Patricia Jones - Founder P.S. I Love You Foundation, Author Love4Life SEL Series, Educational Rights Holder, Certified DEI Professional, Foster Youth Advocate
Patricia founded P.S. I Love You Foundation in 1998 and has dedicated over 23 years to the development and implementation of effective Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs in Title 1 Schools and shelters across Southern California to benefit underserved youth. Together, with PS I Love You Foundation’s dedicated board members and passionate volunteers, she has been successful in educating the hearts and minds over 20,000 youth to date. With Patricia at the helm, the foundation has consistently grown in terms of programs, volunteers, corporate partnerships and community outreach.

Patricia also teaches Corporate Resilience Workshops and is the author of a Social Emotional Learning series called Love4Life; teaching what text-books can’t. Patricia graduated with a Health Fitness degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts where she wrote and implemented one of General Electric’s first Corporate Employee Fitness Program and Smoking Cessation. She is an Educational Right Holder and is part of the Foster Care Legal Network and Human Tracking Legal Network. She holds her Professional Diversity Certification, CBEST License, Trauma Informed, and Real Estate License.

Patricia’s most valued work is as a wife, a mother, an educator, and a philanthropist.

John Arensdorf

John began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1987, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Business Economics. Over the next 30 years John has worked as an advisor at New York Life, Prudential Securities and Union Banc Investments prior to coming to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. In 1999 John earned the Certified Financial Planner CFP® certification. Over the span of John’s career, he has worked with clients to deliver the personalized investment planning that his clients deserve.

John is a Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors in El Segundo. He and his wife Karen live in Manhattan Beach with their three daughters. John has enjoyed coaching each of his daughters in soccer, softball, and basketball. He is involved in various charity events and is a past board member for Switzer Learning Center in Torrance.

*Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Vanessa Reyes Smith - Board President

 Vanessa Reyes Smith is currently the Director of Engagement at American Martyrs Catholic Community.  During her 30+ year career in entertainment publicity, she was responsible for the successful execution of publicity campaigns, integrated marketing, events, and talent relations both domestically and internationally for blue-chip companies like Viacom, the Screen Actors Guild, BET, AMC, and Fox Broadcasting Company.  Vanessa resides in Hermosa Beach, California with her husband and son.

Renee Middendorf
Renee started volunteering with PS I Love You Foundation in August 2022 with a focus on Accounting and Technology. She has maintained her own consulting business since 2013 and has worked on an array of projects for studios, post-production houses, and consulting firms with a focus on operational efficiency, system implementations, and financial analysis and forecasting. From 2017 through 2021, Renee joined a tech start-up and acted as the Chief Operating Officer, overseeing Finance, Accounting, Technology, Operations/Supply Chain, and Human Resources. She worked as an Executive Director of Global Sourcing at Paramount Pictures from 2010 to 2013, supporting all technology-related services for the studio. From 2005 through 2010 she was employed by a boutique consultancy (purchased by Cognizant Technology Solutions) with a focus on strategic planning and budgeting for technology departments and project management office (PMO) services in the media and entertainment sector. She holds an MBA.from The University of Texas at Austin and a BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Brian DeCato

A former college athlete, Brian has dedicated his career to fitness and physical well-being with a special focus on youth programming.  Prior to being on the Board at PSILY, Brian has been a Regional Director for Equinox Fitness and Senior Vice President at The Bay Club.  Brian has also been honored as the 2011 Champion of Youth by the Venice Boys and Girls Club and recognized by the city of Los Angeles in 2012 for his actions helping the youth in Southern California.  He spends his free time with his wife, daughter and dog supporting Redondo Beach however possible and at the beach with friends and family.  Brian understands first hand the benefit of strong SEL programming with all youth and is thankful for the opportunity to be on the Board.

Sean Dixon

Sean Dixon is a Police Officer with the City of Gardena with more than 17 years of experience, shared between the Monterey Park Police Department and the Gardena Police Department. He also teaches in the Law Enforcement Training Program at El Camino College. Sean has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Union University and is a California P.O.S.T (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified training instructor. Sean developed and helped form the Gardena/Hawthorne Mental Evaluation Team (GHMET). GHMET is collaboration between the Gardena Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. He is also a member of Lions Club International.

Sean is the recipient of two Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) Centurion Awards. Sean is a founding member and former Cub-Master for Cub-Scouts Pack 135, Boy Scouts of America and continues to work in the community and serves on the City of Gardena’s Human Services Commission. Sean currently sits on the board for the Los Angeles County Mental Evaluation Team Association and currently holds the position of Co-Director.

