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Leadership

2025-2026 SMMC Board Members


VERONICA GILRANE
PRESIDENT

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Veronica grew up in Atlanta, attended college in Georgia, and spent 6 years in the DC area for grad school in organizational psychology before moving to San Francisco to work in the Tech Industry. After her first child was born, she made the transition to becoming a stay-at -home mom to her two children, Sofia and Owen. As the new president of SMMC, Veronica is passionate about building a supportive and inclusive community for local families. She believes that strong relationships and connections are essential for navigating the many stages of parenthood. Veronica lives in Larkspur with her husband, Bob, and enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, cooking and traveling. 



CAITY SAUNDERS
PRESIDENT-Elect

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Caity is a Bay Area native who grew up on the Peninsula and planted roots in Marin with her husband, Sean, their one-year-old daughter, and their two dogs. She studied marketing at Tulane University, where she met her husband, but ultimately pursued her passion for education and became an elementary teacher. She taught for six years, earned a masters in literacy from USF, and now tutors part time so she can spend her days raising her daughter at home.

Caity joined SMMC shortly after welcoming her daughter and is so grateful for the meaningful friendships and supportive community it has added to her life as a mom. Caity has led her playgroup, along with a few other groups, and spent last year on SMMC’s board supporting our playgroups and communities. She is thrilled to be president-elect and finds great joy in volunteering her time to support SMMC’s mission. She enjoys exploring Marin with her friends and family, baking and crafting with her daughter, and embroidering gifts for friends. 


 

 


Rachel Griswold
Treasurer

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After graduating from the University of Tennessee and spending most of her 20s in Austin, TX, Rachel moved to the Bay Area for a job, thinking it would be a fun adventure for a few years. Then she met her future husband, a born and raised Californian, and quickly knew she’d be staying here for good. Rachel left city life in 2018 to move to Marin with her husband and her stepson. They soon welcomed little brother in February 2022, and little sister in August 2023. They love spending weekends at the beach or hiking with their three year old labradoodle.

Rachel joined SMMC when she was pregnant with her son after another member tipped her off to the goldmine that is the Classifieds forum. She came for the deals, but stayed for the friendships she made with other moms in her playgroup (shout-out Q1 2022!). She also appreciates the sub groups SMMC offers, like Blended Families and Working Moms. She’s excited to serve as Treasurer and give back to the community that has supported her in so much of her journey into motherhood.

 


 

MAURA MACNEIL
Secretary

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Maura lives in San Anselmo with her husband and their two daughters. She grew up in the Bay Area and attended college in Northern California but her love of travel found her studying Spanish in Madrid, teaching English in Beijing and solo-backpacking through India and Southeast Asia before eventually moving to New Zealand, where she met her now husband.

Maura worked as an Attorney Recruiter for many years at law firms in the Bay Area before deciding to become a stay-at-home mom. In addition to volunteering with SMMC and attending various playgroups and town meet-ups, Maura enjoys learning about interior design, attending any kind of live music event and is always plotting her family’s next big travel adventure.

 

 

 

LACEY WILLIAMS
Director of COMMUNITIES

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Lacey is a Bay Area native, she grew up in the South Bay, spent over a decade living in San Francisco where she met her husband, and then moved to Marin County in 2020. A proud mother to a daughter born in 2022, and son born in 2024, Lacey is passionate about family and community. 
Before dedicating herself to being a stay-at-home mom, Lacey enjoyed a successful career as a make-up artist before joining the corporate world and working in recruiting across a variety of industries including healthcare, fashion, and technology. Most recently she led the global Employer Brand function for a leading Fintech company.

SMMC provided Lacey with a sense of belonging when she was still new to Marin and didn’t know many people. Her goal as a volunteer with our board is to help foster a space where all Marin moms can find their village like she did.


 

 

 

SARAH RUDNIK
Director of Events

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Originally from the South Bay, Sarah's journey took her to San Francisco, where she met her husband, Mark, a true city native. They settled in Marin in 2020, and Sarah's life changed again in 2023 with the arrival of her son. Seeking connection and shared experiences during her pregnancy, she discovered SMMC. Now, as the new Director of Events, she's enthusiastic about deepening her involvement and forming lasting friendships within the community. 

