Meet the Team

We are proud of our diverse and accomplished team here at Lifespan. Our professional care managers, schedulers, and office support team work cooperatively to allow our clients to age in place as independently as possible and enjoy the best possible quality of life. Our team members strive to help our clients remain independent, age in place, and enjoy the best possible quality of life.

  • Max Winograd

    CEO/PRESIDENT

    After scanning the country to partner with the most innovative companies and teams in homecare, Max found Lifespan to have the perfect mix: an inspiring 36-year legacy built by RNs Pam Goodman and Becky Peters and an amazing team of operators, care managers, well-being activity coordinators, and caregivers serving a progressive community at the forefront of change with a growing need for aging life care services.

  • Ashley Min, MHA

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
    Ashley joined the Lifespan team in 2015, bringing vision, insight, and unbounded creativity regarding healthcare management. She holds a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona and a Bachelors’ degree in Kinesiology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. During her tenure at Lifespan, Ashley introduced a company leadership structure, implemented electronic medical platforms to better manage both human resources and clients. Additionally she streamlined communication and efficiency between field staff and the administrative team. Ashley was key in establishing Lifespan as one of the first home care agencies in Santa Cruz County to achieve licensure by the California Department of Social Services Home Care Operations Bureau. Ashley’s passion lies in creating successful teams capable of growing and educating the general public about the value of private duty home care, professional aging care management and overall well-being for the aging population.

  • Brittani Clinite, LVN

    LEAD CARE MANAGER Aging Life Care Advanced Professional

    Brittani was raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains and knew from a young age she wanted to be a nurse. Brittani began her career as a home care
    aide while attending Carrington College in San Jose California, where she received her License of Vocational Nursing. She has worked in a variety of care settings, including a disordered eating treatment facility, substance abuse treatment facilities, correctional facilities and most recently was an Investigator for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff Coroner’s Office. Brittani has a special interest in the aging population and has remained passionate about working to help others. She strives to provide exceptional care and support to her clients, their loved ones, and their multidisciplinary teams.

  • Saundie Isaak, MS, CMC

    LIFESPAN CARE MANAGER
    Aging Life Care Advanced Professional

    Saundie received her Bachelor of Art from Fresno Pacific University and a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Fresno, in Therapeutic Recreation. Her Master of Science in Health Services Administration is from Saint Mary's University. Saundie has been a Certified Care Manager since 2009. Saundie is a member of the Aging Life Care Association. She has over two decades of experience that includes skilled nursing, assisting living with memory care, independent living, and home care. Saundie's passion is providing professional guidance and support to her clients, their families, and the care team.

  • Denise Mickel, MS

    LIFESPAN CARE MANAGER
    Aging Life Care Professional

    Denise received her Bachelor’s of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University and her Masters of Science in Gerontology from San Jose State. Denise has been in the field of aging for over 28 years. She has worked in a variety of care settings, including skilled nursing facilities, memory care in assisted living, dementia day care, and home-based visits. She has also served as an Adult Protective Services Senior Social Worker and as a Deputy Public Guardian. Denise has a proven rapport with clients, families, caregivers, and peers. She enjoys the challenges of assessment, coordinating services, and providing education and support around dementia. She is in the process of obtaining National certification in the field of Aging Life Care.

  • Nicole Mitchell, LVN

    LIFESPAN CARE MANAGER

    Nicole attended Saint Mary's College of California where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Immediately following graduation, Nicole joined Lifespan as a caregiver where she realized her fervor for the field of health care. The experience of caring for people both physically and emotionally ignited her passion and prompted her to pursue a career in nursing. Nicole went on to receive her License of Vocational Nursing from Unitek College in San Jose, CA. She initially worked as an LVN and surgical assistant in the field of dermatology. Now back at Lifespan, Nicole is dedicated to providing the very best care management to clients and their loved ones.

  • Viviana Marin, LVN

    LIFESPAN CARE MANAGER

    Viviana, a devoted vocational nurse and graduate of WestMed College in Atwater, California, boasts over 20 years of diverse medical experience. Commencing her journey as a medical receptionist at The Santa Cruz Women's Health Center in the early 2000s, Viviana has since excelled as a staff nurse in a correctional facility, served as a dermatology vocational nurse, and contributed her skills to a skilled nursing facility in Santa Cruz County.

    Committed to the well-being of her community, she is eager to work with the aging population of her hometown utilizing her bilingual skills and is dedicated to bringing her knowledge and experience in the medical field to positively impact the health of the community where she grew up and is currently raising her children

  • Nichole Sultana

    STAFFING MANAGER

    Nichole was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California and has been growing her experience with Lifespan since 2017. She began her journey in homecare working directly with elders as a home care aide. She was later promoted to the position of Administrative Coordinator where her professional demeanor and strong organizational skills were clearly evident. Her next advancement saw her transition into the staffing department as Scheduling Coordinator. Having excelled in that capacity, Nichole was promoted to the position of Staffing Manager. In this role, Nichole is dedicated to establishing and coordinating Lifespan client and staff schedules. Her ultimate goal is to follow in the founder’s footsteps and become a Lifespan nurse. Serving the community she grew up in is what she loves the most about working for this agency.

