Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives. Giving back—through time, experience, and leadership—has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

For the past five years, I’ve served on the board of SOS Meals on Wheels. I began as treasurer, and for the last two years, I’ve had the honor of serving as board president. What drives me is simple: the belief that every meal we deliver carries more than nutrition—it carries compassion. For many of our clients, we may be the only person they see all day. That moment of human connection is just as vital as the food itself.

Before dedicating myself to community service, I spent ten years as a chemical engineer, earned my MBA from Stanford, and ran a healthcare consulting practice for 35 years. Since retiring a decade ago, I’ve focused my energy on causes that matter. In addition to my work with SOS Meals on Wheels, I currently serve as vice chair of the Oakland Mayor’s Commission on Aging.

If you’re curious about our work or want to explore how you can get involved, I’d be happy to connect. The more we come together, the more we can do for those who need us most.

Meg is an energetic, empathetic leader with years of experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She is deeply committed to helping improve the lives of others and passionate about seniors. Meg started her career in hospitality and healthcare, then shifted to work in senior services and housing, in roles focused on integrating technology, people, and processes to meet the strategic goals of an organization. She is driven by a firm belief that success is most likely when each of us contributes according to our passions and unique skills.

Meg’s early family and life experiences taught her that any one of us can suffer an unexpected health, personal or financial setback leaving us in need of assistance. Her work as a board member at various non-profits has shown how powerful that assistance is both for the recipient and the person offering help. SOS Meals on Wheels is a perfect example of harnessing that power, while offering nutritious daily meals and reducing isolation for older adults.

Meg spends her free time baking, walking the hills with her rescue dogs, or reading a novel with a cat in her lap.

Supporting homebound and frail older adults is a passion for Mary Louise Zernicke. As the Senior Nutritionist for Adult and Aging Services in Alameda County for over 25 years she provided technical assistance and oversight to all Alameda County senior health and nutrition programs, including over 2,500 meals on wheels daily and over 40 senior dining site programs. Mary Louise also supported health promotion, falls prevention and disease prevention programs provided by Alameda County Social Services Agency.
Mary Louise was the tenured Department Chair and Program Director in the Nutrition and Dietetics department at Merritt College for 15 years.
Mary Louise has a Bachelor of Sciences and Master in Public Health from UC Berkeley, and a Master in Science from University of New Haven. She is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and is a Certified Specialist in Gerontology
(CSG).

Andy Cameron joined the Board in January 2026. He brings to the Board and SOS significant legal, regulatory, governance and nonprofit experience.

For more than eight years, Andy has been General Counsel of the Masons of California’s various entities, including two non-profit senior living communities and a charitable foundation. Before taking on this work, Andy served as General Counsel to large financial services and insurance entities, worked in the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and was an associate at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco.

Andy earned his BA from Oberlin College, in Ohio, and his JD from Columbia University, in New York City. Andy and his wife have lived in Berkeley, California for more than 25 years, raising two kids there. Andy is also on the board of Las Trampas, in Lafayette, California, and tutors adults in English and history in Oakland. He’s thrilled to be part of SOS’s team of dedicated directors, team members and clients.

Adrien Abuyen is a nonprofit executive and civic leader currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, where he leads efforts to expand lifesaving programs, strengthen community partnerships, and advance compassionate care for animals and the people who love them. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from U.C. Berkeley and began his career in the office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, gaining experience in constituent services and public policy. Prior to his current role, he worked in nonprofit leadership, public affairs, and advocacy throughout the Bay Area, supporting organizations focused on seniors, housing, and community impact.

A proud alumnus of the College of Alameda, Adrien's leadership journey began in student government there and across the Peralta Community College District, shaping his lifelong commitment to civic engagement and coalition-building. He currently serves on the boards of RepresentEd Leadership, which cultivates diverse, community-centered leaders, and SOS Meals on Wheels. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Adrien brings a strong record of bridging community, government, and nonprofit sectors in service of shared goals.

Nick joined the SOS Meals on Wheels Board of Directors driven by a deep, lifelong reverence for the elderly—a respect rooted in the close bond he shared with his grandmother, Dolly. Her influence left him with a lasting concern for the well-being of seniors and a firm belief that every individual deserves to age with dignity, connection, and proper nutrition.

A San Leandro resident and IT professional since 2006, Nick founded his own Managed Service Provider (MSP) in 2016. He enjoys applying his technical expertise and entrepreneurial background to help SOS Meals on Wheels navigate the modern challenges of serving the community.

