Board of Directors

Educator. Advocate. Author. Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Fierce believer in the power of love to change lives. Patricia Scelza-Jones is the founder of the P.S. I Love You Foundation and a lifelong advocate for the emotional well-being of at-risk youth. With a 23-year legacy of service through PSILYF and a 20-year career as a respected Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Patricia blends heart, hustle, and hope into everything she touches. Her credentials include: Founder, P.S. I Love You Foundation (1998–present) Realtor, Coldwell Banker (2002–present) Author, Love4Life Social and Emotional Education Series Certified Diversity Professional CBEST Certified Educator Foster Youth Advocate & Educational Rights Holder Corporate Resilience Trainer & Workshop Facilitator Patricia is driven by one core belief: that every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and capable of achieving greatness. Under her leadership, PSILYF has grown into a grassroots nonprofit reaching more than 1,200 youth annually across Southern California, North Carolina, and Haiti—delivering life-changing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs that build confidence, character, and emotional resilience. Often called upon as a speaker and motivator, Patricia empowers both children and adults with a simple, lasting message: Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react. A healthy life begins with what we think, feel, say, and do—to ourselves and to others. Her motto? Life gets better with POSITUDE.

Vanessa Reyes Smith is currently the Director of Engagement at American Martyrs Catholic Community. During her 30+ year career in entertainment publicity, she was responsible for the successful execution of publicity campaigns, integrated marketing, events, and talent relations both domestically and internationally for blue-chip companies like Viacom, the Screen Actors Guild, BET, AMC, and Fox Broadcasting Company. Vanessa resides in Hermosa Beach, California, with her husband and son.

SVP & Group Director, Flagstar Bank Mark Wilhelm is Senior Vice President and Group Director at Flagstar Bank, leading Commercial and Private Banking from El Segundo, CA. With decades of experience delivering tailored financial solutions to entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and high-net-worth clients, Mark well understands the meaning of service and community. A Loyola Marymount University alum, Wilhelm serves on the board of the P.S. I Love You Foundation, supporting youth development.

Renee started volunteering with P.S. I Love You Foundation in August 2022 with a focus on Accounting and Technology. She has maintained her own consulting business since 2013 and has worked on an array of projects for studios, post-production houses, and consulting firms with a focus on operational efficiency, system implementations, and financial analysis and forecasting. From 2017 through 2021, Renee joined a tech start-up and acted as the Chief Operating Officer, overseeing Finance, Accounting, Technology, Operations/Supply Chain, and Human Resources. She worked as an Executive Director of Global Sourcing at Paramount Pictures from 2010 to 2013, supporting all technology-related services for the studio. From 2005 through 2010, she was employed by a boutique consultancy (purchased by Cognizant Technology Solutions) with a focus on strategic planning and budgeting for technology departments and project management office (PMO) services in the media and entertainment sector. She holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Sean Dixon is a Police Officer with the City of Gardena with more than 17 years of experience, shared between the Monterey Park Police Department and the Gardena Police Department. He also teaches in the Law Enforcement Training Program at El Camino College. Sean has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Union University and is a California P.O.S.T (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified training instructor. Sean developed and helped form the Gardena/Hawthorne Mental Evaluation Team (GHMET). GHMET is collaboration between the Gardena Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. He is also a member of Lions Club International. Sean is the recipient of two Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) Centurion Awards. Sean is a founding member and former Cub-Master for Cub-Scouts Pack 135, Boy Scouts of America, continues to work in the community and serves on the City of Gardena’s Human Services Commission. Sean currently sits on the board for the Los Angeles County Mental Evaluation Team Association and currently holds the position of Co-Director.

John began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1987, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Business Economics. Over the next 30 years, John has worked as an advisor at New York Life, Prudential Securities and Union Banc Investments prior to coming to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. In 1999, John earned the Certified Financial Planner CFP® certification. Over the span of John’s career, he has worked with clients to deliver the personalized investment planning that his clients deserve. John is a Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors in El Segundo. He and his wife, Karen, live in Manhattan Beach with their three daughters. John has enjoyed coaching each of his daughters in soccer, softball, and basketball. He is involved in various charity events and is a past board member for Switzer Learning Center in Torrance. *Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Mark Racunas is Senior Vice President at Alliant Insurance Services, based in Los Angeles. With over 20 years in the insurance brokerage industry, he specializes in providing tailored risk solutions across sectors including manufacturing, real estate, online retail, logistics, and fueling. His expertise encompasses property and casualty insurance, employment practices liability, and reinsurance. Prior to joining Alliant in 2023, Racunas held senior roles at Lockton Companies. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Kansas.

John began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1987, after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Business Economics. Over the next 30 years, John has worked as an advisor at New York Life, Prudential Securities and Union Banc Investments prior to coming to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. In 1999, John earned the Certified Financial Planner CFP® certification. Over the span of John’s career, he has worked with clients to deliver the personalized investment planning that his clients deserve. John is a Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors in El Segundo. He and his wife, Karen, live in Manhattan Beach with their three daughters. John has enjoyed coaching each of his daughters in soccer, softball, and basketball. He is involved in various charity events and is a past board member for Switzer Learning Center in Torrance. *Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

A seasoned sales leader with over two decades of experience driving growth and innovation at industry giants such as Apple and Cisco, he currently serves as the Vice President of Sales at Lynk., a Los Angeles-based technology studio specializing in digital tools that enhance human connection and workplace productivity, West leverages his extensive background to spearhead strategic initiatives and foster client relationships. A proud alumnus of California State Polytechnic University, West combines his academic foundation with practical expertise to lead high-performing sales teams and drive business success. His passion for technology and commitment to excellence continue to make a significant impact in the industry.

Based in Torrance, California, Mackenzie Kerin is an Associate Director for Walker & Dunlop’s small multifamily lending group and offers 12 years of commercial real estate finance experience. She is responsible for multifamily loan originations. Prior to Walker & Dunlop, Ms. Kerin served as a Transaction Manager for Greystone, where she arranged and executed multifamily agency debt for the company’s West Coast team. She previously arranged financing for all product types, including multifamily, retail, and hospitality, during her tenure as a Loan Analyst for Barry Slatt Mortgage. Ms. Kerin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Loyola Marymount University and is a member of the Loyola Marymount Real Estate Alumni Group.

A former college athlete, Brian has dedicated his career to fitness and physical well-being, with a special focus on youth programming. Prior to being on the Board at PSILY, Brian has been a Regional Director for Equinox Fitness and Senior Vice President at The Bay Club. Brian has also been honored as the 2011 Champion of Youth by the Venice Boys and Girls Club and recognized by the city of Los Angeles in 2012 for his actions helping the youth in Southern California. He spends his free time with his wife, daughter, and dog, supporting Redondo Beach however possible, and at the beach with friends and family. Brian understands first hand the benefit of strong SEL programming with all youth and is thankful for the opportunity to be on the Board.

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