Board Chair
Stephani Scott
Executive Director, San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation
stephaniscott@theviafoundation.org
A graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Stephani has an established a legacy of developing community and organizational partnerships. Ms Scott is currently Executive Director at San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. Prior to her present role, Ms Scott was CEO of Sequoia Healthcare District where she instituted a robust grant program, a nursing education enterprise, and HeartSafe, the first Public Access Defibrillation program in San Mateo County. Prior to her role at Sequoia Healthcare District, Stephani was Executive Director of Sustainable San Mateo County, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to programs promoting the economic vitality, social equity, and environmental stability of our local region. Stephani and her family reside in Redwood City, CA.
Interesting Facts About Stephani:
- She became a CEO at age 30
- She is addicted to chocolate with no plans to give it up.
- She can drive a rock crawler.
Medical Director/Board Member
S. Joanne Dames, MD, MPH
joannedames@theviafoundation.org
Dr. Dames is board certified in Emergency Medicine and has 17 years of experience in resuscitating victims of sudden cardiac arrest. She is passionate in her quest to educate the public regarding the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, and the importance of communities being trained in CPR and AED use. To this end, she’s been a spokesperson for the American Heart Association for the past several years with numerous radio and television appearances, and she is a CPR/AED instructor, as well as, a regular instructor for the Advanced Cardiac Life support course at Stanford University.
Interesting Facts About Joanne:
- She decided her first marathon should be the original one, Marathon to Athens in Greece, and at age 55!
- She insists that the lyrics to Credence Clearwater Revival’s, “There is a bad moon on the rise” are really “There on the bathroom on the right.”
- She cheats at Scrabble by making up false medical terms.
Advisory Board Members
Joseph Novello, IV, RN, BSN, BA
joenovello@theviafoundation.org
Mr. Novello is a healthcare entrepreneur with clinical expertise in emergency and critical care nursing. His clinical career started in pre-hospital emergency care as a firefighter/EMT. Since then, he has worked for many agencies including major academic university hospitals, small rural community hospitals and a critical care and specialty care transport ambulance. During his career he has responded to hundreds of cardiac arrest emergencies. He has been involved with several business startups and most recently, as the CEO, grew a national firm specializing in corporate health, safety and wellness. Novello has served as a faculty member for the American Heart Association and has taught hundreds of healthcare providers Advanced Cardiac Life Support and has certified thousands of laypeople in CPR. Mr. Novello holds a BA and BSN from the University of Portland, where in addition to his academics, he served on several faculty-level committees and Boards.
Interesting Facts About Joe:
- He has traveled to 20 countries
- He won’t eat anything within a few days of its expiration date
- He was an extra in a blockbuster film when he was younger
Nancy Spradling, BA in Consumer Food Science
nancyspradling@theviafoundation.org
While raising her family she became involved in PTA, as many moms do, because her kids were in school. Inspired by the broader issues the state PTA takes on, Nan
cy became involved on a larger scale. She spent over 17 years in all levels of PTA, including four years on the CA State PTA Board of Managers, actively participating on a variety of commissions and committees, including Finance, Bylaws, and Leadership Services.
Cathy received the 2011 California EMT of the Year Award, for demonstrating commitment to EMS, community, and service reflecting the professional EMT.
Nancy served two years as Vice President for Health on the California State PTA Board of Directors. During her years on the state board she was responsible for writing two resolutions that were passed by the delegates at the annual Convention. After her years of volunteering with PTA ended, she contributed to and advised for several others.
Her interest and passion for children’s health issues led to 10 years as Executive Director of the CA School Nurses Organization (CSNO). As an advocate for more school nurses in California schools, she testified before the legislature and worked with a variety of groups and state agencies.
She and her husband live in Sacramento.
Interesting Facts About Nancy:
- Nancy reads 1,000 words a minute (after being forced to take a speed reading class in high school.)
- Her favorite books are romantic suspense, military science fiction, and paranormal – or any combination of the genres.
- When her sons were in high school, Nancy single-handedly provided the desserts for 400 people for five years of Senior Awards Nights.
