Board Members
Mary Ann Finch
Executive Director
Mary Ann Finch was born in Lansing, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University where she majored in education and the dramatic arts. She subsequently completed her MA in Communications at Arizona State University. In 1973, she made her way to the Bay Area to begin a Masters Program in Christian Spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology in the Graduate Theological Union Seminary. While pursuing her degree, she studied health psychology at Saybrook University in San Francisco, movement therapy at Mills College in Oakland, and massage therapy at the Gefion School of Massage in Berkeley. She pioneered an area of study called Embodied Spirituality and taught as an adjunct professor at the Jesuit School of Theology.
In 1983, Mary Ann established a non-profit organization called the Center for Growth in Wholeness as a way to integrate her studies and instruct others. In 1989 she founded the Care Through Touch Institute, a professional school of massage with special emphasis on pastoral care. In 1990 she traveled throughout India teaching and offering massage therapy in leprosariums and street clinics. She concluded her journey by spending some time living in a Christian/Hindu Ashram in the foothills of the Himalaya mountains. Here, Mary Ann committed herself to Mother Theresa’s challenge given the day she left Calcutta: Go home and do there what you’ve done here – TOUCH the ‘poorest of the poor’ with your CARE. After many years of doing just that, Mary Ann says, “I intend (and pray) that I will do this sacred work until I draw my last breath.”
Barrie Hathaway
Board President
Executive Director, Street Tech
Barrie Hathaway has been part of CTI’s board of directors since 2004 and is currently serving as Board President. Barrie is the Executive Director for The Stride Center, a nonprofit workforce development organization, and Relia Tech, a social enterprise organization in the East Bay city of San Pablo. In addition, Barrie is an appointed member of the Richmond Workforce Development Board and co-chair of the CTN Bay Area nonprofit technology network. Barrie earned an undergraduate degree in Organizational Development and a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and is currently a fellow in the Leaderspring Executive Director Fellowship Program.
Peter Sterling
Board Treasurer
Investment Banker
Peter started his career in the financial industry at D.E. Shaw on the equity derivatives desk and eventually became a founding member of KBC Alternative Investments, an international hedge fund focusing on fixed income and arbitrage investments. Peter subsequently transitioned to the film industry and has produced several award-winning independent films including happythankyoumoreplease, which premiered in competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and won the Audience Award for Best Picture. Peter holds a B.A. in Economics and Psychology from Cornell University and is a former member of the Cornell Men’s Tennis Team.
Marisha Zeffer
Board Secretary/CTI Fundraiser
Artist/ Fundraiser
Marisha discovered CTI when she interviewed founder Mary Ann Finch, a nominee for the Institute of Noetic Sciences Altruism Award. Marisha’s background in fundraising for non-profits, her degree in theology from the Graduate Theological Union and her experience on the GTU Board of Trustees make Care Through Touch a perfect match. “People want to contribute, to make a difference; it’s our job to reveal CTI’s incredible, transformational work.” Barn sales at her country home benefit CTI. Donated items are welcome.
Frank Buckley, S.J.
Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology
Frank is a Jesuit in the California Province and has been a Board Member of Care Through Touch since 2008. Currently a doctoral student in clinical psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, he is interested in an integrative approach to treating trauma in community mental health. He is particularly concerned with people dealing with addiction and homelessness. Living at St. Anges Parish in San Francisco’s Haight Asbury district, Frank helps with sacramental ministry within the community. Prior to his current studies, Frank was Program Director of The St. Vincent de Paul Wellness Center. He loves the mission of Care Through Touch Institute and is honored to serve on the Board.
Wade Meyer
Director, Kind Hearts Program, Rainbow Community Center
Wade is an alum of CTI’s training program, which he completed in 2006-2007 as part of field education for his Master of Divinity at Pacific School of Religion. CTI’s mission and work touched his heart, and he continued as a volunteer and then as an employee of CTI, providing massage services and development assistance. Wade is also the Kind Hearts Program Director at the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County, providing services for people living with HIV/AIDS and for LGBT Seniors.
Mary Monihan, R.N.
Registered Nurse, Tom Waddell Homeless Clinic
Mary is a native Californian, born in San Francisco and grew up on the peninsula. She went into a diploma Nursing program at age 18, and later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by a Masters of Public Administration. Mary’s nursing career had primarily been hospital-based until, in 1992, she went to work at the Tom Waddell Health Center, a clinic for the homeless and marginally housed. This work brings together her nursing skills, spiritual beliefs and a greater understanding of social justice. Mary’s years of experience working in the Tenderloin as a nurse and advocate, her intimate knowledge of local service agencies and the hearts of people who live in the Tenderloin, and her recent work as a CTI practitioner has helped Mary claim her identity as a valuable contributor to CTI’s board.
Dunya Nuaimi, OTR/L
Program Assistant, Institutional, WestEd
Dunya joined the CTI board to combine her care for the marginalized in our communities, commitment to spiritual values in action, and belief in everyone’s right to health and well-being. With experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, she currently works in fundraising and development for WestEd, a national educational nonprofit. She was first introduced to the homeless community when she moved to San Francisco and began working at Central City Hospitality House. Here she got to know many of the people in the community and they have had a special place in her heart ever since. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from McGill University in Canada and her Master’s of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Sally Rosen
Director, The Wellness Center & Vincentian Help Desk,
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Sally was born in San Francisco as a 5th generation San Franciscan. Having lived in the Bay Area all her life, she and her husband chose to raise their children here. She loves this city of “Brotherly Love” but as the years go by, sees the changes. For those who have fallen through the cracks, the changes present challenges that can be devastating. Over the past decade, as a director of The Vincentian Help Desk and The Wellness Center, her work with the marginalized of our community shows her that CTI’s ministry of touch is so important. The St. Vincent de Paul Wellness Center supports ways to lead others to a more integrative life. The partnership with CTI brings the community together and fosters a collaborative approach that is at the heart of this work. “Together is how we will overcome the problems that seem insurmountable and by touching each person we meet with love, respect and care.”
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