Board of Directors
Karen Peyton-Cruz
President & Chief Executive Officer
Karen Peyton-Cruz has 15 years of experience in the retail industry as a manager and worked for a world renowned company, running several multi-million dollar stores. For the last 4 years, Karen has stayed at home, wanting to create a better work-life balance for herself and her two sons, ages 6 and 9, and her husband. She spends her time building her small business, volunteering in her children’s elementary school classrooms, where she can meet and help train new parent volunteers. In addition,
Karen is the PTO President for her school board, helping to raise funds to promote the welfare of children in home, school, and in the community and is also on the school site council, where she helps to develop, review and evaluate school improvement programs and school budgets.
Moreover, she volunteers with her church, teaching children in Faith Formation classes. Karen believes in “paying it forward” and is truly grateful for the opportunity to help with Heart of Angels’ holiday events, and hopes to continue to build memorable experiences for families with sick children and families in need through the joy of gift-giving.
Tina Ying
Program Director
Tina Ying is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in working with children and families and the public school system. For the past 12 years, she has worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she works with underprivileged youth suffering from various social-emotional disturbances in the inner city. She is passionate about her work and finds the direct work with children and families deeply rewarding. In addition, Tina is the mother of a bright, funny and rambunctious 6-year-old, who is the light of her life and the main reason she is actively involved in charitable efforts. She hopes to instill in her son a heart for helping others in need. Tina enlists the help of her son each year as she purchases gifts and prepare of the charity holiday event. Tina’s dream is to see this organization expand in order to accommodate more children and families.
Sherille Marquez
Volunteer
Sherille Marquez, discovered at a very young age that her purpose in life is to help others. She applies this philosophy in every aspect of her life.
In 2007, Sherille’s eldest son Michael was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor. Wilms Tumor is a cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children. She was also six months pregnant with her youngest son Noah. This experience led Sherille on her charity journey focusing on children with illness and their families. Nothing is impossible when it comes to a mothers love. Today, Michael is very healthy, active and involved in numerous sports. He has been in remission for several years.
Sherille owns Focus Concierge, a boutique virtual assistant and concierge company based in Burbank, CA.