When she's not planning exciting events, Sarah enjoys diving into true crime documentaries, indulging in reality shows like 90 Day Fiancé, cheering on the Golden State Warriors, and exploring her passion as a self-proclaimed 'champagne connoisseur'.

 

 


KENDALL GAVARET
Director of Advertising & Community Partnerships

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Kendall is a Marin native; she went to college in San Diego but after life in SoCal and a brief stint in Italy decided that there really was no place like home. She spent 6 years living in San Francisco, where she met her husband, Pierre. They made the decision to move to Marin in 2019, fortuitous timing in hindsight, and after living in Tiburon for a number of years are now in Novato. 

She first joined SMMC shortly after her son’s birth in Summer of 2022. She joined SMMC with the hope of finding other moms to connect with. She decided to step into the role of playgroup leader for her daughter’s playgroup (shoutout Q2 2024!). This motherhood journey is so much better with a community surrounding you. SMMC has been such a blessing and provided community and joy, she’s excited to serve in this new capacity. 

Kendall has made her career in digital marketing across various industries, mostly within B2B tech. This background ties nicely into her new role as the Director of Advertising & Community Partnerships. She loves planning fun adventures for her family, enjoying a glass of wine and a beautiful meal, and exploring more that this world has to offer through travel. 

 


 

addison A
Director of social media & communications

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Addison grew up on the Peninsula in the Bay Area and later attended college in Berkeley. After spending five years in San Francisco, she and her husband moved to Marin in 2020, where they’ve since built their home and community. With a background in social media marketing for the beauty and confectionery retail industries, Addison transitioned to consulting for nonprofits around Marin after welcoming her baby in 2023.

The Southern Marin Mothers’ Club played a pivotal role in the first few years of motherhood, providing her with invaluable support and connection. Now, she’s excited to give back and help foster the same sense of community for new mothers that made such a difference in her journey.


 


 

 

Sarah Dobrovolny
CO-Director of Philanthropy

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Sarah lives in San Anselmo with her husband Spencer and their 3-year-old daughter Sadie. Sarah is from upstate New York and first ventured to California in 2009 as a Conservation Corps volunteer. She has called Marin home ever since. After working in social services, renewable energy, and local government for over a decade, Sarah spent 2 years as a stay-at-home mom. Now that Sadie is in preschool part-time, Sarah enjoys consulting with small mission-driven organizations. Sarah also enjoys gardening, taking walks, singing, reading, crafting, and volunteering.

Sarah joined SMMC shortly after her daughter was born and is grateful for the people, resources, and community she has found in the club. Sarah has served as co-leader of the Fairfax/San Anselmo town group, on the SMMC Events team, and as a Crier copy editor. She stepped in as Director of Philanthropy mid-term 2023/24, served in 2024/25, and is excited to Co-Chair the role for 2025/26, helping to connect the incredible SMMC community with families in need in Marin County.

 

 

 

MIKAELA MORA
CO-Director of PHILANTHROPY

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Mikaela was born and raised in Northern California and lives in San Anselmo with her husband, four-year-old daughter, one-year-old twin sons, and six-year-old labradoodle. She worked in higher education for 15 years and left her last position to stay home with her children (and dog) full time. She enjoys reading, traveling, and watching HGTV.

 


 

 

SARAH DROTMAN
CO-Director of DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

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Sara is an East Coast native who moved to Marin in 2020 with her husband, Spencer, and two cats Loco and Moco. After living in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, it took a little convincing to get Sara to agree to move to California, but now she gets it - redwood trees, the cliffs along the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge - what’s not to love?! 

But moving cross country during a pandemic left Sara searching for a community, so with their first child on the way, Sara joined SMMC in the hopes of finding a few friends. Stroller walks, park play dates, and the WhatsApp chats quickly became the anchor Sara needed to fully launch her life in Marin and gain confidence in her new era of motherhood. Now, with two incredible sons, this community has been the gift that keeps on giving. Now, it’s time to give back. Sara is so excited to serve on the board this year as one of the DEI co-chairs. Knowing how invaluable this community is for new moms and new families in Marin, Sara hopes to continue to make SMMC accessible and comfortable for anyone looking for community. 

