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