Meet Our Staff
Jennifer Bassett
Founder/Executive Director
It all started with a simple idea. I wanted to inspire my two sons to give back, show compassion and grow to be responsible individuals who look beyond themselves and aspire to make this a better world. This was the foundation for creating Hands4Hope. I am proud and honored to lead an amazing team of individuals who share my passion of empowering youth.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: jbassett@hands4hopeyouth.org
Nicole Craine
Deputy/Program Director
Oversees the development and implementation of our Education and Outreach programs in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: nicole@hands4hopeyouth.org
Casey Hanson
Operations Director
Oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization with a focus on resource management and the improvement of organizational processes.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: casey@hands4hopeyouth.org
Shizuka Wire
Office and IT Manager
Administrator for our data systems and provides administrative, clerical, and basic technical support, as well as acting as the liaison between our bookkeeper and staff.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: shizuka@hands4hopeyouth.org
Karen Brown
Communication & Fundraising Coordinator
Our Communication & Fundraising Coordinator supports Hands4Hope fundraisers, event planning, stakeholder communication, community outreach and all marketing efforts.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: karen@hands4hopeyouth.org
Irene Johnson
Outreach Program Coordinator
Our Outreach Program Coordinator provides support to the Outreach Program, and the youth and adult volunteers who participate in all of our outreach events.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: irene@hands4hopeyouth.org
Tinn Lee
Education Program Coordinator – South Lake Tahoe
Provides oversight and mentorship to Hands4Hope Outreach and Education Program opportunities in the South Lake Tahoe area, including youth-led service-learning clubs for youth in 6-12th grades at South Tahoe Middle and High Schools, and local Outreach opportunities.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: lori@hands4hopeyouth.org
Melissa Placek
Education Program Coordinator
Provides oversight and mentorship to youth-led service-learning clubs and committees for youth in 6-12th grades at schools in the greater Shingle Springs and Placerville areas, and the Youth Board.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: melissap@hands4hopeyouth.org
Sydnie Warner
Education Program Coordinator
Provides oversight and mentorship to youth-led service-learning clubs and committees for youth in 6-12th grades at schools in El Dorado Hills, and leadership development including the Youth Board, camps, and retreats.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: sydnie@hands4hopeyouth.org
Kate Barba
Special Events Program Coordinator
Provides oversight and mentorship to youth-led service-learning after-school committees for youth in 6-12th grades at our El Dorado Hills and Placerville Youth Centers, and supports other special events.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: kate@hands4hopeyouth.org
Shelly Valencia
Donor Relations Coordinator
Provides support for fundraising and stakeholder acknowledgement and engagement, management, and retention.
Phone: 916-294-7426
Email: shelly@hands4hopeyouth.org
Meet Our Board of Directors
Dolly Wager, Chair
Owner, DSW & Associates
Tracy Messineo, Vice Chair
External Affairs Committee Chair
Hands4Hope Adult Mentor Volunteer
Blake Anderson, Secretary
Governance Committee Chair
Certified Financial Planner
Matt Hinkle, Treasurer
Internal Affairs Committee Chair
Head of Global Operations
Franklin Templeton
Heather Edwards, Immediate Past Chair
Attorney at Law
Edwards, Stevens & Tucker LLP
Estee Horn, Director
CPA
Horn Fulton Inc. CPAs
Monique Baxter, Director
Vice President / Business Initiatives Manager
Wells Fargo Bank
Andrew Madigan, Director
Hands4Hope Alumnus
Carey Moreno-Hunt, MD, Director
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Youth Representatives:
- Avanti Ramamoorthy, Youth Board President
- Jillian Wolford, Youth Board Vice President
- Sophia Thomas, Youth Board Community Engagement Ambassador