Board of Directors
Callie Wight – President
Callie Wight, now retired, has been a California State licensed Registered Nurse for 40 years and was in practice as a psychotherapist for 30 years. Ms. Wight holds two Masters of Art degrees; one in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California and one in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Wight is all but dissertation in a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the latter institution. From 1990 to 2014, Ms. Wight was employed by the Veterans Health Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) as Sexual Trauma Counselor for women Veterans; as Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator, and as Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM). As WVPM, she was a member of the Department of Veterans Affairs national Women’s Health Services. Specifically, she was responsible to advocate for and support GLAHS healthcare facility’s effort to meet the needs of women Veterans across a five county healthcare system by monitoring, planning and developing healthcare and mental health care programs for those Veterans. Ms. Wight has also actively volunteered in community-based 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organizations in Los Angeles County, advocating for social justice and for social responsibility. She served on several Boards of Directors or in key planning, organizing, and decision-making roles. Her longest period of volunteer work, approximately five years, was with the Los Angeles Area Program Office of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). She served there as chair (referred to by Quakers as the committee Clerk) of the Los Angeles Area Program Committee. The committee supported and helped to direct paid staff of AFSC in their work with needy local communities. In addition, Ms. Wight simultaneously served as a member of the AFSC Pacific-Southwest Regional Executive Committee. Ms. Wight’s volunteer service included being a member of the Board of Directors of the Pasadena local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. She has been active in the Coalition for Justice and Peace and the Free Pacifica Neighborhood Network. In 2013, Ms. Wight was a Nursing Excellence GEM Award Regional Finalist. Ms. Wight is also a certified Mind/Body Health and Wellness Coach trained in the Circle of Life Coaching System and as a nurse is trained in Healing Touch. In 2014, when Ms. Wight retired, she relocated to Idyllwild, California. She is involved with several volunteer activities in her new community. She has been serving on the Idyllwild Help Center Board of Directors since early 2015.
Bruce Ross – Vice President
Bruce is a partner in the LA office of the international law firm, Holland & Knight. He has 45 years of experience in estate, trust, and protective proceedings litigation and professional responsibility cases. Bruce is a frequent lecturer and writer on legal topics and authors the premier guidebook for lawyers in California handling probate administration and litigation matters. Bruce has a long, varied association with Idyllwild, beginning back in the 60’s, recreating, living in, and serving the Idyllwild community – and including rock climbing, serving on the Pine Cove Water District Board, volunteer firefighter, and current owner of the Red Kettle restaurant. A member of several charitable boards and a frequent volunteer for charitable causes, Bruce is proud to be on IHC’s Board and a member of the Idyllwild Community Fund’s Advisory Committee. He hopes to utilize his expertise in the fields of charitable corporations and charitable giving to benefit the IHC and Idyllwild community.
Mark Galluzzo – Secretary
During my working career I have given financial and hands-on support to many charitable organizations, as well as being an American Youth Soccer Organization soccer coach, PTA member, High School Music Boosters President, and project leader for yearly community rebuilding projects through my employer (Boeing). Since my retirement (3 yrs ago), I have been volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, repairing senior citizens’ homes to address safety issues and donated food, money, and construction time to the Idyllwild Help Center. I have an engineering degree with business management, program management and building construction experience, and have run small businesses. I have always been a strategic thinker looking for practical solutions to create the conditions for successful outcomes. I have owned a home in Pine Cove since 2007 and, although not a full time resident, I look forward to supporting the Idyllwild community and working with like minded people to make a difference.
Ian Schoenleber – Treasurer
A non-profit management professional with 12 years’ experience, Ian advances non-profit organizations and the causes and people they serve through philanthropy, board and donor development, sound fiscal management, strategic planning, human resources, and a dedication to always serving a higher purpose. Currently, he serves as Director of Development for the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, managing a team of 5. Ian currently holds the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation, held by less than 5% of fundraisers worldwide, and is currently working towards the CSPG (Certified Specialist in Planned Giving) designation. Ian volunteers his time on boards: currently, he serves as Vice President of Mountain Disaster Preparedness (MDP), and on the board of the Idyllwild Help Center. He recently retired from the board of Idyllwild Community Fund. When not in the office, you will find Ian spending time with his amazing wife, working on his 1-acre property in Pine Cove, mountain biking, gardening, hiking, camping, riding motorcycles, kayaking and spending time with friends and family.
Justin Barrett – Board Member
Justin is currently the Vice President of Student Operations at Idyllwild Arts Academy, where he oversees several departments and works to ensure the smooth daily operation of the school. Before coming to Idyllwild with his wife in 2007, Justin worked as a civil engineer in Montana and New Mexico on projects ranging from environmental remediation to infrastructure design. As a longtime Idyllwild resident looking to support his community, Justin is excited to be a part of the IHC team. A lifelong mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast, when not at work Justin loves spending time exploring the San Jacinto mountains and surrounding areas.
Julia Countryman – Board Member
Julia Countryman is a 15 year Idyllwild resident and has more than thirty years of nonprofit experience ranging from YMCA, PTA, Habitat for Humanity, The Art Alliance of Idyllwild, Idyllwild Arts Foundation, Idy’s Helping Hamds, Human Relations Council, Burning Man, The Love Serve Remember Foundation, and Spirit Mountain Retreat, among others. She received her education in English, Philosophy and Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and holds a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of California, Riverside.
Previously, Ms. Countryman was a technical writer for IBM, Electronic Arts, Horiba Instruments, and National Semiconductor. After moving to Idyllwild in 2004, she was a writer for The Desert Sun and as a freelance marketing writer and professional photographer. Currently, she is a grant writer and nonprofit consultant.
Idyllwild Help Center Staff
Colleen Meyer – Executive Director
Olivia Ledesma – Administrative Assistant
Skye Zambrana – Client Services Administrator
Julia Ledesma – Thrift Store Manager
Charlie Richards – Thrift Store Sales Associate
Elizabeth Hannah-Diaz – Thrift Store Sales Associate
Marcia Gawecki – Thrift Store Sales Associate