Volunteer Opportunities for Teens

CINDY WILLIAMS

Board President and Executive Director

Cindy Williams is the Executive Director of Lion’s Heart Teen Volunteers and Leaders, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit development, event management, and community engagement. A graduate of San Diego State University with a B.A. in Marketing and Fashion Merchandising, Cindy has dedicated her career to empowering youth and fostering a lifelong commitment to service.

Her professional background includes serving as Event Manager for Providence Mission Hospital Foundation, where she led major fundraising initiatives, and as Director of Development at Mission Viejo Christian School, where she directed all advancement efforts and community partnerships. In addition to her professional work, Cindy has been an active volunteer with Saddleback Church, the NEGU/Jessie Rees Foundation, and various school and youth sports organizations.

Cindy’s passion for service extends globally—she participated in Saddleback Church’s inaugural PEACE mission trip to Kenya—and she remains committed to ministry and outreach through various church programs. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, skiing, beach days, and photography.

Cindy and her fiancé Jason share a blended family of five children: her sons James (and his wife Kaitlin), Justin (and his wife Lauren), and Jaden, as well as Jason’s son Drew (and his wife Quinn), and daughter Natalie. They also share life with their two beloved dogs, Charger and Gracie.

Her life is guided by Proverbs 3:5–6, a verse that reflects her deep faith and commitment to living and leading with purpose.

STEPHANIE ROGERS

Marketing/Creative Director

Stephanie Rogers is the Marketing/Creative Director at Lion’s Heart and has been part of the organization since 2016. She leads marketing strategy, web and app design, graphic design, and product development. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University (NC), a Master’s degree from California State University, Northridge; and a degree in Graphic Design.

With over 17 years of experience as a graphic designer and a surface pattern designer. Founder of her own design firm, Summerbird Studios, Stephanie brings a unique blend of business knowlege, creativity, and strategy to her work. She is also deeply involved in Fragile X research and has supported numerous nonprofit organizations serving youth and children with special needs.

In her spare time, Steph enjoys drawing, painting, gardening, tennis, spending time with her kids and grandkids, and curling up with a good book—often alongside her two lovable pups.

SHARI CUSHMAN

Volunteer Outreach Manager

Shari Cushman is the Volunteer Outreach Manager at Lion’s Heart. She connects with nonprofit organizations and coordinates meaningful volunteer opportunities for Lion’s Heart members.

Shari first became involved with Lion’s Heart in 2005 when her middle son, Connor, joined as a member. She later served as a Class Coordinator in 2009 for her youngest son, Eric. She also has a daughter, Kara.

Originally from Colorado, Shari earned her B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 1990, the Cushman family moved to California, where she became an active volunteer with the Junior League, Assistance League, and served on PTA boards at her children’s schools.

Now that her children are grown, Shari loves traveling to visit them and her granddaughter. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, tennis, and playing pickleball with friends.

DAWN WOOD

Volunteer Services Manager/Awards Manager

Dawn Wood is the Volunteer Services Manager at Lion’s Heart and serves as the primary point of contact for both members and adult volunteers, helping to facilitate the day- to-day operations of the program. She oversees all aspects of member support, including managing merchandise, answering questions, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the program for families and volunteers across the country.

Dawn also manages and processes all member awards, including the national President’s Volunteer Service Awards, the Torchbearer Award®, and the Golden Lion Awards, which she ships out to Class Coordinators each May.

Her journey with Lion’s Heart began in 2010 when her daughter, Allison, became a member. She stepped into a leadership role the following year as a Class Coordinator for her son, Andrew. Dawn also served as the Event Chairperson for the CA–Trabuco Canyon–Coto chapter in both 2013 and 2014.

Dawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from California State University, Fullerton. She and her husband, Brad, have two children. In her free time, Dawn enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, swimming, or relaxing at the beach with her family.

NIMISHII SHARMA

Marketing/Social Media Intern

Currently an 11th grade student in Irvine, Nimishii Sharma is passionate about community service and dedicated to empowering others to reach their full potential through confidence and connection. Outside of Lion’s Heart, you’ll likely find her at training for her next competition at karate practice as a decorated black belt, at the gym, in a lab pursuing another experiment, or scribbling ideas furiously at her desk for another environmental initiative. She’s a lover of both Bollywood and Star Wars, and spends her free time making memories with her best friends and family—living every moment to the fullest—because YOLO!