Our Team
Staff
Ashley Bridges, Director
Ashley Bridges became the Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes in May 2020, bringing a diverse background in both corporate and community roles. She graduated with a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Human Development from CSU Monterey Bay in 2006. Earlier in her career, she worked as a data analyst for a large defense contractor and later managed a small business and skin care line in Santa Cruz, gaining valuable experience in both strategic and operational leadership. During a period when she took time off to raise her three children, Ashley was an active member of her local PTA, serving as treasurer, managing budgets and community initiatives. Ashley resides in Watsonville with her husband and three children. Outside of work, she is an avid reader, crossword enthusiast, and enjoys playing board games with friends and family, embracing her love of indoor activities.
Cecilia Cervantes, Operations Coordinator
Cecilia Cervantes joined PVLF as a volunteer in early 2017 and later transitioned to a full-time trainee in the Kitchen Program through a partnership with the Center for Employment Training. Cecilia brings valuable experience from her previous work in the local agricultural and retail sectors. Today, she coordinates volunteers, oversees food inventory, playing a key role in keeping operations running smoothly. In her free time, Cecilia is a master at sudoku and crossword puzzles, and she's an avid San Francisco Giants fan.
Jeanette Arias, Kitchen Coordinator and Chef
Jeanette Arias joined Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes in 2016 as the Pantry Coordinator and transitioned to Kitchen Coordinator and Chef in 2023. With over a decade of culinary experience at Lupita's Carnitas, a local catering business, Jeanette brings knowledge and skill to her role. She also has a strong history of community service, having volunteered at her church's food pantry, Pan de Vida, where she supported residents in need.
In her free time, Jeanette enjoys biking with her two children and spending quality time with her family.
Adriana Venegas, Pantry Coordinator
Adriana Venegas has been the Pantry Coordinator since 2022. Before joining PVLF, she gained valuable job experience through a workforce development program, which helped shape her skills and commitment to serving her community. A lifelong resident of Watsonville, Adriana is raising her two children and is deeply rooted in her hometown. Known for her sunny disposition, Adriana brings joy to everyone she meets, making a positive impact on both her colleagues and the people she serves.
Rozene Pieri Enloe, Admin and Outreach Assistant
Rozene Pieri Enloe is the Admin and Outreach Assistant for Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes starting in 2024. They've been orbiting around PVLF since first volunteering in 2013 with Empty Bowls. Rozene has their Bachelor's degree from San Diego State University in Hospitality and Tourism and six Associate's degrees from Cabrillo of varying importance. Having completed two years of AmeriCorps service with PVLF and Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Rozene returns with their regular candor to the organization. In their free time, Rozene loves to hike, garden, create art, read dense nonfiction, and eat fruit. They have too many dogs.
Eduardo Gallegos Ramirez, Part-time Dishwasher
Eduardo Gallegos Ramirez joined Pajaro Valley Loaves & Fishes in 2023, quickly making his mark. Known for his dedication, strong work ethic, and positive attitude, Eduardo has become an invaluable team member, contributing to the organization's mission of serving the community with care and compassion. His commitment to ensuring smooth daily operations has made him an essential part of the organization. Eduardo is actively involved in his local church, where he volunteers his time and energy to further support and uplift his community.
Board
Jessica Liddy, President
Jessica, a volunteer since 2010, has fond memories of her mother volunteering here after the Loma Prieta earthquake. With over 25 years experience in special education, she is the South County Supervisor for Community Life Services which supports adults with disabilities expand career goals and obtain competitive employment. Jessica brought many volunteers to PVLF who gained the work experience to move into the restaurant and customer service sectors. Jessica continues to advocate for our disabled and disadvantaged community.
Fabian Leonor, Vice President
Fabian is a Senior Specialist with Community Life Services in South County. He has 15 years of experience working in special education and has served as a recreation specialist with the City of Watsonville. He is continuing his education toward a bachelor'’s degree in Collaborative Health & Human Services.
Mary McKenna, Secretary
Mary has lived in Santa Cruz County since 1979. She is a retired teacher, and taught Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology at Gavilan College in Gilroy for 32 years. Mary has a BS from Cal Poly SLO, and an MA in Microbiology from UC Davis. She is a passionate animal and plant lover. She has been a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes since 2015, and has been an active supporter of Empty Bowls. Mary feels fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of PVLF.
