Background and Experience
Education
Trustee
Cabrillo College Board of Trustees, 2000–present
Elected member of the community college’s governing Board, President of the Board 2003–2004.
Led the effort to pass the Cabrillo Bond measure in 2004.
Board Member
Pacific Collegiate School Board, 2006–present
Charter school in Santa Cruz that was listed as the #2 school in the country by US News and World Report (11/07).
Co–Chair
Save Our Small Schools, 2003
Led the effort to preserve small class sizes in the Soquel Elementary Unified School District.
Co–Chair
Measure A Campaign, 2002
Led the successful effort to pass a school to preserve and expand the schools in the Soquel Elementary Unified School District.
Community Activities
Co–Chair
Temple Beth El 50th Anniversary Celebration, 2004–2005
Led the fundraising efforts for temple’s endowment fund.
Board Member
Temple Beth El, Board of Directors, 1997–2001
Responsible for overseeing all recruitments, evaluations and re–writing of personnel policies.
Associate Director
Working Partnerships USA, 1997–2001
Working Partnerships is a non-profit organization focuses on labor and economic policy. Created a program to support temporary workers and was part of the team to develop the Children’s Health Initiative.
Coordinator
Santa Cruz Action Network (SCAN), (1989–1991)
SCAN is a community–based non–profit organization dedicated to encouraging people to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. Helped lead the effort to get the first pay equity contract for women working for the County of Santa Cruz. Worked collaboratively with the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce on a Resource Directory after the 1989 earthquake.
Economic Development
Founder and General Manager
Santa Cruz Mail & Data Service, 1991–1994
Launched a direct mail advertising business in Santa Cruz County. Responsible for developing business plan, seeking financing, hiring employees, purchasing equipment and setting up accounts.
Board Member
Northern California Manufacturing Exchange (MANEX), 1999–2001
MANEX is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and represents manufactures in nine Bay Area counties.
Chairman
City of Santa Cruz Public Works Commission, 1989–91
Oversaw the budget of the largest City department and developed policies for City Council.
President
Democratic Management Services, Board of Directors, 1991–1993
Responsible for operation of six democratically managed businesses and non-profits with operating budgets totaling $3 million.
Health Services
Vice–Chair and Member
Human Care Alliance, 1994–96
Coalition of County human service agencies that provide health education and direct social services.
Steering Committee Member
HIV Services Consortium of Santa Cruz County, 1994–1996
Federally mandated group responsible for disbursement of funds from the Ryan White CARE Act. Also Chair of the Skilled Nursing Subcommittee.
Member
AIDS Housing Advisory Task Force to Secretary Cisneros, 1995–1996
Developed proposals with advisory group to Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Participant
First White House Conference on AIDS, 1995
Met with AIDS service leaders from across the country to help build and strengthen HIV/AIS Policy during the Clinton Administration.
Executive Director
Santa Cruz AIDS Project, 1994–1996
Doubled the number of affordable housing space for people living with HIV/AIDS, help draft the needle exchange ordinance, and worked to open local skilled nursing facilities for people living with AIDS.
Member
Reproductive Rights Network, 1989–1994
The Reproductive Rights Network of Santa Cruz County is a local coalition including all key local providers and advocates of reproductive choice, which coordinates action on priority issues. This group and its member organizations are active in advocating for public policies that will ensure the legal status of services, freedom from violence or harassment, and adequate funding levels.
Philanthropy
Board Member
Rex Foundation 1999–present
Member of philanthropic foundation, Chair 1999–2005.
Board Member
Arhoolie Foundation, 1999–present
Organization dedicated to preserving vernacular music styles.
Community Service Awards
Speaker of the Year
United Way of Santa Cruz County, 1994
Recognized for participation in annual campaign drive.
Ally of the Community Award
Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration, 1990
Only two people a year are awarded this recognition for their work in solidarity with the lesbian and gay community.
