About Us

In addition to her corporate work, Susan was a licensed Real Estate Broker and an experienced graphic and web designer, creating engaging digital experiences and interactive educational materials.

Beyond her professional achievements, Susan is a dedicated volunteer and community leader. She served on the Board of Directors for Raven Theater in Healdsburg and acted as Webmaster for both the theater and Petaluma Elks Lodge 901.
Susan co-chaired the wildly successful fundraiser “Dancing with the Stars at the Raven” that raised over $40,000 per year for the performing arts, and recreated that event with her team as “Dancing with the Stars and Stripes” that raised up to $80,000 per event as a benefit for a local Veterans support group. Together with Laurie Banks, she co-founded and co-chaired the Elks Charity Craft Fair — a bi-annual event they created to raise funds in support of children with disabilities.

Born and raised in Petaluma (from the Fredericks family), Susan has a deep commitment to volunteerism and giving back to her community. Guided by a strong sense of civic duty and compassion, she believes in active giving and the importance of helping others.

For decades, Laurie has dedicated herself to enriching the community through volunteerism, leadership, and heartfelt service. At McKinley Elementary School, she served as PTA President, led the Script Program, chaired fundraisers, and volunteered in classrooms, offering hands-on support to teachers and students. Her passion for youth development extended to the soccer field and baseball diamond, where she helped foster teamwork and confidence through local youth sports programs.

Laurie’s dedication to philanthropy is equally strong. She participated in the Nike Half Marathon for Leukemia and Lymphoma, raising thousands of dollars and awareness for critical research. A 26-year member of the Petaluma Elks Lodge, Laurie has held numerous leadership roles, including Exalted Ruler, and has planned and chaired countless successful events, fundraisers, and community gatherings. Alongside Susan Degive, she co-founded and co-chaired the Elks Charity 2 Day Craft Fair, a cherished bi-annual event supporting children with disabilities.

Laurie Banks is more than a volunteer—she is a passionate advocate for Petaluma’s traditions, civic pride, and sense of community. Her lifetime of service continues to uplift and connect the people of her hometown.

Dedicating his time to various humanitarian causes, Michel initially joined the American Red Cross, contributing to fire safety projects and optimizing data management systems. He collaborated with the founders of a Haitian orphanage, crafting the lifefortheworld.com website and online donation platform. Later, Michel lent his expertise to Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, enhancing and maintaining the habitatsoco.org website. His commitment extended to building camposkids, a website aiding fundraising efforts for children’s education in Sénégal.

In 2023, a call to action arrived for Michel. He was tasked with rebuilding the hacked website, homes4thehomeless.org, an urgent mission he willingly undertook.

Michel’s passion for woodworking is another facet of his philanthropic efforts. Volunteering at the Santa Rosa Habitat ReStore, he played a pivotal role in launching the Playhouse Program, crafting playhouses for disadvantaged children.

In his home woodshop, Michel passionately designs and refurbishes furniture, with the resulting projects donated for sale at the Habitat ReStore.

Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg. She also wrote a monthly feature column on performing arts for several local newspapers. Most recently her focus has shifted to her role as secretary for her community Residents Council, writes for a monthly newsletter (about volunteerism opportunities), sings for a variety of community events, works at pet adoption fairs, and oversees a committee that creates posters and online event ads. In her spare time she hikes, travels, and – you guessed it – fosters kittens.

The Bubble Circus in the Park concept is the outcome of the Bubble Science 101 created Ron for the 2015 Santa Rosa Junior College’s annual Day Under the Oaks celebration which brought in over 8,000 visitors.

After seeing families having so much fun making and breaking giant soap bubbles together, “Professor Ron” decided to keep the activity alive by expanding it to Howarth Park.

For the past ten years, every week (weather permitting), Schultz has gone to Howarth Park to share his bubble passion with the visitors of all ages, showing them how to make giant soap bubbles that can get as big as a car! At the same time, in other parks, his friend, Vince Cruz, performing as Cap’n Bubble – the Bubble Pirate – has been making large soap bubbles for children to break.

In the summer of 2024, Schultz and Vince Cruz combined their bubble performances into a single act which was overwhelmingly successful in attracting and entertaining audiences of all ages.

As a result, the two street performers decided to transform their newly-created act into a weekly-scheduled theatrical event called “Bubble Circus in the Park” for the 2025 Season that will include actors and a local business sponsor. More info

With a career marked by innovation, Steve has pioneered formulas that transcend traditional models, allowing Homes 4 the Homeless to navigate the challenging realm of shelter and affordable housing without solely relying on direct government funding.

Steve’s strategic approach involves leveraging government backing, such as HUD vouchers, to guarantee investment opportunities from philanthropic investors. This visionary strategy has not only redefined the nonprofit sector but has also garnered significant attention from the investment banking community.

One remarkable accomplishment is the recent exclusive distribution contract signed with the renowned Chinese manufacturer, Vessel. This partnership signifies a groundbreaking leap in providing high-quality, affordable housing solutions to the underserved population in the United States.

A seasoned veteran of the automotive industry, Steve’s legacy includes his role as CEO of ZAP, where he raised nearly $1 billion and successfully listed the company on the NYSE. His ability to identify emerging markets and disruptive technologies led to the acquisition of Jonway Automobile, the first time a foreign company purchased a controlling interest in a Chinese Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

Throughout his career, Steve has been affiliated with industry giants, having held positions with Honda, VW, Renault, Ford, Smart, and DeLorean. His contributions to the electric transportation sector have earned him recognition internationally, with personal relationships established with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.

At the core of this success is the mathematically sound placement of Vessel houses. This financially attractive model has not only piqued the interest of philanthropy investors but has also showcased an unprecedented return on investment. Homes 4 the Homeless is setting a precedent as one of the few nonprofits that doesn’t rely on government funding but operates with the precision and acumen of seasoned business professionals.

In essence, Steve Schneider’s leadership embodies a paradigm shift in community service, demonstrating that impactful change can be achieved by combining the principles of sound business with a sincere dedication to the community’s well-being. As the driving force behind Homes 4 the Homeless, Steve’s visionary approach is rewriting the narrative of philanthropy, making it a sustainable force for good in the lives of those who need it most.

Prior to joining Habitat for Humanity in 2017, Wayne served as the general manager at Habitat of Sonoma County ReStore for three years. His strategic leadership propelled the ReStore to become one of the top-performing outlets in the larger Habitat for Humanity organization.

Leadership at Habitat for Humanity: As the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, Wayne Kleefeld distinguished himself with exceptional leadership. Under his guidance, the group’s ReStore became a thriving enterprise, selling furniture, building materials, and antiques to the public. The funds raised from the ReStore played a crucial role in supporting the organization’s mission of building affordable housing, utilizing the innovative approach of involving potential homeowners in “sweat equity.”

A Legacy of Affordable Housing: Throughout its existence since 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County, under Wayne’s leadership, has built 47 homes, with three more in the planning stages. Wayne’s commitment to the vision of affordable housing is evident in the organization’s practice of empowering future homeowners to contribute to the construction process, fostering a sense of ownership and community engagement