Meet Our Board
Todd Fagan, President, Member of Board since 2023
Todd is working in a management role at Southern California Edison, where his experience spans over 25 years in both Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, as well as Operations. He also has additional professional experience as a Human Resources Director in a previous position. Through a church event he was introduced to the Elizabeth House in the mid- 90’s and began to volunteer resume writing and interviewing skills building classes to the residents, and finally stepped onto the Elizabeth House Board in 1998 where he served as a Board Member or Chairperson until 2006.
Todd also volunteered heavily in Youth Ministry from 2004 until 2020, serving as a small group leader and missions trip leader, as well as served on various church boards and committees, occasionally teaching as well. He started a small non-profit business to “serve those that serve”, and set-up a “camp style” day camp for kids with special needs, one of which he ran for 6 years. Todd lives in Glendora, CA, with his wife of 37 years, Kim; and they are very proud of their two adult children and everything they have become!
Greg Smith, Treasurer, Member of Board since 2023
Greg is Senior Vice President of Banc of California’s Digital Banking and Strategy team. Based in Pasadena, he is responsible for the bank’s digital vision, product ownership and design for all the bank’s digital properties. In this role Greg oversees the bank’s growth and development of new digital capabilities that help to meet evolving client needs. In addition, Greg is at the forefront of the bank’s fintech and partnership engagements, meant to ensure that the newest technology solutions are being reviewed and implemented. As a recognized thought leader in the digital banking industry, Greg routinely presents at banking forums and conferences on all topics related to digital transformation.
Prior to Banc of California, Greg worked at City National Bank in Los Angeles, where he spent five years as a senior vice president leading the Digital Channels and Innovation team. He was responsible for the successful launch of their mobile app in June 2020, and has overseen the migration of all City National client applications to the Azure Cloud within the last year. Prior to joining City National, he served as head of digital platforms at Transamerica, where he oversaw the delivery of a new digital platform for the company’s 16 million customers, including an award-winning mobile app experience.
Through nearly 20 years in management, he has developed large-scale high-performing teams, and mentored colleagues of all levels. Greg is very passionate about leadership, career advocacy and development. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael’s College. He lives in La Canada, CA, with his wife and son.
Vanessa Burnett, Secretary, Member of Board since 2020
Vanessa joined Bridge Advisory (formerly Penniall & Associates), her first job in investment management, in March 2008, just months before the financial crisis and the Great Recession. Instead of scaring her, the event turned financial planning into a calling. She saw how a good plan and the right behavior could help investors ride out the roughest patches in the market.
Before joining Bridge, Vanessa worked for several years at Mercer Consulting, a global human-resource firm. She graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Soon after, she married her best friend from high school (Ryan Burnett) and settled in the Foothill Communities where she grew up. She and her husband have two children, Taylor and Drew and live in Montrose where they love to hike, swim, golf, and have dance parties in the living room. Vanessa earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificate in 2011. She holds a California Life, Health and Disability insurance license.
Vanessa has been supporting Elizabeth House for over 10 years as a donor and volunteer.
Dr. Margaret Lee, Member of Board since 2021
Margaret Lee, Ph.D., MSW, is an assistant professor in the Masters in Social Work Department at Azusa Pacific University. As a macro social worker, she has worked in both local government and non-profit sectors, with expertise in policy analysis and implementation, strategic planning and non-profit development, and program management. She works as an advisor to local non-profits and is currently a project manager with Making Housing and Community Happen, a faith-based housing justice organization. Her research interests include mental health policy, housing policy, and faith-based strategies for social and racial justice. As an educator, she has taught a variety of courses in both BSW and MSW programs, and is the course lead for Diversity and Social Justice, Social Welfare Policy and Policy Practice, and Organizational Behavior and Management. She is the co-founder and co-chair of the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter’s Policy Consortium.
Philandria Washington, Elizabeth House Alumna, Member of Board since 2023
Philandria joined the Elizabeth House Board of Directors in February 2023. She manages affordable and luxury apartment complexes in the greater Los Angeles area and finds great pleasure in ensuring her properties run smooth and tenants, as well as owners, are happy. She is the owner of Integrity Business Consulting, a firm that specializes in business plan creation and execution. She loves helping small business owners accomplish their goals and make their dreams come true. She services a wide range of clients which include martial arts studios, catering companies and homeless shelters. As an alumnus of the Elizabeth House, she knows all too well what it is like to be homeless while pregnant. In November of 2011 she found herself 3 months pregnant with nowhere to sleep but her car. She was referred to the Elizabeth House and the rest was history. The Elizabeth House taught her how to manage a household, parenting skills, emotional intelligence, financial literacy and most important how to build a strong relationship with God.
