Meet Our Board Of Directors
Nicki Bruno - Board President
Nicki Bruno is the owner of Bruno Cellars, a boutique winery located in Loomis, California.
Prior to opening the winery in 2002, she worked in the banking and telecommunications industry
for nineteen years. She has served on several local boards and fundraising committees and enjoys working with The Taylor House Team. She is married with three children and two grandchildren.
Leslie Ferrini - Secretary
Leslie spent over 35 years in multiple sales and marketing roles in the medical capital equipment industry. She recently retired from Siemens Healthcare as VP of Strategic and National Accounts. Leslie volunteered as a Placer County CASA and Mentor where she met Taylor House founder Lisa Peat. Her volunteer activities moved to The Taylor House, where she continues to provide guidance, friendship and support to the young ladies residing at the house. Leslie is an avid golfer and enjoys working out cooking, travelling and the outdoors.
Leslie spent over 35 years in multiple sales and marketing roles in the medical capital equipment industry. She recently retired from Siemens Healthcare as VP of Strategic and National Accounts. Leslie volunteered as a Placer County CASA and Mentor where she met Taylor House founder Lisa Peat. Her volunteer activities moved to The Taylor House, where she continues to provide guidance, friendship and support to the young ladies residing at the house. Leslie is an avid golfer and enjoys working out cooking, travelling and the outdoors.
Lance Gannett - Maintenance
A former grocery industry executive and current sales representative in the building industry, has been a volunteer for The Taylor House since 2011. Lance learned about the mission and vision of The Taylor House while volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for Child Advocates of Placer County. Taylor House founder Lisa Peat was Lance’s CASA trainer and, along the way, shared The Taylor House story. As a father of two girls, Lance was already sympathetic to the challenges young women often face. What he saw in court, and what he heard about The Taylor House, made him anxious to get involved. It didn’t take long for Lance to begin volunteering during the remodel of the property. He also supports the nonprofit at its various fundraisers and continues to act as the unofficial handyman at The Taylor House.
Lance became a member of the board of directors in December 2014.
Tracy Gorman - Board Member
Tracy Gorman is a 20 year veteran with Wells Fargo Bank and is currently an Administrative Assistant who supports two District Managers and over 15 branches. Tracy has held a variety of positions within the company over the course of her tenure. Through Wells Fargo’s volunteerism projects, Tracy was introduced to the Taylor House and was immediately drawn to the mission of what the Taylor House does to encourage, educate and develop the young women it supports. Tracy has enjoyed volunteering for a number of projects over the last few years supporting Taylor House and is excited to hold a more involved role of the organization on the board. Tracy is a resident of Rocklin where she enjoys spending any free time she has with her dear friends and family.
Tracy Gorman - Board Member
Tracy Gorman is a 20 year veteran with Wells Fargo Bank and is currently an Administrative Assistant who supports two District Managers and over 15 branches. Tracy has held a variety of positions within the company over the course of her tenure. Through Wells Fargo’s volunteerism projects, Tracy was introduced to the Taylor House and was immediately drawn to the mission of what the Taylor House does to encourage, educate and develop the young women it supports. Tracy has enjoyed volunteering for a number of projects over the last few years supporting Taylor House and is excited to hold a more involved role of the organization on the board. Tracy is a resident of Rocklin where she enjoys spending any free time she has with her dear friends and family.
Rick Stalker - Governance
Rick Stalker joined The Taylor House board of directors in 2015. He is a Sacramento native and
Broker / Partner with Stalker, Burnett & Skiff Real Estate Group. He is married to Donna Burnett with two children and resides in Roseville. Rick brings knowledge and insight from previous local non-profit organizations in both community outreach and practical skills vital to the non-profit sector. Rick was instrumental in raising funds while serving as the committee chair for Placer County Habitat for Humanity. Rick attended the 2015 Taylor House Annual Gala and realized he wanted to get involved and lend a helping hand with our young adults while teaching life skills critical to their long-term success. He finds that his commitment to the board, volunteers and donors is incredibly rewarding.
Rick Stalker joined The Taylor House board of directors in 2015. He is a Sacramento native and
Broker / Partner with Stalker, Burnett & Skiff Real Estate Group. He is married to Donna Burnett with two children and resides in Roseville. Rick brings knowledge and insight from previous local non-profit organizations in both community outreach and practical skills vital to the non-profit sector. Rick was instrumental in raising funds while serving as the committee chair for Placer County Habitat for Humanity. Rick attended the 2015 Taylor House Annual Gala and realized he wanted to get involved and lend a helping hand with our young adults while teaching life skills critical to their long-term success. He finds that his commitment to the board, volunteers and donors is incredibly rewarding.