Jeffrey A. Dooley
CPA, MBA, MA

Jeff first met Patricia Jones (Patty) when they were around eight years old…since then…

Jeff received his BS in Accounting from Fairfield University and started his career at Deloitte.  After obtaining his CPA (NY, CA, TX, CT), he received his MBA from NYU in International Finance.  Jeff then added a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine and is a licensed therapist in CA & TX.  He also has a Masters in Tax from Northeastern specializing in Estate Planning.

He has run his own consulting firm specializing in high net-worth and entertainment clients along with start-up companies for over 15 years.

His psych degree has led him to his own private practice in Austin with an emphasis in High School Students, Couples & Business People.  Prior to moving to Austin, he ran an Adolescent Eating Disorder Program in Beverly Hills.  His current passion is the creation and establishment of the Mental Health Program at Community First!-Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin.

Jeff has also quietly gotten to run his own indie entertainment & production company (prodromal productions) for the last ten years.

But most importantly, his greatest accomplishments are his marriage to his wife Miranda and their two children, Luciana & Kaspian.  All of which was initiated by Patty (she will and does take full credit, always), and he will be forever indebted to her, because he & Miranda first met at P.S. I Love You event way back in 2009.

Mark Racunas

Mark Racunas is one of Alliant Insurance Services SVP’s in charge of developing new business relationships in the marketplace. Drawing on his background of over 25 years of professional high level sales and client service experience, Mr. Racunas focuses on identifying and resolving risk management issues for various industries. He has earned the professional designation of Certified Insurance Counselor. Mark is responsible solely to his clients for oversight and delivery of creative insurance solutions. Mark’s experience spans a diverse range of industries, from regional family owned companies to publicly held multi-national clients. Drawing from his experiences, Mark leverages Alliant’s comprehensive and responsive resources to drive meaningful results for clients. B.A. | University of Kansas — Political Science

Julie Aksoy, MA
Program Evaluation Manager at Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Julie Aksoy is the Program Evaluation Manager at Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national organization that works with schools, companies, community orgs, healthcare professionals and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids. Julie works with the evaluation and data team and manages the design and implementation of evaluation strategies, systems and processes for all programs and initiatives across the organization. Prior the Alliance, Julie was the Program Evaluation Specialist for Beach Cities Health District, a local public health agency that works to create a healthy beach community in Redondo, Hermosa & Manhattan Beaches. 

Julie’s passion in life is to work with organizations that focus on the health and wellbeing of youth. She believes that with the right conditions and the right people around them, all children can develop in a positive way that allows them to thrive. She earned her Master’s degree in Child Developmental Psychology and Program Evaluation at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, CA, and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA.

Mary Mullenhof

Mary Mullenhoff is a Human Capital Management advisor.  She has over 20-years of experience serving small to medium sized businesses in Southern California. Mary is a seasoned professional, having advised businesses in diverse industries throughout their business life cycle: start-up, growth, restructuring, acquisitions and exits.  She advises business owners at the intersection of business operations, systems/technology and human capital.  

She is active in her community and coordinates a Women’s Business Network, supports entrepreneurs and accomplished business leaders through the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards and the LA Business Journal CFO awards.  

She's been involved with numerous philanthropic Boards of Directors.  She is passionate about helping children in need, education and seniors, through organizations such as PS I Love You Foundation, Minds Matter, Learning Rights Law Center, and American Martyrs School.  

Mary came to the USA with her family at the age of six and was the first in her family to graduate from college.  She received a B.S. in Economics and Education from Cornell University.

Kathleen Terry

Kathleen is founder and Executive Director of Participative Management Systems a training and development company that provides coaching, leadership development and team building programs to high-tech firms, local and metropolitan city and county governments, leading defense/aerospace contractors and major health management organizations. She has over 30 years’ experience in the training and development field and in coaching nonprofits to develop the infrastructure necessary to fulfill their potential. She has a Masters in Psychology with a Concentration in Multicultural Relations. and certificates in Managing in Multicultural Work Environments and Engineering Management. 

Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams grew up in Omaha, Nebraska but has lived in the South Bay for over 25 years. She is the Executive Director of MBX Foundation supporting Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s student and parent community. MBX administers MBX Summer School on the Mira Costa campus, after school enrichment programs on elementary campuses and serves as the umbrella 501c3 for all MBUSD booster clubs and volunteer organizations.

Jennifer graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a degree in Journalism and has two grown children, Ethan and Audrey, who attended MBUSD schools. She currently lives in Redondo Beach with her golden retriever puppy, Ozzie, and two cats, Frankie and Charlie. She is passionate about ensuring all students are provided the opportunity to learn both academic and social emotional skills needed to manage the ups and downs of a full and rewarding life. She believes all students deserve this foundation for success.