MEET OUR FOLKS
OUR AMAZING TEAM
BECCA TANKERSLEY
Chief Executive Officer
Becca Tankersley is the CEO of Lion's Heart- Teen Volunteers and Leaders and is responsible for all major decisions for Lion’s Heart. She has over 18 years of experience in the Nonprofit field. Prior to Lion’s Heart Becca worked in development and recruitment at the American Cancer Society and the Girl Scouts of Orange County. She became involved in the nonprofit world at a very young age; her first memory of volunteering is at 5 years old. After high school, Rebecca did a year of AmeriCorps with City Year Rhode Island. It was there that she realized there was no other career path for her, and she dedicated herself to a lifetime of service. She founded a LGBT rights organization in Delaware at age 20, while attending Wilmington University earning her degree in Organizational Dynamics (Nonprofit Management.) She also has her Masters of Nonprofit Management at Northeastern University. She is extremely passionate about community service and founded the Orange County chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.
STEPHANIE ROGERS
Marketing/Creative Director
Stephanie Rogers is the Marketing/Creative Director for Lion's Heart and is responsible for marketing, web and app design, graphic design, and product development. Stephanie graduated from Appalachian State University in North Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders, California State University, Northridge with a Master’s degree in Audiology, and a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institutes of Pittsburgh. She has owned her own freelance graphic design firm and has worked as a freelance graphic designer for clients such as Lion’s Heart for the past 13 years. Stephanie is a former PTA President, is very involved in Fragile X Research, and has been involved in numerous non-profit organizations related to kids, teens, and children with special needs. She has a son in high school and a daughter studying Graphic Design in her mothers footsteps at Chapman University in Orange, CA! Steph also has two adorable furry mutts and in her spare time enjoys art, painting, gardening, tennis, and curling up with a good book.
SHARI CUSHMAN
Volunteer Outreach Manager
Shari Cushman is the Volunteer Outreach Manager. Her role with Lion's Heart is to coordinate and communicate all volunteer opportunities for all members across the nation. She first became involved with Lion’s Heart in 2005 when her middle son, Connor, became a member. In 2009, she became a Class Coordinator for her youngest son, Eric. She also has a daughter, Kara.Shari is originally from Colorado. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In 1990, she and her husband, Todd, moved to California. She volunteers for Junior League, Assistance League and Kettering Elementary School. In 2001, the Cushman’s moved to south Orange County. There Shari began volunteering for Meritage Elves and held PTA board positions at her children’s schools.In addition to Shari's volunteer endeavors she also works as an assessment team member for Healthy for Life (a P.E. program funded by the Academy of Pediatrics) and is a junior tennis instructor at Coto Valley Country Club.
DAWN WOOD
Volunteer Services Manager/Awards Manager
Dawn is Lion's Heart Volunteer Services Manager and oversees all awards given to members. She is responsible for member support, merchandise, and processing all of the awards for our members. These awards include the national President's Volunteer Service Awards, the Torchbearer Award®, and the Golden Lion awards. Dawn ships all of these awards to each Class Coordinator in May, unless the group is included in a larger chapter (150+ members) that will hold an awards event. In that case, the awards for all groups in that chapter will be sent to the Chapter President, along with award supplies, as needed.She first became involved in Lion’s Heart in 2010 when her daughter, Allison, became a member. In 2011, she became a Class Coordinator for her son, Andrew. In addition to being a Class Coordinator, Dawn was the Event Chairperson for the CA-Trabuco Canyon-Coto chapter in 2013 and repeated the position in 2014. Dawn graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor degree in Speech Communication. She enjoys being outside, hiking, swimming or resting at the beach while spending time with her family. Dawn and her husband, Brad, have two children.
DOMINIC MACIEL
Program Manager
After serving two years as a CalSERVES AmeriCorps VIP Fellow with Lion’s Heart, Dominic has taken on the role of Lion’s Heart Program Manager.Dominic obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations from California State University-Fullerton.Dominic is passionate about providing Lion’s Heart members with the tools they need to succeed and connecting teen volunteers to community organizations and causes they care about. As Program Manager, Dominic is responsible for implementing programs that support and expand the services of Lion’s Heart for its members.