Dyana Delfín Polk is a third-generation Mexican-American community college graduate, public education advocate and political organizer. She received her Associate’s degree from Merced College, Bachelor’s Degree in American History and Chicano Studies from UC Berkeley and her Master’s degree in Public Policy from Mills College. As a community college student, she advocated for transferable courses to the UC system when they were at risk of being cut at her campus, which began her work as an education advocate. Dyana currently works as Associate Executive Director at HOMEY, a violence prevention nonprofit serving Latinx and African American youth in San Francisco’s Mission District, addressing systemic violence in communities of color and providing a pathway for at-risk youth to pursue education. She is a longtime resident of Berkeley’s Northside neighborhood and is active in local politics.

Robyn Fisher, Ed.D is President of the Advisory Board for Choose College Educational Foundation, Inc.® and President and C.E.O. of R.T. Fisher Educational Enterprises, Inc. (RTF). Since founding RTF in 1999, Dr. Fisher has subsequently co-founded and chaired an umbrella of initiatives directed towards academic excellence in the Bay Area’s communities of color, including both The African American Regional Educational Alliance, Inc. (AAREA), and The Choose College Educational Foundation, Inc. (CCEF).

As an independent consultant, Dr. Fisher has lent her expertise to a number of federal, state, and local educational programs, including but not limited to TRIO programs, ARCHES i3SLOPE and ACCESS Math Initiatives, California GEAR UP, the Ronald McNair Scholars Program, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and both the University of California and California State University systems. She currently is the Governor’s appointee to the California Reading and Literature Advisory Board and served two terms as the Senate’s appointee to the Statewide Pupil Assessment Review Panel.

Prior to founding RTF, Dr. Fisher began her career as a legislative fellow with the California State Senate; going on to serve as a community legislative aide to San Jose Mayor, Susan Hammer; a budget analyst under the mentorship of City Manager, Regina Williams; an Associate Director of San Jose State University’s Pre-College Programs and the Director of the San Jose California Student Opportunity and Access Program. Dr. Fisher holds an M.P.A. from San Jose State University in San Jose, CA, and a B.A., M.Ed., and Ed. D. from Mills College in Oakland.

Linda Handy is long time member of the governing board of the Peralta Community College District and has extensive social services and college administration experience. Linda earned her Master of Science in organizational development and analysis from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.  Linda is a Laney College alumna, an engaged community leader and a former president of the Oakland Coalition of Congregations.

Seth Hubbert is the Executive Director of Tech Exchange, a nonprofit providing digital inclusion services in the Bay Area.  Tech Exchange is focused on closing the region’s digital divide by providing underserved community members with access to digital skills training, affordable home Internet, tech support, and refurbished computers.  Under the last five years of Seth’s leadership, Tech Exchange has scaled its impact by 3500%, and has reached 85,000 households served through 2020.  In the last year, Tech Exchange has partnered with Mayor Schaaf, Oakland Unified School District, the Oakland Public Education Fund, and Oakland Promise to ensure all Oakland public students had computers, Internet, and tech support.  The #OaklandUndivided initiative has served 30,000 students since the pandemic began.  Seth brings to Tech Exchange a background in education, technology, and research science.  Seth has a B.S. in Physics from Whitworth University and a M.S. in Education from Pace University.

LaSandra Hunt is a Vice President and Commercial Banker based in San Francisco, CA, serving privately held companies’ headquartered in Northern California with annual revenues $20Million +. As a 14-year veteran with JPMorgan Chase, she unites the most relevant experts in the firm together to help her clients realize their goals.

LaSandra has a passion for companies with environmental, social and governance processes and decision-making. She serves as JPMorgan Chase North California Global Supplier Diversity Ambassador and JPMorgan Chase Business Resource Group Site-Lead for Women on the Move (BRG). Previously, she was Communication Chair for Black Organizational Leadership Development, and past co-Chair for our Volunteer Leadership Group, driving volunteerism in the communities where she lives and works. Today, LaSandra sits on the board of Main Street Launch a Bay Area CDFI working to create economic opportunities by empowering entrepreneurs and WBEC-Pacific a Women Business Enterprise Council supporting women business owners with in-depth expertise guiding finances.

A native of the San Francisco-Bay Area, LaSandra earned her Bachelors degree from Golden Gate University. She lives in Oakland with her partner Chef Josip and Frenchie Avalanche. She is a Sophomore at UNLV studying business. She enjoys traveling, learning new languages, and conversational in Tagalog and Hervatki (Croatian).

Louis Quindlen is a retired former chair of the Laney College Machine Technology Department. Louis has a deep commitment to scholarships. He understands the District challenges and the work that needs to be done.

