Angela Normand’s career in public education was preceded by ten years of service to our nation in the United States Marine Corps. Her experiences in the field, in the classroom, and in leadership have well-prepared her for her new role.

Angela earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Ethnic Studies from California State University - Hayward in 2005. She then went on to clear her Education Specialist Credential from Brandman University in 2012, while working as a Moderate/Severe Special Day Class Teacher in the Brentwood Union School District. She is currently released from the classroom, while serving as a leader with the California Teachers Association.

Ken Berrick is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seneca Family of Agencies, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing Unconditional Care to children and families through comprehensive education, mental health, juvenile justice, placement and permanency services. Mr. Berrick champions a concept called Unconditional Education, which supports vulnerable students, including those with trauma and learning disabilities. Seneca Family of Agencies helps schools and school districts coordinate resources and interventions that help struggling students stay on track, instead of isolating — or expelling — them.

Mr. Berrick is a Governor’s Appointee on the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission as well as the California Child Welfare Council. He is a two-time former President of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, member of the CEO Council for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and serves on numerous policy planning groups in California at both the county and state-level. He is an elected member and Past-President of the Alameda County Board of Education, and Past-President of the California County Boards of Education.

In 2017, he was a recipient of the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. He is co-author of the books, Unconditional Care: Relationship-Based, Behavioral Intervention with Vulnerable Children and Families (Oxford University Press, 2010), and Unconditional Education: Supporting Schools to Serve All Students (Oxford University Press, 2019).

Aisha Knowles brings over 20 years of experience in public service and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth through bolstering school and community support systems. Currently holding the role of Public Affairs Manager and Public Information Officer at the Fremont Fire Department, she previously spent 15 years at the Alameda County Fire Department as the Public Information and Community Relations Officer.

Aisha has actively contributed to various organizations and committees, including serving as Chairperson of the Ashland Citizen’s Advisory Committee and representing the Alameda County Board of Supervisor’s District 4 seat on the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women. She has held leadership positions in multiple organizations such as the Rotary Club of San Leandro and the Alameda County Board of Education, where she served as President for multiple terms. Her involvement extends to community projects globally, including Rotary International service initiatives in Guatemala and Honduras.

As a founding member of the Russell City Reparative Justice Project Steering Committee in the City of Hayward, Aisha leads the committee as Chair, bringing a distinctive perspective as a descendant of Russell City and as a producer of a documentary about Russell City titled “The Apology.”

Aisha has received accolades for her outstanding contributions, including being honored as the 2023 AD-20 Woman of the Year by California Assemblymember Liz Ortega. She has also been recognized by the Alameda Labor Council and various Assembly members for her selfless work in public safety and community advocacy.

A graduate of Mills College with a degree in Administrative and Legal Processes, finishing top in her Master’s Program of Public Administration and Policies at CSU East Bay, Janevette worked with Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPNs) at CSU East Bay, as a Community Resident Engagement Specialist as well as overseeing Government Relations. Hayward Promise Neighborhoods is a 30 million dollar U. S. Department of Education grant. With her student and family first focus Janevette has facilitated Project 2 Inspire, teaching parents how to navigate the educational system. She designed and facilitates HPNs Community Leadership Initiative graduating its first powerful community cohort. Janevette was also cofounder of Farmers to Pioneers, a pipeline to college program for Hayward High School students. Currently, Janevette is part of a team working to expand Promise Neighborhoods throughout the state of California, which has submitted a bill to our state legislators. She currently sits on the Executive Board of Directors for the Eden Youth and Family Center. Janevette believes that all students must receive a high-quality education and she believes that parents have a right to determine that pathway.

Eileen McDonald owned a small local business and has taught in several programs in the Bay Area which include Fremont Unified Regional Occupational Program (ROP), Ohlone for Kids, and Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. She holds a B.A. from Cal State East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward) in Speech Communication and has completed graduate coursework in Correctional Education. She has used that training to serve the community on the Board of Directors for Second Chance and on the Alameda County Safety Corridor Committee.

McDonald was a member of the Newark Unified School District Board of Education from 1992-2003. Her dedication to students who were "slipping through the cracks" in Newark led her to the county board responsible for educational services inside Alameda County's Juvenile Justice System. She has gone on to become a specialist in Relapse Prevention from the University of Utah and to complete studies in Chemical Dependency at Cal State East Bay. She holds a Master's of Governance and Master's of Boardmanship certificate from the California School Boards Association.

McDonald has traveled extensively and enjoys sharing her "Geographic Journeys" at local elementary schools. She lives in Newark with her husband of over 40 years and has four grown children and 15 grandchildren. Although she has set foot on all seven continents, home is still her favorite place to be.

Bio coming soon.