Rich is Owner and COO of SJ Creations, Inc. Since 1996 Rich and his wife, Sundi, have owned and operated SJ Creations, Inc. designing, developing and producing high quality bath and body products which are found in major retailers throughout the United States and Canada. Through our extensive travel overseas and in the US, we have secured valuable partnerships with a variety of international as well as domestic contacts. Previously Rich started and sold 7 Summits Sports, a sporting goods manufacturing representation business and also spent time in the corporate world at the Coleman Company. Rich & Sundi have been married for over 19 years, have 2 Daughters, Spenser and Jensen and beyond a successful business have a mission to serve others. Rich was inspired in 1989 by the work of International Relief Teams and has been involved in various capacities since: serving on the Board in the early 90’s, then again joining the Board in 2013 through the present, and by participating on teams for San Quintin, Mexico, and Croatia.
Mr. Carr is the managing partner of Carlo Development, a Southern California-based real estate development company. Carlo Development owns and operates multi-family and self-storage/industrial properties throughout California. Mr. Carr is also a managing member and co-owner of San Diego Self Storage (SDSS), the largest self-storage company in San Diego County, and a founding partner of Self Storage Management Company, which has developed, owned, and managed self-storage and industrial properties throughout Southern California since 1972. Prior to this, Mr. Carr was a founding partner and Registered Principal for C&L Securities Corp., a wealth management firm, and an Investment Advisor licensed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and attended the UCLA Anderson School of Management before beginning his career in finance and real estate. Mr. Carr is active in several community organizations, including membership on the Advisory Board for the University of San Diego Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate and the UCSD Athletic Advisory Board. Mr. Carr is also a member of the Board of Directors of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and International Relief Team (IRT). Mr. Carr is a Founder and Advisory Board member of the Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a member of the Jonathan Club, Travelers’ Century Club, The California Club, The Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall and Tiger 21. Previously, Mr. Carr served as a member of the Board of the Trustees for The Grauer School and the Board of Directors for Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, International Relief Teams, UCLA Chancellor’s Associates, and The Los Angeles BIA Multi-Family Housing Council.
Toni brings over 27 years of experience developing Lean organizations worldwide, including in Asia, Africa, Europe, South and North America. She has worked for two premier international consulting groups—Productivity Consulting Group and the Kaizen Institute—providing sensei, consulting, and internal leadership towards sustainable, lean, and purposeful work cultures within an unwavering environment of respect for people. Toni has lead Kaizen Study Tours in Japan and Europe for executives from North America, Europe and Asia, which has afforded her an exceptional view of the changes in the improvement industry over time. Humanitarian development is a top priority for Toni. In 2014 she led a Lean effort for World Vision in Ethiopia through Honsha, and has served on the Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2009-10).
Troy is a Certified Public Accountant and partner at the San Diego accounting firm Considine & Considine. Troy has been providing proactive accounting, consultation, and tax strategy services to individuals and businesses in San Diego for over 20 years. He is a member of the California Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Troy currently resides in Carlsbad, CA with his wife (Bryn) who is a High School Spanish Teacher and his two children.
Kay taught nursing at San Diego State University for 35 years and practiced as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. She is currently a legal nurse and midwifery expert witness and consultant, using her clinical practice, education and extensive experience. Kay was introduced to IRT in 1998 when she was asked to volunteer for a multi-year project teaching obstetricians and midwives in Latvia as they emerged from the Soviet era. She describes the experience as the highlight of her professional life. Kay came to know the integrity of IRT and its staff, and has been involved as a board member and volunteer since that time.
Georgia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Los Angeles. She conducts research on political parties, elections, mass media, and methods. Georgia writes mathematical models to better understand political phenomena, and she teaches classes on political communication, research methods, and voting behavior. In addition to her work with International Relief Teams, Georgia volunteers as a CASA and serves on the UCLA Communications Board. Georgia was born and raised in North County, San Diego. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and wiping out in the ocean.
Brian is a founding partner and Managing Director of Cascade Financial Partners. Prior to Cascade, he was a Wealth Manager at Creative Planning, one of the largest independent Registered Investment Advisors in the country and served on their Investment Policy Committee. Previously, Brian cofounded Gupta Wealth Management, a company he and his partners launched to champion the fiduciary standard. Brian is a graduate of San Diego State University where he stays active with the Alumni Association. In addition to his role as a board member for International Relief Teams, he is a past President of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego Foundation and the Washington-Lincoln Laurels for Leaders, both local 501(c)(3) organizations. Brian lives in San Diego with his wife, Emily, and his two daughters, Sophia and Abigail where they can be found active in school activities and athletics.
Chris has worked in the residential and commercial construction management and real estate development field for twenty years. He is a business owner of Animal Urgent Care in Escondido, a 24 hour emergency veterinary clinic. Chris has led IRT construction teams in post Katrina Mississippi, Alabama after the tornado, and for the last three years in New Jersey since Superstorm Sandy.
Karina Sousa, a proud California native, moved to San Diego in 2009, after receiving her bachelor’s in marketing from Santa Clara University. With a heart dedicated to service, she immersed herself into the community through joining Kiwanis San Diego. Karina is an integral member of Kiwanis, has served in leadership positions such as President, and is currently the Secretary for both the Club and Foundation. Her involvement extends across various committees, and she is also a member of the Board and Development Chair for the Foundation for the Children of the Californias. Beyond her philanthropic endeavors, Karina has a thriving professional career. She runs a successful court reporting and trial business while also excelling as a REALTOR®. With a firm belief in leaving the world better than she found it, Karina embodies a commitment to both professional excellence and community betterment. In her downtime, she loves embarking on outdoor adventures with her adored rescue dog, Ruby, and her partner, Matt.
Mike is a partner in the downtown San Diego law firm of Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith, LLP. Mike’s professional practice involves representing businesses (large and small), business owners, individuals and professionals regarding their corporate, partnership/LLC, tax, real estate, estate planning and other contractual matters. Mike also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. Prior to joining the Board of International Relief Teams, Mike was actively involved with Jewish Family Service for more than a decade serving as a director and chair of the Governance Committee. Mike and his spouse, Jessica, have a strong passion for travel and have enjoyed sharing worldwide adventures with their two young daughters.
