2023 Board Nominees

Antonia Sanya Gale, San Jose, Ukraine 2017-2019

I am determined to fix our banking. It's still work in progress but we are almost there.
I would like to renew for another term to make sure the bank and financial process is updated and flowing nicely before I step down.
My bio: living in San Jose and working for federal government. I am also on the board of Alliance for Ukraine (NPCA affiliate), and will be joining corporate fundraiser team at non profit Nova Ukraina.

Andrea Crider, Martinez

My name is Andrea Crider and I served as a Health Volunteer in Kenya, 2011-2013. I'm now a criminal defense attorney in Contra Costa serving the incarcerated and justice affected communities through the Public Defender's Office. This would be my second term on the Board if elected. Last term I chaired our annual picnic and rededicated a memorial globe in Martinez to Peace Corps Volunteers around the world. My goal on the Board is to promote family friendly events as I'm also a mom of two crazy toddlers. My hope for the future of Peace Corps is one that encompasses and supports the diverse base of volunteers who selflessly serve. I've loved serving on the Board of Directors for NorCal, making new friends a long the way, and learning about others experiences, and I hope that you will elect me to do it once more!

Kristina Cabrera, Santa Cruz, Philippines 1998-2000

I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve one term and would love to continue in this way. Board Membership is a new experience for me. It has been wonderful to collaborate with a group of like minded individuals who have had many shared experiences. I would be honored to carry on in this role, further developing these new relationships and partnerships working towards a shared vision.

Vida Tehrani,  Oakland,  Niger 2010-2011, Burkina Faso 2011-2013

I currently work as senior grants manager at the Public Policy Institute of California, a non-profit independent think tank, where I identify and secure grant funding that supports the institute’s mission and strategic agenda. It was during the Peace Corps that I applied and secured my first grant. Little did I know that my pursuit of a career within the humanitarian and international development sector would blossom into a career focused on grants and non-profit management. Following my Peace Corps service, I moved to New York City to pursue a MA in international affairs. Upon graduating, I landed my first grants officer role with the IRC in Chad. Since moving back to the Bay Area in 2017, I often think about my experience in the Peace Corps and how it shaped my career and life. The Peace Corps was an experience I will never forget and I would love to become more involved in the NorCal RPCV community by serving on the board.

Sarah Campbell, Concord, Senegal 2010-2013

My name is Sarah Campbell and I am interested in becoming a board member as a way to stay connected to the peace corps community and mission. I would love to help RPCVs with kids and families stay involved through regional activities in the east bay/Concord area. I am a stay at home mom to my 1-year old daughter, Maddie. I previously worked for many years in Project Management at UCSF Health and I have a Master of Public Health degree and PMP certification. I served in northern Sénégal from 2010-2013, working as an RPCV for my third year in Dakar. I enjoy planning and organizing activities and look forward to serving on the board!

Ashley Burke, San Francisco, Niger 2010-2011; Rwanda 2011-2012

Ashley served as a Community Youth & Education volunteer in Niger from July 2010-January 2011 and went on to complete her service in Rwanda after the Peace Corps Niger program closed. She grew up in the Monterey area, where she also earned her MA in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. She currently lives in San Francisco and is the Director of Communications at The Hamlin School. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, wine, and spending time with her cat Sir Elton.

Ashley has been on the Board since 2020 and hopes to continue as your SF rep for another term!

Brady Fuller,  San Francisco,  Cambodia, 2016-2018

Hi all, my name is Brady Fuller and I recently moved to San Francisco in July of 2022! I have loved living here so far, and one of my favorite things has been attending the NorCalPCA events (which have all been fantastic!). Prior to moving here, I was involved in the RPCV Association back in my home state of Idaho. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are such an amazing group of people regardless of where you are in the world, and I would love to give some of my time and energy to serve as a co-regional director for San Francisco and to help organize events and activities that bring us all together! With this crew it is always a good time, and I look forward to creating more memories in 2023!

Lauren Cono,  San Francisco,  Thailand, 2017-2019

The bay area has been my chosen home since my Peace Corps service ended. I currently work a job that values service to the community and I hope to utilize this spirit with a spot on the board. Along with supporting communications and special events, I want to provide more service opportunities, diverse restaurant hangouts, and other meaningful ways for members to connect with each other and our world. Serving at home is just as important as serving abroad, and yet it is our unique experiences abroad that unite us as a cosmopolitan group. I know that serving alongside big-hearted, civic-minded RPCVs will only better myself and ultimately our chosen communities.

Nancy Paul, San Jose, Marshall Islands 1993 -1995

I served in the Marshall Islands, 93-95 where I had no electricity and a weekly plane brought my mail full of magazines telling about this new thing called the World Wide Web. I have lived in San Jose for 23 years where I teach first grade in the Oak Grove School District, go to Stone Church of Willow Glen, hang out at Trial's Pub, and have volunteered on all of former mayor Sam Liccardo's campaigns. I was on the NorCal board when I first moved to San Jose as a way to get to know people. Now I know plenty of people but want to be the South Bay rep because at an event last fall I noticed that everyone was attentively listening to me when I was telling a Peace Corps story that makes other people's eyes glaze over. I was reminded that RPCVs make up a unique fraternity. As a South Bay rep I want to restart the monthly happy hours where we can swap stories, both from our present and Peace Corps lives.

Roy Kornbluh, Palo Alto, Ecuador 1991-1994

I am an engineer who did a mid-career service because I wanted to do something meaningful. I don't know if I changed the world except for building bonds. But I think that is the best aspect of Peace Corps. NorCal PCA helps facilitate that aspect. In addition to activities such as grants, local service and more, fun activities to continue reinforcing our sense of RPCV community is key. In particular, the South Bay has been missing a board seat for some time now. So my key qualifications are that I live in the South Bay, like fostering activities such as Hangouts, and most important, nobody else wants to do it. :)

Diana Garcia, San Jose, Thailand 2017-2019

I am a proud Mexican-American, who was raised in San Jose and had the opportunity to serve in Thailand. My service taught me to enjoy solitude, introduced me to beautiful people, and allowed me to reconsider what I value most in life. I am also very happy that I got to represent the diversity of our country abroad. I hope to be part of this board to organize fun get togethers and strengthen the RPCV community in the South Bay.