WHO WE ARE
We are a group of Bodega Bay residents who came together because we saw a need.
Our 501C3 nonprofit relies on fundraisers, donations and grants to operate. All funds collected go directly to support our local charitable projects.
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Bodega Bay started out as a small fishing village. It has now become quite the tourist destination. There is a huge demand for short term housing here during our various tourist seasons. While this is a great revenue source for business owners and real estate owners,we find that there is a massive affordability gap in the housing market for the folks who live and work in our community.
Often times, after paying the large rents, there is literally not enough household funds remaining to purchase family food. We believe that the basis of a community comes from the service providers being able to live in the community in which they work. This is true for the hospitality industry as well as for our educators, sheriff, firefighters, paramedics, fishermen/women and construction workers.
Waves of Compassion Foundation’s first project brought us together — a community based food pantry to assist our local community residents and workers with the high cost of food. Our mission statement, however, can take us in many directions in the future.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carolyn Connors
President
I moved to Bodega Bay in 1971 with my husband, Peter Connors, who had a one-year post-doc position at Bodega Marine Laboratory. After working in science for several years, I raised our two sons and became very involved with Bodega Bay School and Shoreline Unified School District. I then became employed at BBS as librarian and instructional assistant. After 15 years at BBS, I retired in 2015, though I continue to volunteer at the school. I then organized the distribution of food from a Marin County Food Pantry to families in Bodega Bay. This led to the formation of Waves of Compassion Foundation, supporting our coastal community in times of need. I am a member of Bodega Bay Grange 777, Bodega Bay CERT, and Bodega Bay Community Center.
Lira Filippini
I was lucky to call Bodega Bay my home from 2011-2019. I grew up in Auburn, California, studied Sociology at UCSC, and then spent some time living in Oakland, creating large-scale steel art. I then discovered Bodega Bay, where I promptly moved and started a couple of businesses, joined organizations, served as President of the Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and founded the new Sonoma Coast Visitor Center. My focus is on living a loving and artistic life with my family, friends, pets, and plants. Though I have now moved back down the coast to Santa Cruz, I am so happy and proud to continue to be a part of this lovely foundation that serves our cherished Bodega Bay community.
Vice President
Patty Ginochio
Vice President
Lifelong resident of Bodega Bay, full time resident 15 years ago. Owner of local business in Bodega Bay, Ginochio’s Kitchen along with my husband Paul and daughter Alicia. Past President of Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Bodega Bay CERT. One of the original founding members of Waves of Compassion. Prior to retiring in 2018, worked in the corporate relocation management industry for 33 years.
Peter Connors
Treasurer
I am a retired biologist, having spent most of my career as a researcher and administrator at the University of California Bodega Marine Laboratory, with interests in shorebird biology, grassland ecology, conservation of endangered plants, and marine algae distributions along our coast. I am a long-time member of another 501(c)(3) , the Organization of Biological Field Stations, a non-profit for which I served as Treasurer and a fundraiser. I “keep the books” for Waves of Compassion Foundation.
Suzanne Martin
Secretary
My husband and I have lived part-time in Bodega Bay since 2001. I retired from the biopharmaceutical industry in 2004, then worked for 13 years as a Family Counselor with Alzheimer’s Association, and held Board positions with the Eckenhoff Foundation for Leukemia Research and with TheatreWorks of Palo Alto. I began volunteering at the Food Pantry in 2018 and look forward to helping WOCF expand services to our wonderful neighbors in Bodega Bay.
Alicia Ginochio
Alicia Ginochio is the Owner and General Manager of Ginochio's Kitchen waterfront restaurant in Bodega Bay. Her love of the ocean and community enables her to have valuable insight into the needs of our coastal communities. She is Vice President of the Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, served on our Advisory Council, columnist for the Sonoma County Gazette "Bodega Bay Tidings" and is a Board member for the Bodega Bay Firefighters Foundation. She has lived in Bodega Bay for 13 years.
Director
Brian Leubitz
Director
My husband and I have lived part time in Bodega Bay with a series of impossibly cute pugs since 2010, and made the move from San Francisco full-time in 2020. While in San Francisco I worked as a lawyer and in politics, managing local and statewide campaigns. Now that I've moved to Bodega Bay full-time, I'm very excited to help this incredible organization fulfill its important community mission.
Former Board Members
We want to thank the amazing commitment and support of our former board members. They have helped build, strengthen and grow this organization over the years. Without their help and support along the way, we wouldn't be nearly as effective in supporting our community.
Angela Aloise Julie Schneider
Cheryl Connell
