MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS:

Debra L. Fine, CEO & President, is responsible for all aspects of the company’s strategy and growth and for directing the implementation of the company’s goals and objectives. Debra brings to Project Access more than 23 years of experience managing and growing companies.

Prior to working at Project Access, Debra held the position of CEO at several companies where she raised over $100M in capital and completed and integrated several acquisitions. She acquired a 40 year-old company, Small World Inc., and as CEO, grew revenues, took the company public, acquired and integrated two other companies and then led Small World through an acquisition. Debra was a turn around CEO at Fandom Entertainment, where she successfully positioned the company to be sold. Earlier in her career, Debra founded Cloud 9, which specializes in children’s media and licensed products, and grew the company from concept through three rounds of VC funding and through a sale to Simon & Schuster.

Throughout her career, Debra has utilized her expertise in marketing and advertising. As VP of the West Coast office for the Marketing Corporation of America and as Director of Worldwide Marketing for Orion Pictures, Debra developed marketing and advertising strategies for Fortune 500 companies. Debra currently serves on the Board of Directors of Equity Marketing, a marketing services agency.

Debra has served as Alliance Chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization for the past 6 years. As a member of Women in Toys, she was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. Debra received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Southern California.

Kristin Byrnes, Executive Vice President, joined Project Access in January 2004 and has more than 15 years experience in management, organizational development, and program evaluation. Kristin articulates and drives the service strategy, and develops and implements the service roadmap by creating new programs and service offerings based on the needs of our clients and prospects. In addition, Kristin participates in the development of new business opportunities for Project Access. During the four years that Kristin has been at Project Access, she has also held the titles of Field Director, Human Resource Director, and Operations Director.

Prior to working at Project Access, Kristin worked for nonprofit organizations in which she had responsibilities that included organizational development, operations, program design and development, evaluation, human resources, and staff supervision. Kristin was employed for eight years at Mercy Behavioral Health, a nonprofit organization that provides services to the severe and persistent mentally ill population. Kristin began her career at Mercy as a counselor for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness to transition to self-sufficiency. She then transitioned to the position of case manager for the intensive-needs patients. With the counselor and case manager responsibilities, Kristin gained hands-on experience that was valuable when she subsequently assumed the title of supervisor for a 28-bed supportive housing community. While in the supervisory role, Kristin created a Block Watch program to involve the community in addressing the needs of the severe and persistent mentally ill individuals who are living independently.

Kristin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services, with a minor in Gerontology, from La Roche College, Pittsburgh and she received a Masters of Science degree in Professional Leadership, with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management, from Carlow University, Pittsburgh.

Claudia Beaty, Vice President of Operations, joined Project Access in 2007 and is responsible for operational planning and implementing improved processes and management methods to enhance the efficiency of Project Access operations. Claudia's functional responsibilities include Finance, Human Resources, Technology, and Administration. Claudia's experience with growing and managing business operations matches perfectly with the needs of Project Access as the company continues to grow and extend its reach to more individuals.

Claudia brings over 30 years of experience in operations management and in the development, growth, and management of start-up companies. Claudia began her career at Hughes Aircraft Company and over a period of 21 years, she gained progressive experience in management and operations, initially in undersea systems and satellite ground station processing systems and more recently in commercializing technology through new ventures. Prior to joining Project Access, Claudia built the operational infrastructure and was responsible for administration, contacts, finance, engineering, quality assurance, and customer support at start-up companies that developed network security products. She held the title of Chief Operating Officer at Apani Networks, founded in 2003, and General Manager of Netlock Technologies, founded in 1999. Previously, as Director of Product Development and Customer Support, Claudia rebuilt the Customer Support organizations at Interlink Computer Sciences.

Claudia received a Masters in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from California State University, Northridge.

Sophie Trascher, Northern California Regional Director, joined Project Access in April 2007 and is responsible for 7 Family Resource Centers in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties. Sophie also participates in developing new business opportunities in Northern California. She maintains a strong passion and commitment to the agency mission statement and to the families we serve.

Prior to joining Project Access, Sophie was Project Director for Child Care Links, a childcare agency working with participants of the Cal Works Program. Sophie was responsible for developing and coordinating plans for the design of the Tri-Valley Family Resource Center. During her seven years at this nonprofit organization, Sophie held titles of Employment Services Director, Intake Director, and Operations Director. While at Child Care Links, Sophie also developed, implemented and marketed a Job Preparation and Placement Program for job-seeking individuals. Sophie has a total of 19 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector in positions that include an Office Manager for the Travelers Aid Society and a Bursar for a community college. Sophie has 20 years additional experience working in a variety of for-profit companies, including 5 years as an Employment Counselor for a permanent job placement agency. Sophie is a native of Northern California, growing up in the city of Alameda, where she has hosted the Unity Potluck Picnic for the past 15 years.

Sondra Contino, Director of Donor Relations, is responsible for ensuring the flawless execution of our fundraising events, and initiating and maintaining donor relationships. Sondra joins Project Access with more than 6 years of experience working in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining Project Access, Sondra was the Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health, where she managed and expanded a non-profit dental clinic for children. Her main focus was to develop a strategic plan for the growth and development of the clinic, and then to raise the funds to implement that plan. She also designed and executed the foundation's Ten Year Anniversary Event as well as the Ninth Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

Sondra began her career at the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Keck School of Medicine, where she held various event planning and fundraising positions over a period of four years. Her duties during those years included successfully producing and executing hundreds of fundraising events, including golf and tennis tournaments, black tie galas, donor recognition receptions and more. She was also responsible for developing programs and soliciting funding for women's cancer research programs. In addition, she managed and expanded the existing annual giving support group and stewarded relationships with donors.

Sondra received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing and Advertising from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.