 


 

 

Mira Guidi
co-Director of Diversity, Equity, & inclusion

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Mira is an attorney and lifelong Marin County resident who is deeply passionate about advancing equity and racial justice, leading a life of service, and building community. This is precisely what led her to make a recent career shift as a litigator and judicial staff attorney to accepting a position as Deputy Director of a local nonprofit and SMMC Philanthropy Partner, the Marin County Cooperation Team (MCCT).  MCCT is focused on supporting Marin’s Black community–and particularly Marin City–through three pillars: Safety Net Services, Youth Empowerment, and Community Coalitions.  

Mira’s passion for building community is also why she joined SMMC after the birth of her daughter in the Fall of 2022. Finding much needed support through her daughter’s age-based playgroup, Mira quickly became her playgroup co-lead, previously served on the SMMC board running our Social Media, and is now ecstatic to be serving again on the SMMC board.  Mira believes the SMMC community is invaluable and she looks forward to enhancing SMMC’s DEI efforts this year!

Mira lives in Greenbrae with her high school sweetheart and husband, Colin; their daughter, Niyah; their puppy, Luke and cat, June! In whatever spare time she has, you can catch Mira at a local soccer field playing co-ed with her husband - which is how they met at Redwood High School. 


 

 

 

 

kathleen
Director of membership

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Kathleen grew up in SoCal, pursued undergrad in NorCal then moved East for 8 years to volunteer in Baltimore, work in DC, and start/finish grad school. Her own Mom said she’d only return to this coast if work made her, which it did. After meeting her husband and future stepson, it was evident she’d remain. Kathleen joined SMMC the day before going into labor in 2022 and fully regrets not doing so sooner.  SMMC stewarded her through newborn craziness and provided a foundation in baby/toddler parenting she hadn’t experienced with her stepson.  Her extraversion manifests as a working Mom who’s passionate about learning from and supporting Moms.  She is especially grateful for the ongoing and extensive support of last year’s SMMC Board during her term as President that unanticipatedly coincided with her Mom’s hospice and passing away.  Kathleen is excited to give back to this year’s SMMC Board as Director of Membership.

 

 

 

beth pierce
The crier editor

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Beth grew up in Marin and after spending about 10 years on the East Coast (DC and NY) for college and grad school, she made her way back to the Bay Area in the late 2000s and hasn't looked back since. She lives in San Rafael with her husband, Jeff, daughter Kali (March 2022), and dog Buddy. Beth is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice working with individuals and couples in their 20s and 30s to address life transitions, navigate relationships, adapt to new parenthood, and manage anxiety.

After becoming a mom later in life, Beth found connection and community with her SMMC playgroup. This group was there at any hour of the day to provide support, resources, and laughs through the early days of motherhood. And, when Beth was diagnosed with and battled breast cancer in 2023, this group showed up with more love, kindness, and food than the Pierce family ever could have dreamed of. Beth is excited to dive deeper into the SMMC world as Director of Advertising and Community Partnerships and to give back to an organization that has already given her so much.


 

 

 

 

Volunteer with SMMC!

It takes a huge team of volunteers to keep SMMC running to serve our community. Join the team and make lifelong friends in the process! For more information about the opportunities to get involved check out the list HERE >> or email president@southernmarinmoms.com.

 

About Southern Marin Mothers' Club

The Southern Marin Mothers' Club (SMMC) was formed in June 1993, when three women came together at a seminar on how to organize a mothers' club. Linda Lam, Anna Knox and Julie Stanton were committed to starting a mothers' club but they needed at least $500 in start-up funds. After making various presentations they obtained donations and were on their way. The first SMMC Board consisted of 15 members and membership grew to over 100 within a couple of months.

While the core values of SMMC have remained the same, there has been much growth within the club. Did you know that SMMC is entirely volunteer run? Nearly 70 moms and dads give their time and talents to provide a vast array of programs, events and resources. SMMC now offers so much-playgroups, events, education webinars and seminars, online forums, Facebook groups, classifieds, articles, Preschool Fair, discounts with Community Partners, philanthropic efforts and so much more! 

SMMC, registered as Southern Marin Mothers’ Organization, is a non-profit, volunteer run club that strives to provide supportive, nurturing community for families to share meaningful experiences, fun, and fellowship that strengthens family bonds. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to our exempt organization (as described in IRC Section 501(c)(3), Tax ID# 68-0427069), please mail a check to: Southern Marin Mothers' Club Organization, P.O. Box 271, Mill Valley, CA 94942 or donate to SMMC HERE >>.  We thank you in advance.