One Mission. One Community.

I seek a second term on the Credit Union’s Board of Directors. I am very excited about our progress over the last three years. Opening new branches at 41st Avenue and downtown Santa Cruz has improved access for our members. We are also one of the few lenders in our county who finance mobile home loans, and we have a strong community outreach and financial education program that connects with underserved communities. Mobile homes are a critical part of the affordable housing supply in our region.

I have been retired for 12 years. Before retiring, I worked for the city of Santa Cruz and the city of San Jose, focusing at both agencies on downtown and citywide parking programs and projects. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to engage with and serve the public.

I see the Credit Union’s work as a continuation of that public service. The Credit Union provides a community development approach to lending, which is sorely needed in these difficult and troubling times.

Thanks for your consideration and the opportunity to serve.

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York City, where I first learned the importance of community and being of service. I understood early on the value of community and how important it is to support everyone, including those who were underrepresented with the same opportunities afforded to others, and that it didn’t matter if one was raised in a “housing project;” that the possibilities were just as endless for her as they were for others. I am passionate about advocating for affordable housing, creating positive change in our community, and leveling the playing field so everyone can have a safe, stable place to call home, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic background. I believe that having a home is a human right for all.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate from Monterey College of Law. Additionally, I am a certified mediator. I have worked in the fields of juvenile dependency and mediation, and I have extensive experience collaborating in the community on restorative justice, housing, and campaign management.

I am the Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County (HSCC). I also serve on several local boards, including Community Action Board, Encompass Community Services, and Monarch Services. I was recently re-elected as the President of the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch.

I enjoy singing, dancing, and spending time with close friends. I live in Live Oak with my wife, Shinehah.

As a proud, born-and-raised Santa Cruzan, I’m passionate about taking on projects and roles that contribute to my community, foster connection, and promote inclusivity. With almost two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, primarily within youth-serving organizations, my career has been dedicated to making a meaningful impact.

Currently, I am the Assistant Director of Finance, Planning, and General Operations at The Center for Agroecology at UC Santa Cruz. In this role, I manage our budget, work with funders, lead staff, and support operations across our programs. One of the pieces I love most about this role is the diversity of tasks that come my way and the breadth of projects I oversee. Our work supports research initiatives with farmers across the central coast, provides students access to culturally relevant, nutritionally dense produce, and engages with learners from around the world who are focused on organic agriculture.

I recently completed a term as Board President at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Monterey Bay. I am eager to bring my professional expertise and personal experiences to the Credit Union Board. I’m especially motivated by the opportunity to support financial literacy initiatives for individuals of all ages and collaborate with the staff and board on impactful community-wide initiatives.

I worked as a Senior Financial Analyst at Apple Finance from 1997 to 2019, specializing in system integration and budgeting. Over the years, I have been involved in numerous annual audits conducted by outside accounting firms to verify corporate financial statements.

Prior to my stint at Apple, I worked for American Medical Response from 1981 to 1997 and all its earlier corporate entities, first as a paramedic and then in the final years as a Senior Financial Analyst. As a Financial Analyst, I developed budgets for Bay Area operations and performed due diligence on mergers and acquisitions within California.

I joined the Supervisory Committee in 2024. I think Santa Cruz Community Credit Union serves as a vital financial institution for the Monterey Bay Area for small businesses and the community at large. I hope my financial experience can help the Credit Union continue its successful service to the community.

I am very passionate about the health and well-being of the Credit Union and wish to continue my service on the Supervisory Committee to help ensure the appropriate financial oversight through our annual audit and other compliance activities.

I am retired after working for over 35 years in the Silicon Valley at various technology firms such as Apple Computer and Juniper Networks, primarily focused on process improvement and large-scale software implementations. My financial background and analytical skills have served me well in monitoring the auditing activities at the Credit Union.

In my role on the Board of Directors from 1979 to 2001, I watched the Credit Union grow from a small storefront with a cash box to the full-service financial institution it is today. I am very passionate about the community development work we do here at the Credit Union, and I’m excited to continue to help in any way I can.