Jenna Bertuccelli - Treasurer
Jenna Bertuccelli is a tax director at CLA, a national accounting firm. She has 10 years of experience working with nonprofits assisting with everything from annual tax filings to creating nonprofit organizations from the ground up. Jenna was introduced to the Taylor House and immediately felt excited to help support and further the mission in any way she could. Jenna lives in Walnut Creek but works with many organizations in the Sacramento/ Roseville area. In her free time she loves to go on long hikes with her dog, try new recipes, and spend time with friends and family.
Jenna Bertuccelli is a tax director at CLA, a national accounting firm. She has 10 years of experience working with nonprofits assisting with everything from annual tax filings to creating nonprofit organizations from the ground up. Jenna was introduced to the Taylor House and immediately felt excited to help support and further the mission in any way she could. Jenna lives in Walnut Creek but works with many organizations in the Sacramento/ Roseville area. In her free time she loves to go on long hikes with her dog, try new recipes, and spend time with friends and family.
Meet Our Taylor House Team
Lisa Peat - Founder
Founder of The Taylor House, retired from Washington Mutual Bank in 2004, where she worked as a Senior Account Executive in The San Francisco Bay area for 10 years. Upon retiring, Lisa returned to Placer County where she built a home and enjoys spending time with her grown daughter, animals and practicing yoga.
In 2007 after years of volunteering at several, local, non-profit organizations such as the Sacramento Aids Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Gold Country Wildlife, Lisa joined the CASA organization and became a court appointed Special Advocate in Placer County. Out of her passion for advocating for teen girls in foster care, Lisa realized that there was a housing need for emancipating foster youth and out of that passion the Taylor House vision came to life.
In 2011 Lisa bought a run down 6 bedroom 2 bath home in downtown Roseville for the purpose of allowing former foster girls to come live in a safe environment where they can learn, live, grow, make mistakes and launch into their true independence. Lisa's vision is to allow the girls to get a first hand experience of the "Real World" learning valuable life skills, such as job and College paths, what it means to pay timely rent and being a productive part of their community.
Founder of The Taylor House, retired from Washington Mutual Bank in 2004, where she worked as a Senior Account Executive in The San Francisco Bay area for 10 years. Upon retiring, Lisa returned to Placer County where she built a home and enjoys spending time with her grown daughter, animals and practicing yoga.
In 2007 after years of volunteering at several, local, non-profit organizations such as the Sacramento Aids Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Gold Country Wildlife, Lisa joined the CASA organization and became a court appointed Special Advocate in Placer County. Out of her passion for advocating for teen girls in foster care, Lisa realized that there was a housing need for emancipating foster youth and out of that passion the Taylor House vision came to life.
In 2011 Lisa bought a run down 6 bedroom 2 bath home in downtown Roseville for the purpose of allowing former foster girls to come live in a safe environment where they can learn, live, grow, make mistakes and launch into their true independence. Lisa's vision is to allow the girls to get a first hand experience of the "Real World" learning valuable life skills, such as job and College paths, what it means to pay timely rent and being a productive part of their community.
Jamie Nichols - Program Manager
Prior to coming to The Taylor House, Jamie was a Program Manager for Child Advocates of Placer County overseeing both CASA children and families in the Family Mentor Program. Her duties also included managing several court programs, helping with new volunteer interviews and training various administrative tasks and collaboration with community partners. Additionally, Jamie volunteers as a CASA and has enjoyed supporting young women as they transition into adulthood.
Before coming to Child Advocates, Jamie was a case manager for Volunteers of America where she worked with clients who were coming out of jail and prison where she taught them life skills, anger management, substance use disorder and domestic violence education.
Jamie started her career as a Deputy Probation Officer. Her caseloads varied from juvenile offenders, at-risk youth, adult offenders who had substance use and mental health disorders and domestic violence adult offenders.
In her free time, Jamie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and dogs, cooking, going to concerts and escaping to the ocean whenever she can.
Prior to coming to The Taylor House, Jamie was a Program Manager for Child Advocates of Placer County overseeing both CASA children and families in the Family Mentor Program. Her duties also included managing several court programs, helping with new volunteer interviews and training various administrative tasks and collaboration with community partners. Additionally, Jamie volunteers as a CASA and has enjoyed supporting young women as they transition into adulthood.
Before coming to Child Advocates, Jamie was a case manager for Volunteers of America where she worked with clients who were coming out of jail and prison where she taught them life skills, anger management, substance use disorder and domestic violence education.
Jamie started her career as a Deputy Probation Officer. Her caseloads varied from juvenile offenders, at-risk youth, adult offenders who had substance use and mental health disorders and domestic violence adult offenders.
In her free time, Jamie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and dogs, cooking, going to concerts and escaping to the ocean whenever she can.
