People who are...strong lift others up. People who are...powerful bring others together. Ā Michelle Obama

Our Team

Meet our leading ladies. Our team consists of members like you who resonate with our mission and collaborate, each in their own unique way, to enrich our community. Your gift of time will in turn bring rich rewards. Because the best and most valuable part of taking on a leadership role is the personal growth and self-confidence gained from proactively working to create the sisterhood you want while forging a path that others can follow.

Be the spark that brings women together in friendship and connection! We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Chapter Leads, Engagement Coordinators, and Friendship Ambassadors. Use your energy, warmth, and love of connection to help women build lasting friendships! Isn’t this the perfect time to try something new?

Meet our leading ladies. Our team consists of members like you who resonate with our mission and collaborate, each in their own unique way, to enrich our community. Your gift of time will in turn bring rich rewards. Because the best and most valuable part of taking on a leadership role is the personal growth and self-confidence gained from proactively working to create the sisterhood you want while forging a path that others can follow.

Be the spark that brings women together in friendship and connection! We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Chapter Leads, Engagement Coordinators, and Friendship Ambassadors. Use your energy, warmth, and love of connection to help women build lasting friendships! Isn’t this the perfect time to try something new?

NATIONAL
Dale Pollekoff, Founder & Exec. Director

I moved from DC to LA in 2000, after a long career in graphic design. It was hard to find friends as an older woman in a new town, so I started FFF>50. Since then, it has been my passion to knock down the silos that separate us, and facilitate friendships based on the shared experience of struggling to stay vital in a society that often separates and devalues us. Helping women by leading this group has been so rewarding! My mission is to make this a home where any woman can come for fun, friendship, and support.

Leda Berliner, Community Development Director & Diversity Director

One of my greatest pleasures is a good bottle of wine with good food and good company. I love travel and exploring new cultures. Backpacking opened me to the freedom of the outdoors with nothing more than what I carried on my back. I’m a voracious reader. To me aging gracefully is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being comfortable in one’s Ā skin. Women my age and older who are living of their best years are an inspiration. I hope to always be a good friend by being of use, being compas-sionate, and showing gratitude to all.

Edie Heller, Treasurer

Currently retired and recently moved to Santa Monica from the Boston area. Before retirement I spent 30 years as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and team and leadership development. I also spent 10 years as a Human Resources professional.
I am very committed to working with non-profits whose mission I respect and with people who share my values.

SAN FRANCISCO, Allison Fairchild

I started the Berkeley chapter in 2019 after reading the NY Times article about FFF>50. Berkeley grew to over 1,000 members as it fulfilled the need we have for connection. My 30-year career as an attorney is winding down, and I've completed a mindfulness meditation teacher certification, a practice that has been the grounding force for much of my life. I love spending time with friends I met through hosting events in my chapter. I look forward to retiring so I can devote myself to Mindfulness instead of law.

Sally Chasman, Secretary & Funding & Partnerships Director

I’m excited to be the Ann Arbor chapter lead and help nurture friendships in our community. It’s rewarding to see new people come together and enjoy the great variety of activities we plan. I’m a retired teacher, married with three daughters, and three grandchildren. I enjoy reading, crafting, yoga and socializing.

SAN DIEGO, Cara Todd

Creating women’s communities that are both supportive and playful is something I enjoy so much that I formed my business around it! I’m the owner of Untamed Pathways LLC, and work as a Women's Holistic Living Coach, Travel Advisor, Retreat/Event Planner, Community Engagement Manager & Writer. I enjoy nature, art, history and culture. I look forward to getting to know you, sharing adventures together and enjoying our lovely community!

Our Team

Meet our leading ladies. Our team consists of members like you who resonate with our mission and collaborate, each in their own unique way, to enrich our community. Your gift of time will in turn bring rich rewards. Because the best and most valuable part of taking on a leadership role is the personal growth and self-confidence gained from proactively working to create the sisterhood you want while forging a path that others can follow.

Be the spark that brings women together in friendship and connection! We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Chapter Leads, Engagement Coordinators, and Friendship Ambassadors. Use your energy, warmth, and love of connection to help women build lasting friendships! Isn’t this the perfect time to try something new?

Meet our leading ladies. Our team consists of members like you who resonate with our mission and collaborate, each in their own unique way, to enrich our community. Your gift of time will in turn bring rich rewards. Because the best and most valuable part of taking on a leadership role is the personal growth and self-confidence gained from proactively working to create the sisterhood you want while forging a path that others can follow.