Dr. Judy Chen is a committed advocate for community well-being. Her role on the Fundraising Committee underscores her dedication to ensuring that homebound seniors receive nutritious meals that are vital for their health and independence. With extensive experience in strategic leadership and a passion for community service, Dr. Judy leverages her skills to enhance the organization's outreach and fundraising efforts. Her previous roles, including her time at Electronic Arts (EA) and running her own consulting company, Expanchen Services, have equipped her with unique insights into project management and strategic growth, which she applies to support SOS Meals on Wheels' mission. Additionally, her mentoring roles at Techstars and SCORE East Bay reflect her commitment to nurturing talent and fostering community connections. 

Katherine D'Amato is the Director of PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) at Shanti Project, a San Francisco nonprofit providing support services to reduce isolation for low-income older adults and adults with disabilities. In her 10+ years leading the program, she has grown its budget from $400K to $1.6M and expanded services to reach 400 clients annually. Katherine brings expertise in program development, contract management, grant writing, donor strategy, with a particular focus on helping vulnerable adults age with dignity and independence

Earlier in her career, Katherine worked as a healthcare management consultant and co-authored research published in Health Affairs. She holds a Master of Social Welfare in Management and Planning from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Smith College.

Katherine lives in Oakland in a cohousing community with her wife Darcy and their giant sweet cat, Ted. 

I have been a Meals on Wheels volunteer since 1989.  Yes, I am that old!!

Meals on Wheels has been a major part of my life and the people I have met, the lessons I have learned, and the compassion of the Meals on Wheels people are something that has made me a better person. 

My experience with home visits to our homebound seniors, delivery of meals or just a friendly visit I have learned that our seniors are an invisible part of our society, and we have an obligation to protect and care for them.

My job is as a sales rep for an electrical manufacturer and Meals on Wheels enthusiast by night!

Karen Friedman practiced law from 1977 until retirement and brings decades of professional and civic leadership to the SOS Meals on Wheels board of directors. She has served on numerous nonprofit and community boards over the years, including the Oakland Rotary Club, the City of Oakland Rent Board, Senior Services of California, the Peralta Colleges Foundation, and Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union — frequently as President or a member of the Executive Committee.

It was during her time on the Peralta Colleges Foundation board that Karen became aware of how many students were food or housing insecure — a discovery that surprised and moved her to act. She encouraged the Oakland Rotary Club to form a committee focused on food insecurity at Laney College, then organized a team of Rotarians to staff a weekly food giveaway for students, serving long lines of students in need of fresh groceries and prepared lunches throughout and after the pandemic. When federal funding for the program ended, Karen brought that same energy to SOS Meals on Wheels, volunteering in the kitchen and adopting a weekly Tuesday delivery route to homebound seniors. Meals on Wheels has become close to her heart, and she is honored to continue that work as a member of the board.

Pcyeta Stroud is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and currently serves as a dedicated Board Member for S.O.S. Meals on Wheels. With over 13 years of experience in economic and workforce development, she brings a deep commitment to equity, service, and leadership in every role she holds. As the Director of Strategic Business and Career Development for RSSC, Pcyeta’s work is grounded in creating access and opportunity, particularly for underserved communities throughout the Bay Area. Her dedication to community service is reflected in her broad civic engagement, from mentoring emerging leaders to securing critical funding for local businesses. Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, Pcyeta is a mom and wife who loves to eat, run, and indulge in hate-watching movies. Whether through nonprofit leadership or public service, she remains steadfast in her mission to uplift others and make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Victor has centered his 20+ year career around learning and facilitation, working to serve, advocate for, and create autonomy for historically marginalized and underserved communities in various diverse settings, spanning non-profit, healthcare, and consulting in local, national, and global settings.

Currently, Victor is a part of a team of trainers and organizational development professionals with the City and County of San Francisco. In this stream of work, Victor is involved in organizational development, management training, team building, process improvement and leadership development.

Previously, Victor worked in change management consulting, focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), fostering a global sense of community and belonging – creating safe, brave spaces where everyone could show up as their authentic selves and do the best work of their careers.

A proud first-gen Latino, Victor’s sense of self-efficacy is highest when he can apply his lived experiences and skill set in a way that serves his community and the common good.

Victor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from St. Patrick’s College, Menlo Park. and a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of San Francisco. A certified ICF executive and leadership coach.