Meet Our Trusted Advisors
Kathryn Mathews
As the CASA Executive Director, Ms. Mathews oversees the day-to-day activities of the CASA program in El Dorado Hills California Prior to joining Child Advocates, Ms. Mathews spent 15 years with high tech companies, where she progressed from Customer Service in Sales to Director of Business Operations for Global Services at HP.
As such, she brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing and operations. Kathryn attended University of Phoenix focusing on completing her BA in Business Management. She has also been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Ombudsman and Adoption Support Services and is a past Santa Clara County CASA.
As the CASA Executive Director, Ms. Mathews oversees the day-to-day activities of the CASA program in El Dorado Hills California Prior to joining Child Advocates, Ms. Mathews spent 15 years with high tech companies, where she progressed from Customer Service in Sales to Director of Business Operations for Global Services at HP.
As such, she brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing and operations. Kathryn attended University of Phoenix focusing on completing her BA in Business Management. She has also been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Ombudsman and Adoption Support Services and is a past Santa Clara County CASA.
David Allen - Strategic Planning
David is currently the CEO of Crescent Systems Inc. (CSI) a company that designs and develops software an hardware communication systems. Prior to working with CSI David worked for a Manufacturer of marine boating products for 25+ years. David brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the areas of strategic planning and financial budgeting analysis. David is currently involved with the CASA ( Court appointed Special Advocates) in Placer County. David always wanted to give back to his community and working with CASA and Taylor House are a perfect avenue for doing so. David lives in Loomis with his wife Stacey and their twin boys.
David Allen - Strategic Planning
David is currently the CEO of Crescent Systems Inc. (CSI) a company that designs and develops software an hardware communication systems. Prior to working with CSI David worked for a Manufacturer of marine boating products for 25+ years. David brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the areas of strategic planning and financial budgeting analysis. David is currently involved with the CASA ( Court appointed Special Advocates) in Placer County. David always wanted to give back to his community and working with CASA and Taylor House are a perfect avenue for doing so. David lives in Loomis with his wife Stacey and their twin boys.
Sherry Graham
Sherry retired from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2010 and moved to Placer County in 2005. Sherry offers a diverse set of skills in business operations, human resources, budget and coordinating large events. Sherry began volunteering at the Taylor House since it opened its doors in 2012 and served three consecutive terms as the Board Treasurer from 2014 - 2020. She admires Lisa’s dedication and commitment to the mission of the Taylor House and finds it rewarding to contribute to the success of the young women who benefit from their residency. Sherry lives in Lincoln with her husband, Bill and two dogs. In her free time, Sherry loves spending time with her family, friends, working on home projects, sewing, cooking, and entertaining.
Sherry retired from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2010 and moved to Placer County in 2005. Sherry offers a diverse set of skills in business operations, human resources, budget and coordinating large events. Sherry began volunteering at the Taylor House since it opened its doors in 2012 and served three consecutive terms as the Board Treasurer from 2014 - 2020. She admires Lisa’s dedication and commitment to the mission of the Taylor House and finds it rewarding to contribute to the success of the young women who benefit from their residency. Sherry lives in Lincoln with her husband, Bill and two dogs. In her free time, Sherry loves spending time with her family, friends, working on home projects, sewing, cooking, and entertaining.
Britt Noel
Britt is a former California resident who now lives in Italy with her fiance and has worked in social media content creation in Los Angeles, around the US, in Asia and Europe for the last 8 years. She is also a former foster youth and met Lisa through the CASA program in 2007. After living and working in Tibet for a year, Britt was inspired to focus more on nonprofits and projects closer to her heart. As a photographer and videographer, she enjoys telling the stories of people whose stories should be told and more importantly need to be heard. In her down time she enjoys traveling, lots of cheese, hiking and camping with her two dogs, and playing ukulele for anyone who doesn’t mind an off key note here and there.
Britt is a former California resident who now lives in Italy with her fiance and has worked in social media content creation in Los Angeles, around the US, in Asia and Europe for the last 8 years. She is also a former foster youth and met Lisa through the CASA program in 2007. After living and working in Tibet for a year, Britt was inspired to focus more on nonprofits and projects closer to her heart. As a photographer and videographer, she enjoys telling the stories of people whose stories should be told and more importantly need to be heard. In her down time she enjoys traveling, lots of cheese, hiking and camping with her two dogs, and playing ukulele for anyone who doesn’t mind an off key note here and there.
To donate your time, money, or services:
Contact Founder and Executive Director Lisa Peat at (916) 947-8823 or founder@thetaylorhouse.org
Mail Donations to The Taylor House | P.O. Box 853 | Roseville, CA 95678
Supporting the Taylor House, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. EIN 46-0748514
Contact Founder and Executive Director Lisa Peat at (916) 947-8823 or founder@thetaylorhouse.org
Mail Donations to The Taylor House | P.O. Box 853 | Roseville, CA 95678
Supporting the Taylor House, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. EIN 46-0748514
