Jay Kolvoord
Chief Executive Officer
In Jay’s 10-year career at Strategies to Empower People Inc, he has held the roles of Facilitator, Enhanced Program Manager, Program Director, Regional Director and Chief Operations Officer. With over 30 years’ experience in human services, behavioral support and crisis management, Jay ensures quality person-centered services and supports for people, not labels. Jay’s current role provides organizational oversight and supports to a dynamic and eclectic team of directors, managers, supervisors, and Direct Support Professionals.
John Angelonides
CFO
My background includes over 35 year of accounting and finance experience in the environmental services and construction industries. At Strategies to Empower People, my role involves overseeing accounting, finance, asset management, contract management and IT management.
I chose Strategies to Empower People because of the desire to be part of a team that truly makes a difference in the community helping the people we serve achieve independence making one’s own choice.
Jacquie Foss
Director of Public Police & Board President
My primary focus is on advocacy, finances and team management. Well, I founded the agency because people that were Deaf and or Deaf/Blind with an intellectual disability were undeserved and I wanted to make sure they had full communication access to all services and supports
Central Sacramento Staff
Human Resources Department
Sandra Jones
HR Executive Director
What I do for STEP: Oversee the Human Resources Department and assist Management team with employee relations. Ensure that the Company stays in compliance with all employment laws, regulations, and requirements.
Why with STEP: It’s all about the respect we have for the people we support.
Patti Dixon
Director of Benefits & Compensation
How long with STEP: 25 years
What do you do for STEP: Human Resources with emphasis in Benefits and Compensation
Why with STEP: When finishing my Bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University, I did an internship at Oregon State School for the Deaf and worked in the after school vocational program for a year. After moving to Sacramento I worked at VTE as a job coach for 5 years, and met folks from STEP (David, Stuart, Tim, Suzanne, Jerry), then came to STEP as an ILS/SLS Instructor. After a few years moved into HR.
DaLonna Butler
Human Resources Regional Manager
What you do for STEP: Conduct Human Resources functions for the agency including but not limited to, recruitment and on-boarding of employees, employee relations, workers compensation, and office management.
Why with STEP: I am happy to work for a company that empowers and supports both its employees and the individuals we support.
Human Resources Manager
Lydia Edinborough
Human Resources Manager
At Strategies to Empower People, my role involves Employee Relations, Reasonable Accommodations Requests, Leaves of Absences including (but not limited to) FMLA, CFRA, PDL, NPLA, etc., Internal Investigations, and Liaison on a Variety of Employment Issues.
I chose Strategies to Empower People because of my positive personal experiences with the supports and services our company provides to its clientele and my drive to ensure the continued success of our company.
My hobby since I was a wee bit of a girl is creating clothing from clothes for my baby dolls to a wedding dress for my sister and a variety of draperies designs for my home, all using my grandmother’s hand crank Singer sewing machine.
Jeff Brown
Hiring Manager
What you do for STEP: Helps oversees the interviewing, hiring and onboarding of new employees for the agency.
Why with STEP: Because I want to make sure my time spent working is making an actual difference in someone’s life
Jenny Havery
Human Resources Assistant
What you do for Strategies to Empower People: Assisting HR when needed, but my main focus is as a benefits representative: helping with enrollments, educating employees on benefits available, as well as the day-to-day operations including responding to employee’s inquiries and concerns of benefits processes, updating their benefits information, and resolving discrepancies and disputes.
Why with STEP: In addition to affordable health benefits and job stability, I stay for Strategies to Empower People’s company culture and values.
Alexandria Albers
Alexandria Albers
Human Resources Coordinator
BIO COMING SOON
Caitlin Seggerman
Caitlin Seggerman
Human Resources Coordinator
BIO COMING SOON
Finance Department
Financial Consultant
Claudia Loveless
Financial Consultant
I’ve worked in finance for my entire career. I started as a part time employee for my home town CPA while I was still in high school. Over the years I’ve worked for a software development company, a chain of women’s clothing stores, a tire recycler, a weather equipment manufacturer, a medical group and a Sacramento CPA. It was during my time with the Sacramento CPA that my relationship with STEP began. In 2005 I transitioned to STEP as a full time employee. A decision that I have never regretted. STEP is an organization that truly makes a difference in the world. I am proud to be a part of the team.
I currently manage the finance team covering all aspects of day to day processes. I oversee month end reporting, workers’ comp and pension contributions, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, quarterly payroll tax returns, billing and more.
Georgie Piegaro
Community Resource Manager
How long with STEP: Team Member since February 2007
What do you do for STEP: Management of In-Home Supportive Services to maximize agency and individual utilization of generic resources to ensure long-term stability of community living options.
