Wendy Marantz Levine co-founded Beauty Bus Foundation in 2009 in memory of her beloved sister, Melissa Marantz Nealy, and has been its guiding force ever since. Before the founding of Beauty Bus, Wendy practiced law and was Director of Litigation and Pro Bono work at Bet Tzedek Legal Services which serves the elderly, poor, and disabled. She also helped to create the International Holocaust Services Justice Network, which provided free legal services to Holocaust survivors. Her work prior to Bet Tzedek included litigation experience at the trial and appellate levels as well as two cases decided by the Supreme Court. At the firm of Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles, she practiced in the appellate and litigation departments. Wendy graduated from Duke University and the University of Michigan Law School, where she was Executive Editor of the Law Review. Wendy, her husband Eric and two young kids support Beauty Bus to honor Melissa’s memory because “the lift and gift of beauty has the power to transform lives and support families when they need it most.”

Liliana is the Chief Marketing Officer at Lexica, a Semantic Artificial Intelligence Company revolutionizing the way business software is developed. She has joined the leadership team to help expand and spearhead the expansion of this Latin American company in the US.

Prior to joining Lexica, Liliana spent 10 years at Google, as Head of Strategy, building technology-driven business innovation partnerships with the world’s largest brands, such as LVMH, Samsung, P&G, Nestle, Coca-Cola, J&J, to name a few. Before that she had a combined 12-year experience working in U.S. advertising agencies in both the Mainstream and Multicultural markets in Miami and New York. She led strategy for top blue-chip clients across various categories.

Andrea Straus is a Professional Art Conservator who runs the Sculpture Conservation Studio in Los Angeles. She oversees conservation and restoration of sculptures, architecture, and historical artifacts in this country as well as around the world. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has published numerous papers, and lectured at UCLA, the University of Hawaii, California State University, Northridge as well as at the Scottsdale Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, among others. Andrea’s favorite aspect of Beauty Bus is the “inner warmth and feeling of beauty” that clients experience. “It is a wonderful thing to give to others with the reward of a smile.”

Brianna Armitage, CPA, MSA is Attest Manager at PDM, LLP, where she performs and supervises attest engagements, including compilations, reviews, and audits for both the non-profit and for-profit sector. In addition to her years of experience in the public accounting sector, she was a Real Estate Accounting Manager for an investment and management real estate firm in Norfolk, Virginia where she oversaw the monthly and annual financial statement preparation for numerous properties. She holds a Bachelor and Graduate degree in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach after graduation she then went on to obtain her CPA license.

Ida Barba came to Beauty Bus through her work with Occidental Petroleum and California Resources Corporation where she served in the CEO’s office and also as a community liaison for nonprofit organizations. She is currently the Administrative Manager at Black Knight Energy. Additional volunteer work includes the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita, Special Olympics of Santa Clarita, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and South Central LAMP among others. Ida is passionate about volunteer work and is a long-time supporter of Beauty Bus. What Ida loves most about Beauty Bus is that the organization is built on what she calls “a foundation of compassion.”

Jeremy Cramer has spent his career supporting leading nonprofit organizations focused on systemic change in both health care and education. He started his career in philanthropy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, then led the major gifts fundraising program at the world’s first nonprofit biotechnology company working to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Jeremy led the Office of Alumni Affairs and the capital fundraising team at Fay School in Boston and the major gifts program at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

Before founding Exponential Philanthropy, Jeremy was the Chief Development Officer at a global anti-bigotry organization called Facing History and Ourselves. Jeremy now serves as Philanthropic Advisor to The Crimson Lion / Lavine Family Foundation, coaches and mentors executives on organizational and fundraising strategy, and provides counsel to organizations to help them realize their philanthropic potential.

Dan Rosenson has been with Beauty Bus since the founding of the organization and was the Founding Board Chair. He has vast philanthropic experience, ranging from serving as Board President and Interim Executive Director for Jewish Big Brothers/Big Sister of Los Angeles to serving on the Boards of Camp Max Straus, the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging, and on the National Committee of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Dan is a graduate of California State University, Northridge.

“To me Beauty Bus is more than just beauty treatments, its mission to help people who are in unique situations feel their best is heartwarming and inspiring.”

Jessica Joffe Stein has more than 20 years of experience in health care, real estate and entertainment. She is currently head of patient marketing at Interwell Health, a value-based kidney care organization. Jessica previously served as head of integrated marketing at DaVita, a FORTUNE® 500 kidney care company. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Madison, Jessica began her career at Nintendo, then went on to work with Four Seasons, Hainan Airlines and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“The last thing we tend to think of when we or our loved ones face health challenges is caring for ourselves. That is where the gift of Beauty Bus comes in. Being part of such a warm, generous experience is beyond fulfilling.”

Ruth is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in customer-driven companies. Starting her career as a marketing executive for a global media corporation in the UK and Australia, she later transitioned to an entrepreneur, launching a national sports consumer products company here in the US. Ruth has a proven track record of pioneering new business models, driving revenue, scaling operations, and coaching high-performing teams.

In addition, Ruth has a personal passion for philanthropy and making a difference in people's lives. As a volunteer, she has created sustainable revenue streams for local public schools and managed numerous partnerships with leading LA non-profits as a Board Member of The National Charity League, Westside Chapter. She is proud to call LA her home. When not working or volunteering, you can find Ruth in the kitchen creating healthy home-cooked food, planning her next family travel adventure, enjoying downward dog at yoga, running with her actual dog, or simply catching up with friends.

Ruth brings the enthusiasm, energy, business discipline, and experience to drive growth, increase impact, and ensure the sustainability of Beauty Bus and our critical service.

Rachael first connected with Beauty Bus as a client at a Pop-Up Salon. She was fourteen years old and just coming out of a battle with childhood leukemia. The experience helped her take a break from being a “cancer patient” and reconnect with her sense of self as a teenager, with a keen interest in hair and makeup. Rachael returned to the organization as a summer intern in 2017; ultimately joining the Beauty Bus team full-time in 2018, following her graduation from Duke University. Rachael is now cancer-free and facilitates much of the technical, behind-the-scenes work within the organization.

The unusual path Amy took on her way to Beauty Bus leaves her uniquely qualified to oversee Communications within the organization. Amy comes to Beauty Bus following a long career as a TV writer on comedies such as Grounded for Life and Friends. She then took a deep dive into the world of non-profit organizations, serving on both local and national Boards of Directors of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). During her combined twenty years of service on both Boards, she co-founded a community service program, co-chaired a national convention, and co-founded an annual conference. She was also Board President of the Los Angeles chapter of NCJW. Amy currently sits on the Board of Directors of a prominent family foundation. Amy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television from New York University.

Emilio comes to Beauty Bus with the mindset that relationships and human connection should always be at the forefront of good work. Over the past 10+ years he has worked in child development and education in both public and private sectors. He expanded his passion for people and learning when he joined an e-commerce gifting company in 2021 and became Studio Director in 2022. There he spearheaded multiple facets of the company (client relations, project planning, social media execution, product sourcing/design, etc.) with a priority on quality relationships, customer service, retention, and building good faith in the brand. He is thrilled to join the non-profit sector and hop on the Beauty Bus as the Marketing and Special Projects Manager in order to bring his passion for people, community service, and new ideas to an organization that does such incredible work.