Board of Directors

Dr. Marcellene Watson-Derbigny serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Retention and Academic Success. Providing broad oversight to over 25 plus educational equity programs and components, she is well versed in educational equity practice, program development, and in the strategic planning of retention initiatives within complex higher education structures, overseeing a vast realm of […]

Michele Bennyhoff joined PRIDE Industries in 2020 as The Michael Ziegler PRIDE Industries Foundation Director. PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In her role, 100% of her time and talent are focused on augmenting or innovating employment programs and building community connections. As a long-time advocate, Bennyhoff came to

Melanie Harrison Okoro, PhD, is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Principal of Eco-Alpha Environmental and Engineering Services, Inc in Sacramento, California. Dr. Okoro has more than 20 years experience in the natural resource protection, water management and environmental stewardship field. Dr. Okoro’s background and leadership training provide her with an exceptional level of

Chris Flores is the Chief of Staff at Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). In this position he manages the crucial link between external and internal resources by identifying key issues and concerns and facilitates the development and implementation of key project objectives. Chris also provides oversight and direction to SacRT’s Government Affairs Department. Prior to

As the Senior Director of Institutional Culture, Climate & Community Engagement, Mr. Dennis is responsible for leading the efforts that will continue to transition UC Davis Health into becoming a fully inclusive and multicultural organization that values and actualizes health equity, diversity, and inclusion, and integrates the Principles of Community across our tri-part mission. Mr. Dennis

Rod Brewer is a Government Relations Advisor in State Public Affairs for Southern California Edison (SCE), where he serves as an in-house lobbyist and supports the State Legislative Affairs team in the development and conveyance of SCE’s external relations, constituent affairs, and business priorities before the State Legislature, the Administration, and related external stakeholders. Prior

Ms. Ramirez serves as our Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer and Chief DE&I Officer, positions she has held since February 2021. Ms. Ramirez previously served as our Senior Vice President and Director of Operations from 2018 to 2021 and our Senior Vice President and Director of Branch Administration from 2017 to 2018. Ms.

Chris Thomas is evening anchor at ABC10. You can catch him weeknights at 5p.m., 6 p.m. and at 11 on Late News Tonight. He is an Emmy award-winning journalist who reported from Washington, DC for the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. He chronicled the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray

Ira Williams is President of Bulletproof Tax & Accounting Firm Inc. a company he founded in 2005.  He is one of only 500 tax professionals across the US, who has earned the prestigious Certified Tax Coach™ designation after completing the  rigorous American Institute for Certified Tax Coaches’ training academy. As a Certified Tax Coach™, he