Be the spark that brings women together in friendship and connection! We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to serve as Chapter Leads, Engagement Coordinators, and Friendship Ambassadors. Use your energy, warmth, and love of connection to help women build lasting friendships! Isn’t this the perfect time to try something new?

CHAPTERS
ANN ARBOR, Lorrie Paull

I moved from DC to LA in 2000, after a long career in graphic design. It was hard to find friends as an older woman in a new town, so I started FFF>50. Since then, it has been my passion to knock down the silos that separate us, and facilitate friendships based on the shared experience of struggling to stay vital in a society that often separates and devalues us. Helping women by leading this group has been so rewarding! My mission is to make this a home where any woman can come for fun, friendship, and support.

LOS ANGELES,Ā Ā Dale Pollekoff

One of my greatest pleasures is a good bottle of wine with good food and good company. I love travel and exploring new cultures. Backpacking opened me to the freedom of the outdoors with nothing more than what I carried on my back. I’m a voracious reader. To me aging gracefully is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being comfortable in one’s Ā skin. Women my age and older who are living of their best years are an inspiration. I hope to always be a good friend by being of use, being compas-sionate, and showing gratitude to all.

SAN DIEGO, Lori Kaplan

I moved to Seattle from Nashville in 2018. I had always dreamed of living here, and the beauty of this area has completely amazed me. However, making friends has been a challenge. Discovering FFF 50 has been a game-changer. It has given me a supportive community and friends all over the world. I even have close connections with people in Los Angeles whom I’ve only met through Zoom.
My work schedule as an RN can leave me exhausted or too late for in-person events. That’s why the virtual events have been incredible—I look forward to the ones I attend regularly and love trying new ones. I’m excited to help grow the Seattle chapter and to explore more of the city and surrounding areas!

ATLANTA, Pamela Covington

Currently retired and recently moved to Santa Monica from the Boston area. Before retirement I spent 30 years as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and team and leadership development. I also spent 10 years as a Human Resources professional.
I am very committed to working with non-profits whose mission I respect and with people who share my values.

MORRISTOWN NJ AREA, Jacqueline Robinson

I started the Berkeley chapter in 2019 after reading the NY Times article about FFF>50. Berkeley grew to over 1,000 members as it fulfilled the need we have for connection. My 30-year career as an attorney is winding down, and I've completed a mindfulness meditation teacher certification, a practice that has been the grounding force for much of my life. I love spending time with friends I met through hosting events in my chapter. I look forward to retiring so I can devote myself to Mindfulness instead of law.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY, Diana Leon

With over 40 years in communi-cations, my past occupations range from radio announcer, journalist, and training instructor, to creative director and graphic designer. I’ve performed as a storyteller with The Moth, been published in Newsweek, and even penned a memoir, ā€œA Day at the Fare: One Woman’s Welfare Passage.ā€ Today, I thrive as a speaker, anti-poverty advocate, writer, and creative, who relocated to Georgia after 26 years in Virginia. Recog-nizing how FFF>50 enriches women’s lives, I was inspired to step up as the Atlanta Chapter Lead.

CHAPEL HILL, Holly Quasny

I’m excited to be the Ann Arbor chapter lead and help nurture friendships in our community. It’s rewarding to see new people come together and enjoy the great variety of activities we plan. I’m a retired teacher, married with three daughters, and three grandchildren. I enjoy reading, crafting, yoga and socializing.

NYC METRO AREA, Joanna Wasmuth

Creating women’s communities that are both supportive and playful is something I enjoy so much that I formed my business around it! I’m the owner of Untamed Pathways LLC, and work as a Women's Holistic Living Coach, Travel Advisor, Retreat/Event Planner, Community Engagement Manager & Writer. I enjoy nature, art, history and culture. I look forward to getting to know you, sharing adventures together and enjoying our lovely community!

SAN FRANCISCO BAY, Allison Fairchild

Patricia Linderman lives in Falls Church, VA and loves exploring the DC area by Metro, e-bike, kayak and sometimes by car. She turned her own health around in her 50s and then became a health coach to support others in their own journeys. Her work is also her play, as she leads an outdoor workout, a balance class and Laughter Yoga sessions, among other activities. She loves the diverse, fun and fascinating women she's met through FFF>50 and is dedicated to helping the DC group grow and thrive.

DENVER, Christine Ratcliff

I retired from the motion picture film processing industry in 2005 and moved from the ā€˜burbs’ to Los Angeles proper. I joined FFF>50 in 2007, and became a founding member and co-organizer. When COVID hit, I started hosting online ā€˜Happy Hours,’ which eventually blossomed into a variety of weekly events. I’ve met delightful women from all walks of life, love to hear their stories, and share my love of movies, philosophy, and politics. These years with the women of FFF>50 have been the most rewarding of my life, and I look forward to many more.