Louis won the Laney College We Rise Award given for outstanding employee. Per Laney College President Rudy Besikof, Louis has put in his own time, energy and resources to help students.

Sally Swanson is CEO and founding principal of Sally Swanson Architects. With 40 years of architectural experience to draw upon, Sally has established herself as an influential practitioner whose work is shaping the industry’s response to issues of accessibility and Universal Design. Leading her own award-winning firm since 1980, she has created spaces of exceptional functionality and empathic connection.

A steady focus on educational design for the majority of her career has inspired a special proficiency in the creation of exceptional learning environments that enrich the experience of teachers as well as students. One of Sally’s greatest strengths lies in helping clients define their specific needs and future goals, a process made possible by the channels of communication she establishes among team members, project stakeholders, and members of the community. Ms. Swanson sees each project as the practice of translating those goals into a built structure that creates a sense of humanity and enduring identity.

With a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Urban Design and Planning, Sally is insightful in seeing the big picture perspective. She has been an active presenter on a variety of design and access topics for the Coalition of Adequate School Housing (CASH), the Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC), the California Charter School Conference, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). She is a member of the Global Universal Design Commission and serves on the Division of the State Architect Advisory Board Access Committee.

Dr. Jennifer Kim-Anh Tran is an Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University, East Bay.  Prior to earning a Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity from the University of Southern California, she completed her undergraduate studies as a double major in Urban Studies and Planning and Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego. Her scholarly and teaching interests include critical refugee studies, comparative ethnic studies, gender & sexuality, and urban studies. As an Oakland organizer, Dr. Tran also leads inclusive community development initiatives that center the needs and leadership expertise of refugees, immigrants, and people of color in her hometown.

William Wilson is an attorney, technology, and investment executive within San Francisco and Silicon Valley. His experience includes structuring, negotiating and closing complex financial transactions with industry leading companies and investment funds, as well as corporate governance, and risk analysis and mitigation.

At Autodesk, Inc., an U.S. based multinational software corporation that makes software for the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and media verticals, William directs business and corporate development initiatives, including investments through Autodesk’s Corporate Venture Capital Fund, and in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
Prior to joining Autodesk, William was head of business and legal affairs at Common Sense Media where he structured data integrations with the largest telecommunications, cable, and satellite companies in the United States.

William was formerly a law partner at Dillingham & Murphy in San Francisco where he represented Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investment fund clients in investment and technology transactions, as well as commercial and antitrust disputes.

William is a graduate of the University of California (BA), Santa Clara University (Juris Doctor), and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. William is involved with numerous civic and philanthropic activities including working to increase diverse representation within the technology and venture capital ecosystem.

Mahiri is the Google Cloud Developer Marketing Strategy Lead. Before joining Google Mahiri served as Principal Consultant with Wise Endeavor LLC. a management and consulting firm specializing in guest experience, brand creation, management, and sustainability strategy. WE focuses on building bridges between clients and target audiences. 

Mahiri who grew up in Oakland and attended De La Salle High School is a Howard University graduate who has spent the past 8+ years managing large entertainment and sporting events. In addition to event & guest services management at  venues such as Oracle Area, O.co Coliseum and T – Mobile Arena; Mahiri was head of MGM Entertainment Experience Strategy for MGM venues domestically. Mahiri started his career working in Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity in both the public utility and entertainment sectors.  Of all of his accomplishments Mahiri is most proud of his 2015 NBA Championship ring he received as a gift from the Golden State Warriors.  

A graduate of University of Missouri, Eric is an award-winning San Francisco Forty-Niner (1981-90) and alumni.  Currently he serves as the alumni coordinator for the 49ers and works as the sales executive for Channel Lumber in Richmond.  He is passionate about the world of construction management and workforce development opportunities for young adults.  Eric is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and excited to serve and help support the students of Peralta Colleges to propel into the workforce.  He is married to Judith Galario, M.D. and proud father of three – Avon, Erica and Samara, and grandfather of Edith.

Sarah Chavez-Yoell serves as Government Relations Representative for Pacific Gas & Electricity’s Bay Area Division. Most recently, Sarah served as a Community Outreach, Government Relations and Communications consultant, where she provided support to local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Prior to those roles Sarah served as Executive Director of the Oakland Builders Alliance, a non-profit advocacy groupthat seeks to address the economic and environmental needfor responsible development in Oakland. She also served as Executive Director of the East Oakland Boxing Association, a non-profit, community-based organization that provides education, enrichment, and health programs for children and youth. Sarah also previously worked as a constituent liaison for Oakland City Council Member Larry Reid.

