Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (HDVS) is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors which oversees the agency and its fiduciary responsibilities that supports the growth of programs, projects and direct services.
Are you curious and want to learn more on how you can join the Board of Directors? If interested, please call our business office for more information: (707) 444-9255.
Current Board Members
Paulette Pettis – Board Chair
Paulette grew up in Eureka, but has spent her adult years in Washington State and Florida, eventually returning to Eureka in 2015. Her career has been predominantly in the legal arena which included five years working with law students at Gonzaga University (GU) School of Law. During her tenure at GU, she was actively involved with the Spokane Aides and domestic violence programs. She has been on many boards and held the position as president for philanthropic organizations. Her legal background also includes working with several law enforcement agencies in Washington. Paulette was recommended for the Board in June of 2019 and was elected Chair in July 2019. She has a deep compassion for our survivors and is committed to our mission.
Ray Lovell – Treasurer
After graduating from St. Mary’s College with a B.S. in Business/Economics, Ray spent two years in the U.S. Army with service in Vietnam. In 1973, Ray completed his M.A. in Special Ed. specializing in Low Vision/Blind and Physically Disabled. From 1975 to 2008, Ray was a professor at El Camino College supporting thousands of students through their higher education. Ray is currently retired, but is very active in the community. Ray supports with families and youth through his leadership in the Kiwanis Club of Fortuna and has been Treasurer of HDVS since 2020.
Catherine (Katy) Garrison – Board Vice Chair
Katy, was born and raised in Ferndale, CA. She received a BA degree in Biology/Chemistry from Holy Names University in Oakland, an MS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, and a RN degree from Ventura College. In addition to working in various hospitals and clinics in California, she has spent many years volunteering as a tutor for underprivileged children in Oakland, providing transportation to disabled people, and teaching religious classes for adults and children. She has served as a board member for the Tri-Counties Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura and for the ARC in Ventura, a service for the developmentally disabled. Since returning to Humboldt County, Katy has served as the director of St. Joseph’s Pantry Shelf in Fortuna, as a member and President/Membership Chair of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), as a member of Humboldt Sponsors, and as a board member and Vice President/Secretary of Humboldt Domestic Violence Services. She was also honored by the Fortuna Kiwanis as a Woman of Distinction in 2019.
Andrea Swanlund – Board Secretary
A Humboldt County resident since 1992, Andrea joined HDVS as a board member in 2022. She resides in Fortuna with her husband and three children. Andrea has been dedicated to serving the community for most of her life, co-founding a horse rescue with her family, volunteering and participating in multiple organizations. Andrea is currently a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fortuna, the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and the Fortuna Rotary. Outside of her volunteer activities, Andrea is the Administrative Site Director of the Fortuna Community Health Center. She has a deep rooted passion to help her fellow humans and is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of HDVS, supporting a cause that has affected her personally.
Jennifer Turley – Board Member
Jennifer was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from CSU-Long Beach with a degree in History and English and a teaching credential. She is a mother of two children and a proud grandmother of seven grandchildren. Her family moved to Humboldt County in 1982 and she returned to college to study Early Childhood Education (ECE). Jennifer worked for North Coast Children’s Services for 24 years. She was the Teacher/Center Director of Fortuna Head Start and was a Mentor Teacher to students studying ECE for 19 years. She is also proud to have been the first President of North Coast Early Childhood Workers, Local 6397, CFT, a union Jennifer helped organize! After she retired, Jennifer started doing volunteer work at Fortuna and Loleta food banks. She enjoys giving back to the community and participating in HDVS.
Pam Johnson – Board Member
Pam was born and raised in Eureka, moving to Santa Clara for 20 years as a teenager. After returning to Humboldt County as a single mother in 1992, she earned her degree as a return student in paralegal studies at College of the Redwoods. She volunteered as a CR student for three years assisting with the navigation of temporary restraining orders paperwork for the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Temporary Restraining Order Workshop. Pam was hired by the Probation Department and spent her career serving adults in the court-ordered Drug Court Program, Community Service Program, and processing probation court cases. She also worked for the Juvenile Probation in a Community Environment program (PACE) an intense interagency program for at-risk youth. She spent the last 15 years working at Juvenile Probation/Juvenile Hall processing court cases and supporting sworn staff. Pam retired after 24 years and currently lives with her husband in Fortuna, where they are both involved in the community. Pam serves on the boards of Kiwanis and Humboldt Domestic Violence
Services. She also enjoys traveling and serving in the community in various capacities. Pam believes and advocates to encourage and empower women and men who have been abused to acknowledge and overcome their abuse and begin to build the life they deserve.