Our Team

Our work is possible because of the diverse coalition of local and regional leaders, educators, researchers, and investors who are working together to build a brighter future for our community.

Staff

Bright Futures Staff

JACKIE CRUZ

Executive Director, Hartnell College Foundation

TONY AMEZCUA

Director, Bright Futures Educational Partnership

TERRI UGALE

Executive Assistant, Hartnell College Foundation

LAUREN COLE

Project Manager, Bright Futures Educational Partnership

DULCE SILVA

Associate Project Manager, Bright Futures Educational Partnership

MICHAEL APPLEGATE

Consultant, Research Analyst

Partnership Staff

SONJA KOEHLER

Bright Beginnings

IRIS GAMEZ

Bright Beginnings

MAYRA PEREZ-DIAZ

United Way/Bright Beginnings

Steering Partners

Primary Governance

REYNA ALCALA

Sun Street Centers

YURI ANDERSON

County of Monterey

RANDY BANGS

Soledad Unified School District

MARGARET D’ARRIGO

AIM for Mental Health

BEN BRUCE

Community Partnership For Youth

DAN BURNS

Salinas Union High School District

ROMERO JALOMO

Hartnell College

CATHI DRAPER RODRIGUEZ

California State University, Monterey Bay

SHANNON GRAHAM

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System

CARYN LEWIS

Monterey County Office of Education

JOSHUA MADFIS

United Way Monterey County

MARIA ELENA MANZO

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

FRANCINE RODD

First 5 Monterey County

MARTHA MARTINEZ

Salinas City Elementary School District (Retired)

SHANNAN WATKINS

Early Development Services

JANET SHING

Community Foundation for Monterey County

Rebeca Andrade

Salinas City Elementary School District

Elsa Jimenez

Director of Health, Monterey County Health Department

Susie Brusa

Community Leader

 
 
 

Core Conveners

Lead Sponsors

DAN BALDWIN

Community Foundation for Monterey County

DENEEN GUSS

Monterey County Office of Education

VANYA QUIÑONES

California State University, Monterey Bay

BRUCE TAYLOR

Taylor Farms

MICHAEL GUTIERREZ

Hartnell College

Marshall T. Fulbright III

Monterey Peninsula College

Leaders' Forum

The Leaders' Forum represents the cross-sector approach that we take to engaging the community in creating greater opportunities and better outcomes for all students and their families.

  • Business

    • Agriculture
    • Hospitality
    • Healthcare
    • Education Technology
    • Small Business Chambers of Commerce

  • Education & Government

    • Early Childhood Development
    • K12 Schools
    • Community Colleges
    • Universities
    • Monterey County Office of Education
    • Monterey County Government
    • Elected Officials

  • Service Organizations

    • After School & Summer Programs
    • Child & Youth Non-Profit Organizations
    • Civic Groups
    • Faith-based Organizations
    • Philanthropists