Dr. Martin McCombs, Executive Director
Martin (Marty) McCombs received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology with honors from the California School of Professional Psychology / Los Angeles in 1989. Before his doctorate he held a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University, Los Angeles (valedictorian, class of 1982) and undergraduate degrees in Journalism and Public Relations from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana (1978). Marty has spent his entire career as a psychologist in community-based non-profit settings, including work in foster care, youth programs, public health, women’s advocacy, and HIV prevention. In 1996, Marty’s unique grasp for infusing science into community based programs earned him the honor of being named one of six national Price Prevention Research Fellows by the federal Centers for Disease Control in recognition of his models for HIV prevention. Marty is a long-time civil rights and social justice advocate and activist, dating back the age of 14 when he was arrested alongside his mother while picketing outside a public rally. He has served in executive roles in nonprofit settings for more than a decade of his 27 years as a public servant. He first served MMP as a consultant in 2003 before accepting the role of Executive Director in January, 2004.

Dianne Amato, Program Director
Dianne Amato was welcomed by board and staff and clients, joining the MMP in March, 2008 as Program Director. A recent southern California arrival, she brings to MMP the broadest and deepest base of pertinent professionally-related background experience MMP has ever enjoyed in a brand new Program Director.

Holding a bachelor’s degree from California Baptist University in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Social Work, she also served as Case Manager and Co-Director at Safe House in San Francisco, California as well as having been involved in SAGE, another bay area nonprofit assisting prostitutes. As management at Safe House, one of the few other prostitution-specific treatment programs in the country, she also had substance abuse counseling training and experience plus experience as a former Residential Counselor for St. Anne’s Maternity Home in Los Angeles. While Program Director from 2005-2008 Donna Hernandez will be deeply missed, Dianne was the hands-down favorite of the residents participating in the finalist pool candidate screening, and brings a welcome wealth of experience and passion for the work.

Kathryn Hack, MFT, Consulting Clinical Director
Kitty Hack, MFT, has been a professional psychotherapist and advocate for women for many years. She has been working with the Mary Magdalene Project clients, families, and staff since early in the creation of the organization. Besides providing clinical services at Hayman House as a group, individual and family therapist, Kitty works in private practice and for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Jodi Wagner, CATC, Case Manager
Rachelle Anglin, Residential Program Associate
Leda Lopez , Office Manager

“Mary Magdalene is an extraordinary place, a place where all of us—board, staff, volunteers--- are working hard to change the lives and futures of the women and children who come to us. If only society had been as careful about child abuse 20, 30, 40 years ago. Our clients are the women society failed to protect.”