The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation’s staff works collaboratively with grantee organizations and other key stakeholders to achieve significant impact through grantmaking and engagement in the fields of STEM Education, Environment, Character Development & Citizenship, and Health.

President

Lauren is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and President and Executive Director of the Foundation. In addition to her leadership of the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and Stephen Bechtel Fund, Lauren serves on the Boards of the Land Trust Alliance, the California STEM Learning Network, and the California Conservation Fund. She is also a member of the Advisory Council to Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment, and she served on the Stanford Board of Trustees from 2006–2011. Lauren has been actively involved as an advisor or board member to many environment and education organizations, including the Nature Conservancy of California, the Worldwide Nature Conservancy Trustee Council, Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, Head Royce School, the Thacher School, Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Center for Underrepresented Students in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a founder of The Lake School, a nonprofit preschool located in Oakland. Lauren graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and she is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

STEM Education

Susan joined the Foundation in October 1999, and she oversees grantmaking in the STEM Education Program. As Program Director, Susan directs strategy and manages program staff and investments to advance science, technology, engineering, and math education throughout California. Before joining the Foundation, Susan gained significant professional experience as a software engineer, both at Qusim Systems, Inc. and at Electronic Data Systems Corporation, where she managed the development, implementation, and maintenance of multiple complex systems. She has also worked as an electronic data processing training specialist for The Bank of California and as a practice analyst at Alta Bates Medical Research. Susan has been actively involved in local community organizations, and she is a co-founder of The Lake School, a nonprofit preschool located in Oakland. She has also served on the Boards of The College Preparatory School and the Alta Bates Summit Foundation. Susan graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Religion with a minor in Geography. Jay joined the Foundation as a Program Associate in February 2012. He works collaboratively with program officers across the STEM Education Program’s grantmaking objectives. Before joining the Foundation, Jay was a lecturer at UC Berkeley, an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s College, and a teacher, department chair, and technology coordinator at Acalanes High School – where he was honored as an MIT Excite Award Winner and Teacher of the Year. In 2011, Jay mentored the winners of the Gordon E. Moore award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He launched a biotechnology program for UC Berkeley’s Academic Talent Development Program, and he serves on the advisory board for Bio-Rad. Jay holds Bachelor degrees in History, Biology, and Genetics from the University of Georgia, and he earned Master of Science degrees in Education and Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. Jay also has an Educational Leadership Credential from California State University, and he was recently profiled in the educational documentary Race to Nowhere. Arron joined the Foundation in March 2012, and he is a Program Officer in the STEM Education Program. His grantmaking focuses on policy, advocacy, and systems building to advance the Foundation’s STEM education goals. Before joining the Foundation and for six years, Arron was a program officer at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, where he led grantmaking for policy, advocacy, systems building, and workforce development to advance California’s early education, after-school, and summer learning programs. Prior to that, Arron was the development director for a state intermediary that advances the access and quality of child care and after-school programs. Arron started his career at a community action agency in Nebraska, where he led the creation of the Youth Opportunities Center, a comprehensive education division for low-income youth and young adults. There he co-developed a nationally recognized restorative justice project for youth in the juvenile justice system, launched a YouthBuild program for out-of-school youth, and designed a regional workforce development system. Julie joined the Foundation in June 2010, and she is a Program Officer in the STEM Education Program. Her grantmaking focuses on infrastructure development and educator capacity building to advance STEM teaching and learning in California. Before joining the Foundation, Julie was a principal at The Parthenon Group, where she managed consulting projects for K–12 education organizations and other nonprofit, public, and private industry clients. She also previously worked as a consultant at Accenture, where her practice focused on nonprofit healthcare. Julie was program manager and an AmeriCorps Fellow for New Sector Alliance, a nonprofit consulting and leadership development firm, and she continues to serve as a consultant advisor for its fellows. Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, a Master of Education from the Stanford School of Education, and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. During her graduate studies, Julie was an Education Pioneer and served as chief of staff to the CEO of the KIPP Foundation. Lisa joined the Foundation as a Program Officer in February 2008. She focuses on early engagement, direct service, and public awareness and advocacy investments in the STEM Education Program; she also manages the Foundation’s general education grantmaking. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lisa was president and endowment fund chair of the Piedmont Educational Foundation, where she directed a successful major gifts campaign and coordinated support for six public schools. She has also worked as a brand manager for The Clorox Company. Lisa has been actively involved as a supporter of community development and education organizations, and she served as a strategic advisor for the Strive for Change Foundation and is an advisory board member for Super Stars Literacy. Lisa graduated from Manhattanville College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and she holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Julia joined the Foundation in August 2011, and she is a Research Associate in the STEM Education Program. In this role, she conducts research to advance STEM teaching and learning in the San Francisco Bay Area and California. She works with members of the team to identify potential areas of investment, map existing resources, and determine priorities. Before joining the Foundation, Julia wrote about national healthcare reform for an online publication. She also served as the legislative director for a city council member in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she conducted policy research on topics ranging from sustainable development to the use of new media in government. Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Columbia University, and she recently earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. While in graduate school, Julia consulted for the City and County of San Francisco, as well as the County of Alameda, on housing-related policies. Soo joined the Foundation in October 2008, and she is a Senior Program Officer in the STEM Education Program. She works with a portfolio of grantees to build STEM learning opportunities through California’s out-of-school systems. Prior to joining the Foundation, Soo was a project manager at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, where she focused on advancing informal science learning. She previously served as a vice president at J.P. Morgan Capital, where she identified and invested in venture capital opportunities and advised a portfolio of private companies. Soo is actively involved in the local community and serves as a board member of the San Francisco Opera Association. She previously served on the Board of San Francisco School Volunteers (now the San Francisco Education Fund). Soo graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Foreign Affairs, and she holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.

