Each of these remarkable people dedicate their lives to the work of bringing equity, love, celebration, safety, health and well-being to our region. They come from diverse cultures and personal histories and socioeconomic backgrounds. Their counsel informs our educational program development, board development, funding and strategic partnership development.

This advisor group will be expanding to include others over the coming weeks and months to make more complete the representation of the voices in our community.

Bernadette Austin

As the first Associate Director of the Center for Regional Change at the University of California at Davis, Bernadette brings her experience in community development praxis to an applied research center dedicated to supporting communities that are healthy, equitable, prosperous, and sustainable. 

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Melissa Hensel, LCSW

Melissa has 14 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents and adults in family service agencies, schools, health clinics and psychiatric departments. She combines cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness interventions in her work with clients. In addition to her therapy...

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Brenda Kress

Through her company Just Imagine, provides leadership mentoring, board training and culture shifting, and dialogue coaching. After completing a two-year practicum in Contemplative Dialogue/Active Engagement through the International Centre for Contemplative Dialogue and as a certified mentor of...

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Mariah Lichtenstern

At the intersection of technology, entertainment, and venture capital, Mariah Lichtenstern accelerates social, economic, and environmental impact through entrepreneurship. Mariah is the Founding Partner of DiverseCity Ventures and...

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Terry Moore

Terry Moore is the Director of Adult Services at the Center for Fathers and Families where he oversees and assist in teaching parenting, life skills and anger management classes. In his spare time between his work at CFF and being a father to two girls, he is a nationally recognized spoken word poet and entertainer.

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Lora O’Connor

Lora is one of the nation’s leading strategists in movement making and convening for social good. She is an experienced chief strategy officer with a demonstrated history of working in the civic and social organization fields. She is a strong business development professional skilled in corporate social responsibility...

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Melinda Penny-Washington
Melinda's passion as a Transformational Coach and RDN is to bring a mind-shift in the understanding of health and wellness. Using various approaches tailored to each individual’s health and wellness needs and one-on-one coaching and group classes, she creates an environment...
 
Susan Rueppel

Susan Rueppel, as Professional Business Intuitive and Intentional Intuition Activist, Susan accesses the power of intuition to align and activate heart-based women entrepreneurs who want to make a bigger difference in the world with your purpose and passion. She teaches how to tap into the Innate Intelligence of your business for...

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Tatiana Shevchenko

Tatiana brings her personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and community leader. She was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and came to Sacramento in 1992 with her family and four small children as a religious refugee.

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If you wish to add your creativity to this educational space,

please connect with us.