Meet Our Board
The Diversity Center’s Board of Directors is responsible for guiding the Center's long-term vision and planning.The Board also oversees the Executive Director, focuses on the continued financial stability of the Center, and participates meaningfully in fundraising efforts.
Click here to read our bylaws.
george
Chair
George (he/him) joined The Diversity Center Board in August 2018. George grew up in Watsonville and has been an active member of his community since his youth. George’s efforts in creating awareness and advocating for equality as a student at Watsonville High School was recognized by the city of Watsonville with proclamations in 2002 and 2003.
George is a former Queer Youth Leadership Awardee (QYLA) and is now assisting with the Q.Y.L.A Legacy Project. Currently George uses his knowledge and experience in networking and branding as the Public Relations Coordinator for Pajaro Valley Pride, since its inception in 2016. As a professional, George spent most of his career in New York managing luxury retail brands. Currently, George is operating a multimillion-dollar retail store here in California. His store is not only a top donor but also known for its volunteer work throughout the surrounding community. George’s goal is to inspire those around him to create and shape the type of world they want to live in through kind actions and community.
Gail
Vice Chair
Gail (she/her) joined The Diversity Center Board in March 2024. She is a physician with thirty years of clinical experience in women’s reproductive health, followed by a decade of service in governmental public health, most recently as Health Officer for the County of Santa Cruz. Gail has served on many regional, state and national working groups on health and public health issues. Her areas of special interest include public policy and advocacy for health equity, family health, opioid use disorder, reproductive rights, breastfeeding, and LGBTQ+ healthcare. In addition, Gail is a wife, mother, and daughter. She looks forward to volunteering in her home community and working together for a healthier Santa Cruz County.
Lisa
Secretary
Lisa (she/her) joined The Diversity Center Board in 2023. She is a bilingual (English/Spanish), bicultural (Mexican American) clinical psychologist. Lisa was born in Watsonville and returned to the county in 2019 to become the Director of Children’s Behavioral Health for Santa Cruz County’s Health Services Agency (HSA). Lisa’s work has focused primarily on the assessment and treatment of the effects of complex psychological trauma in ethnically and linguistically diverse populations. Prior to joining Santa Cruz County Children’s Behavioral Health, Lisa was the Behavioral Health Director of Clinical Innovation and Research at Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco where she supported the development of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening and intervention protocols. She currently chairs the Santa Cruz County Children’s System of Care (CSOC) Interagency Leadership Team (ILT) and the LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Allyship and Wellness Promotion Workgroup.
Ron
TREASURER
Ron (he/him) joined The Diversity Center Board in September 2018. Ron taught at Harbor High School for 34 years. He was the founding Advisor for Harbor’s Queer/Straight/Alliance (QSA)/Rainbow Society in 1991. Ron is also a member of the Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) GLBT Task Force and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education Task Force, helping to protect LGBT students throughout Santa Cruz County. Ron has degrees in Political Theory, Philosophy and a JD. He also has run summer camps for teenagers and has been a financial consultant.
Ron has been recognized as an “Educator of the Year” in California, as a Queer Youth Leadership Award (QYLA) “Ally to Queer Youth,” and was honored with a Proclamation at the Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Pride for his work with queer youth in schools. Ron was awarded a “Life Time Achievement Award” in 2016 by the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County. Ron was awarded the “Community Hero Award of Santa Cruz County-United Way 2017. Ron received an Outstanding Teacher Award (grades 9-12) at the Eddy Awards sponsored by the Santa Cruz Education Foundation. Currently, Ron chairs a task force working to help: trans students in our schools, implement the FAIR act (LGBT people in history) in our schools and SB#71 so LGBT students can see themselves in sex ed. Ron works with student teacher candidates at UCSC educating them on being sensitive and effective advocates for LGBT students in their classrooms.
Elissa
Elissa (she/her) joined The Diversity Center Board in July of 2023. She has been a county government leader for over 25 years and relocated to Santa Cruz from Seattle, Washington in 2018 to become Assistant County Administrative Officer for the County. In her role, she supports all aspects of administration of county government and management of 25 departments, 2400 staff and an annual budget of $1.2 billion across all funds. Elissa’s area of responsibility spans general government operations, climate change, continuous improvement, and performance measurement. Prior to joining the CAO office, Elissa held senior leadership roles in countywide policy, budget, and strategic planning as well as in multiple county operating departments in King County, Washington. She has a long-standing connection to Santa Cruz as her partner and all her siblings attended UCSC. She jumped at the opportunity to come back to Santa Cruz to serve the community.
