Dianne Callister – Director

With her life growing out of being abandoned at a Salvation Army hospital as a baby and spending time in foster homes, Dianne believes strongly in giving back to her community and improving lives through improving opportunity. As the President and Executive Director of The Singer Foundation, she directs millions of dollars to service projects around the world.  The Singer Foundation’s  latest endeavor is Project:GIVE, a program that helps middle school children develop an ability and passion to solve problems in their communities.

Dianne is also the founder of White Wings and Silver Strings, a non-profit organization that brings music to the inner-city children of Los Angeles in conjunction with the Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra. She also serves on the board of the LDSSC at Claremont Graduate University.

Javier Rodriguez – Regional Coordinator

Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles since the age of two, Javier had a unique social education growing up. As a child he learned and was influenced by many different cultures. Despite growing up in a home were only spanish was spoken, it quickly became apparent that he had a gift for languages. During his high school years he attended high schools in many different parts of Los Angeles: Garfield High in East Los Angeles, Crenshaw High in Los Angeles and Bell High in the city of Bell. All these experiences made him realize and understand the lives of others.

While the Regional Coordinator for Project Give, Javier is also a full time student majoring in international relations. Fluent in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, he is currently studying French with plans to learn Arabic.

Mud Baron

University of California Master gardener and builder of school gardens for kids in LA. Mud and his students can be found at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Sundays with their David Austin Roses and heirloom dahlias. During the week Mud fills his time by being the Green Policy Director for LAUSD School Board Member Margueritte P LaMotte. They are greening LAUSD one tomato, waxflower & dahlia at a time.

Drs. Gary and Francis Thompson

Dr.s’ Gary and Frances Thompson recieved their doctoral degrees in clinical psychology in Los Angeles, CA and have devoted the majority of their clincial research, training and consultation services to the development and treatment of children and teenagers.
They currently reside in San Francisco, CA with plans to establish private practices in California and Salt Lake City at the conclusion of their Residency. They are the parents of three wonderful children with a new baby on the way.

Daniel Ornelas – Technical Advisor

A Web start-up entrepreneur working to bridge the technological and ecological divides that exist in modern children’s lives. A former student of Gage Jr. High School, Daniel strongly believes that bringing opportunities at a young age creates endless possibilities.

Kristen Montgomery

From a long line of pioneer farmers, chefs and gardeners Kristin grew up with a passion for food from the earth. Learning mushroom hunting, fishing and gardening from her parents and grandparents she and her brothers developed a love of food and the goodness of a healthy diet. Kristin has spent over 20 years marketing for Silicon Valley start-ups while using her expertise to help those in need. She has developed “teen” gardens with youth to learn to garden and provide fresh food to those in the local community. Also an avid cook and pastry chef Kristin enjoys teaching teens how to cook from scratch and the importance of whole food in a young person’s diet.