“Sandy is the picture of the Soroptimist commitment, engagement and participation at the Club level. She is an excellent choice to represent our Club.” These sentiments were expressed by one of the committee members who selected Sandy as the 2019 Soroptimist of the Year.

Sandy has been a member of Soroptimist International of Coronado (SIC) since 2006. Like so many other members, she was encouraged by two long term members to attend a meeting, and that’s all it took to convince her to join. When asked after 13 years what she likes most about SIC, Sandy doesn’t hesitate to say “I love the women who I’ve met and work with in this group. We all have the same goals and vision for helping women and girls.” She also derives great pride and satisfaction when she attends the graduations of the SIC scholarship winners. “These young women are so grateful to have had the opportunity to get a higher education. Watching these women receive their diplomas is so rewarding.”

Born in Los Angeles, Sandy moved to Point Loma thirty years ago and began working at what was then called The Coronado Hospital. Her first position was Office Manager in the Physical Therapy Department’s Motion Center. The Sewall Healthy Living Center was years away from a reality at that time. She was quickly recruited to join the Hospital Foundation to support their fundraising efforts, where she currently holds the position of Senior Development Officer. During her tenure, the Foundation has helped to raise funds and see the successful completion of the Sewall Healthy Living Center, The Mindful Cafe, the Healing Garden, the Fred and Carol Sommer Imaging Center, and the Payne Family Outpatient Pavilion.

Sandy has earned a reputation in SIC as being someone who is always willing to help with projects. She has been an active and important member of the Club. Sandy has served on the Board as Director for two separate terms, and has also been a member of the Legend Luncheon Committee for many years, co-charing the event in 2015. In addition, she’s been in charge of the luncheon’s artwork selection, invitations, and printed program design. Sandy continues to serve on the Scholarship Committee, and attends as many graduations for the grant recipients as her time allows. She recently commented that “Being on the committee is a great responsibility. You know you can make a huge difference in someone’s life by helping them financially. I always wish we had more money to help more women and girls, which is the same for so many non-profit organizations.”

When Sandy received news of her award she was shocked, and one of the reasons was that she has never looked for accolades for the many things she has done for SIC. She’s always volunteering to help, and takes her accomplishments in helping SIC and the women they support as the best award of all. Sandy has been nominated for President of SIC for 2019/2020.