Board of Directors 

Our board is composed of a diverse group of professionals with deep expertise across education, behavioral health, finance, and nonprofit leadership. Together, they provide the strategic insight and community commitment necessary to support the mission and sustainability of our organization.

Kathy Martarano, Co-President  A retired educator and administrator, Kathy has a distinguished career leading innovative K–12 and adult education programs. She leverages her experience in budget management and grant oversight to support services for at-risk and underserved populations.

Karen Frederick, Co-President  Karen brings an extensive background in financial and business systems, process improvement, and nonprofit leadership. Her expertise in grant compliance and donor education ensures high standards of accountability and fiscal health for AVCS.

Christopher Gordon, Treasurer  As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Christopher provides in-depth knowledge of nonprofit auditing, compliance, and financial accountability. He ensures that AVCS maintains rigorous fiscal standards and long-term financial stability.

Samantha Greening, Secretary  As a dedicated school counselor, Samantha focused on student well-being and mental health support within the educational system. Her frontline experience provides the board with vital perspectives on the behavioral health needs of local youth as well as an understanding of the school districts’ efforts.

Arjun Batra, Board Member A former San José City Councilmember representing District 10, Arjun offers a powerful voice in community engagement and public service. He brings decades of leadership experience at IBM and Intel to strengthen AVCS’s advocacy efforts and community partnerships, and is committed to ensuring high-quality, affordable counseling services remain accessible to students and families in need.

Kathryn Knudsen, Board Member  As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Kathryn brings essential clinical and community-based practice experience to the board. Her expertise ensures that AVCS remains grounded in high-quality, evidence-based therapeutic care.

Tanya Nguyen, Board Member  Tanya serves as a Director of Finance within a mission-driven environment, offering specialized skills in operational and financial oversight. Her experience aligns organizational resources with community-focused goals to ensure impactful service delivery.