PORTLAND ME, Julie Krasne

Women’s groups were a lifeline for me when I moved to Colorado over a decade ago. I’m now proud to call the Denver area home. I look forward to sharing the great variety of activities available here with others. I’m an indoorsy person, so you’ll see me hosting events like movies, museums, crafting, and such. However, the wonderful thing about FFF>50 is that the members can shape the group by hosting any event they desire. I look forward to seeing what Denver members come up with!

WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA, Patricia Linderman

After retiring from a successful corporate career, I discovered a passion for inspiring and supporting women over 50 as they navigate their next chapter through Second Act Inspiration. My interests include traveling, interior design, writing, and reading, which fuels my love for continuous learning and creativity. I am excited to be part of a community where women can expand friendships, share knowledge and interests, or simply enjoy meaningful conversations over coffee. Together, we celebrate the joy of connection and the endless possibilities that life after 50 has to offer!

Linda Stroeber, Business Consultant

I’m excited to be working with FFF>50 to foster friendships and enhance the well-being of women. From my first career as a librarian through over 20 years as a business analyst, I bring my passion for organizing information and connecting people with the resources they need. I’ve worked with a variety of businesses from startups to global industry leaders in non-profit organizations, government, and education companies.

SANTA FE, Karen cooper

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, I recently moved to Santa Fe having spent 30 years in Colorado. I met so many great women through group meetups in Colorado and I look forward to exploring the many activities here in Santa Fe and building new friendships. I enjoy wine and food, music, artisan markets and casual outdoor fun (e.g., walking, hiking, biking) just to name a few, so you will see me hosting events like these. I’m excited to see what other events Santa Fe members want to do for fun!

PORTLAND ME, Julie Krasne

I’m a veterinarian. When I'm not wrangling furry critters, I enjoy sea kayaking, birdwatching, fishing, snowshoeing and appreciating the beauty of the four seasons. The isolation of the COVID years and the recent passing of a dear friend made me realize that, for the first time in my life, I felt lonely. In my quest to meet new people and establish friendships, I discovered FFF>50 and am so grateful for this opportunity to serve as the Portland chapter co-lead.
I look forward to helping nurture the growth of the Portland Chapter and along the way, establishing lasting friendships with like-minded women.

INCUBATOR CHAPTERS
INLAND EMPIRE, Adriana Sandoval

I moved from DC to LA in 2000, after a long career in graphic design. It was hard to find friends as an older woman in a new town, so I started FFF>50. Since then, it has been my passion to knock down the silos that separate us, and facilitate friendships based on the shared experience of struggling to stay vital in a society that often separates and devalues us. Helping women by leading this group has been so rewarding! My mission is to make this a home where any woman can come for fun, friendship, and support.

LAKE TAHOE, NV & CA, Leda Berliner

Currently retired and recently moved to Santa Monica from the Boston area. Before retirement I spent 30 years as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and team and leadership development. I also spent 10 years as a Human Resources professional.
I am very committed to working with non-profits whose mission I respect and with people who share my values.

LEWIS, DE, Rebecca Tam

Currently retired and recently moved to Santa Monica from the Boston area. Before retirement I spent 30 years as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning and team and leadership development. I also spent 10 years as a Human Resources professional.
I am very committed to working with non-profits whose mission I respect and with people who share my values.

NATIONAL
Dale Pollekoff, Director &
Los Angeles Chapter LeadĀ Ā 
Sally Chasman, Secretary, Funding & Partnerships Director

Edie Heller, Treasurer
Leda Berliner, Community Development Director & Diversity Director
CHAPTERS
ANN ARBOR, Lorrie Paull
CENTRAL NJ, Jacqueline Robinson
Denver, Christine Ratcliff
PORTLAND ME, Julie Krasne
San Francisco, Diana Leon
WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA, Patricia Linderman
ATLANTA, Pamela Covington
CHAPEL HILL, Holly Quasny
NYC METRO AREA, Joanna Wasmuth
SAN DIEGO, Lori Kaplan
SAN FRANCISCO, Allison Fairchild
INCUBATOR CHAPTERS
LAKE TAHOE, NV & CA, Leda Berliner
INLAND EMPIRE, CA, Adriana Sandoval
LEWIS, DE, Rebecca Tam
Executive Team
Chapter Leads
Hosting Heroes