Amy Adams, Chair
Amy is passionate about empowering people and organizations for growth. Her prior experience in event planning, fundraising, and career development at Pepperdine University uniquely positions her to support the moms and babies of Harvest Home through strategic leadership. As a mom of two young girls, she is eager to walk alongside the mothers of Harvest Home as they develop the mindset, skills, and confidence that will transform their own lives and those of their children. She loves helping others embrace their potential and imagine future possibilities. Amy and her husband Jeremy live with their girls in Santa Monica.
Lorri Antosz Benson, Vice Chair
Lorri Antosz Benson is a writer, author, family advocate, and a former award-winning television producer, and internationally syndicated columnist. Her books explore family issues such as eating disorders, parenting, and her most recent project is a three- book series on adoption. The second in the series, released Fall 2018, is Adopting Hope, which followed To Have And Not To Hold. Lorri’s work has led her to start a family advocacy company called Family Matters, and she is a speaker/expert on eating disorders, adoption and resources for parents. She and her husband Steve reside in Santa Monica, CA. They have four children and five grandchildren.
Tom McGuinness, Treasurer
As a father of two young girls in West LA, Tom has a deep appreciation for the impact Harvest Home has on serving new mothers and children in this city. He brings experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and investment management to the Board, and is honored to play a role in furthering the reach and effectiveness of Harvest Home’s mission. An LA native, Tom studied at UC Berkeley (BA) and the University of Chicago (MBA), and lives in Santa Monica with his wife, Ashley, and two kids. They enjoy making various foods together and planning adventures in the great outdoors.
Kirsten Bosch
Kirsten has been a passionate supporter of Harvest Home for many years and is honored to be serving on the board. She loves the holistic approach the organization takes to provide a safe shelter to at-risk women and their children by meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. More importantly, the women’s stories of perseverance, redemption and second chances are inspiring to her. Kirsten has worked in the Financial Services industry for 10+ years and is excited to apply her skillset in project management, organization, problem resolution, relationship building and team management to the development and growth of Harvest Home’s mission.
Emily Bost-Baxter
Emily is a psychiatrist with nearly 20 years of experience in community mental health including the Alcott Center for Mental Health Services and a private practice in Santa Monica. Emily has a particular interest in working with women with mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Her expertise and experience in treating mental illness in women during pregnancy has made her aware of how important a supportive, nurturing environment is in pregnancy. As a native of Santa Monica, she also is excited to continue to invest in Los Angeles- a vibrant city which she loves.
Merle Dandridge
Merle Dandridge was born in Japan, raised in Nebraska, schooled in Chicago, and forged on the New York City Broadway stage. She loves variety in her work as an artist. Being of Black and Korean descent, she has a passion for championing inclusivity. Merle is passionate about Harvest Home and its “boots on the ground” approach to protecting and empowering vulnerable women. She is proud to have served at Harvest Home as a supporter, gala host, and one-on-one mentor to the inspiring residents.
Christy Fanous
Christy Fanous is an executive at Southern California Edison (SCE) with more than 20 years of experience in the utility industry. She has held a variety of leadership and project management positions throughout her career. Christy holds a bachelors degree from Pepperdine University and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California. She adores kids and volunteered at the Anne Douglas Center for Women (LA Mission) for several years. She is passionate about using her experience to make a difference in the lives of women and children. Christy is a native of Southern California and currently lives in Santa Monica
Anna Park McGowen
Anna is an attorney with over twelve years of prior legal experience, including at two large international law firms where she represented clients in various business, finance and healthcare transactions. She has also represented pro bono clients in guardianship and adoption proceedings. She holds a B.A. from UCLA, a M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law. Anna was drawn to Harvest Home by seeing what an integral role it plays in the lives of some of the most vulnerable women and children by providing them with a safe place to live and a crucial support network. Anna is a native of Southern California and lives with her family in Los Angeles.
Destiny Prescott
Destiny Prescott knows Harvest Home intimately well as a former resident. Over the past 7 years, Destiny has been actively involved within the Harvest Home community as a resident, alumna, and member of the Alumnae Leadership Council which offers feedback and leadership to our residential and alumnae programs. Destiny is mom to a 7-year-old daughter and works as a property manager. In her free time, she enjoys writing and performing poetry.
Kate Underwood
Kate is a Physician Assistant currently working at a community health clinic in downtown Los Angeles and has previously worked in neonatology and pediatrics. She was drawn to Harvest Home during the pandemic when she saw the divide in health equity continue to widen within her own patient population and in marginalized communities, particularly with respect to mental health resources. Kate saw how Harvest Home serves women and children with a comprehensive approach to enable them to become women who are empowered to love and care for themselves and their children. Kate and her husband, Matt, live in West Los Angeles with their four children and enjoy all things outdoors!
Anthony Wang
As a father of four and a pediatric neurosurgeon at UCLA, Anthony finds joy in helping kids get a running start in life. He and his wife, Page, were immediately drawn to Harvest Home by the personal, practical, longitudinal way it supports women and children in need. Anthony and his family live in Westchester, and love spending weekend afternoons cooking together.