Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care is staffed by an exceptional team of qualified, compassionate individuals who devote their energy and expertise to serving others. Their unique skills and diverse life experiences help them manage everyday challenges while offering care and companionship to patients and families.
Senior Leadership
Lynda Tanner
President & CEO
Lynda is responsible for planning, coordinating, managing and directing all activities and programs of Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care. She establishes, implements and evaluates goals and objectives for the organization to meet and promote the stated mission and maintains the vision for delivery of high quality, compassionate care in the community. She is passionate about homecare and believes it will be instrumental in controlling health care costs in the future as baby boomers age and want to remain at home. Her experience includes more than 30 years working in homecare including working as a consultant and JCAHO surveyor with organizations across the United States. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later earned a Masters degree in Nursing Administration.
Rick Keith
Foundation Executive Director
Rick Keith began his fundraising career over twenty five years ago at his alma mater – Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. He has spent the majority of his career in higher education and healthcare development and served at the highest levels of his profession to help individuals and organizations fulfill their philanthropic goals and objectives. Rick has led development efforts at The University of Texas at Dallas, California State University San Marcos, Presbyterian Healthcare System Foundation, and as the Development Director for the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara. He enjoys an occasional round of golf and spending time outdoors.
Karen Wallace
Chief Financial Officer
Karen manages all fiduciary concerns of the organization. She brings over 20 years of financial leadership excellence, specializing in healthcare and not-for-profits. Her philanthropic experience includes work with the Peace Corps, USAID and Development Bank of Western Samoa. Karen graduated from California State University at Chico with a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration, Accounting/Finance and received a Master of Business Administration, Finance from California Lutheran University. Her professional affiliations include Healthcare Financial Management Association and Institute of Managerial Accountants.
Pauline Jones
Chief Operating Officer
Pauline directs clinical operations of the organization, including all professional and patient care departments and works with senior leaders to develop strategic analysis for organizational growth and business opportunities as well as assessing existing operational systems for efficiencies and improvement. Pauline has been nationally recognized for excellence in end of life care by the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) and is a certified ELNEC Geriatric Trainer. She has been a featured speaker on television and radio and has published several articles. Pauline enjoys public speaking and welcomes every opportunity to share information about the remarkable services offered by VNHC.
Lisa Holden
Senior Director of Education & Organizational Development
Lisa is responsible for translating VNHC’s vision into action through a focus on organizational design, alignment and accountability. She has extensive experience in leadership, nonprofit management, government affairs, public policy, and coalition building. Lisa came to Santa Barbara in May 2008 as the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Support Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marquette University and pursued graduate work in nursing at the University of Wisconsin. In addition, Lisa holds an Executive Education Certificate from the Notre Dame Executive Integral Leadership Program and currently serves on the boards of the Goleta Valley Historical Society and Santa Barbara Associates.