MEET THE TEAM
DEE DUNCAN- Executive Director
Dee founded the New Directions organization in 1985 and
continues to inspire others and dedicate herefforts to accomplishing our
mission. When not immersed in ND work, Dee enjoys traveling with her husband
(they have a house in Italy!), restoring their 1920’s California
bungalow, gourmet cooking, gardening and is actively involved in the Santa
Barbara community as founder of the Santa Barbara Bungalow Haven group.
JEANNE
MOHLE -
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations
Jeanne is responsible for the day to day functioning of the office
and the daily operations of the organization as a whole. This is especially
helpful to NEW DIRECTIONS and to Dee Duncan personally since Dee's fundraising
activities requires her to be out of the office more and more. As you
may recall, Jeanne started with ND as a tour guide in 1995. Due to her
many talents, intelligence and dedication she has steadily advanced to
positions of more responsibility as Program Manager and Senior Program
Manager. Any of us here at the office will tell you that, "Jeanne
makes this place tick!" In her spare time
she enjoys taking her two little dogs for beach walks and riding her scooter.
DANNA
MEAD - Program Director
Danna has been in the full time Program Manager position
with ND since 2000. She has consistently provided perfectly outstanding service and produced
exceptionally high quality tours. No matter what, she always produces
the desired result! Danna is extremely bright, a wonderful team player,
has a delightful personality, and is fiercely capable. For example, just
some of what she does in her "spare" time is scuba dive, travel
all over the world, and leads workshops on Women Traveling Alone! She
is a quiet dynamo; very well respected, and very much deserves her promotion to Program Director. As Program Director, Danna will be directly
in charge of all program staff, she will be responsible for the overall
success of all tours, day excursions, events and all other program activities.
We look forward to Danna’s professional leadership in this very demanding
position.
KALEENA
QUARLES
–
Program Manager.
Kaleena is a recent honors graduate of the University of California at
Santa Barbara with academic excellence in the double majors of Communications
and Writing. She is a "go getter" and an absolutely delightful
human being and you can expect great things for ND’s programs as
a result of her wonderful energy!
COLETTE
PIACENTINI - Business Manager
Colette came out of retirement in 2000 to work for ND after
many years of involvement in accounting and administrative activities
for non-profits serving people with disabilities. She likes the challenges
and rewards of her position and loves to witness the joy and excitement
of the travelers departing on tours. She has lived in Santa Barbara with
her big family for over 45 years and if she is not working in the office
or her garden at home, she is probably hiking the hills with her dogs.
She is also the one with the lovely French accent!
DAWN
COVEY - Administrative Assistant
Most of you are familiar with Dawn as the cheerful voice
greeting you when you call the office. Beginning in this entry-level position
of part time Receptionist in 2006, Dawn has learned a great deal and in
the process taken on more and more responsibilities. In addition to her
reception duties, she now manages the Office Assistant’s Program,
assists the Executive Director with supporting the board of directors,
public relations, special events, marketing and fundraising duties, and
assists the Program Managers by maintaining the vehicles, organizing tour
supplies, and is directly in charge of the Holiday Happiness Secret Santa,
Wish List, and Stocking programs. When her duties allow, she also fills
in as a tour guide and has shown a very special talent in this area. Needless
to say, this "Jill of all Trades" has certainly earned her recent
promotion to Administrative Assistant. We look forward to more of the
ways that Dawn will contribute to the success of ND!