Foundation Board of Directors

Dan Carracino, along with life-long friend Kevin Hanlon, directed and produced the Emmy-award winning documentary Bill W.  He has seen first-hand the devastation of alcoholism, as well as the hope offered by Alcoholics Anonymous. After learning that no feature length documentary had ever been produced about the man who co-founded A.A. and authored its Twelve Steps, he and Kevin decided to make Bill W.  Today, in addition to serving as the Board Chair of New Directions for Women Foundation, he is the National Coordinator of Congressional Communities, working towards building a way for us all to have better communication with our Congressional representatives.        

 Dan joined the Operating Board in 2004, and the Foundation Board in 2006.

Frederick E. Turner, Founder, J.D. Since establishing his first captive management firm in 1996, which was rebranded as Active Captive in 2005, Fred has directed the company’s growth of establishing a management presence in the majority of U.S. domiciles, the formation of single parent and special purpose captives as well as a national strategic business network. As a leading innovator of the single parent captive structure, Active is positioned at the forefront of the growing industry and continues to develop strategies to provide risk mitigation solutions. Prior to entering the field of alternative risk solutions in 1986, Fred was the founding partner of Turner, Reynolds, Greco & O’Hara. Fred’s background also includes a degree of B.A. Economics Long Beach State University, “high distinction”, Graduate Juris Doctorate, Loyola Law School,1980, “cum laude”, Member of California Bar Association, Central District State of California, Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, U.S. Supreme Court, Rated “AV”. Fred also currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the captive committee business law section of the American Bar Association and Director of the Utah Captive Insurance Association

 Fred joined the Operating Board in 2022.

Son of New Directions for Women founder, Pamela Wilder, Jim continues the circle of life by serving as our Board Treasurer and giving his time, talent and treasure to New Directions for Women. Both of Jim’s parents were actively involved in giving back to their community, and Jim is following closely in those footsteps and continuing his mother’s legacy.

Jim’s greatest gifts and source of inspiration in his life are his two children, Lynwood and Constance.

Jim joined the Operating Board in 2022.

Darlene is the Ms. International 2021 Beauty Queen. She also has a huge passion for fine arts, and has been involved in creating art since 1984. Darlene went to the Academy of Art University for Graphic Design and Advertising, and she earned a Business Degree from Pepperdine University. Today, Darlene is a gallery featured and well versed ceramic and wheel pottery artist. Her art is sold boutique level and showcased at art festivals. Darlene also has a goal to bring Art Therapy to those in need, and spent four years volunteer teaching ceramic arts to handicapped and learning disabled teenagers. Since joining the New Directions for Women Board, Darlene wants to bring Art Therapy to the women and children.

Darlene joined the Operating Board in 2022.

Jerry has been the Chief Financial Officer for 25 years at International Bay Clubs, which owns and operates the Balboa Bay Club and Resort as well as the Newport Beach Country Club. Previously Jerry was in the restaurant industry. Jerry has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Business from Columbia University.

Ruth Stafford, Ph.D. has been in and around New Directions for Women (NDFW) since its 1977 inception, offering vital support to the founders and their vision. She now leads the charge for NDFW’s sustainability as a member of the NDFW Foundation. As a clinical psychologist she’s played a role in forming the first Advisory Committee. Ruth was among those on the frontier of treatment for the alcoholic woman in Orange County, and continues to speak out as a champion of family treatment, focusing on mother at the center.

Ruth received her Ph.D. in Psychology from UCI in 1975 and dedicated her life to helping individuals with chemical dependency. She has had a private practice in Clinical Psychology since 1985 and helped develop/implement chemical dependency programs throughout Southern California. She’s also served as a faculty instructor at UCI.  Throughout, she’s been engaged in volunteer service by on the Boards of the National Council on Alcoholism and California Commission on the Woman Alcoholic. She is a renowned lecturer author and speaker on the topic of alcoholism.

She also volunteers at many civic organizations including Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden in Laguna Beach and Ashland in Laguna Hills.

Carole Pickup is a dedicated philanthropist in Southern California. New Directions for Women has been her philanthropic passion for two decades, and she has helped build and sustain the incredible program.

 Carole joined the Foundation Board in 2006.