Cheryl Meronk, MSG – Chief Executive Officer
Cheryl Meronk has worked for the Council on Aging since 2002, most recently as the Program Director of the HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). In addition to serving as the Council’s Chief Executive, she holds a seat on the CalOptima Member Advisory Committee, and serves on the Board of Directors of California Health Advocates.
Ms. Meronk has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Gerontology. Prior to her work as an advocate in the field of aging she was employed in the computer software industry for 13 years. She lives in Orange County with her husband and two children.
Dan Bent, Director of Development and Communications
Dan joined the Council management team in 2008, to build a broad portfolio of major individual donors, foundation grants, corporate partnerships and public support. He organizes and conducts the Council’s annual fundraising event, other special events and donor cultivation activities. He produces the newsletter, program brochures, collateral & PR materials, oversees the website, and the new e-communications program. Dan’s extensive experience includes over 30 years as a nonprofit management and development professional, raising over $10 million for a wide range of recognized health and social service agencies in Southern California. He holds a degree in psychology from UCLA. Memberships and leadership positions, present and past, include:
- Association of Fundraising Professionals – Orange County, Los Angeles
- Chairman - Southern California Am. Red Cross Managers Association
- Chairman - United Way Health Partners Campaign Committee – Los Angeles
- Member - Campaign Committees for multiple Seniors/Social Services Agencies
- Member/Chair - Community/Civic/Health Services Committees (Rotary, et al)
- Member - Chambers of Commerce in several Orange County, Los Angeles cities
Julie R. Schoen, Esquire, Corporate Legal Counsel, Director Department of Elder Abuse Prevention Ms. Schoen serves as Legal Counsel for the Council on Aging and Advisory Legal Counsel for the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). She is also directing the Financial Abuse Specialist Team. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Education and received her Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University College of Law. Ms. Schoen’s service to the community includes:
- Community Educator on the rights of Medicare Beneficiaries
- Testified before Congress on the rights of Medicare Beneficiaries in Managed Care
- Past Advisory Board Member Orange Caregiver Resource Center
- Past President Orange County Senior Roundtable
- Board of Directors Westminster Senior Center Foundation
Jacqueline Lauder, MSG, Director of Education
Jacqueline Lauder is the Director of Education for Council on Aging – Orange County. Jacqueline coordinates all the educational components of the five (5) services/programs that the Council provides. She is an educator and advocate for all Medicare beneficiaries as well as Orange County’s senior population.
In addition to Council on Aging, Jacqueline currently provides educational seminars for the Women’s Center at California State University Fullerton and currently a guest lecturer for the Gerontology Masters programs. Presently Jacqueline is working on a Council on Aging Orange County Social Enterprise Project to provide continuing educational units for the Orange County Professional Community.
Jacqueline is a graduate of California State University Fullerton. She holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Gerontology.
Patricia Moran-Johnson, Director of Volunteer Development
Patricia has worked at the Council on Aging since 2003. She started out as the Outreach Coordinator of Caring Connections Friendly Visitor Program, most recently as the Coordinator of Volunteers recruiting, training and matching volunteers to homebound or disabled clients as well as overseeing the Reassurance Call component of the program. Patricia has worked in the helping profession for the past 21 years since she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services from the University of California, Fullerton.
Patrice Emenaker, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program Director (HICAP)
Patrice Emenaker has over 25 years experience in the health care field in areas of management, consulting, training and program development. After 12 years serving as a Program Director for a large hospital chain, working with healthcare professionals, clergy and volunteers, she joined the Council on Aging as Coordinator of Volunteers for the Friendly Visitor program in 2008. As the current Director of the HICAP Program, she works with a team of skilled professionals and volunteers to provide education, support and advocacy for Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
Ms. Emenaker has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has certificates in End of Life Care and Grief, Loss & Bereavement.
Ruobing Li, MA, CMC, Linkages Site Co-Director
Ms. Li is the Site Co-director of Linkages program. She started working for the Council as a case manager in 2001. She is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton and holds a master’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in gerontology. Her affiliations include:
- Care Manager Certification (CMC)
- Pacific Sociologist Association, and
- National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
Sandy Collom, Director of Finance
Sandy Collom brings to the Council on Aging Orange County nineteen years of accounting skills which include both an auditing background and fifteen years as a Controller. Sandy’s specialized field is working with non-profits and has worked with over 45 different non-profit organizations in the past nine years. Sandy attended California State University, Long Beach.
Sandy has been with Council on Aging since 2008 but continues to work as a consultant for other non-profit organizations.
Sharon Davis Smith, MS, Linkages Site Co-Director
Ms. Smith took a circuitous path to her present position as case manager and site co-director of the Linkages Program. First she received a Masters of Science degree in microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University. Later she returned to school and earned a Certificate in Gerontology from California State University Fullerton in 2001. She facilitates a monthly caregiver support group in the community. Her affiliations include:
- Orange County Caregiver Coalition (2005)
- Orange County Case Management Coalition (2005)
Marcia Williams, MSG – Ombudsman Program Director
Marcia Williams serves as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Director. After receiving her Certificate of Gerontology from California State University Fullerton, Marcia coordinated human service programs in a multipurpose senior center and later managed senior affordable-housing properties.
Marcia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University and a Master of Science Degree from California State University Fullerton.
Rochelle Woolery, Ombudsman Field Services Manager
Ms. Woolery is a State Certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman and has been Coordinator of the Ombudsman Program with Council on Aging since 1998. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University at San Francisco and participated in the Gerontology Certificate Program at California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Woolery’s service to the community includes:
- Presenter, POST( Police Officer Standard & Training) Elder Abuse Training on the role of the Ombudsman and investigation in long-term care facilities (2005)
- Founding Member, University of California at Irvine Medical Center, Geriatric Medicine Program
- Adult Abuse Task Force Recipient of Dedicated Service Award
- Member of the Orange County Elder Death Review Team
- Orange County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition Member
- Member of the Orange County Forensic Center and Vulnerable Adult Specialist Team (VAST)
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