Who We Are
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Kathy Miner
During the 1980’s, Kathy Miner owned and operated a successful private clothing boutique where she featured clothing that she designed and manufactured for her own label. As a retailer, she advised professional women on clothing selection, building and rotating a wardrobe, and clothing care.
After working in the private sector for nearly two decades and seeking a personal change, Kathy challenged herself to apply her experience and expertise to a life of service. Her concern for disadvantaged women led her to explore what was needed to dress low income women for job interviews.
She began by volunteering at the Salvation Army Gateway program in 1994, assisting residents as they prepared to enter the workplace. She discovered that there was a great need for the appropriate clothing and image counseling, but that the targeted agencies did not have the space, budget or access to the necessary clothing.
Kathy immediately went to work locating donors of high quality new and used business clothing in sizes from 4 to 22, some coming from as far away as Florida and North Carolina. She soon found that soliciting clothing was a full time occupation and that a lack of holding space severely hampered her efforts.
In her work with women from the Salvation Army and various other non-profit agencies, Kathy developed the conviction that there was a need for a single center that would provide clothing and wardrobe services to women in transition. She conferred with an advisory group of women she had helped at the shelter and asked for their suggestions regarding the type of services that would be most useful.
In 1995, from a sincere desire to address the needs of disadvantaged women, A Miner Miracle was born.
Kate Horan
Kate Horan is a 20 year veteran of public relations and marketing. She has served for 10 years with A Miner Miracle in board positions, as well as has chaired several of A Miner Miracle’s annual fundraising events.
A ardent believer in sharing resources and giving back to those less fortunate, Kate has made volunteering an ongoing part of her life. To wit, her involvement in the non-profit sector spans working with some 25 different non-profits in board or chair positions throughout the state of California. These include The American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Women’s Opportunity Week, Project Learning Tree and the Natural Resource Conservation Education Program.
In addition to her non-profit involvement, Kate has managed several high profile public relations campaigns including the first statewide Kid’s Cooking Week and the launch of the well-known “got milk?” campaign. Clients have included the American Institute of Wine & Food, the California Dietetic Association, California Forest Products Commission and the Dairy Council of California.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Kate also completed the culinary program at the California Culinary Academy. She is a frequent traveler to Italy and has chosen to call North Beach—San Francisco’s own “Little Italy”—her home for the last 14 years.
Nida Cofreros
Nida comes to A Miner Miracle after 23 years as Accounting Manager at our dedicated Business Sponsor, Rochester Big and Tall. Nida brings an equal mix of accounting skills, experience, compassion and a desire to contribute to the important work of A Miner Miracle.
Jesse Hayes
Jesse joins A Miner Miracle with thirteen years of customer service experience in fields ranging from grocery store clerk to cosmetic consultant. This diverse background is evident in the ease with which he connects with clients.
Having grown up in a low-income earning family, Jesse knows firsthand the hardships many of his clients face and the elation of overcoming obstacles. Jesse graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute with a bachelor’s degree in painting.
Jesse was born and raised in Southern California and moved to San Francisco seven years ago. He is very involved in the arts, whether showing his paintings or playing bass in his band. With a welcoming smile, Jesse makes everyone feel comfortable at A Miner Miracle SHOP.
Ronen Hartfeld
Ronen was born and raised in Israel. After many years of traveling around the world he found his place in the heart of the Bay-area, fascinated by the diversity and consciousness of the people. With a diverse background in the arts, computers and a variety of customer service skills he feels well suited to help those in need and give them a positive outlook on life.
Shelly Foster
Shelly Foster has been living in the San Francisco bay Area for over 13 years. When she graduated from Stanford University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Dance minor, she moved to the city and fell in love with its people and their love for the arts. After teaching for the San Francisco Unified School District for over five years, Shelly decided to take her passion for store management to the highest level and started her own vintage and contemporary re-sale boutique. But, after only a year of owning her own business, she was offered to sell the store and come on as a regional manager and buyer for an urban fashion retailer that operated seven stores spread across California and Nevada. Last June, Shelly re-evaluated her life and decided to go back to school and study fashion design and merchandising. She now manages A Miner Miracle's social enterprise venture, SHOP and enjoys being part of an organization that provides professional image consulting to people in need. The highlights of her daily workday include being part of the visual merchandising team and helping clients and customers put together all the right looks!
Board of Directors
Jena Regan
Pamela Kramer
Stuart Newton
Lily Samii
Kathy Miner
Pat Hanson
Doug McAllister
Advisory Board
Hilary Crosby
Libby Denebeim
Jeff Gibson
Karen Hoke
Kate Horan
Rod Mickels
Scott Seligman
Bill Shine
Bob Sockolov
Shirley Wang
Bob Zimmerman
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.
Light Dimensions
Light Dimensions’ goal is to improve the beauty and health of skin with medical-quality, restorative light therapy products that help reverse the signs of aging.
Lily Samii Collection
San Francisco’s premiere couture salon. Exquisite made to measure day and eveningwear for the discerning woman, featuring the finest European fabrics and impeccable workmanship.
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 Skye
San Francisco’s premiere nightclub and special event venue conveniently located just off Union Square in the famed theater district.
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.
The Men's Wearhouse
A highly successful, high-quality men’s clothing retailer with stores nationwide.