Why with STEP: It’s where I was meant to be! The individuals supported by STEP have been a true Inspiration!
Sarah Graf
Billing Coordinator
I work in the finance department as a Billing Coordinator. I can assist with payroll issues, employment verifications, accounts payable, and accounts receivable inquiries. I am with STEP because I find joy in supporting our team so our staff can go out into the community and help our employers. Through my journey at STEP, I have decided to further pursue a career in finance and am currently going to school to become an accountant.
Laura Coit
Program Liaison
I chose STEP because I value what STEP stands for in regards to supporting our employers to live independently, and for the accomplishments that our employers achieve, with the right support team supporting them. I have been with STEP since September 2013
Administrative Staff
Bobbie Goodnight
Administrative Services & Facilities Manager
What do you do for STEP:
Provide organizational leadership for all STEP offices by readying the team, modeling, as well as working alongside them to demonstrate strong, yet compassionate customer focus culture with a meticulous, yet pliable framework. Improving performance activity by streamlining workflow, increasing team productivity, and securing success by creating a positive workplace experience. I also have the pleasure of organizing and planning events, parties, and team-building activities, which I truly love. As well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the multiple offices, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
After COVID-19 spun our world in ways no one could even fathom, I wanted a grander purpose. Strategies to Empower People’s vision; Where Every Moment Has Potential alone offers my soul solace. I get to be a part of a circle of professionals and employers that seek out every opportunity to engage and empower one another throughout the organization and community.
Joaquin Saucedo
IT and Assets Manager
I assist with setting up all technology devices within the company, installing new software or hardware, repairing problems, while making sure we carry out security measures for a company to protect all the network, data, and systems. As well as assist in making sure our vehicles are maintenance, and reliable.
Why do you work with STEP? Why not? I have always been a problem solver, big helper, caring, kindhearted and outgoing. Feel right at home.
Xaya Arcia
Central Front Desk
I’m the front desk receptionist and handle all incoming calls and guests
I always wanted to be able to work with the local community, especially in areas where certain demographics are under-represented
I’m a total nerd when it comes to Star Wars and Harry Potter. Gryffindor for Life!
Medical Services
Maintenance
Sacramento Region Team
Comprehensive Supports Team
Comprehensive Support Services
Diana Miller
Program Manager
I work support ILS facilitators with their caseload with their daily schedules, capture employers’ POS hours, review employers’ ERSP to update documentations/reports, QA/COS/IPP, monthly meetings, communication with director/case managers/stakeholders
I stay with STEP because communication is a key to work with and STEP is best place to work with. That always make me feel comfortable to come to work with. But other than that, I love work and interact with DD employers because they are second family to me.
Comprehensive Support Services
Ruth Henderson
Program Manager
I am a Program Manager for Housing, ILS and Employment.
I work for STEP because We are the Biggest advocates for individuals with disabilities. I also love the Heartright approach everyone on the team takes when supporting our employers.
Comprehensive Support Services
Jeremiah Perez
Program Manager II
Bio Coming Soon
Deaf Supported Living Services
Miles Noschese
Deaf Enhanced and Supportive Living Service Director
What you do for STEP: Develop focused planning, maintains positive proactive effective professional compassionate, and encouraging working relationships with employees, program participants, their families, representatives, employers, regional center case workers and community at large. This includes STEP program budget, implementation, Staff Orientations, Trainings, supervises managers, Facilitators, staff and directions its efforts on the inclusion of individual with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Creating opportunities for IDD to be recognition in the Deaf community equality, integrity, and respect between people with and without IDD in the community in State of California. Further expansion growth in our Deaf Enhanced Supported Living Service and Supported Living Service program. To engage Person-Centered approach person with IDD to have their Quality of Life just like us. Our goal of our agency is to continue our mission of inclusion in the workplace and into employers’ own home that includes their own choices and decision in their life. To develop collaboration, invest in this incredible of employers we support, and Direct Support Professional (DSP) employees to support in growth, improving, and effectively provide hiring/recruiting to support people with IDD.
Why you chose STEP: 20 years with STEP employment and plus 30 years of experiences with this Intellectual Developmental Disabilities field, I see this opportunity of motivations and enthusiasm as a way to contribute to Strategies To Empower People Deaf employers and Deaf employees we support “Mission and Values” Good Enough for Me of S.T.E.P. Strategies To Empower People is a cultural diversity and strongly encourages employees and employers growth and development strategies plan. I am convinced STEP is a strong work ethic and my commitments will enable our Deaf team to flourish to make a meaningful contribution to STEP’s company to success. “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong. Focus on what could go right”- Tiny Buddha.
