The OLLI Team

Kathy is an experienced program manager who joined as Executive Director in 2019. Her immediate enthusiasm and responsiveness to the needs of the organization led to an increase in membership and profitability. Prior to OLLI, she helped launch the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State. Strongly committed to an excellent member experience, Kathy supported more than 700 members and 500 guests annually as Operations Manager at the Impact Hub. In that position she oversaw day-to-day processes of the 20,000 sq ft co-working space between 2012-2015. A project manager for over 25 years, Kathy has supervised magazine production, events and conferences ranging from 70-1700 attendees.

In 1995 Kathy founded About-Face, a media literacy campaign that continues to educate about the impact of media on female body image and equip girls and young women with media literary skills. In 2004 in her capacity with About-Face she was “punked” on a spoof debate show on Comedy Central called Crossballs.

Kathy enjoys live theater, the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, and hearing about the subjects her son is learning in college.

You are doing a phenomenal job of providing leadership to OLLI. I am grateful for your service.

— Synthia Marie, OLLI Member

Hands down--You are the best. The best. Thank you!

— Amy Benedicty, OLLI Member

Email: kathybruin@sfsu.edu

Nick is a Bay Area native and a graduate of SF State's Cinema Studies program. In addition to his position at OLLI, he also works as an assistant at the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies. Nick began working with OLLI in September 2020.

The real key to my success teaching a virtual class has been Nicholas. He is amazing. Did two rehearsals with me, keeps everything running smoothly during class. But even better, he is seeing the outside films, recommending materials such as an amazing essay on Gone with the Wind, discussing how the course is going. He is like the world's best Teaching Assistant. Amazing.

— Mary Scott, OLLI Instructor

Email: daftfunk@sfsu.edu

Email: sjstollerman@sfsu.edu

Michelle earned her AA degree in Fashion Design in 2005, then worked in fashion retail, office management, and film costume design. After two decades since her first degree, Michelle aspired to achieve her bachelor’s degree before turning fifty. She attended UC Berkeley and graduated in 2022, with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, turning fifty years old shortly after graduation.

As a member of UC Berkeley’s Reentry program, and specifically the OWLS (Older Wiser Learners), she was able to express her passion for lifelong learning and share it with like-minded students. Now it seems a perfect fit for Michelle to join the team at OLLI SF!

Michelle has run two full marathons and trained in Flamenco dance. She is passionate about empowering people to prepare for emergencies and disasters, particularly vulnerable communities. She enjoys creating silk art paintings, drawing, writing, traveling and spending time with her family in the Bay Area.

Email: michellewilliams@sfsu.edu