  • Hannah Warners, BA

    STAFFING AND PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

    Hannah hails from Michigan where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Outdoor Education from Central Michigan University. She interned in the recreational therapy departments at several skilled nursing facilities as well as in a mental health setting. Hannah also enjoyed volunteering throughout at various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She is truly passionate about working with older adults and providing an encouraging environment for individuals within this population to feel seen, heard, appreciated. Hannah is focused on using her degree and passion to provide innovative, purposeful, and enriching interventions and activity programming to enhance the quality of life for all clients as the Staffing and Programs Coordinator here at Lifespan.

  • Alicia Cortez-Moreno, CNA, HHA

    HOMECARE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

    Alicia has worked with Lifespan for 25 years. Alicia started at Lifespan as a Home Care Aide and quickly moved up in the Lifespan organization as the staffing supervisor and now as our Home Care Operations Coordinator. In her current position, Alicia's primary role is to ensure that our home care aides are appropriately matched to each client, She provides additional training and support to the home care aides by making home visits for supervision and training. She is also head of Lifespan's safety team.

  • Vanessa Wertheimer

    OFFICE MANAGER

    Vanessa is a Bay Area native who found her home in Santa Cruz after receiving her A.A. Degree in English at Cabrillo College. Vanessa has over 10 years of experience working in the care field but discovered her calling while working in senior care. Vanessa started out as a Home Care Aide with Lifespan, worked her way up to a Well Being Activity Coordinator, and soon became an instrumental part of the office crew as Office Manager. Being a member of the Lifespan team has been a dream for her and allows her to help out clients, caregivers, and office staff in a whole new way!

  • Joleen Cuellar

    ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

    Joleen, a Santa Cruz local, joined our Lifespan team in November 2023. She earned her A.A. in culinary arts from Le Cordon Bleu, San Francisco. As an administrative coordinator at Lifespan, she brings with her 17 years of experience in the culinary industry, as well as 10 years of experience as a caregiver. She has developed a strong foundation in organization, problem-solving, and communication, which seamlessly translate into her administrative role. Her unique combination of skills support Lifespan's mission of providing exceptional care to our clientele and helping them live their best life every day of their life!

  • Jamie Cabral

    TALENT ACQUISITION MANAGER

    Bay Area Native Jamie is the perfect fit to recruit our Home Care Team. She has made a career of motivating team members to give their best. She has recruited and trained award winning hospitality teams and has turned her passion to helping seniors live their best lives. She is certified in various forms of Senior Fitness and realizes this is the key to the quality of life for our aging population. Encouraging students to keep moving and having fun is the favorite part of her week. She brings this enthusiasm to all aspects of her position as the Talent Coordinator at Lifespan.

  • Stacy Ybarra

    ACCOUNTING LEAD

    Coming in strong with south county pride is Stacy. She attended the University of California, Davis and found her way to Lifespan in 2014. Beginning as the administrative coordinator position, Stacy built up her skills and now serves as our accounting lead. Even though she’s one of the faces from behind the scenes, Stacy brings her light to share with the home care community. Passionate about the care we provide here at Lifespan, Stacy continues to push our team to raise the bar and develop our next level of service.

Founders

Becky Peters and Pam Goodman launched Lifespan in 1983 because they saw a need in the community to better serve the aging population. Their vision focused on a service that promotes health, safety, comfort and independence of older persons.  Nearly four decades later, Lifespan continues to be a local leader and innovator in care management for adults of all ages in addition to providing personalized home care.

Lifespan was one of the original geriatric/aging care management agencies on the West Coast and the very first in Santa Cruz County. Viewed as pioneers, Ms. Peters and Ms. Goodman were among the initial group to obtain certification as Geriatric Care Managers. Their combined expertise in the myriad challenges of aging is evident in every aspect of Lifespan services.

Over the years, Ms. Peters and Ms. Goodman have volunteered their time and skills to numerous community organizations and boards which serve older persons in the greater Santa Cruz Community. As members of Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club, both have expanded their volunteer reach to less developed areas of the world including Peru and Tanzania.

Becky Peters, RN, BSN

Ms. Peters received her B.S. in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina.

She has 40 years of experience with geriatric nursing in public and private settings. She has served on the faculty of Cabrillo College and has serviced on a number of community boards. She is a past president of the Santa Cruz Alzheimer's Association Board.

Ms. Peters has authored several articles and a chapter in the book, Managing Home Care for the Elderly - Lessons from Community-based Agencies, and was one of the first Certified Geriatric Care Managers in the US.

Pamela Goodman, RN, BSN - Senior Advisor

Ms. Goodman received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Humboldt State University and is credentialed as a California Public Nurse.

Pam has 40 years of experience in the field of aging including adult day health care, acute psychiatric care and home care. She is an expert in managing the challenges that face persons with dementia and mental health problems.

In addition to her work in the local community, Ms. Goodman is a long-time member and past-President of the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club, serves on the Board of Directors of Grey Bears and was the Aptos Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2019.