Sycamores Adds Two New Board Members as Leadership Transitions

A behavioral health nonprofit in Pasadena that serves more than 37,000 vulnerable individuals annually has appointed two new board members with expertise in entertainment and finance.

Sycamores named Christina Bang and Lynne Wines to its governing board Oct. 16. Bang leads Bang Licensing Group. Wines brings three decades of banking and nonprofit leadership experience.

“Christina and Lynne exemplify the kind of visionary leadership and compassion that drive Sycamores’ mission,” said Debra Manners, Sycamores president and CEO. “Their diverse experience and dedication will be invaluable.”

Bang has worked in entertainment and lifestyle industries for more than 20 years. She has held leadership roles at Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company and DreamWorks. She co-chaired Sycamores’ gala in 2023 and 2024.

Wines has served as president and CEO of several financial institutions. These include First Southern Bank, CNL Bank and Union Bank of Florida. She currently serves on BankUnited’s board of directors.

The board also welcomed new leadership at its annual meeting. Jan Emamian assumed the board chair role from Sonia A. Solin, who completed her two-year term.

Solin will remain on the board. During her tenure as chair, Sycamores expanded crisis teams in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. The agency also broke ground on new children’s crisis programs.

Emamian has served on the board since 2020. She was vice chair for the past two years. She works in real estate and volunteers with Pasadena-area organizations.

“Jan’s warmth, generosity and support for Sycamores make her a wonderful choice to lead our Board,” Manners said.

Sycamores has operated for more than 120 years. The agency provides residential treatment, crisis outreach, mental health services and transitional living assistance. It operates nine locations across Southern California.

For more information, visit https://www.sycamores.org/.