Our Board
About Our Board of Directors
The Santa Clarita Optimist Foundation (SCOF) is composed of elected members from our community-at-large and local Optimist Clubs. They are elected to a three-year term. Read about the Foundation’s Board Members who are committed to service and to helping children and youth and their families-in-need.
Jim Oliver, Vice President, Ex Officio
Jim has been a devoted and distinguished Optimist for more than 48 years as a Charter Member of the Van Nuys Airport and Westwood at UCLA Optimist clubs, as well as a Board member and past vice president of Optimist International. Jim has helped to mentor new clubs in Southern and Mid-California for the Pacific Southwest District of Optimist International. In addition to being an innovator and trailblazer in business, he also enjoys time with his family and volunteering for International, District and local Optimist club activities and programs that help to bring out the best in our children.
Dianne Hardway, Secretary
Since 2014, Dianne has been a member of the Canyon Country Optimist Club, serving in various capacities, including Vice President. In 2017, she joined the Board of the Santa Clarita Optimist Foundation and continues to serve as Secretary for the Foundation.
Professionally, Dianne has worked in the Information Technology sector, both as a Project Manager and as a Project Coordinator for the last twenty-five years, mostly with IBM. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, literature and traveling.
Carmen Gilmore, Director
Carmen has been a member of the Greater Santa Clarita Valley Optimist Club since 2011, with 2 of those years as Club President. She has also served on the Board of the Optimist Youth Home since 2018. Carmen’s parents immigrated from Yugoslavia when she was a baby and lived the American Dream! She has devoted her life to serving our youth, both working in education for 36 years as a teacher, then assistant principal, and being a part of this amazing organization of Optimist International. “Making a difference in a child’s life is truly a heartwarming feeling that stays with you forever!”
Heather Holloway, Director
Heather has been a resident of Santa Clarita since 1986. She has been married to her husband, Rob a retired LAFD Captain, since 1982, and they have three grown children and two grandchildren. She has worked for Hilton hotels, Delta Airlines, and the Sulphur Springs School District. “I have always been active volunteering in my children’s schools, church, and community.”
Heather has been a member of the Canyon Country Optimist Club since 2016. She held the position of Secretary/Treasurer from 2018-2020 and was recognized as Distinguished Secretary & Treasurer by Optimist International - Pacific Southwest District. She was elected as Secretary for the Canyon Country Optimist Club for 2020-2021.
Bryan Steiner, Director
Bryan is Financial Associate for Thrivent Financial in Santa Clarita. He has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for 25 years. "When I am not not working or spending time with family and friends, I enjoy giving back and helping support the community. What is great about the Optimist Foundation is what we are able to do to help support the youth of our community and seeing the impact it has on the lives of children." On behalf of Thrivent Financial, he volunteers to provide free child fingerprinting with ID cards to the children of Santa Clarita at many local events. At the Safety Town camps from 2016 to 2019, he and his volunteers issued photo ID cards for more than 350 children - little campers, their siblings, friends, and Safety Town youth volunteers (CITs)!