Board of Directors
Dedication, Expertise and Passion
Voices of Recovery San Mateo County (VORSMC) Board of Directors are resourceful, energetic individuals passionate about our mission of embracing and promoting recovery.
The Board of Directors are responsible for the organization’s financial well-being and accountability, ensuring that our activities align with our mission. Voices Board of Directors are expected to promote the organization and assist with fundraising efforts. The board meets virtually once a month and occasionally in person.
Board Recruitement
Join our board and make a difference We are looking for passionate volunteers with expertise in marketing, fundraising, legal, and professional development. Your skills can help us drive our mission forward and create a positive impact in our community. If you're ready to contribute and grow with us, we’d love to hear from you!
Board of Directors
Lila Rasekh
Lila is based in Palo Alto and most recently served as the Head of Scale Abuse at Google Play. She has extensive experience in revenue and risk management within both the financial sector and major tech companies. She enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, practicing yoga, exploring art, listening to music, reading, and watching movies in her free time.
Rob Lajoie
Now retired, Rob Lajoie spent the first 30 years of his career in the financial services sector at four local credit unions, overseeing both operations and lending programs. For the final 10 years of his career, Rob oversaw the financial education and programs area at a local nonprofit, serving low-income individuals and families in San Mateo County. Rob joins the Voices of Recovery Board of Directors with a desire to give back by supporting the amazing substance use services offered by VORSMC.
Danny Hayes
Danny Hays is a United States Navy veteran who currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Street Life Ministries. He is also part of the Redwood City Outreach Strategies collaborative in Redwood City. In the evenings, Danny volunteers as a Site Captain for the ministry, where he helps feed the unhoused. Danny serves as the Chair for the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) of San Mateo County and as a committee member for the Continuum of Care (COC). With extensive knowledge of addiction and recovery services gained through both lived experience and years in the field, Danny is deeply passionate about his work with the unhoused population.
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson, retired with over fourteen years of experience as a community caseworker with the City of Daly City Service Center and as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with the Women’s Recovery Association (WRA). At WRA, she developed the Life Skills group, which was later added to their program curriculum
Marika Buchholz
Marika Buchholz joins the Voices of Recovery Board of Directors out of a desire to support substance use services that are dignified and equitable for all who wish to access them. Marika is currently a San Mateo County employee with the Center on Homelessness and was previously a program director and case manager at LifeMoves, where she oversaw homeless outreach programs aimed at meeting the needs of people living in encampments, vehicles, and the street. Marika believes in building alliances across sectors and learning from those with lived experience.
Twila Cole Dependahl
Twila Cole Dependahl joins the VORSMC board with a passion for making a difference in the lives of residents and their families impacted by recovery. She brings extensive leadership, fiscal management, and administrative experience to the role.
Twila’s current volunteer roles include serving as a Commissioner on Aging, a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor for both Adult and Older Adult curricula, and a fund developer and grant writer for Mental Health First Aid community trainings.
