The Board of Directors of Hats for Hope is made up of people who have fought the Cancer battle themselves, or have stood with and supported a loved one throughout the Cancer journey.
To learn a little about each individual Board Member, see below.
Board of Directors
Connie Garcin, 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.
Suzanne Amarillas, Co-founder & President
Co-founder and President of Hats for Hope, Suzanne Amarillas has been involved in their family farming business for many years. She and her husband, Ernie, live in Arroyo Grande. Her desire to make life a little easier for area residents with cancer keeps her involvement with Hats for Hope very active.
Jeannie Miranda, Co-founder
Jeannie is the Co-founder of Hats for Hope, Jeannie Miranda has played an active role in community involvement for many years. She has a background in social work, business and journalism. She enjoys the varied activities of business, Rancho Miranda, spending time with her grandchildren, friends and family and traveling.
Judy Lunberg, Vice President
A lifelong resident of the Central Coast, Judy has a long list of community involvement. She was the founder and served many years on the board of the Special Needs Network and was active with the VIP Fundraiser for Special Olympics for over 15 years. She is active in her company, Babe’ Farms and enjoys spending time with her 3 children and 2 grandchildren. After losing her husband to Cancer 6 years ago she reaffirmed her commitment to Hats for Hope. She was remarried in December of last year to Jim Wafer and remains active in the community.
Kathy McGarry, Secretary
Kathy has served on the Board of Hats for Hope since 2003. As secretary, she does a lot of the behind the scenes work for Hats for Hope. She is very proud to represent Hats for Hope and the good it does in our community. Kathy finds it very rewarding to bring some joy into the lives of people who have to deal with the day to day challenges of having cancer. Kathy also works full time at Alan Hancock College as an Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Academic Affairs, and she coordinates the College’s Cosmetology Program.
Natalie Baragan, Treasurer
Natalie is a 10-year breast cancer survivor. She has known since her diagnosis & treatment of breast cancer that she would do something to give back as a cancer survivor. She feels strongly that Hats for Hope is that place! Natalie is married and lives with her husband and daughter, in Santa Maria. She has been in the banking business for 20 years and is a Senior Vice President & Operations Administrator with Community Bank of Santa Maria. Natalie, over the years has seen that when we help someone, who is dealing with cancer, with the gift of a wig we don’t just help out the patient, by making them happy, we in turn, help those that love them. Witnessing that happiness is her reward for her work with Hats for Hope.
Julie Epps, Board Member
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. She realized that through her background in administration, she could assist in the ongoing contributions this organization makes to her community.
Diane Martino, Board Member
Diane is a Santa Maria native, is married and has three children. She works for a local business API which she and her husband are part owners of. She became involved with Hats for Hope through good friends, and was invited to become a board member. She gladly accepted the position. Diane was drawn to being involved in an organization that can offer hope to anyone who’s going through what she saw her Grandmother go through with cancer. It has become an opportunity for her to honor the example of generosity, selflessness and love that her grandmother was to her and to everyone that knew her.
Joanie Sumner, Board member
Joanie was born and raised in Santa Maria. She returned home and became a local business owner. After the sale of one her businesses, she decided to become involved in Hats for Hope. She was happy to participate on an as needed basis and then discovered how much she enjoyed being involved with such a worthy cause. She is the newest member of the Hats for Hope board and she hopes that their efforts will ease the burdens of those suffering with cancer.
