Executive Staff
Kurt Ohlfs
Executive Director
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Kurt has served as the PACE Executive Director since 2005. In two decades of service to PACE, Kurt has been instrumental in the acquisition and expansion of all three school campuses and the establishment of PACE as a leading autism educational resource in the Bay Area. Kurt holds a B.S. from Santa Clara University and an MBA.
Karen Kennan
Assistant Executive Director
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Karen has served as the PACE Assistant Executive Director since 2005. Karen is experienced in non-profit management, fundraising, program development, strategic planning, and community outreach. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of California, Haas School of Business.
Karyn Caradonna
Director of Human Resources
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Karyn has over 20 years serving in Human Resources, both in high-tech and non-profit sectors. Karyn’s background covers a full range of HR functions with an emphasis on recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and reorganization. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) with extensive employee compensation experience. She holds a B.A. from San Jose State University.
Nancy Elghiani
Finance Manager
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Nancy has served as PACE’s Finance Manager since 2019. She brings 15 years of experience in finance and accounting in the Tech and Education sectors. At PACE, she is responsible for the agency’s financial management, including payroll administration, accounts payable/receivable, and audit. She holds a degree in Finance from San Jose State University and continuing education at Santa Clara University.
Sarah Zetlmeisl
Marketing and Resource Development Manager
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Sarah has over nine years of experience in marketing and communications for nonprofits and higher education institutions. She has managed fundraising events and developed communications and marketing strategies to bring awareness and meet fundraising goals. Sarah holds an MBA from Frostburg State University and a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Carolyn Lindstrom
Education Coordinator
carolynlindstrom@
Dr. Carolyn Lindstrom is a curriculum specialist and teacher trainer with over 35 years in education. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and has led district-wide professional development focused on inclusion and instructional best practices. A published author and international speaker, she currently teaches graduate-level education courses at UMass Global, preparing future educators to support diverse learners through research-based strategies.
Board of Directors
The PACE Board of Directors is responsible for all fiduciary decisions, strategic direction, policy, and leadership. If you are interested in joining the PACE Board of Directors, please send an email to email hidden; JavaScript is required
The PACE Board
Debbie McCarroll, President
VP of Business Development, Scharf Investments
Mark Peper, Vice President
Chief Executive Director, RDE2 Senior Living Management
Nancy Brown, Treasurer
Retired, Former PACE Finance Director
Kurt Ohlfs, Secretary (non-voting)
Executive Director, PACE
Joe Dermer
Attorney, Dermer Law Firm
Marina Djordjevic
Senior Corp Technical Recruiter, Carbon Health
Mark Gilfix
Attorney, Gilfix & La Poll Associates, LLP
Lisa Grisalin
Partner/Broker, Keller Williams Realty Silicon Valley
Broker, Grisalin Management, Inc.
Dave Setti
Branch Manager, O2 Mortgage
Ani Varo
Retired Nonprofit CFO
Lisa Kalmanash
Special Education Resource Specialist
Advisory Board
Penny Barrett
Past Executive Board Member
Sarah Mudgett
Past Executive Board Member
Jeff Fallick
Past Executive Board Member
Paul Lacy
Past Executive Board Member
Tom McGovern
Past Executive Board President
Madhu Ranganathan
Past Executive Board President