Deslin Malone
Enhanced Program Manager
What you do for STEP: Support & oversees Deaf employers/employees
Why you chose STEP: Passionate about my job and the care for our people
Something fun about yourself: Love photography, hiking, traveling, and try new adventures
Nikki Beemer
Program Manager
Nikki Beemer is a Program Manager for the Deaf Unit in Supported Living Services at Strategies to Empower People. She leads a team of supervisors and direct support professionals who provide support for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Since 2017, her focus has been on the Deaf/Blind individuals with complex medical history specifically with those that have been diagnosed with Congenital Rubella Syndrome.
Hearing Supported Living Services
Tammy Smith
Program Director
- Title: Program Director Central Hearing Supportive Living Services
- What you do for STEP: I started with STEP back in 2001 wanting to work in the medical field. I started as a Direct Support Professional, Medically Fragile Job Coach, Independent Living Instructor (also with the ILS Parenting Program), Personalized Community Support Facilitator for both high behavioral and high medical, Program Manager for Central Hearing Supportive Living Services, and Program Director for Central Hearing Supportive Living Services and COVID Testing
- Why STEP: Love the mission and the advocacy.
Michelle Smith
Program Manager
Michelle’s experience includes 8 years with Strategies to Empower People Inc. Michelle graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Science and is a Certified Medical Assistant. In her time with Strategies to Empower People, Michelle has risen through the ranks, holding positions of Direct Support Professional 1-4, Community Support Facilitator and Program Manager 1. Michelle’s open approach makes her a favorite amongst employers.
Linda Glaves
Linda Glaves
Program Manager
- What do you do for STEP: I support individuals with disabilities living in their own homes, being able to get out in the community, making their own choices, with a support team using person centered active support.
- Why with STEP: Strategies To Empower People is an organization that is truly heart right about the people we support and how each person is treated with love and respect. I enjoy working with people who truly enjoy life. It’s a grand adventure
Holly Laney
Program Manager
Holly Laney began her career with STEP as a Program Manager at the height of the COVID pandemic. Despite the circumstances of her entry, she has quickly become an asset to the Unit displaying her ability to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances starting Day1. Holly began her career in Human Services in 2004 , her almost 20 year her background includes working with youth and adults. Holly specializes in working with diverse populations with challenging behaviors and traumatic backgrounds. This includes level 12-14 treatment facilities, group homes, and crisis management. Her knowledge of behavioral supports and trauma informed care are the focus in her job and the Enhanced unit. Holly’s calm and quiet demeanor, make her an asset in dealing with crisis or intense situations.
Enhanced Supported Living Services
Marshonda DeGroat
Program Manager
Marshonda DeGroat is a Program Manager in the Central Enhanced Support Living Services Unit. Her career has spanned over 15 years and she has been an asset with Strategies’ to Empower People since 2013. Marshonda graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Phoenix in 2012 and has extensive experience working with at risk and marginalized populations. In her career, she has been a DSP, DSP 4, PCSF and includes day programs and group homes in her experience. Marshonda advocates for our employers and the I/DD Community as a whole and she loves being one of the Strategies to Empower People “Steppers” (always out in the community, moving and creating change). Her upbeat style and hands on approach are her trade mark while supporting her supervisors, DSP and employer.
North Region Team
Serving the counties of: Placer, Yuba Sutter
Jennifer Zesati
Program Manager
-I oversee the DSP4 Supervisors and help support employers build a life that is their own surrounded by people they pick.
-I have loved helping people since childhood. Growing up being trilingual I always enjoyed being a resource for others to communicate and share information. More recently I’m learning about my passion to motivate others as well as teaching.
William marks
Program Support Manager
** Office management, Customer Service, support for all office units – HR, Finance, SLS, ILS and Day Services, Party and Events planning, Special Incident and APS reporting.
** Through the years, STEP has provided me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a professional. I appreciate the agency’s constant strive to provide optimal services to individuals with disabilities, along with the strive to provide favorable working opportunities for all staff.
North Bay Team
Serving the counties of: Napa, Sonoma, Solano
Nicole Geames
Nicole Geames
Program Director
Nicole Geames is the Program Director for Strategies to Empower People’s Northbay SLS and Enhanced SLS Programs. Nicole’s experience includes over 20 years of providing services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her vast experience includes an Associated Degree in Science, as well as certification as a Medical Assistant and as a CNA. She also comes with experience in SLS and Employment Services with her previous agencies. Since her hire in 2021, Nicole has held the position of Community Support Facilitator and Program Manager 1.
Michelle Kebabjian
Michelle Kebabjian
Human Resources Coordinator
What I do for STEP: Provide administrative support to North Bay office, staff, and guests
Why with STEP: It’s important to me that the company I work for supports a more inclusive world.