Board of Directors

Julia Kitts, LCSW, Chair


Julia Kitts maintains a License in Clinical Social Work and provides therapy services through her private practice. Julia’s specialties include working with teens and young adults, as well as children and families going through the transition of parental separation and divorce and learning to adjust to life in two homes. Julia is a former KTSD Family Workshop Group Leader for children ages 5-11. She joined the Board of Directors in 2020 due to her continued passion for supporting families in reducing chronic parental conflict and working towards respectful and amicable relationships that
benefit children’s well-being. Julia enjoys exercising outdoors, spending
time with her family and traveling.

Amy Hsiao, Member


Amy Hsiao is the founding attorney of HSIAO LAW, PC. She earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. Amy founded Hsiao Law, PC in December 2014 and is committed to helping families and businesses protect their loved ones and grow their assets through estate and business legal planning. Amy helps her clients make life as good and easy as possible for their loved ones and grow their businesses with maximum income and impact with minimum risk. Amy joined the Board of Directors in 2019 because our mission is near and dear to her heart. She is helping Kids’ Turn San Diego create a marketing and social media campaign to increase awareness of the programs and services we offer. She enjoys hiking and reading. 

Steve Palek, Member

With over 15 years of experience, Steve Palek is a dynamic, solution-oriented and proven strategic leader in both enterprise and start-up organizations.Steve’s personal mission is to serve nonprofits, and he dedicates his efforts to help them go from surviving to thriving. He applies that same philosophy to his own organization and is passionate about building teams that become family –while utilizing each employee’s unique experiences to solve daily problems. An active volunteer in the community, Steve currently sits on the board of three nonprofits –Kiota Global, Vijana Africa and Kids Turn San Diego –and is quickly becoming a rising influencer for nonprofit organizations.

Steve Throop, CPA, Board Treasurer

Steve Throop is a Partner Emeritus with Hutchinson and Bloodgood, a regional accounting and advisory firm. He helps bring meaning to financial information so that it can be used to understand where organizations have been and, more importantly, how to move to where they want to be. Steve joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and serves as Treasurer and Chairs the Finance Committee. Steve enjoys laughing with his wife Donna, his adult children, and grandchildren.

Advisory Committee Members

Alan Kinzel

Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Broker Associate, MBA

Alexandra Kwoka, Esq.

Alex Kwoka Law, Retired

 

Eileen Sigler, CFRE

Development Officer

Robert A. Simon, Ph.D.

Psychologist

 

Patrick Peterhans

Peterhans Consulting Inc.

 

Stan Sewitch

Vice President Global Organization Development, WD-40 Company, Retired

Honorary Board Members

Kathryn Ashworth, Esq.

Retired Family Law Attorney

Hon. Thomas Ashworth, III

Retired Family Court Judge