Board of Directors

Karen Garcia- Chairman of the Board

Joined the Board of Directors in July, 2016 .   Karen is married and blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren.  She is retired after spending 43 years in the Medical/ Biotech industry, most recently as Executive Director of Client Support for Prometheus Laboratories Inc.  Karen loves the Lord and attends Calvary Chapel Vista.

Raymond Van Pletsen- Board Member

Acts as the Executive Pastor of Meadowlark Church in San Marcos, California – a church that teaches the Bible and walks in step with God the Holy Spirit in order to become more and more like Jesus. Raymond was born in South Africa and is a graduate of Calvary College in Kansas City and Dallas Theological Seminary. His proudest achievements are his two children (Mandy and Ryan) and four grandchildren (Blake, Braeden, Kendall and Abigail).

Bernie Montoya- Vice-Chairman

Bernie is married to his wife Lorraine.  They have been married for over 44 years and have two sons and two grandchildren. He was an Electrical Engineer, graduating from the University of New Mexico and employed by Motorola and AMD. Served as Financial Secretary for the Knights of Columbus, taught Religious Formation, mentored evenings for the engaged, coached sports, and served on a Pastoral Committee overseeing a capital campaign for a new church. Is currently a Member of St. Vincent de Paul, a Eucharistic Minister, a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, consults for his former business, and is a Birth Choice Client Advocate. He attends St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.

Dennis Kreta- Treasurer

Currently serves as the Director of Internal Audit with Rubio’s Restaurants and has been with the Company for 15 years. He has held various accounting positons for almost 30 years and received a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Northridge.  He is also a member of the Finance Committee at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church where he attends in Oceanside California and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus.

Heidi Hill- President/CEO Board Member

Heidi is currently the President/CEO of Birth Choice. She has taught in many different forums over the years, in a Catholic School, La Leche League, and for 9 years as a 3rd degree black belt Martial Arts Instructor. She has been married for 30 years and has 2 adult children. She and her husband have prepared couples for Marriage through the Diocese of San Diego for the last 19 years and are Eucharistic Ministry Coordinators for St Mark’s parish where they attend.

Michelle Sampson- Secretary/Board Member

Michelle joined the Board of Directors in April, 2017. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law from California State University, Long Beach. Michelle also has a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and has been a member of the State Bar of California since 2003. She has several years of civil litigation experience, primarily in the fields of insurance coverage, construction defect, business, and general liability. Michelle is married and has been blessed with two sets of twins. She and her family are parishioners at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Oceanside. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, running, and volunteering at her children’s school. Prior to moving to North County, Michelle served as a Catechist in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles preparing high school youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Russell Ruscigno – Board Member

Russell was born and raised in San Jose, California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics at Occidental College and his Juris Doctorate at California Western School Of Law. Russell was admitted to State Bar of California in 1989. In 1996, Russell established The Ruscigno Law Firm, practicing principally in the area of family law transactions and litigation. Since 2011, Russell limited his practice to the preparation and implementation of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (“QDROs”) – those orders required to divide retirement benefits incident to divorce. Russell and his wife of 25-plus years, Danice, live in Carlsbad and are parishioners at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Oceanside. Russell is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and currently is serving as the Advocate for the St. Margaret council. Russell was elected to the Board in April 2018.

Mission

To provide necessary services and support to save the lives of the pre-born.

Vision

To care for women in crisis pregnancies by providing resources, education and support so they may choose life-saving alternatives to abortion.