She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA with 8 brothers and sisters. She loves to read, listen to music, and have “Beach Days” with her children. She has 3 children which are her pride and joy. Frankie Washington is currently attending Santa Monica Community College and plans to transfer to UCLA to major in Engineering. Passion Washington just got accepted to Chapman Dodge Film School and will be starting her college journey soon. And the Elizabeth House baby, Angel Washington, loves acting. She has played The Sultan in Aladdin and is currently preparing for a role in The Lion King. Philandria is now ready to give her time, energy, and knowledge to assist the Elizabeth House in giving pregnant women who are homeless the shelter and support they so desperately need.
Stephen Hiura, Member of Board since 2023
As a civil litigation defense attorney for over 32 years, Stephen has represented and defended individuals, corporations, public and nonprofit entities, including but not limited to, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the YMCA. Stephen currently serves on the board of Compton Metro Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit Christian organization, and previously served on the board of Pasadena American Little League as Executive Safety Officer. The Lord has blessed Stephen and wife Christy (volunteer with Elizabeth House, Wish of a Lifetime, Sierra Madre Library) with two sons, Zachary (Point Loma Nazarene University) and Lucas (Gonzaga University). Stephen’s desire is to put into practice whatever he has learned, received, heard, or seen from God every day. (Philippians 4:9)
Dr. Paul Gore, Member of Board since 2023
Paul Gore, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in many different capacities and served diverse populations for over 35 years in behavioral health. Most recently Paul spent 15 years as behavioral health director at a large community clinic in the Hollywood area. Directing a staff of wide ranging disciplines, Paul helped to create a fully integrated program with medical services, incorporating a model which utilized both eastern and western methods and philosophies and a variety of services. He also developed and incorporated a much desired intern training program. Paul also worked as a medical psychologist in several area hospitals and medical clinics, specializing in pain management in addition to maintaining a private practice for many years. He has also worked in educational and psychiatric settings as teacher and counselor. In addition to his PhD and psychology license, Paul holds two masters degrees, an MFT license and a post doctoral certification in health care management and leadership from UCLA. Recently retired from full-time work, Paul leads an active life beginning with a daily morning hike and meditation. Maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance is paramount. He has completed seven LA Marathons, is active in the theater community, performing in plays and staged readings, does part-time consultation work and is an avid traveler. He and Cheryl live in Pasadena and between them are blessed with 3 beautiful daughters and 3 beautiful granddaughters around which their life revolves!
Dr. Jennifer Vaughn, Member of Board since 2024
Jennifer Vaughn, Ph.D., LMFT, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. At Pepperdine, Jennifer teaches courses in Research Methodology and Diagnostic Skills for aspiring Marriage and Family Therapists. Jennifer’s research reflects her commitment to studying issues of race, sociopolitical context, and immigration as they relate to preschool-aged children of immigrants’ health. She emphasizes unpacking these multidimensional issues and translating findings into tangible and accessible recommendations to support children of immigrants’ development through prevention, early detection, and intervention efforts at the communal level. Clinically, Jennifer has a background in crisis intervention and stabilization for people struggling with acute mental health concerns. Over the years, this has included working as a crisis counselor in the Emergency Department, providing in-home service for children and families in crisis, and partnering with the Pasadena Police Department to provide counseling for first-time offending youth. As a private practitioner, Jennifer now works to treat anxiety disorders and relationship strain in adolescents, adults, and couples.
Jenny Stanley, Member of Board since 2025
Born in Pasadena and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Jenny graduated from Pomona College, of the Claremont Colleges, and began her career working for the California State Legislature. There she met her husband, Anthony, and a few years later she took time off to raise their young children. She reentered the workforce as an event planner and then worked for a decade as a project and business manager for a local interior design firm.
She’s now working as a residential real estate agent with Compass, Pasadena. In 2021, she was asked to join a team with Bill Podley to represent the William Carey International University in a project to divest the WCIU of approximately 70 properties in North Pasadena. Most recently, the Podley team was contracted by the City of Pasadena to list a portion of the “Caltrans” homes.
Community involvement has been a priority for her over the years, volunteering for "MomCo" (formerly MOPS International), a non-profit organization that encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders, and also at Chandler School, where her children attended K-8. Her passion extends to supporting Elizabeth House, a home for pregnant homeless women in Pasadena, where she is a board member and volunteer of more than 15 years including as chair of their annual gala and other fundraisers. A 20-year member of Christ Church Sierra Madre, she served on various committees and helps coordinate dinners for large fellowship events. She enjoys entertaining friends and family, mentoring young people, cooking and traveling.