Chris Lee, Treasurer
Chris is a retired executive and corporate finance professional of 30 years in the technology and renewable energy sectors. She moved to back to Santa Cruz County after 30 years in the South Bay Area. She has been an active supporter and volunteer for the last couple of years and is passionate about wanting to solve the problem of people with food insecurities.
Maria Asturias
Maria has lived in Santa Cruz County since 2017. She has a BA in English and Spanish from St. Mary’s College of California, a MA in Spanish from Tulane University, and a JD from Howard University School of Law. Prior to entering law school, Maria worked for more than a decade as a public school teacher, primarily teaching Spanish and English Language Development. She believes that to be of service is a privilege, and is grateful for the opportunity to support the amazing work of PVLF.
Joan Bosworth
After a 15-year history working as an Executive Director in retirement communities, Joan started her own company, JB Consulting in 2001. She provided interim management for large non-profit continuing care retirement communities while a search was conducted for a new executive director. Ironically, Joan never worked near home. She retired in 2023 and decided to get involved locally. She found PV Loaves and Fishes to be a good fit for her desire to help those in need. Joan confesses to spending more time in the PV Loaves and Fishes kitchen, than in her own and finds the comraderies of the staff, volunteers, and clients to be a wonderful way to give to our local community.
Kristen Marinovic
Kristen Marinovic is the Founder and President of Equinox Wealth Management, a private independent advisory firm based in Santa Cruz, CA. Kristen is a Trustee of the UCSC Foundation Board and member of the Dean's Council for Physical and Biological Science. Kristen currently lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Baldo, a UCSC faculty member /Marine Science Researcher and their twin boys, Viggo and Niko
Veronica Schultz
Born in Chile and raised in the US, Veronica moved to the Santa Cruz area twenty three years ago after graduating college with a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Professionally she has extensive experience in the insurance industry — ten years as an underwriter of 501c3 nonprofits and currently as an Insurance Risk Analyst at Granite Construction Inc., in Watsonville. In her free time Veronica enjoys community service, getting her hands dirty in the garden, and reading. Veronica joined PVLF as a volunteer in 2021 and the Board in 2022. She believes deeply in the ability of people to positively affect their communities and is honored to support PVLF.
Rachael Spencer
Rachael is a retired business woman living in Davenport with her husband. A long time education advocate, she serves on the Cabrillo College board as trustee. She lost her home and every possession in the CZU fire — a life changing event for sure. What remains of that tragedy is the awareness that community is everything — community support is what gets one through tough times. It is with great appreciation she joins the wonderful work of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes.
Kathy Wells moved to Aptos seven years ago from San Jose after a long career as a deputy district attorney. During retirement, Kathy served as an adjunct lecturer at Santa Clara University School of Law. Kathy and her husband of 36 years have two adult daughters.
Advisors
Lin Florinda Colavin
Lin is a retired marriage and family counselor. She worked eighteen years for the County of Santa Clara helping adults and teens manage mental health and substance abuse issues. Lin has been one of our volunteers since 2006. Her contributions included her hand-made ceramic bowls to our annual Empty Bowls fund raiser. She joined our Board in 2015.
JJ Kapp
B.A. Chico State University 1985
J.D. Santa Clara University 1988
Trial Attorney Santa Clara County (CA) Public Defender’s Office 1990-2017
Joe is married to Pat Flaherty and they have two children, Frank and Kelly.
Brooke Sampson
Brooke was previously Executive Director from 2006–2008 after which she went on to serve as the Warehouse Manager and, later, Chief Operations and Programs Officer at a key partner, Second Harvest Food Bank. In 2016 she once again was Executive Director until taking maternity leave in late 2017. Brooke, a graduate of Watsonville High School, earned her bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and Master's in Community Development from UC Davis.
Casey Wu
Casey is the Senior Manager of Accounting Policy and Compliance at Driscoll's Inc. He is a CPA with a degree from UC Santa Cruz in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting. Raised in Watsonville, Casey enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and going to the gym.
