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Management Team

Akila Gibbs

Executive Director

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(626) 685-6703

Akila Gibbs has devoted herself to the issues associated with our aging population. She began her career in television news as an award-winning jounalist for 16 years. She transitioned to the nonprofit sector working as Director of Public Relations for the Alzheimer's Association. 

In 2008, Akila joined the Pasadena Senior Center as Executive Director were she continues to lead the organization to help meet the growing needs of older adults in our community. She is an active member of Pasadena Rotary, serves on the boards of Huntington Hospital, The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and Westridge School for Girls.

 

Akila was one of California Senator Carol Lui's 25th Senate District 2015 Women of the Year and was also presented with the Junior League of Pasadena's 2016 Community Impact Award. Akila and her husband, Albert, have two adult children.

Alan Barasorda

Director of Finance and Human Resources

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(626) 685-6723

Alan Barasorda jointed the Center’s management team as the Director of Finance and Human Resources in May 2007. Alan is a born Angelino. Since graduating from UCLA, he has remained active in the Alumni Association, presently serving as President of the Rose Bowl Bruins, San Gabriel Valley Alumni Chapter. He is also serving as President of the Order of Malta Auxiliary Volunteers, Los Angeles Region.

Mary Merino-Avila

Director of Development

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(626) 685-6728

Mary Avila joined the Development Department in September of 2024. With a BA in Political Science, she has spent nearly two decades in nonprofit fundraising.  Mary is mission driven and has served as a Development Director for the California Science Center, the Posse Foundation and Childrens Hospital, LA to name a few.  Mary is married with two adult children and husky named Nani.    

Annie Laskey

Director of Special Events

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(626) 685-6702

Annie Laskey joined the Pasadena Senior Center as the Director of Events in April 2017. She has been involved with nonprofits as an employee, board member, and volunteer for all of her adult life. She graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Theater, with an emphasis in directing and ran a summer theatre festival in Culver City in the 1990s. Prior to the Pasadena Senior Center, she managed the Los Angeles Conservancy’s award-winning Walking Tour program. Annie is currently on the board of the Art Deco Society Los Angeles, and is active in the vintage dance community.

Dion Ferguson

Director of Operations and Classes

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(626) 685-6706

Dion Ferguson earned an Associate’s degree in Arts with a minor in business administration at Pasadena City College in 2002. Prior to working at the Pasadena Senior Center, Dion worked as the shipping and receiving manager for Nationwide Lighting and Electrical Supply in Pasadena for three years. Dion joined the Pasadena City Senior Center as a part-time maintenance employee in May 2008 where his hard work and dedication placed him as Lead of the maintenance team in 2011. Dion quickly became a valuable asset to our community by ensuring that operations are both efficient and effective with his innate ability to think analytically, communicate effectively, and execute efficiently. Dion has contributed to the Center’s ongoing success by offering technical support, implementing security measures, and ensuring the health and safety of the Center’s members and employees by maintaining a close partnership with the city of Pasadena first responders. Dion discovered a passion working closely with older adults and enjoys supporting and connecting with it’s members. Dion values their wealth of knowledge and appreciates every shared life experience.

Charmaine Nelson

Director of Marketing and Communications, Board Liaison

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(626) 685-6759

Charmaine Nelson joined the Pasadena Senior Center as the Marketing Coordinator in 2012 to increase the Center’s digital footprint in Social Media and email marketing. Today she is responsible for the production of the monthly magazine called “Passport” and all formal communications for the Center. She has been involved with nonprofits since 1989 starting her career with the United Way of the Bay Area just one week before the Loma Prieta earthquake. After 10 years of fund raising for the United Way, Charmaine served as a missionary in three different african countries working with the Rafiki Foundation to respond to the needs of children by building schools and villages. She graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Finance.

Carmen Macias

Social Services Manager

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(626) 685-6732

Carmen has been with the Pasadena Senior Center since 2008. She attended Rio Hondo College majoring in Business Communications, but ultimately became a medical assistant after receiving her MA license through Bryman’s Vocational College in Rosemead, following in her mother’s footsteps. She worked for more than 20 years in an urgent care center, where her passion developed for helping people in dire need. She then went on to medical coding/billing and managed a staff of 15 employees for almost 20 years. Eager to get back to helping people one-on-one, Carmen heard about the Pasadena Senior Center and signed on to work in outreach. As a bilingual English/Spanish speaker, she has been invaluable to the team and a blessing to our clients who work with her.

Pam Kaye

Senior Associate Director of Development

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(626) 685-6756

Pam Kaye joined the Development Department in February of 2010. With a BA in French and Spanish, she spent many years in marketing, sales and communications for international corporations and managed a study abroad program in France. While raising two daughters, she developed deep roots in the Pasadena community and devoted time and energies to volunteering for educational organizations, promoting philanthropy, opportunities and raising community awareness. She belongs to the Huntington Gardens and enjoys travel, gardening and science.

Staff

Social Services

  • Carmen Macias
    Manager

    (626) 685-6732
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Development

  • Mary Merino-Avila
    Director of Development

    (626) 685-6728
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  • Pam Kaye
    Senior Associate Director of Development

    (626) 685-6756
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Events & Senior Games

  • Annie Laskey
    Director of Special Events

    (626) 685-6702
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Community Engagement and Volunteers

  • Renee Uriarte
    Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Volunteers

    (626) 685-6724
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Finance & Human Resources

  • Alan Barasorda
    Director of Finance and Human Resources

    (626) 685-6723
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  • Nancy De León Meeker
    Associate Director of Finance and Human Resources
  • Jessica Wiley
    Membership and Development Coordinator

Marketing & Communications

  • Charmaine Nelson
    Director of Marketing and Communications, Board Liaison

    (626) 685-6759
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Classes, Rentals & Operations

  • Dion Ferguson
    Director of Operations, Rentals and Classes

    (626) 685-6706
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  • Peter Matus
    Rentals & Programs Coordinator

    (626) 685-6754
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  • Crystal Miller
    Welcome Desk Administration
  • Jodi Britt
    Welcome Desk Administration