Matt
Matt (he/him) joined The Diversity Center Board in May of 2024. Matt is an in-house attorney for Intel Corporation with a practice focused on privacy, security, and AI governance. He is a leader in DEI initiatives at Intel, where he is the first champion for the LGBTQ+ Bar Association, sits on the Leadership Committee for DEI within the Legal Department, and leads the Outside Counsel DEI pillar. Before he was an attorney, Matt worked in interior architecture in San Francisco at firms that specialized in commercial and retail interiors. Matt has been a resident of Santa Cruz County since 2013. In his spare time, Matt enjoys exercise, cooking and wine tasting, his two dogs, music, travel, and all things art and design.
Carmelita
Carmelita joined The Diversity Center Board in February of 2021. Carmelita was born in Santa Cruz and raised in Watsonville. As a youth she attended LGBTQA programs throughout the county, and was a 2002 recipient of the Queer Leadership Award. After high school Carmelita dedicated her life to national and community service. First she committed to 3 years of AmeriCorps allowing her to travel throughout the United States, including disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina. She spent the last 10 years working full time as Volunteer Coordinator in both a Suicide Hotline Crisis Center and a Rape Crisis Center. In her role, she served on several County wide committees and trained volunteers, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, and other community members about working with children and adults who have experienced trauma. Carmelita loves the beach, making tamales with her family, traveling, and spending quality time with her close friends. She is currently a stay at home mom with her two year old daughter.
Marile
Marile (she/her) joined The Diversity Center Board February 2023. She had been a Board Member previously, from 2012-2020, and served as Secretary, Vice President, chair of Governance and the Capital Campaign Committee, the Fundraising Major Donor Committee, and the Building Committee. Marile is also part of the Diversity Center’s Leadership Circle. She was a Production Control Manager for Intel, and an HR administrator before retiring. She has volunteered on and off with the Center since 2008, is very enthusiastic about the Diversity Center, and enjoys actively serving at various levels of the organization.
Lilia
Lilia (she/her) joined The Diversity Center Board in 2025, bringing her extensive experience in leadership and a deep commitment to serving underserved communities. A bilingual Latina woman raised in Santa Cruz County, Lilia has dedicated over 20 years to making a positive impact in the healthcare sector. She currently serves as the Member Services Director at Central California Alliance for Health, a local medical managed care plan, where she oversees the plan’s member grievance and appeal program, call center, and ensures effective member communications and engagement activities.
Throughout her career, Lilia has been a passionate advocate for health equity and has worked tirelessly to improve access to quality care for marginalized communities. Her leadership extends beyond her current role, having previously served as a board member for the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center and the Monterey County Commission on Disabilities. Lilia is also a dedicated board member for the Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks, continuing her commitment to improving her community in various impactful ways.
Erik
Erik (he/him) joined The Diversity Center Board in February 2025. A Watsonville native, Erik has been deeply involved in his community for nearly 20 years, volunteering with local organizations to support meaningful causes. His passion for uplifting the queer community in Santa Cruz County is what drew him to the Diversity Center’s mission.
Erik is a professional fundraiser with six years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He currently serves as the Director of Philanthropy for Hospice Giving Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting hospice and palliative care providers in Monterey County. Through his work, Erik strives to create lasting impact by fostering generosity and strengthening resources for those in need.
Erik believes in the power of community-driven change and is committed to helping build a more inclusive and empowered future for LGBTQ+ individuals in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
DIVERSITY CENTER BOARD MEETINGS
Board meetings are held from 6-8pm on the first Wednesday of each month. Members of the public are invited to participate. See our board meeting minutes here.
If you'd like attend a board meeting, or if there is something you like the board to discuss/be aware of, please contact our Executive Director.
Diversity Center advisory council
The Advisory Council is a group of community leaders and experts who are committed to providing the Diversity Center with professional counsel and assistance.
Ralph Alpert, Attorney-at-Law (retired)
MariaElena De La Garza, Executive Director, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County
Carlene Hawksley, M.D., Chief Pathologist, Dignity Health, Dominican Hospital
Kate Kendell, Chief Of Staff - The California Endowment
Debbie King, Principal, Debbie King Consultants
John Laird, California State Senator
Margaret A. Leonard, Attorney-at-Law (retired)
Walter Loewenstern, Entrepreneur
Nanette Mickiewicz, M.D., President/CEO, Dominican Hospital
Clare Sheils, Former Co-Chair of Diversity Partnership Fund of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz
Sandy Skees, Global Lead - Innovation & Impact Practice, Porter Novelli
Adam Spickler, Former Diversity Center Board President, Cabrillo College Trustee and Senior Analyst for the County of Santa Cruz, Human Services Department