Haley is the founder of Haley Poe Interior Design – a culmination of her experiences living and working in Santa Cruz for local businesses for 12 years. With a penchant for art and design ever since her early years, Haley taught herself how to paint and explore many expressive mediums.

Haley's passion for self determination, unconventionality. and human connection has led her to pursue the Lionheart dream. Alongside her fiancé David, they hope to show the community the strength and potential we all have for happy, connected and full lives.

"We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy"
- Joseph Campbell

David founded Lionheart with his fiancée Haley to enrich children's lives and build a way for communities to get closer to together.

After moving to Santa Cruz with his band almost a decade ago, David has been involved on the operations side of numerous local Santa Cruz business from cafes to landscape architecture firms.

Seeing the positive impact of these businesses on the community, he felt there was no better time to create a nonprofit than the modern zeitgeist.

Bruce Cotter, the devoted Executive Director of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (FSCPL), holds an impactful 25-year legacy in nonprofit service. With early roots in West Africa, Bruce has enriched various organizations with his leadership, from Shakespeare Santa Cruz to Project Music Works. His diverse experience—reflected in roles like financial administrator at Vintage Faith Church—adds depth to his commitment at FSCPL.

Beyond his professional life, Bruce's vibrant family life, including his wife Diane, and their cherished Pomeranian, Mischa, underpins his dedication to fostering a strong community. Bruce's work continues to inspire and resonate within the hearts of Santa Cruz's youth and wider community.

Jesse is a vital cornerstone of our nonprofit, bringing his expertise as a skilled home builder and landscape designer to our team. With a deep spirit for creating spaces that resonate with both aesthetic beauty and functional purpose, Jesse's commitment to his craft is evident in every project he takes on.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Jesse finds joy in spending quality time with his son, King, instilling values and crafting memories that will endure throughout their lifetimes. His dedication to nurturing not only physical spaces, but also the bonds of family and community, embodies the spirit of Lionheart's mission.

Haylee is currently in school studying child development and is passionate about working with youth. Her bio is coming soon!

Stephie has worked in special education, in both elementary and high school settings, for the past four years. She is passionate about supporting kids who learn differently, helping them recognize their unique intelligences, and teaching them to advocate for themselves. Stephie has three wonderful sons, whom she homeschooled for eight years before entering the field of education.

Serving on the board of the Discovery Learning Center, she brought vibrant learning experiences to life, and co-founded the Holy Cross Family Ministry to foster service opportunities. A self-taught entrepreneur, Stephie led a web development firm for 20 years and has a deep love for personal and community enrichment, expressed through her myriad hobbies, from pottery to poetry.

For over 41 years, Michael Dailey has been a classroom teacher, tutor, counselor/mentor, and academic advisor specializing in English, literature, world and U.S. histories, geography, civics, journalism, filmmaking, and more!

He has extensively trained in program development, classroom management, multicultural awareness, and character building, as well as productive study & time management skills. Everything is taught with the future in mind, with modifiable individualized lessons intended to upgrade their knowledge cumulatively.

Michael is a committed and dedicated teacher to each of his students, so nearly all stay with him for many years, some into their early college years and beyond.

Currently a Project Manager at Karen Aitken + Associates, Pam combines her diverse experiences and keen eye for design to foster youth growth and community development.

Drawing from her years as an elementary school teacher at an international school in Turkey, Pam deeply understands the unique potential each child holds. Her educational journey at California Polytechnic State University and passion for travel have cultivated a global perspective, enriching her commitment to fostering multicultural understanding and connections.

As a vital contributor to our nonprofit organization, Pam leverages her talents to inspire our youth and strengthen our community, reinforcing the belief that each individual has the potential to lead a vibrant, fulfilled life.

Payson, a multifaceted Art Studio Instructor at Cabrillo College, channels an innate love for the process of creation into inspiring roles as the Head of Sculpture, Digital Fabrication, and Ceramics.

Payson's work sparks dialogues and expressions, propelling continuous exploration and fostering an environment of shared discovery. Driven by feedback from those interacting with the art, Payson remains passionately devoted to the transformative power of art.