Leadership Team

Linda Womack
Chief Executive Officer

Linda has worked in the industry for over 30 years.  Her path, connected to all aspects of social service, is guided by her commitment to serving mankind.  Linda believes that the underlying value to achieve, though often complicated and clouded by societal barriers, exist in all of us.  Her life goal is embedded in clearing the vision for those most in need, designing systems that produce opportunity and developing the process toward achievement.   Linda received a bachelor degree in sociology and communications at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. Her work and subsequent education is embedded is Non-Profit Management, Workforce Development, finance, program design, implementation and evaluation.  A gifted leader, Linda’s ability falls within the range of a servant leader and her team fully supports her efforts to succeed. Linda is also an officer on the Board of St. John Heart of the Community Outreach Ministries, and has sat as a community leader on the Governance Board of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.  Linda is an active member of the collegiate organization, Supporting Women In Need of Growth.

Linda’s mantra of embedding “systems and processes” into the work of Metro has caused the organization to succeed not only programmatically but administratively.

Lorna Pallares
Chief Operations Officer

Lorna has worked at Metro since May 1999 when she became its first employee. Lorna’s expertise includes program implementation, grant writing, case management, and evaluation. As chief operations officer, Lorna is at the center of bringing about Metro’s programmatic successes. Her eye for detail helps to make Metro’s programs and services function at a national level.  Lorna’s practical experience includes working with at-risk and justice-involved youth. She holds a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and a master’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University.

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Board of Directors

Rev. Rolland Slade, Lead Pastor, Meridian Baptist Church

Rev. John Hughes, Simon Cross LLC

Rev. Jeri Newell–Davis – Associate Pastor, St Mark’s United Methodist Church

Rev. Craig Dorval – Senior Pastor at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

Bruce Brown – Retired Commander, U.S. Navy and Retired Educator

Raphael Wilson, MD – Research Physician

Freda Wilson – Software Engineer

Mary Linam – Independent Mission Consultant

Jeff Linam – Certified Public Accountant

Phil Thalheimer

Rev. Larry Pierce — Retired Executive Pastor at San Diego Hope Church

Rev. Jessica Strysko, Teacher’s Pastor, First United Methodist Church, San Diego