Our Team
Cathy Michalec,
Executive Director
Cathy brings over 25 years of non-profit leadership to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly - San Francisco Chapter. Relocated from Seattle, she spent seven years as the Executive Director of Teens in Public Service and previously led the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America - Northwest Chapter, expanding its reach across five states. Cathy has also served as Board Member and President of Washington Community Health Charities. She holds a BS in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.
Debbie U.,
Volunteer Coordinator
Debbie began as a volunteer in 2017 and transitioned to a staff role nearly seven years ago, inspired by our mission. She holds a BA in Sociology with a minor in Special Education from San Francisco State University. Outside of work, she enjoys music and time with loved ones.
Liz T.,
Program Coordinator
Liz moved to the Bay Area in 2017 to begin her career as a product and toy designer in the kids' space. After five years in that role, she was drawn to community engagement and joined us to help make a meaningful impact in the lives of San Francisco’s older adults. Outside of work, Liz enjoys sunshine-filled days, morning and sunset surfs, and trying new recipes.
Sarah A.,
Program Coordinator
Sarah moved from London to San Francisco in 2016 and holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Leeds. With a background in marketing and communications, she shifted her focus to the non-profit sector upon moving to the states, spending over three years volunteering with older adults. Her experiences deepened her passion for supporting this community and the essential work of organizations like ours. Sarah enjoys exploring the city, chasing after her toddler and rescue dog, Miss Sanchez, and connecting with friends.
Jialin L.,
Bilingual Assessment & Program Coordinator
Jialin has called San Francisco home since immigrating to the U.S. in 2016. She holds a BS in Human Development from Cornell University and has previously worked in clinical research with families and adolescents at UNC Chapel Hill.
Her passion for community well-being grew through her work at Edge on the Square in Chinatown, where she uses her trilingual fluency (Mandarin, Cantonese, and English) to support exhibitions and community events. She is excited to support our older adults by combining her language skills with her commitment to community care. She will begin her Master’s in Social Welfare at UC Berkeley in fall 2025.