BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Graham Seel, President (he/him)
Graham has extensive leadership experience in commercial and non-profit settings. His career has been largely focused on technology and business strategy, particularly in the banking industry. He has worked for very large to very small companies, bringing creativity, vision and structured thinking to play in the development of technology and business strategy. He also acted as CEO of a small commercial mortgage company coming out of the 2008 financial crisis.
In his non-profit roles, he served on the Board of a private Christian K-12 school for 9 years, 4 of them as President. He has also volunteered with, and consulted for, a community development organization (for which he successfully obtained grants, and wrote a community engagement strategy). He currently serves on a key working group for the global relief and development NGO World Renew, and has just published a major research and advisory paper that is contributing to World Renew’s future direction for Savings Groups around the world.
Graham has been active in church life for more than 40 years. He has had a number of leadership roles, particularly in music and worship, and with children’s and youth ministries. His passions are particularly for music (particularly but not exclusively in worship) and for children and youth. He is especially keen to contribute to the well-being of children in less privileged households, both locally and globally.
David Hofmayer, Vice President/Secretary (he/him)
David Hofmayer grew up playing piano accompaniment for singers, first his talented sister, Lauren, and later larger choral and theatrical ensembles. He joined Cantare's Chorale in 2019, having enjoyed several concerts in which Lauren and his mother, Ann, performed. David works as a staff attorney for the California Supreme Court.
Danae Smith, Treasurer (she/her)
Danae is a Bay Area native with a lifelong passion for music. She joined the Cantare chorale in 2021 and is deeply committed to the organization's mission. Professionally, Danae is a Certified Public Accountant at a public accounting firm, specializing in providing accounting services to nonprofit organizations. She is dedicated to supporting nonprofits by handling their accounting needs, enabling them to focus on advancing their mission and making a positive impact.
Kenn Keitt (he/him)
Kenn Keitt is a Senior Director with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. With 15+ years in healthcare, he works with senior leadership across the organization, with extensive experience in building teams to develop and manage sustainable growth and retention. He majored in Computer Science at the University of San Francisco and has received certificates in business and executive management from Stanford, Duke and Oxford Universities. Kenn is a major supporter and participant in fundraising activities in support of AIDS and HIV prevention: he has participated as a cyclist and roadie in the California LifeCycle 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles (545 mi), and a 7-day bike ride from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Paris, France (~400 mi) for AIDS Relief in Africa. Kenn currently sings with the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus and various other musical organizations across the Bay Area.
Alyssa Pluth (she/her)
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Alyssa has always been passionate about giving back to her community, especially in Oakland, where her parents fell in love. After graduating from Cal State East Bay with honors and working in the nonprofit world, she pursued a career in Human Resources, supporting over 100 teachers and fostering a positive work environment. Alyssa enjoys traveling the world, exploring new cuisines, attending concerts and Broadway shows, and curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Dedicated to personal and professional growth, she finds joy in helping others thrive in every aspect of life.
Sophie Salvatore (she/her)
Sophie Salvatore is a global wellbeing and benefits leader with over a decade of experience designing programs that support health, mental health, and caregiving. She currently serves on the Global Wellbeing Strategy and Design team at Salesforce, where she leads initiatives that support employees and their families worldwide.
Raised in Oakland, she discovered the power of music early on as a member of the Oakland Youth Choir (OYC). She holds a BA in Theatre and Economics from Smith College and completed postgraduate work at the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute. Sophie is married to Tom Salvatore, a music teacher in the Emeryville School District, and is mom to Amelia and Theo. She believes singing is not only a form of creative expression but a powerful contributor to individual and community wellbeing, supporting emotional health, belonging, and resilience across all stages of life.
Anne Margaret Manay (she/her)
Anne Margaret Manay grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, moving to California in 2003. She has been a choral singer since the age of 10 and joined the Cantare Chorale in 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Education degree at Georgia State University. She taught high school science in the Oakland Unified School District before transitioning to work as a tutor and writer. Anne Margaret has extensive experience volunteering in leadership roles in public schools and non-profit organizations. In addition, her belief in the power of music to enrich the lives of the vulnerable has led her to volunteer as a bedside singer for hospice patients. The joy she finds in making music and in supporting young people motivates her service on Cantare’s board.
Leah Schatz, Youth Board Member (she/her)
Leah is currently a senior at Skyline High School in Oakland, CA. She has been singing inCantare as a part of Nova Youth Choir since she was in 6th grade at Melrose LeadershipAcademy, and is proud to say she survived doing choir online for a year. Aside from singing,she enjoys playing the saxophone in her high school’s jazz band, and is a set designer for itstechnical theater department. In her spare time, she likes to explore her interests in reading,creative writing, and linguistics. She lives with her parents, younger sister, and 2 adorable catsin Oakland, and is also a member of Nova’s Leadership Team. This is her first time serving asany sort of board member in an organization, so she is excited to learn more about Cantare!
Prathana Pandey, Youth Representative (she/her)
Prathana is a senior at Oakland Technical High School who has been a part of Cantare since the 4th grade. She first joined as part of the Lincoln Music Stars, before later continuing on as a part of the Nova, and currently Aurora, choirs. She has also been a summer camp counselor, leading her group of 4th-5th graders “The Red Saturns” at Cantare’s 2025 Summer Camp “Brighter Days”. Outside of Cantare, she is a huge bookworm, an artist, and co-captain of the Varsity Tennis Team at her high school. Her goal is to become a neurosurgeon to help provide life-saving treatments for those who need it.
