John Cain
Board President

John has had a 35-year career in river conservation. Over that time, he has worked exclusively for non-profit organizations to plan and implement habitat restoration efforts in California’s Central Valley and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At River Partners, his current employer, he specializes in developing multi-benefit restoration projects that improve water supply, reduce flood risk, and provide parks and open space for disadvantaged communities. John holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Planning from the University of California Berkeley.

His sister Terry Cain, who passed away in 2023, was one of the founding Core Members of L’Arche Wavecrest. John has served on the Board since 2015. Prior to accepting the Board President position in late 2023, John served as Board Treasurer. John is grateful for the community Wavecrest created for Terry and her entire family and wants you to know that you are welcome to contact him personally if you want to help Wavecrest in any way. Everybody is welcome.

Eduardo Moreno Cerezo
Board Vice President

Eduardo Moreno Cerezo is a program officer at the at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Catholic Sisters Initiative. In this role, he serves as a key thought partner responsible for designing, developing, managing and monitoring a portfolio of grants that supports congregations, organizations and human development activities in the U.S. and Latin America. Prior to the Foundation, Eduardo worked for Catholic Health System, Providence Saint Joseph Health as a Healthy Communities Manager in southern California.

Eduardo has over 18 years of experience addressing health disparities and equity with multi-cultural groups on public health, community development, social policy, advocacy and grantmaking at health care and non-profit organizations in the United States and Latin America.

Martha Cain
Board Secretary

Martha Cain is a retired public school educator who spent the majority of her teaching career at the middle school level teaching art, English and history.

Her sister, Terry Cain, was one of the founding Core Members of L’Arche Wavecrest. In addition to the L’Arche Wavecrest Board, Martha is President of the Board of the People’s Life Fund, an organization that makes grants to grassroots groups working for peace, social justice and a sustainable environment.

Martha is also a very active member of the Berkeley Unified School District Climate Literacy Working Group.

Karen Carr
Founder & Board Ambassador

The inspiration behind our perspiration is none other than Karen Carr herself. She is the Founder and Visionary that worked tirelessly for years and years to create and start up what we all know today as L’Arche Wavecrest.

Our work is far from done though, with so many more lives that we can have a positive impact on, so Karen has stepped up to the challenge of inspiring and mentoring the new generation of L’Arche Wavecrest leadership, as we move forward with our growth and expansion plans.

“My hope for the future of Wavecrest is that the philosophy and spirituality of L’Arche continue as an integral part of its expansion. In expansion, multiple homes become sources of strength for and to each other, as well as infusing a greater compassion and influence more broadly. Our mission is a compassionate, important mission. I find so much joy in its growth, and so much inspiration in the people that continue forward. Our journey has, and will continue to be, truly a blessed one.”

Cindy LeBeau
Board Member

Cindy is a Human Resource and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Professional with over 30 years of professional experience.

Cindy led the Human Resources team while working for an Orange County based non-profit organization that served adolescents in a residential care/group home environment. She oversaw and helped facilitate the growth of the company and it’s employee base from 50 employees, to over 200 employees in the five years she was the HR Director.

An interesting fact about Cindy is that her Great Grandfather was the founder of one of the largest children’s residential treatment centers in the Inland Empire, that to this day is still providing treatment services to adolescents with behavior and mental health challenges.

Cindy lives locally in Orange County, is happily married, and has two beautiful children currently attending college.

Ted Bean
Board Member

Ted E. Bean is a veteran commercial/industrial real estate broker and asset manager in Orange County. Ted manages and oversees the acquisition and disposition of real estate assets, including a privately held real estate portfolio.

Ted currently serves as a Board Member for a large housing foundation, which provides affordable housing to low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled.

Ted has previously served as a Board Member/Vice President of another local non-profit organization that provided residential services for troubled adolescents. Ted was instrumental in the growth spurt that allowed this organization to expand it’s services and reach in the community.

Mr. Bean earned his BA degree in Business from California State University San Bernardino and his MBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.

Vikki Shepp, Ed.D
Board Member

Vikki currently serves as the CEO of the Girls Scouts of Orange County. She earned her Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education. Dr. Shepp is the author of six books and numerous articles, and speaks to groups young and old about philanthropy, service, and leadership.

Her career as a champion for youth and those who serve them includes many positions at Girl Scouts of Orange County, as well as youth ministry, retreat facilitation, teaching middle school, training adults who work with youth, and ministry formation.

A creative and collaborative leader, Vikki is sharply focused on ensuring transformative leadership development experiences for 15,000 Girl Scouts across Orange County.

Vikki is passionate about building a just and peaceful world, loves creating and viewing art, anything outdoors, especially hiking and water activities, and spending time with her family. Any additional free time might find her at Disneyland.

Cathleen “Cat” Caruso
Board Member

Cat is a transformational CEO and former Fortune 500 executive with 20+ years of experience scaling e-commerce, consumer goods, and retail businesses. With full P&L ownership up to $360M, she specializes in unlocking value through operational excellence, digital transformation, brand reinvention, and strategic M&A.

At Labor Law Center, she led the transformation of a PE-backed company, growing revenue by 60%, and increasing enterprise value from $40M to $100M in under three years. Cat built a top-tier leadership team, implemented net new system infrastructure, expanded internationally, and secured marquee clients including Apple, Tesla, Citibank, and Starbucks—culminating in a successful exit.

Cat has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Bioscience from UC Santa Barbara, which introduced her to initially working with persons of special needs in residential care settings. Later Cat obtained a MBA with a focus on Marketing & Entrepreneurial Studies at UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Cat lives in South Orange County with her husband, her twin teenagers and their dog Lucy.

