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

MICHAEL APPLEGATE

Director

JOSH WARBURG

Project Manager

JEANNE FISCHER

Community Outreach Coordinator

MALLORY JACKSON

Senior Data & Research Analyst

 
 

Partnership Staff

SONJA KOEHLER

Bright Beginnings

LAURA KEELEY SALDANA

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

KIM BARBER

California State University, Monterey Bay

BEN BRUCE

Community Partnership For Youth

DAN BURNS

Salinas Union High School District

MARGARET D’ARRIGO

AIM for Mental Health

CATHI DRAPER RODRIGUEZ

California State University, Monterey Bay

SHANNON GRAHAM

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System

ROMERO JALOMO

Hartnell College

CARYN LEWIS

Monterey County Office of Education

JOSHUA MADFIS

United Way Monterey County

MARIA ELENA MANZO

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

MARTHA MARTINEZ

Salinas City Elementary School District (Retired)

ERICA PADILLA-CHAVEZ

Second Harvest Food Bank

FRANCINE RODD

First 5 Monterey County

JANET SHING

Community Foundation for Monterey County

SHANNAN WATKINS

Early Development Services

KARI YEATER

North Monterey County Unified School District

 
 

Core Conveners

Lead Sponsors

DAN BALDWIN

The Community Foundation for Monterey County

DENEEN GUSS

Monterey County Office of Education

VANYA QUIÑONES

California State University, Monterey Bay

BRUCE TAYLOR

Taylor Farms

 
 

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