Sarah is an Oakland native and serves on the board of directors of Youth Alive!, Community Education Partnerships and Oakland Food Works. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Hayward and Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay.

Dr. David M. Johnson was named Acting President of  Merritt College in December 2019 after joining the administrative team in January 2019 as Vice President of Instruction. He comes to Merritt from Las Positas College in Livermore, CA, where he served as Interim Vice President of Academic Services.

Prior to assuming this role, David spent more than seven years as an administrator at Cañada College in Redwood City. As the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, he provided responsive and transparent leadership to foster a culture of partnership and open communication with faculty, staff, and students. 

Before moving into administration David spent 15 years in the classroom, teaching at such institutions as the University of Washington, the University of California, Berkeley, and California State University, East Bay. 

Raised in Oakland, CA and a product of the Oakland Unified School District, David holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from U.C. Berkeley, a master’s degree in Communication from the University of Washington, and a doctorate in History from U.C. Berkeley.

Dr. Richardson follows Dr. Angélica Garcia, the previous Berkeley City College President, who stepped down at the end of June to become the President / Superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College on July 1, 2023.

Dr. Richardson is an educational leader committed to respectful communication, facilitating equitable outcomes, and data-informed decision-making. She is a forward-thinking strategist focused on providing students with high-quality instruction, and faculty and classified professionals with current technology and relevant professional development. Following her tenure in the classroom, she has been an effective administrator with a ten-year record of demonstrating responsible budget management, supporting innovative curriculum and program development, and making hiring decisions that consider the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals of the college.

“I’m so grateful to Chancellor Jackson and to the Board of Trustees for choosing me to continue to lead the incredible team of faculty, classified professionals, and administrators at Berkeley City College,” said Dr. Richardson. “We are already making great progress on my top three priorities, which are cultivating a collaborative campus community, closing the student achievement gap for Black and Brown students in alignment with BCC’s Educational Master Plan, and strengthening the identity of Berkeley City College as a hub for academic excellence and social justice.”

President Richardson continued, “There’s always more to do and I look forward to working with student leaders and employees alike to achieve our goals, like standardizing our tri-chair model of participatory governance, closing the Black and Brown student achievement gap 75% by 2025, and hosting a student speaker series on social justice issues. Berkeley City College is more than just the best school for students looking to transfer to UC Berkeley – we’ve got programs literally for everyone!  From high school students looking for dual enrollment opportunities to earn college credit to lifelong learners looking for art programs. 

Dr. Rudy Besikof currently serves as Laney College’s Interim President.  He has been at the college since 2018, when he was hired as its Vice President of Instruction, the same position he previously held at Mt. San Jacinto College for more than two years prior to joining Laney. 

Prior to becoming a Chief Instructional Officer in 2016, he served for five years as a dean, first at Woodland Community College as its Dean of Instruction and Learning Resources, and later at Los Angeles Valley College as a Dean of Academic Affairs. Prior to becoming an administrator in 2011, Dr. Besikof taught English and English as a Second/Foreign Language in two and four-year colleges not only in California, but also in Colorado, Japan, and France.   Dr. Besikof is a 2010 graduate of UCLA’s Educational Leadership Program. His dissertation, The Role of the Community College President in Fundraising: A Best Practices Study, was recognized with the UCLA School of Education’s Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Dr. Bajrami has been a member of the Peralta family since 2001 in various faculty, shared governance leadership, and administrative roles ranging from full-time Economics faculty to Interim Vice President of Student Services at Berkeley City College, to her current position as Vice President of Instruction at COA.  She is an experienced educator and leader who has spent nearly thirty years working to ensure high quality instruction and equitable student success at both two-year and four-year colleges in the United States and abroad.  Diana is also a proven leader in the development and assessment of measurable student learning outcomes in both student and academic services, and has extensive experience in program review, accreditation, organizational management, fiscal stewardship, grant writing, enrollment management, evaluation, and professional development. 

She has been intricately involved in College of Alameda activities such as the co-chair of the College Council, the inaugural Coordinator of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and was recognized by the college community and the ACCJC team for her outstanding work on continuous quality improvement.  She has also served as a co-chair on the Distance Education and the Professional Development Committees and was the lead trainer in transitioning colleagues to an online teaching & learning platform.  She has also been a member of the campus Facilities and Student Success Committee and has been involved in the district-wide taskforce to establish program review.  Diana was the co-chair of the campus Budget Committee for several years, and in that role she was recognized for her quantitative and analytical skills in ensuring effective and transparent budgeting practices and processes.

Diana is an educational leader with an uncompromising commitment to educational leadership, student success, and educational equity.  She has been recognized several times as the Faculty of the Year at College of Alameda for her demonstrable role in fostering educational excellence.