President & CEO
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Rick holds
a bachelor's of science in political science and history as well
as master's in psychology. Rick began as a teacher in the Oakland
school system before leaving to pursue a career in the non-profit
sector. He served as both executive director of the San Mateo and
San Francisco Chapters of the American Heart Association before
being promoted to Senior Vice President in charge of all American
Heart Association's California affiliates. Rick became the Executive
Director of Special Olympics Northern California when California
was divided into Northern and Southern regions in 1995. Given little
more than a blank canvas, Rick orchestrated the record growth of
Special Olympics Northern California. What began as a successful
grassroots, volunteer-driven organization has fully blossomed into
a structure comprised of seven regions covering Northern California
and the State of Nevada, with up to 50 paid staff members. Headquartered
in Pleasant Hill, California (with 6 regional offices), Special
Olympics Northern California provides services to more than 13,000
athletes in Northern California and more than 3,000 athletes in
Nevada. With an annual budget of $7 million, it ranks among the
largest and most successful Special Olympics chapters in the world.
Executive Vice President
Mary Beth McMahon began volunteering for Special Olympics while getting
her bachelor of art's degree in finance from Providence College in Rhode
Island. During that time, Mary Beth was chosen as the outstanding volunteer
for Rhode Island Special Olympics. After a brief stint in serving as both
senior fund accountant and training specialist for The Boston Company, Mary
Beth returned to Special Olympics. Drawing on her experience as a college
track athlete and Special Olympics volunteer, Mary Beth served as Vice President
of Sports Programs for Special Olympics Maryland. In 1995, she became Executive
Vice President of Special Olympics Northern California, where she has been
instrumental in shepherding the organization's growth and unqualified success.
Senior
Vice President of Resource Development
Aubrey came to the Bay Area after 12 years on the Hawaiian Islands where he was
a basketball scholarship athlete for the University of Hawaii. Aubrey graduated
from the University of Hawaii with bachelor of art's degree in psychology and
a graduate degree in social work. Aubrey was the Director of Youth Programs for
a community health center and developed school-based primary health care and
prevention programs as well as youth sports leagues. Aubrey also was one of 15
researchers from throughout the country that were selected to attend the prestigious
Community Fellows Program for community practitioners at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. Aubrey later moved to the Bay Area and accepted the Executive
Director's position with Camp Fire Boys and Girls. In 2001, Aubrey accepted the
position with Special Olympics Northern California as the Regional Vice President
for the Silicon Valley Region. In 2004, Aubrey was promoted to Vice President
of the West Region. Later that year, Aubrey received the prestigious President's
Award from Special Olympics Northern California. In 2006, Aubrey was promoted
to Senior Vice President of Resource Development, managing the local vision,
field offices staff, and resource development programs, and also overseeing multiple
fundraising events and initiatives throughout Northern California.
Vice
President, Sports
Matt Cohen grew up in the suburbs of San Diego and started
volunteering for Special Olympics at the age of 14. After graduating
from Humboldt State University with a degree in Physical Education,
Matt returned to San Diego and worked as an athletic director
for a community center and coached basketball, track & field,
and cross country at a local high school. After 11 years working as an Athletic
Director, Matt moved to the Bay Area and came to Special Olympics Northern California
as the Regional Sports Director for the Silicon Valley Region. After just three
years in our Silicon Valley office, Matt was promoted to Vice President of Sports,
heading the organization's sports training and competition programs throughout
Northern California and Nevada. Matt draws upon his athletic and coaching experiences
to help benefit our athletes and volunteers, not to mention leading all of our
dedicated sports staff members on a daily basis to provide our excellent Special
Olympics programs.
Chief
Financial Officer
Mike proudly hails from the "Show Me" state (Missouri), where devotion
and focus to doing what's right seems to come naturally. Mike's diligence and
financial acumen has helped lead Special Olympics Northern California to be a
consistently financially stable organization. As chief financial officer, he
has helped keep our administrative expenses lower than most non-profits of our
size and budget. Mike holds a bachelor of science in accounting from the University
of Central Missouri. He is the former controller for the California Rural Legal
Assistance Program and worked for The American Heart Association in San Diego
and Hawaii before becoming accounting manager for AHA's California affiliate
located in Burlingame. Mike spends his recreational time coaching youth baseball.
He has four kids, two of whom have learning or developmental disabilities. Vice President,
Public Relations and Communications
Kirsten brings more than 20 years experience in strategic planning,
business communications, community relations and public relations
to Special Olympics. Her expertise includes 10 years of providing
strategic communication counsel to executive leadership as
Director of Corporate Communications for Kaiser Permanente,
the nation's largest non-for-profit health maintenance organization.
She also ran her own public relations/marketing company for
several years with a special focus on community work in addition
to working with clientele in the health care and fitness
industries. Kirsten has a background in journalism and enjoyed
past responsibilities as a business reporter for the San
Francisco Business Times, and managing editor of the New
Mexico Business Journal. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism
and a master's in health services administration. |
