & Governance Committee.

Jeanine Dinsmore

Antioch Progressive Church

  • Jeanine Dinsmore has retired from her 22-year staff position as the Director of Children's Programs for Antioch Progressive Church where she worked with children and families in the Meadowview community. Jeanine graduated on the Dean’s List from California State University, Sacramento, with a bachelor’s degree in child development, EDCE. Jeanine accepted the appointment of Director of Food Program for Antioch Progressive Church in 2012 where she will be dedicating her time. Her passion for SFBFS stems from her various activities as a volunteer with Community Bible Study, Bible Study Fellowship, Young Life, Reading Partners Sacramento and Joseph Sims Elementary, to name a few. Jeanine and her husband have two grown children and are active members of their church. She is an avid teacup collector, with her collection currently being 47 teacups with saucers.

Ashlee Gilliam

Delfino Madden

  • Ashlee Gilliam is an associate attorney at Delfino Madden. Ashlee represents public and private sector entities in all employment matters; her background is in civil litigation. She received her BA from the University of California at Riverside and her JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She has a passion for advocating for marginalized communities and empowering the community with legal knowledge. Ashlee enjoys traveling and speaking at various events/nonprofits centered on women’s empowerment and professional development.

Pamela Maxwell

U.S. Bank

  • Pamela Maxwell joined U.S. Bank in July 2010 and currently works as a community affairs manager. Maxwell is responsible for the development, coordination and management of community relations and development activities, as well as corporate giving, in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah, along with rural and tribal initiatives across the U.S. Bank footprint. She collaborates with community groups focusing on affordable housing, small business development, capacity building and financial education.

    Maxwell has been working in the banking industry for over 30 years, including nearly 20 years as a retail banker at Wells Fargo. She is a board member of Sacramento Steps Forward, El Dorado Community Foundation and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. She serves on Assistance League Sierra Foothills Advisory Council and Hands4Hope Placerville Steering Committee and previously served as a board member of Junior Achievement of Sacramento, Big Brothers Big Sister of Sacramento and Sacramento Ballet.

    Maxwell resides in Shingle Springs with her husband and two daughters and, when not working, she enjoys snow skiing, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Rosielyn Pulmano

Co-Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee

California State Assembly

  • Rosielyn Pulmano is the Health Policy Consultant of the Speaker of the State Assembly. She is the top aide of the Speaker on health related matters and oversees all health policy, budget and legislation for the Speaker.

    Rosielyn has over 20 years of experience in California State Government and has comprehensive experience developing, designing and implementing highly complex health care legislation and consumer protections. Rosielyn received a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from the University of the Pacific and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California. Rosielyn is currently a Co-Chair of SFBFS’ Nominating & Governance Committee.

Jennifer Restivo

Chair, Finance Committee

SMUD

  • Jennifer Restivo is the Director of Planning and Revenue Strategy at SMUD, where she reports directly to the CFO. In this role, she and her team are responsible for the development of SMUD's $2.3 billion budget, as well as setting electric rates and the load forecast.

    A Sacramento native, Jennifer brings 30 years of experience in accounting and FP&A, along with expertise in pricing and load forecasting. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento.

    Jennifer has previously served on the Board of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She currently resides in El Dorado Hills with her husband. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys crafting, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends and family. Jennifer is currently the Chair of SFBFS’ Finance Committee.

Etienne Girard

Intel, Retired

  • Etienne Girard recently retired from Intel Corporation, where he served as Assistant Treasurer and Director of Credit and Collections. Over the course of his career, he held senior finance roles in both the technology and banking sectors. Originally from France, Etienne began his professional journey there before working in the UK and eventually relocating to California in 2001.

    He brings a strong background in finance, supply chain and strategic planning, and hopes to put that experience to good use supporting SFBFS’ mission to provide vital relief to those in need in our community.

    Etienne also serves on the board of the Alliance Française of Sacramento, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching the French language and strengthening cultural ties between France and the U.S. in the Sacramento region.

    He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Université Paris 2 and an MBA from the Institut d’Études Politiques in Paris.

    Etienne and his wife, Jean, live in Folsom. They have three grown children who are now spread across Northern California.

Father Mike Ritter

St. Robert Parish

  • Fr. Ritter is a native of Carmichael, CA, and currently the Parochial Administrator at St. Robert Parish, Sacramento. He is also currently serving as Chair of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Sacramento.

    Fr. Mike began his priesthood studies at the Benedictine Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, OR. Afterwards, he studied theology in Menlo Park, where he served as cantor and was part of the seminary choir. During his first year of theology, Fr. Mike was assigned for pastoral work in Vallejo to help in youth ministry. He spent his pastoral year in Redding, returning to Menlo Park for seminary, where he was president of the student body. Fr. Mike returned to Saint Benedict to complete his Masters of Divinity degree, with honors.

    Fr. Mike returned to the Sacramento area to attend Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training at UC Davis Medical Center. He then spent his second pastoral year in Winters, building up the parish youth ministry and getting involved in campus ministry at the UC Davis Newman Center.

    Fr. Mike was ordained a priest in 2015 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. His first assignment was two years at Saint Charles Parish in South Sacramento, followed by his move to Saint John the Baptist in Chico, where he could continue his passionate work with college students.

Blake Young

President/CEO
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

  • Blake is President/CEO of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). SFBFS has over 11,000 volunteers and a staff of 80. Blake has served in this role since 2005. Prior to leading the organization, Blake spent nine years in operations and public relations for SFBFS.

    Blake also serves as a board member for Soil Born Farms, a 70-acre education farm.

    Blake graduated from Chico State University and served in the United States Army. Blake is married to Antonia and has two daughters.

Emeritus

Patrick McClain
Hanson McClain Advisors

Charles Sylva
Retired – Real Estate Development

Tina Thomas
Thomas Law Group