Westwater Staff


Alicia Burns, Executive Director: Alicia comes to Westwater Financial with an extensive and diverse career in the Real Estate Industry.

With over 20 years in Real Estate Industry Alicia’s experience is diverse between Real Estate Sales, Escrow and Title Insurance and Real Estate Mortgage. This expertise is an asset to Westwater Financial in that over the many years Alicia has coached first time home buyers as well as experienced investors in finance management, identifying a true Real Estate investment and aided her clients in achieving goals and fulfilling dreams.

As well as the Real Estate Industry Alicia’s experience includes many years in the Grocery business aided Alicia in developing excellent customer services skills and appreciation for the ‘client’.

Alicia oversees all aspects of the CDFI operation, including lending, underwriting, technical assistance, and financial and portfolio management. She will continue to build relationships with community partners, develop strong internal systems, and work directly with clients in preparing loan applications.

Ms. Burns was featured as a “Difference Maker” by the Native CDFI Network. Read the interview HERE.

Shellie Ramazzotti, Development Services Officer: Shellie considers service the most important word in her title. She appreciates that WWF is an important resource for clients. There is a lot to consider when it comes to financial matters so the courses she designs are practical and informative. She thoughtfully develops each session in order to offer as many options possible helping clients move toward financial stability.

For 18 years she worked in key roles in the banking industry allowing her to bring experience and knowledge to WWF while supporting the needs of clients. Shellie received numerous awards for her dedication and hard work. In 1998 she became certified in the practice of Massage Therapy to help others nourish body, mind, and spirit. Personal achievements include climbing Half Dome, kayaking waters all over the world, and participating in several sprint races, triathlons and half marathon.

She has found fulfillment as a wife, mother of 3, grandmother, and in service as a volunteer for Home Hospice. For more than 8 years she counseled Health Week at St. Dorothy’s Rest offering summer camp experiences to children with cancer, organ transplants, or living with a terminal illness. Shellie often spends time on the land where she grew up in Gualala. Quiet time in the redwoods, watching an eagle soar over the Gualala River, or hiking ocean trails bring peace and balance to her busy life.

Vickie Norris, Executive Administrative & Fiscal Associate: Since 1993 Vickie Norris has focused on creating business and corporate marketing plans, materials and websites for consumer products companies, retailers, and entrepreneurs. In the last several years Norris started five profitable businesses and sold two of them. Other work experience includes bookkeeping and management positions in accounts receivable and credit. Previously, she owned and operated a construction business. An artist since childhood, she loves making things look beautiful.

Born on a farm, Vickie has a strong work ethic and a wide and varied skill set. She is an entrepreneur and has owned a number of successful businesses. She has worked as an Administrative Assistant to the owner of a very successful bookstore in San Francisco, an accountant and network administrator for a high-end furniture and textile manufacturer with 22 showrooms, owner of a delivery service, a welcome service, a graphic design service, a magazine, a newspaper, and a web development service. She brings all these skills to Westwater to manage accounting, upgrade presentations and website presence and anything else that may be required.

Monica Gudino

Monica Gudino, Bilingual Training Technical Assistant Officer and Loan Originator:  Monica is a passionate, outgoing individual that cares about her community, family, and nature. She is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish both verbal and written. She has experience working with diverse cultures and is thoughtful to include all participants who attend her trainings.

Before starting her new career with Westwater Financial, Monica has had numerous years of experience in translating, training, customer service, administrative duties and child care. She has a strong interest in helping others. Monica enjoys volunteering, some of the places she is an avid volunteer include: Redwood Food Bank, after school programs, Non-profits, and disaster relief organizations.

She is a certified CPR / First Aid / Bloodborne Pathogen / Automated External Defibrillator Instructor.  She has experience with both one-on-one and large groups of students. Monica is also certified as a VITA Tax Preparer and she volunteers yearly to assist low income families to obtain free tax preparation.

As Bilingual Training Technical Assistant Officer at Westwater Financial, Monica is developing the Spanish curriculum based on various age groups and instruct personal finance coaching and technical assistance. She assists in designing an action plan to help individuals work towards their personal goals. She helps clients develop healthy money habits and budgeting skills to create a financial plan that reflects their personal goals and needs.