LEADERSHIP TEAM
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Beth Southorn, Executive Director
Beth Southorn has been a leader in the social services field for over 30 years. Experienced in working with numerous special needs populations, her approach to housing and the prevention of homelessness was shaped and has continuously evolved from her spent time working at Mills/Peninsula Hospital and the Shelter Network of San Mateo County. Beth has built a career out of a unique combination of experience in diversity, leadership, training, and program development that have allowed her to form successful national models that are inclusive of vocational rehabilitation, supportive services, and affordable housing programs.
As Executive Director of LifeSTEPS, Beth has propelled LifeSTEPS to its current status as one of the premier social services providers in affordable housing, now serving over 36,000 homes representing over 100,000 residents throughout the entire state of California from the border of Oregon to the edges of San Diego County. Beth has not only created and grown a successful model of resident empowerment for affordable housing communities throughout California, but has also been actively addressing the “Missing Middle” paradigm faced by many seniors, in her efforts to assist older adults to age in place.
Additionally, through her leadership, LifeSTEPS currently serves over 600 special needs residents in six counties throughout California, with 266 formerly homeless residents now housed in permanent supportive housing. In 2020, LifeSTEPS’ housing retention rate was 98.3% with 20 fulltime staff providing services. The successful program additionally connected 98% of special needs residents with a primary care physician within first 30 days of services and the Family Self Sufficiency Program moved from less than 100 participants to over 400. In 2022, LifeSTEPS has added Enhanced Care Management services to this successful program.
In 2016, LifeSTEPS’ robust after school program was enhanced with a Summer Reading program designed to mitigate the “summer slide” wherein according to Summer Matters children in low-income households fall behind an average of two months in reading during the summer, with these learning losses building up summer after summer. LifeSTEPS’ Summer Reading program has consistently seeing 96% of participants statewide maintaining or increasing their reading levels during the summer reading portion of our After School Program.
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Elizabeth Hudson, Deputy Director
Elizabeth Gutiérrez Hudson is an experienced executive organizational leader and has over 24 years of experience as an administrator of for-profit business and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining LifeSTEPS, Elizabeth has worked and served at national and international corporations including the Center for Employment Training, The J.M. Smucker’s Co and The Salvation Army. In the arena of social services, she has served as a strategic partner to the Officers, Executive Directors and leadership teams. She is instrumental in her work directing all aspects of administration and effectively networks with community leaders to improve and organize public programs with other agencies.
Elizabeth’s educational and community accomplishments include earning her Master’s in Business Administration in 2012, and is certified in Executive Leadership and Vocational Training. She also co-authored the book, Goal for It- II, which explores best practices to achieve your goals and advance your personal growth and development.
When she is not glued at her desk, she takes care of her cacti collection and her mono-specie garden. She is currently writing about the many barriers she has to overcome as a Hispanic woman, an immigrant from Nicaragua, who had to continue her engineering career and professional journey at the age of 24 in the United States.
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Born and raised in Northern California, Rachel Roguski has dedicated over seven years to LifeSTEPS, beginning her career as a Resident Services Director in Affordable Housing. Her dedication and commitment have seen her rise through the ranks, serving as a Supervisor and Regional Director, before taking on her current role as the Director of Supportive Housing and Health Services.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brandman University, equipping her with extensive knowledge and skills in social services. She has a proven track record of working with diverse populations, addressing a wide range of needs. Rachel excels at fostering relationships with housing authorities, county agencies, and housing developers, ensuring the success of LifeSTEPS’ programs.
In her role as Director of Supportive Housing and Health Services, Rachel is committed to expanding the reach and impact of our programs across California. She focuses on building sustainable, effective supportive housing and health services, while continuing to cultivate impactful relationships that benefit the communities we serve.
Rachel’s journey with LifeSTEPS is a testament to her unwavering commitment to service, personal growth, and building resilient communities. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication inspire others to embrace their journey of growth and self-discovery, embodying the core values of LifeSTEPS.
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Jenny Kolander is a finance professional who has worked in non-profit accounting her entire career.
She oversees all financial aspects of the organization including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, oversight of funds with donor restrictions, budget preparation, management of special contracts, account/receipt reconciliations, financial management and reporting, tax filings and annual audit preparation. Jenny has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Finance emphasis) from Wisconsin Lutheran College and has taken several Non-Profit accounting certification courses through the Association of International CPA’s, Blackbaud and the California Society of CPA’s, of which she in an associate member. Jenny enjoys collaborating with others in the Finance Department and throughout the organization to improve efficiencies and simplify processes. She is highly motivated by the mission of LifeSTEPS and strives to serve the organization and community with excellence.
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Pam Moore, Director of Program Development and Quality Control
Pam provides leadership throughout the organization finding strategic solutions to improve the quality of life for at-risk and underserved populations through direct services and community partnerships. After spending nearly a decade working with LifeSTEPS expanding our business model across the State, Pam truly knows how to make an impact developing and implementing diverse programs and has revolutionized the agencies database infrastructure and reporting that continually drives performance to a higher level – and it’s not from just mastering nonprofit leadership. It’s how well she is able to connect with a committed group of professionals, honor individual talents, and communicate the value we bring to our partners.
For 20 years, Pam has also worked with and provided consultations to The Community College Foundation to bring young adults with disabilities work experience opportunities and the necessary job skills and education for them to realize their dreams. In addition, as an Assistant Director for Ride to Walk, she promoted the human physical and mental health that horseplay therapeutic riding brings to children with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities.
Pam enjoys living on three acres with her husband and son in Rocklin. Family, friends and nature are her true source of happiness. She likes taking photos of nature and animals around her pond and loves to read.
Pam holds a BS in Organizational Behavior from National University.
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Fernando holds a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management and has worked with underserved communities in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years.
Prior to joining LifeSTEPS, Fernando managed and developed programs in outpatient and acute care settings targeted to serve unhoused and migrant populations. Fernando created partnerships with faith based agencies, homeless services providers, housing authorities, and health care providers to facilitate easier access to resources in the community. He participated in homeless coalition meetings in LA County and worked closely with Street Medicine providers to better serve the unhoused communities. Fernando helped launch the MLKCH Street Medicine Team and oversaw the implementation of enhanced case management and housing navigation services. He has worked on several campaigns throughout California to help address social economic issues that plague disenfranchised communities and participated in several voter registration campaigns in low-income communities. Fernando has also worked with medically vulnerable adults, children, and justice involved individuals.
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