Rene’ Matz Thompson
Board Member

Rene’ is our Fundraising Extraordinaire! She has worked professionally in a variety of fundraising and development positions for several non-profit organizations including: Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, Orange County United Way, Junior League of Orange County, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.

Rene’ is heavily invested in the community, supporting organizations including: Santa Margarita Catholic High School, National Charity League – Orange/Villa Park Chapter, Central Orange County Alumnae Panhellenic, and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Previously she’s volunteered with the Girl Scouts of Orange County (14 years), St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, San Antonio Catholic Church, Gamma Phi Beta Foundation, Camp Fire USA Orange County Council, and OneOC/Volunteer Center of Orange County.

Rene’, her husband and daughter Caroline live in the City of Orange.

Jose Penaloza-Nakato
Board Member

Jose works as a Religious Client Banking Specialist with Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. He was previously with JPMorgan Chase and before going into banking he had worked in a variety of frontline managerial retail, entertainment and production roles.

Prior to joining the L’Arche Wavecrest Board of Directors, Jose has been a frequent event attendee and volunteer at several of our fundraising events and community gatherings.

Jose is a stellar professional in the early stages of his illustrious banking career and he is eager to learn, grow and serve within this expanded Board Member role and to make a greater impact within the local community.

Jose lives in the City of Los Alamitos with his wife and young son. Go Griffins!

Caroline Alarcon
Board Member

Caroline has worked the last 20 years for a local credit union in a variety of administrative banking roles. Prior to her credit union career, Caroline worked as a direct service professional and behavior support coach in group homes serving emotional disturbed and developmentally disabled adolescents. Caroline also worked in independent and supportive living environments with adults.

Caroline visited Abraham House one day to share time with our Core Members and participate in that evening’s prayer night. Caroline felt an instant connection with all the Core Members and Assistants, bringing her back to the fond memories from the start of her career and the relationships she formed at that time.

Caroline is a strong woman of God, with a solid commitment to being of service and making a difference within her community, which align perfectly with our mission and beliefs. Caroline lives in the City of Orange with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Patrick E. Smith, Esq.
Board Member

Patrick E. Smith, Esq. is an Attorney at Law duly licensed to practice in the State of California since 2008. He was born and raised in Old Towne Orange, graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Mr. Smith, Esq. has been providing trusted and reliable Estate Planning services for over a decade. From simple Trusts, to comprehensive Estate Plans, he approaches every project as a unique opportunity to protect your family and provide you peace of mind. His boutique practice has focused on the legal needs of individuals and families since 2009.

In his free time, Patrick enjoys spending time at the beach with his family, woodworking, gardening, and reading.

Your Name Here
Board Treasurer

We are currently looking to elect a new Board Treasurer.

If you have any interest in serving or know someone who is, please contact us at: director@larchewavecrest.org

Marianne Loewe
Emeritus Board President & Co-Chair Fund Development

Marianne graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College (Los Angeles, CA), with a degree in classical languages, and completed the M.A. program of studies in Applied Theology from the School of Applied Theology, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.

In the mid-1970s, while teaching elementary school, mostly junior high students, Marianne served as a Board Member of a unique international nonprofit, Concern America, before being asked to become its director in 1979, where she worked until May 2012.

Marianne formerly inherited the Wavecrest Board President role from Sr. Michelle Tochtrop in 2016. She was also on the St. Joseph Health System Foundation Board, based in Orange, California, for seven years. During the 1980s Marianne was a member of the Board of Directors of LULAC Headstart in Long Beach and on the Los Angeles End Hunger Coalition.

Eric L. Goodman
Board Advisor

Eric is a respected leader, author, speaker, philanthropist, and the CEO of multiple companies. He has been honored as the 2024 National Philanthropy Day Honoree and the 2024 Orange County Philanthropist of the Year. Additionally, his family business was named the 2023 Orange County Family Business of The Year, and he was recognized as one of the Top 23 CEO’s by Family Business Magazine. Eric has been included in the prestigious Orange County Influential 125 and OC500 lists. Eric is a respected leader, author, speaker, philanthropist, and the CEO of multiple companies. He has been honored as the 2024 National Philanthropy Day Honoree and the 2024 Orange County Philanthropist of the Year. Additionally, his family business was named the 2023 Orange County Family Business of The Year, and he was recognized as one of the Top 23 CEO’s by Family Business Magazine. Eric has been included in the prestigious Orange County Influential 125 and OC500 lists.

Sarai “Nana” Vivanco
Board Advisor

Sarai is a fractional CFO providing full service accounting, payroll, controller and general business operations administration services for several small to medium size businesses. She provides her contract and consulting services to a diverse group of business types, which include aerospace parts manufacturers, dental tools manufacturing, textile and clothing producers, restaurants, bars, family fun entertainment centers, durable medical equipment suppliers, in-home caregiving services, home health and hospice companies.

Personally, Sarai has always been drawn to volunteer work and has specifically enjoyed working with and seeing the progress forward of persons with highly specialized needs for many years and as a result she has become a highly skilled behavior interventionist herself.

Sarai holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Masters’ Degree in Education from The University of Phoenix. Sarai lives in Central Orange County and has a daughter and granddaughter who are the absolute joy and loves of her life.

Tita Smith
Emeritus Board Member Advisor

Former mayor of the City of Orange, Teresa “Tita” Smith has a long, professional history working with faith-based and other nonprofits advancing family and social welfare, drug abuse prevention and mental health. She worked at Catholic Charities of Orange County as Director of Family Services, and was subsequently promoted to Executive Director in 2009. She retired from the organization in December 2019.

Tita holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the University of California, Irvine; she was in the University’s first freshman class. After 20 years of social work in our local community, she earned a Masters in Social Work from University of Southern California (USC). She is a seventh generation California native and a fifth-generation resident of Orange. Tita is married to Bill Smith.