OUR LEADERSHIP
The People Behind the Mission
Our team is made up of passionate individuals who believe in the power of community, compassion, and action. Together, we work to create a brighter, more inclusive future for people experiencing homelessness.
Co-Founders
Ardy Akhzari
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Ardy Akhzari co-founded Packs for Cold Backs on Christmas Day in 2011 with a simple belief: everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and support. As Executive Director, he has helped grow the organization from a small Sacramento outreach effort into a volunteer-driven nonprofit serving communities across California, Washington, and Arizona. His leadership focuses on building meaningful partnerships, empowering volunteers, and developing practical ways to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Kevin Maxfield
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Kevin Maxfield co-founded Packs for Cold Backs in 2011, helping turn a small act of kindness into a growing community-driven nonprofit. As Chief Operating Officer, Kevin plays an important role in supporting the organization's operations, coordinating outreach efforts, and helping ensure that volunteers and resources come together to serve people experiencing homelessness. His commitment to service and community has been an important part of the organization's journey since its earliest days.
Meet Our Team
Ashley Whipple
Co-Director of Seattle Operations
Nathan Mabie
Co-Director of Seattle Operations
Patti Mcfarland
Co-Director of Phoenix Operations
Justin Gibson
Co-Director of Phoenix Operations
Josh Sisto
Chief Technology Officer
Melissa Van Hooser
Director of Social Media
Lucia Gallagher
Director of Events
Erik Reyes
Community Outreach Manager
Ivan Reyes
Spanish Bilingual Outreach Specialist
Hannah Beausang
Director of Communications
In Loving Memory
