Board & Volunteers

Co-Founder Kathryn “Kathy” Goodspeed, a graduate of Northern Illinois University degreed in Education with specialty in working with deaf/blind and blind children established a nonprofit pre-school for deaf/blind and blind children in Orange County, CA called Blind Children’s Learning Center where she served as Executive Director and CEO. She served on the Board of Family Resource Center, Family Support Network and California Deaf Blind Services. She is an author and lecturer on deaf/blind and blind children education and development. Kathy is the Co-Founder of Senior Alliance For Empowerment (SAFE) 501c3 nonprofit charity whose mission is to provide for and protect at risk seniors and veterans of extremely and acutely low income.  This charity has provided over $1,000,000 in its short lifetime to keep our seniors and veterans free from the fear of homelessness.  
Co-Founder James “Jim” Wolf  is a graduate of Michigan State University degreed in business with emphasis on marketing and finance, with an MBA from Harvard’s traveling program through MSU’s Oakland branch. Jim was the district manager for Youngstown Steel, a national marketing manager for AA Gage division of U. S. Industries,  the president and CEO of Kaltenbach America, a German based manufacturer.  He is an author, lecturer and consultant on the quantification of decision making in manufacturing. Jim is the Co-founder and Treasurer of Senior Alliance For Empowerment.  He managed finances, created operation forms, researched applicable laws and prepared required reports for grantors.
President Richard Sauer – Retired Ventura County Fire Department Richard Sauer, now retired from the Ventura County Fire Department, dedicated 34 years to serving the citizens of Ventura County, earning a reputation as a compassionate and selfless public servant. Known for consistently putting others before himself, he developed a special passion for supporting senior citizens—making it his mission to ensure they feel safe, valued, and cared for. Richard strongly believes that seniors deserve attention, respect, and assistance in maintaining their homes so they can live safely and with dignity. In 2022, he was invited by the founders of Senior Alliance for Empowerment (SAFE) to join their team and continue the impactful work the organization has been doing since 2013. He currently serves as President, carrying forward SAFE’s commitment to empowering and supporting the senior community.
Vice PresidentVictor D. Abrunzo, Jr., B.S., M.B.A., J.D., is a retired attorney. A former Lecturer at Golden Gate University and credentialed Adult School Teacher and Vice‑Principal, he has spent much of his life helping others find stability, opportunity, and dignity. For nearly eighteen years, Victor has served as a founder and now Vice President of SAFE, advocating for very low‑income seniors in East Ventura County’s mobile home parks. A disabled Vietnam‑Era veteran, he offers support to fellow veterans whenever he can. Through nearly two decades of volunteer work in California’s prison system, he continues to champion second chances and the belief that people can rebuild their lives.  
Treasurer  Anna Merriman was born and raised in Inglewood, CA, and graduated from Cal State University Long Beach with a degree in Physical Education and English. She spent 5o years in public education as a teacher, school counselor, assistant principal in Conejo Valley Unified School District and principal of Moorpark High School. Upon retirement, Anna spent the next 10 years mentoring new administrators. After hearing SAFE’s mission, she knew she had found an organization that gives her great joy.
Director
Gina Heninger has served on the SAFE Board of Directors since 2018, bringing a diverse professional background in education, software development, and information technology. She currently serves as Identity Program Manager at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Inspired by SAFE’s dedication to supporting disadvantaged elderly individuals, she joined the organization to help amplify its impact. As part of her early contributions, she developed SAFE’s first website, strengthening outreach efforts and creating new opportunities for community engagement and donations.
Director
As someone in the real estate industry, Michael Radonic understands that a home is far more than a place—he has seen how deeply it’s tied to dignity, stability, and independence. He believes every senior deserves the option to age in place, remaining in the home and community they know and love with security and confidence. After a lifetime of contributing to their families, communities, and country, they deserve support—not the burden of navigating these challenges alone. Serving SAFE allows Michael to help preserve that sense of home, dignity, and independence in a meaningful way.
DirectorBill Ochs has worked at CSU Channel Islands for more than 15 years and holds four degrees, along with multiple professional certificates. As an Information Technology Technician, he plays an important role in supporting CI’s student success mission by ensuring that faculty and staff have fully functional computers, tools, and devices. Known as a personable and approachable IT technician, Bill makes an effort to get to know each individual he supports. He focuses on resolving technology issues efficiently while making sure people feel heard, respected, and satisfied throughout the process. Bill believes campus technology should enhance the learning experience, not get in the way of it. He enjoys teaching and training colleagues, and he is committed to continual learning, regularly expanding his skills through college coursework and online training. In his spare time, Bill enjoys collecting vintage video game consoles and pursuing personal growth and self improvement.   
VolunteerTrevor Pereira is a financial services professional, bringing to SAFE a representation of the credit union mission of ‘people helping people.’ Serving as a director of SAFE allows him to live out the broader mission of serving people and strengthening communities through the shared value of Community and Care. Grounded in the cooperative philosophy of the credit union movement, he is committed to promoting financial well-being, inclusion, and long-term sustainability.
Trevor was born and raised in Thousand Oaks and is happy to lend his skills and expertise coupled with a desire to serve those who need it the most on this foundation
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