LITA STAFF
Jenay Cottrell, Executive Director
Jenay joined LITA in 2012 after serving as a LITA Board member and Advisory Board member. Previously, Jenay was a communications consultant with clients in health care and senior housing, including Marin General Hospital, Novato Community Hospital and The Redwoods Retirement Community. Before that, she worked in internal and external corporate communications. Her posts included Director of Public Relations, Communications and Community Relations for Sprint's Pacific Division. She holds a B.A. in Public Relations from San Jose State University, a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Sonoma State University and is a graduate of Leadership Novato. Jenay is a member and past co-chair of Leadership Novato's Advisory Council. She currently serves on San Marin High School's PTSA Board and is a former member of Sinaloa Middle School's Leadership Site Council and Good Shepherd Lutheran School's board.
Gerrda Focardi, Director of Volunteers
After a professional dance career, Gerrda majored in Psychology at Fordam University and San Francisco State. She received her California activity coordinator certification in 1990. Gerrda worked as an activity director in Marin County S.N.F., assisted living and active retirement communities for 15 years. In 2003 she was awarded a Marin Arts Council Grant to create an innovative elder dance, fitness and performance program at The Redwoods. Gerrda has been an active volunteer in elder organizations, including LITA and the Buck Center For Research in Aging. Accompanying Gerrda in her work with elders is her miniature Schnauzer, Lola. Gerrda joined the LITA staff in March 2005.