2026 Steering Committee
Top Row (L to R): Rachael Shaney, Catherine Meek, Polly Nelson, Carrie Murphy, Peggy Russell
Bottom Row (L to R): Gail Mintz, Marquita Flemming, Barrie Cohen, Pamela Smith, Joann Yabrof
Not Pictured: Carrie Carreon, Jackie Ivy
Carrie Carreon
Carrie moved to Ojai with her family in 1992 from Redondo Beach and often describes it as “like moving to Mayberry.” She spent 23 years working in the software development industry before transitioning into a career in Human Resources, primarily in healthcare, working predominantly in the hospital environment. A longtime supporter of the Ojai community, Carrie has volunteered her time with organizations including the Topa Topa PTA, Ojai Valley Girls Softball, Ojai Arsenal Soccer Club, and Ojai Presbyterian Church. In 2025, she joined the Ojai Women’s Fund and currently serves as Co-Chair of Events and Education.
Marquita Flemming
Marquita, her husband John Mirk, and their two children moved to Ojai in 1994. They embraced all aspects of living in Ojai, particularly the robust theatre and arts community. Marquita enjoyed a long career as an Acquisitions Editor in academic and professional publishing. She had the opportunity to work with many notable scholars and develop successful publishing programs in the fields of Psychology, Business, and Social Work. In 2016, she retired from publishing and helped a cadre of amazing women launch the Ojai Women’s Fund. She has been an active OWF volunteer, serving as Co-Chair of the Grants Committee, Co-President of OWF, a Group Leader, and currently as the Secretary, Member-At-Large.
Catherine Meek
Catherine has devoted herself to the education of children experiencing homelessness since she became School on Wheels’ first volunteer tutor on Skid Row in 1999. As Executive Director, she oversaw its growth from a small local nonprofit serving 300 students to one engaging over 1,800 volunteers and 2,000 students across six Southern California counties. A seasoned business leader with over 25 years as President of Meek and Associates and VP and Partner at international consulting firms, Catherine is guided by her belief that education is both a fundamental right and an economic imperative for unhoused children. She is currently Co-President of OWF and serves on the boards of School on Wheels and HELP of Ojai. She has lived in paradise in Oak View for over 25 years, with her husband Al Earle.
Carrie Murphy
Originally from the Midwest, Carrie moved to Ojai in 1990. She spent most of her career working at First 5 Ventura County and the Ventura County Office of Education, opening child care programs, preschools, and helping launch transitional kindergarten. Carrie has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Human Development. In her current role as co-Chair to the Grants Committee, she's enjoying getting to know the work of the non-profits in the Ojai Valley. Much of Carrie's free time is being spent learning the games of pickleball and mahjongg.
Peggy Russell
Peggy Russell has lived in Ojai for the past 27 years after moving from Altadena where she worked as a bookkeeper for Rusco, Inc., her husband John’s company. With Peggy and John came a menagerie of animals they continue to care for. Peggy has had the privilege of working with volunteers for many of the non-profits and was fortunate to be a Co-Founder of the Ojai Women’s Fund with Karen Evenden and Kyle Crowner. She has received numerous sweepstakes awards at both the Los Angeles and Ventura County Fairs for her baking and won a National Land O’Lakes cookie contest. Peggy serves as OWF Treasurer.
Pam Smith
Pam and her husband, Rick, moved from Colorado to Ojai in 2020 to be near their youngest and her young family. She has served on OWF's Grants Committee, is a member of two giving circles, and enjoys Co-Chairing the Communications Committee. She has worked professionally in advertising, public relations, and communications, and has devoted most of her volunteer life to advocacy for women around the world. Pam has lived in 14 cities in 6 countries across 3 continents. While living in Hong Kong, she Co-Founded The Women's Foundation of Hong Kong. She graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in French and English. While there, she was part of a vocal group sent by USO Shows for 3 tours to entertain troops during the Vietnam War.
Barrie Cohen
Originally from New York City, Barrie has loved living in Ojai for the last 3 years. She joined OWF last year as a group leader, founding Seeds of Change and is now the Membership Committee Co-Chair. She is a community builder and founder of Meiners Oaks Community Garden, where she brings people together through plants, learning, and local food. When she’s not in the garden or working with OWF, she’s likely out hiking with her dog, Bruce.
Jackie Ivy
Jackie Ivy is a creative executive and retail design leader with an extensive background in brand experience, store design, and creative production. Over the course of her career, she has held senior leadership roles with major global brands, including Nike, where she helped lead innovative retail and experiential design initiatives. Jackie’s work combines architecture, storytelling, and brand strategy, shaped by her academic background in architecture and exhibition design from Yale University. Now based in Ojai, she remains active in creative and community endeavors and is known for her collaborative leadership style, thoughtful design perspective, and passion for building meaningful experiences.
Gail Mintz
Gail and her husband Alan have been part-time residents of the Ojai Valley since 2007. Upon retirement from her work as a healthcare administrator, they moved to Ojai full time where they share their home with a dog and two cats. They both have become avid pickleball players. In addition to serving as Grants Committee Co-Chair, Gail enjoys volunteering at Twice Sold Tales and working with the Garden Club to ensure fresh flowers are placed weekly in the Ojai Post Office.
Polly Nelson
Polly Nelson is a retired senior retail executive with a distinguished career spanning leadership roles at major global organizations including Esprit, Disney, and Louis Vuitton. Her scope of responsibility included merchandising, strategic planning, operations, and organizational leadership, leading teams and business initiatives for both domestic and international markets. Since retiring and relocating to Ojai with her husband Scott in 2018, Polly has become deeply involved in community leadership and philanthropy. She joined the Ojai Women’s Fund soon after arriving and has served in numerous leadership roles, including four years on the Grants Committee, two years as Grants Committee Co-Chair, and currently as Co-President alongside Catherine Meek. Polly is also the Group Leader of the Givers & Shakers Giving Circle and serves on the leadership team and choir at Ojai Presbyterian Church.
Rachael Shaney
Rachael relocated to Ojai from Los Angeles in 2022, bringing a background in design and engineering leadership developed over more than 13 years at the cross-section of the technology and entertainment industries. Originally from the metro-Detroit area, she holds a Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Rachael currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Communications Committee, applying her experience in design, visual storytelling, and technical expertise to help shape how OWF shows up in the community. She is also a volunteer with the Humane Society of Ventura County and other local animal rescue organizations.
Joann Yabrof
Joann Yabrof is an educator, mentor, and international education consultant with a lifelong commitment to student development and community engagement. She has served as a Master Teacher at University Charter Schools at CSUCI and as a youth mentor with the EPIC Leadership Center. Joann holds a Doctor of Transformational Leadership degree from Bakke Graduate University and has worked extensively in educational leadership and mentoring. A longtime resident of the Ojai Valley, she is actively involved in local nonprofit and community organizations and is known for her warm leadership style, dedication to lifelong learning, and passion for supporting youth and community connection. Joann Co-Chairs the OWF Membership Committee.