Our Mission
To provide the world’s children with values and life skills needed to achieve emotional, social, and academic success through innovative learning programs.
From account management at J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, June moved to the University of Southern California to produce promotional films and guide the university’s involvement with the film and television industry. She concurrently earned her master’s degree in journalism/mass communications at USC. June then established Salin Associates to represent film directors and music producers while providing global production resources for international commercial and film production.
June’s vision for Manadoob arose after creating and producing the documentary, Kids & Animals – A Healing Partnership, which aired on Animal Planet and was subsequently distributed in television markets throughout the world. The documentary reveals the powerful healing dynamic between children facing extreme challenges and animals struggling with their own trials. Kids & Animals became a much sought after teaching/educational tool—schools, universities, teachers, psychologists and hospitals.
"I was inspired. I envisioned an opportunity to take animal-assisted therapy to another level to reach and inform children."
June partnered with Susan Cooper and, over the past 15 years, developed a creative and inspiring learning system devoted to nourishing self-empowerment and self-esteem in children traveling an often confusing and uncertain path in life. June has continued her commitment to children as the Founder and President of Prepare Kids for Life.
As co-creator of The Manadoob Program, Susan is dedicated to the study of cognitive behavioral therapies. Susan is a multi-Emmy Award winning documentary producer/director at Taublieb Films and is the Executive Producer of the top grossing motion picture The Vow. Susan graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Communication Studies. Susan has three sons and lives in Malibu, CA.
"My passion and challenge has always been to provide the tools and elements to help children become the best of who they are."
Tony Peckham, having earned an MA in film from San Francisco State University, has been a screenwriter and producer for 30 years. His credits include Sherlock Holmes and Invictus for which he was awarded the Writer’s Guild Paul Selvin Award, recognizing written work which embodies the spirit of constitutional rights and civil liberties. He lives with his family on the Central Coast of California, surrounded by trees and animals.
"I am grateful to feel the healing power of living beings every day. It is an honor to share these essential elements in support of children in need."
Janna has 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector. She served as director of administration and finance, accounting and contracts coordinator, and financial analyst for several organizations. Janna designed and administered new systems for contract management, purchasing agreements and overall fiscal management for agencies. Janna currently serves as the Financial Analyst for both Dangerfield Institute of Urban Problems and Climate Resolve. Formerly, she was an Executive Director of Family Alliances Improving Today’s Youth, FAITH organization for ten years. Janna earned her Master of Public Administration from California State University and Bachelor of Arts from Tuskegee University.
After retiring in 2017 as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Tetra Tech, Inc., Janis relocated from the Pasadena area to Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County. She serves on the Research Committee of the Santa Barbara Women’s Fund for which she researches Santa Barbara County non-profits and evaluates their grant proposals, as a director and member of the finance and development committees of the Carpinteria Children's Project, and as President and a director of the Tribal Trust Foundation. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM) Auxiliary, interviews student applicants for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and volunteers at the Transition House shelter for homeless families in Santa Barbara. Janis earned her B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Candy brings decades of experience to her role as director, treasurer and secretary. She earned a BS in business specializing in accounting and taxation from California State University at Northridge. Upon graduation she obtained her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with the California State Board of Accountancy and began her career with Alder, Green & Hasson. She then joined Rico International as the controller and attained the position of Director of Finance. An avid horse woman, she served as the President of the Tri-Valley Horse Show Association. Today, Candy continues to work in her own CPA practice. Working with Prepare Kids for Life fulfills her desire to make a meaningful and productive difference in the lives of children in need.
Brittany is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Senior Manager on the Digital Architecture & Delivery team at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). She reinvests at PwC by leading the Cloud & Digital - Enabling Microsoft Women to Women (W2W) network that enables women in Consulting to achieve their leadership potential and thrive during their careers in technology. She previously led the W2W Connectivity initiative directing a program that partnered with nonprofits and school programs that focused on conducting STEM workshops with underserved and BIPOC female high school students. Brittany also champions animal welfare by being on the Board and Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation (LAACF).
Board Member Emeritus
For the past 35 years Dr. Solomon has been a credentialed teacher, a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor, and an ASGPP board certified psychodrama director. As Executive and Training Director at the California Institute of Psychodrama, he has conducted psychodrama sessions at major growth centers in California and at seven psychiatric hospitals in the San Fernando Valley. As one of the first non-addicts to live and learn at Synanon, he became a specialist in the treatment of substance abuse. In this capacity, he became the founding program director at Norwalk State Hospital's Family Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program.
Linda graduated with a Masters of Arts degree from Arizona State University, where she majored in Special Education and minored in Psychology. After teaching in Arizona and re-locating to Southern California, she worked in a variety of teaching and administration positions for 32 years. These positions include Orange County Special School Principal; Irvine Unified School District Program Specialist; Special Education Resource Specialist; Special Education SDC teacher K-12; and California State University, Long Beach Fieldwork Supervisor. Since her retirement, Linda has been actively involved in a variety of community services. She served on the Napa Valley College Foundation Board and the Parents Can Board to address student needs. Among other current activities, Linda is a member of the Santa Barbara Women’s Fund, serving on the Research Committee, and the Child Abuse Listening Mediation (CALM) Auxiliary. Because of her background in education, Linda is pleased to support and help children and families with special needs.
Paula Armstead has over 15 years' experience in higher education in both the California state university and California community college system as an educator and administrator. Her dedication to students stems from her own experience as a student affected by social, economic, and educational adversity. This perspective has enabled her to be an advocate for students and affirms her commitment to addressing the disparities in accessibility, retention, and success amongst underrepresented college students.
Paula received a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in Liberal Arts with a concentration in African American studies and a master’s degree from San Jose State University in Higher Education Administration. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Peralta Association of African American Affairs, and the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of Educational Success at College of Alameda and resides in Oakland, CA.
Tim Blaylock has over 27 years’ experience in Boys & Girls Club leadership, management, and implementing youth development strategies. After earning a degree in education, he worked at Washington State University for five years and then the World Corporate Games for two years. He transitioned his enthusiasm for young people, education, sports and recreation to Boys & Girls Club in Washington State which he led for over 12 years. He then relocated and helmed the Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard for over 10 years. He has dedicated his career to helping youth develop socially and academically. As a leader, he realizes our vision by investing in his professional staff, enlisting caring and committed volunteers toward a shared goal and hope for a greater future for kids. Tim most recently served as the CEO of the West Valley Boys & Girls Club.
Nancy is chief training officer for Prepare Kids for Life. For over 28 years, Nancy worked for a world-wide human resources provider, a Fortune Global 500 company, in sales, operations and training. She worked closely with large corporations, non-profits and universities. Nancy managed and was responsible for training, project management, and staffing for over 400 employees. She also served as a member of the National Corporate Diversity Council. Nancy then worked as an account executive and special projects manager for the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the world, developing and implementing volunteer programs and corporate alliances. For Manadoob, Nancy has identified, developed, trained and supported licensed Manadoob educators; created the Manadoob resource library; assisted in the development of the online training program; trained, mentored and supported teachers and facilitators of the Manadoob Program both domestically and internationally; and worked with youth centers at military bases world-wide.
Let’s partner and share so we can best help children navigate the challenges they face in today’s world.
