Who We Are

 

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Kathy Miner
Executive Director

 

A Miner Miracle is the creation of Kathy Miner, executive director and the architect of the continually evolving organization responsible for assisting more than 10,000 low income Bay Area individuals in their quest to re-enter the workforce.

 

A veteran business woman and entrepreneur, her experience includes owning a clothing boutique that dressed middle management women; designing and manufacturing private label clothing; a marketing company that launched start-up franchises nationally; and an import company specializing in teddy bears marketed to hospitals for elder care facilities. Not one to focus only on her career, Kathy throughout was an active volunteer, finding most solace by focusing her energies on those less fortunate.

 

After being in the private sector for nearly two decades, she sought personal change and had a desire for greater meaning in the work that she did. This pivotal moment re-directed her focus and priorities. The result was applying her varied background and expertise to a life of service, leading to the creation of A Miner Miracle.

 

Kathy launched A Miner Miracle in 1995 after spending several years working with disadvantaged women from the Salvation Army Gateway Program and various other non-profit agencies. She realized that there was a need for a single center that would provide clothing and wardrobe services to women in transition. The agencies in place at the time were lacking space, budget or access to necessary clothing. She conferred with an advisory group of women she had previously helped at the shelter to determine what services would be most useful and welcomed. Using this “focus group” approach helped her fine-tune her strategy and design a program that would truly give women in transition a leg-up.

 

Since A Miner Miracle's inception, Kathy has taken the agency from solely serving disadvantaged women, to providing image counseling and interview appropriate clothing for low-income men, women, young adults and most recently, emancipated youth. Her latest innovation has been the creation of a groundbreaking social enterprise endeavor, A Miner Miracle SHOP. To the public, SHOP is a women's retail boutique selling new famous maker clothing and accessories at deep discounts. For A Miner Miracle, the store serves as a fundraising vehicle to support the organization as well as a full service center for the women clients -- providing image counseling and clothing all under one roof. It is the ultimate realization of the missing link Kathy identified when she launched the agency more than 14 years ago.

 

Kathy@aminermiracle.org

 

 

Beth Cragun
Associate Director

 

Beth's long history in community service began just after high school when she volunteered for the Democratic Party registering voters. She continued to do so throughout the years while cultivating an interest in human rights and social justice causes with an emphasis on women's issues, particularly reproductive rights and education along with equality in the workplace.

 

Beth comes to us with over 10 years experience in non-profit management, with a strong background in program development, community outreach and administration. Most recently she has served as Program Manager and then Executive Director with the Contra Costa Humane Society. She is also an avid photographer focusing on documentary and fine art.

 

 

Robert Messick
Men's Image Counselor

 

Rob is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco with a degree in Fashion Design. The past 10+ years he has worked in the industry as a fashion stylist and prop designer. Having worked extensively with Nordstrom throughout the west coast, along with 7X7 Magazine, Artist Untied and personal clients, he is confident in his ability to properly guide his clients to appropriate interview and workplace attire while keeping their best interest at heart. He takes great pride in helping others gain confidence and self esteem by providing them with tools necessary for today's job market. In addition to his stylist work, Rob has had a career in many areas of customer service, from selling men's suits and furnishings in both boutique and department store settings, to restaurant management, retail beverage sales and merchandising. He also volunteers in the Project Open Hand Grocery Center where he has the opportunity to interact with a variety of culturally diverse individuals from all walks of life.

 

 

Olivia Andreani
SHOP Manager Sutter

 

Olivia Andreani, A Miner Miracle SHOP’s store manager, comes to the post with a formal education in apparel design and merchandising, with an emphasis in fashion merchandising. She’s a graduate of San Francisco State University and has augmented her education with 6 plus years in spa and salon management. Customer service skills, the ability to anticipate client needs and knowledge of retail fashion make her ideally suited to her role with A Miner Miracle.

