FOUNDER

Santa Maria native Connie Garcin, founder of Hats for Hope, died in July 2003 of terminal blood cancer known as multiple meyloma. Prior to beginning cancer treatments, which included stem cell transplant, she owned her own transportation safety business. She held a degree in journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

PRESIDENT

Born and raised in Santa Maria, Katie McPike has been involved with Hats for Hope for over 6 years, with this last one as our President. This cause is one that is close to Katie for she has close loved ones who have battled, and are still battling cancer. Being a part of Hats for Hope is her way of honoring those people as well as helping others in the community that are affected. She is extremely thankful and proud of our Central Coast community that come together, year after year to help relieve some of the stress and burden that patients and their families endure.

VICE PRESIDENT

Diane Martino is a Santa Maria native. Diane was drawn to being involved with Hats for Hope because it offers hope to those going through what she saw her Grandmother go through with cancer. Her involvement with Hats for Hope has been a way for her to honor the example of generosity, selflessness and love that her grandmother was to her and to everyone that knew her.

MEMBER/GIFTING PROGRAM CHAIR

A native Santa Marian, Julie Epps is a fully engaged mother of three, a wife and tennis coach. She is a long-time board member of Hats for Hope. She was motivated to become involved in Hats for Hope after she recognized that the women on the receiving end of the organization are wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends just like her.

SECRETARY

Sandhya Patel has lived on the Central Coast for over 30 years as a local business owner and mother of two. As a cancer patient, she received a gift for a wig and later discovered it was from Hats for Hope. Now she wants to help others who may have to decide between putting food on the table or treating their cancer. She is happy to have this opportunity to help others battling cancer.

MEMBER

Kristy has lived on the Central Coast since 1981. She has a BA in Graphic Design and worked in the industry for 23 years before “retiring” to help with her grandkids. She’s witnessed family and close friends struggle with the many burdens brought on by their cancer diagnosis. When Hats for Hope approached her to assist them with their marketing and design needs, she was happy to help. It was a way to honor those loved ones and to give back to the community. Kristy and her husband reside in Santa Maria. They have three children and two grandchildren.

MEMBER

Marcia has been a resident of Arroyo Grande since 1975 raising two children and now enjoying 5 grandchildren. Having witnessed family members and friends who have been through the many challenges presented by cancer, Marcia found that Hats for Hope was a unique organization that focused on providing dignity during this difficult time. She became involved with Hats for Hope as a way to honor them and give back to the community.

TREASURER

Jana was born in Fountain Valley and raised in Three Rivers, CA. Graduated from CPSU SLO with a Bus Admin degree and from USC with a Masters in Corporate Taxation. Jana has been CPA for 32 years, she worked for Ernst & Young in LA and Chicago for 10 years and part time for the next 22 working as a tax and forensic accountant. Jana is most proud of being a mom of three and a wife of 26 years. Jana joined Hats for Hope to support a great group of people who volunteer their efforts to give cancer patients resources in their time of need.

MEMBER

Sara was born & raised in Santa Maria, attended Cal Poly, studied engineering and played for the Cal Poly Women’s Soccer Team. She is recently married and currently works at RDO Equipment in Santa Maria as an account executive. Sara joined the board in 2016 after years of watching her mother Julie Epps give her time to the organization. Sara wishes to serve on the board to give back to the community she grew up in and serve those that need assistance as they battle cancer.

MEMBER

Phoebe is a transplant to the Central Coast from the valley who has been living and raising her family and working in the mortgage lending business in Santa Maria/ Orcutt for over 20 years. Phoebe joined the board to honor her mother who is a breast cancer survivor and to help those suffering from the physical, emotional and financial struggles a cancer diagnosis can bring with it. She is happy to be serving on this board where she can see directly the good Hats for Hope is doing in the community.

MEMBER/EVENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Liz moved to the central coast in 1992 when her husband was stationed at VAFB and has been working in the banking industry for 29 years. Liz knows firsthand how nobody is unaffected by cancer. She is an endometrial cancer survivor and lost her mother to cancer four years ago along with many other family members and friends. Liz joined the Hats for Hope board in order to pay it forward to those in the fight. She would like to do all she can to help local patients and their families during this difficult time. Liz strongly believes in the work Hats for Hope does for the community and how it is able to directly help people unlike any other organization.

MEMBER

Sara is a Santa Maria native and mother of four who has been attending Hats for Hope events & supporting its cause from its inception. Sara was motivated to join the Hats for Hope board of directors in order to give back the community & help ease the burdens a cancer diagnosis can bring. As many of us have, she has seen many friends and family members battle cancer and knows how important it is to offer a helping hand during such a stressful season. Sara is happy to join the board to help raise the spirits of Central Coast residents going through cancer, and to ensure they know they are not alone.

GIFTING COMMITTEE MEMBER

Gloria Mahoney is a long time resident of the Central Coast. Having witnessed many family members and friends battling with cancer, she wanted to positively impact her community by finding ways to make this struggle a little easier. Working with the dedicated members of the Hats for Hope team enables her to touch others' lives and help them through this difficult time.