Staff

Team Members

Liz Lazar-Johnson

Executive Director

Liz founded Via Heart Project in January of 2010. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology, she found her passion in raising automated external defibrillator (AED) awareness and helping the families...

Cathy DeCock

Chief Operating Officer

Cathy joined Via in 2011. As our Chief Operating Officer, she brings more than 20 years of non-profit management expertise to Via. She spent 10 years at the Sierra Club, with both the Outing department and the Office of Environmental Programs, focusing on public education, internal business systems improvements,

Liz Thomas-Grainger

Program and Accounting Manager

Liz was born and raised in the Napa Valley but has lived in San Francisco for seven years now. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Communicative Disorders, Liz joined the team at Via to work with our global accounts.

Clare Hanly

Program Coordinator

Clare graduated from Chapman University in 2021 with a degree in Communication Studies. While in school, she worked on two research studies where she gained interest in, and experience...

Pam Dodson

Director of Program Development

Pam Dodson comes to Via Heart Project after retiring from a career in Emergency Medical Services. Over a span of nearly 30 years of service, she developed these life-saving programs...

Payton Everheart

Program Assistant

Payton is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Electronic Media and Communications. She has recently moved to The Bay Area after spending the last 15 years in Texas and Illinois.

Joe Kinson

Site Maintenance Supervisor

After 27 years as a firefighter and 12 years as a paramedic, Joe is enjoying his retirement by working as the site maintenance supervisor for Via Heart Project and teaching American Heart...

Rochelle Short

Social Media and Communications

Rochelle came to Via Heart Project wanting to merge her love of social media with her interest in being involved in a non-profit cause. After leaving a decade-long career in the real estate field...