 

 

Carissa Carsno
Women's Image Counselor/SHOP Manager Mission

 

Carissa has joined A Miner Miracle as a SHOP manager after volunteering with our organization. The mission of A Miner Miracle was very inspiring to her and she enjoys implementing it through the eyes of her customers on a daily basis. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a BS in Marketing and Minor in Psychology. She recently moved from Boston after co-owning two successful businesses in the hospitality industry. She brings years of experience in customer service and marketing. Carissa is currently attending UC Berkeley to pursue an education in Interior Design and Architecture.

 

 

Elyse Freeman
Key Holder / Sales Associate

 

Elyse started her career path at A Miner Miracle as an intern and has evolved into a Sales and Merchandising Assistant. She previously worked in the marketing and beauty industry and brings her combined knowledge and passion for image consulting and marketing to the SHOP's customers. She is currently attending City College and will finish her education at CAL State East Bay with a degree in Sociology. She has always had a passion for volunteering and has worked closely with foster children and homeless shelters. Elyse is aspiring to have her own non-profit focusing on urban families once she completes her degree.

 

 

Didine Uwamahoro

Stock Supervisor

 

Didine joins the staff of A Miner Miracle SHOP with experience working on both sides of the Atlantic.  Her travels resulted in mastering three languages: English, French and Swahili.  Didine honed her customer relations and sales skills while working stints at designer electronics leader Hanspree, and high-end fashion retailers in the United States and France.  She moved from Rwanda to the Bay Area to pursue her studies in International Relations with an ultimate goal of helping people in need around the world.  Didine sought out A Miner Miracle to help her foster more ideas about her future philanthropic endeavors.  In her free time, she likes to shoot hoops.

 

 

Traci Lato

Development Manager

 

Traci Lato comes to A Miner Miracle with a background in social justice work and volunteer management.  Educated at Northwestern University and having completed rape crisis intervention certification in San Francisco, Traci has worked for The Jewish Federation of St. Louis, The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Greater Chicago and the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix.  Traci enjoys volunteering, playing volleyball and loves hiking with her retired racing greyhound, Breezy.

 

 

Bill A. Tang, CPA

Finance Manager

 

Bill manages the organization's accounting and finance functions. Prior to joining A Miner Miracle, he has worked for over 15 years in the accounting industry, including private and public accounting roles. Bill received his bachelor degree in business and economics from the University of California at Los Angeles.

 

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Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Advisory Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Corporate Sponsors

 

Over the years, A Miner Miracle has formed a number of valuable partnerships with corporate sponsors and generous donors. Through financial grants and donations of products and services, these businesses have enabled the program to grow and serve more clients each year.

 

BeneFit Cosmetics

Based in San Francisco, BeneFit Cosmetics takes a whimsical approach to its innovative line of cosmetics, skincare and fragrance.

 

California Closets

California Closets provides storage systems with organization as its core principle. The end goal is to simplify home and life by maximizing space.

 

InterContinental

A graceful tower of translucent cool-blue, soaring 32 stories above the vibrant South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, the InterContinental has quickly taken its place among San Francisco's most admired landmarks.

 

The Men's Wearhouse

A highly successful, high-quality men’s clothing retailer with stores nationwide.

 

Naturalizer

Naturalizer, with more than 70 years of experience in the shoe business, is the most recognized name in women's footwear.

 

Rochester Big & Tall

The premier clothier for the big and tall man — since 1906.

 

Ruby Press

Ruby Press, a boutique public relations agency, was founded by former New York fashion editor Melissa Davis in 2001, and represents fashion and lifestyle clients from around the globe.

 

San Francisco Hilton & Towers

The largest hotel on the West Coast with close to 2,000 rooms, located in the heart of San Francisco's Theatre District.

 

Sterling Bank & Trust

Since 1992, Sterling Bank & Trust, FSB, has provided its commercial customers with personalized service and creative financing solutions tailored to specific needs.

 

S. Rothschild & Co., Inc

S. Rothschild and Company Inc. is a luxury manufacturer of women's and children's coats and outerwear with a tradition of excellence dating back over 125 years.

 

Union Bank

More than 130 years ago, our founders had a vision of offering comprehensive financial solutions to individuals and businesses. Today, Union Bank honors that history with a commitment to superior service for our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities we serve.

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