Environment

Joya joined the Foundation in September 2009, and she is a Program Officer in the Environment Program. Joya’s grantmaking focuses on the Foundation’s Water Program, which advances the integrated management of California water. Prior to joining the Foundation, Joya was an attorney at Latham & Watkins, where her practice focused on corporate transactions and company representation. She was also a policy analyst for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations, where she analyzed agency operations and monitored special projects and cross-agency initiatives. Joya graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and she received a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, where she was senior articles editor for the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law. During law school, Joya worked for the New York City Law Department’s Economic Development Division and volunteered with the Hudson River Park Trust. Tina joined the Foundation in November 2011, and she is a Program Officer in the Environment Program. Tina oversees the Foundation’s Land Program, which advances park management and land stewardship practices in California. Before joining the Foundation, Tina was Bay Area program manager at the California Rangeland Trust. She has also worked as a program and fund development consultant for land stewardship organizations including the California Council of Land Trusts and the Conservation Fund. Tina previously served as executive director of the Muir Heritage Land Trust, where she was a founding board member. And she has chaired the Bay Area Open Space Council and co-chaired the Contra Costa County Open Space Measure. Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing from Vermont College and a mid-career Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Angie joined the Foundation in July 2010, and she is a Program Officer in the Environment Program. Angie manages the Foundation’s Environmental Education Program, which increases the environmental literacy of Californians. Before joining the Foundation, Angie was the program officer at the Stewardship Council, where she oversaw grantmaking and evaluation to connect California’s youth with the outdoors. She was also an associate program officer at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, where her work focused on youth development, children’s health insurance, and paid leave policies. Angie previously worked as an interpreter at Yosemite National Park, providing environmental education to the public. She served on the national board of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, and she was a 2011 American Express NGen Fellow. Angie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Allison joined the Foundation in September 2003, and she is a Program Officer in the Environment Program. Allison oversees the Foundation’s Water Program, which advances the integrated management of California water, and works closely with grantees to deliver effective programs, build strong partnerships, and develop organizational capacity. She also has primary responsibility for the Foundation’s grants to protect migratory bird populations in California’s Central Valley. Allison advises the California Conservation Fund, a nonprofit public benefit corporation, which is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and management of significant wetland areas and associated uplands in California, and she serves on the Advisory Board for Sustainable Conservation. Allison received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Character Development & Citizenship and Health

Marcia joined the Foundation in June 2008, and she is a Senior Program Officer, overseeing all investments in the Character Development & Citizenship and Health Programs. Before joining the Foundation, Marcia was president of the McKesson Foundation and vice president for community involvement at McKesson Corporation, where she led a corporate philanthropy program focused on access to healthcare for at-risk children and youth. Marcia also previously worked as assistant vice president for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, where she managed corporate responsibility initiatives focused on community redevelopment in New York City. Marcia received the 2010 Outstanding Foundation Professional award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has served on the boards of the United Way of the Bay Area and the Berkeley Community Fund. Marcia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Stanford University. Robert joined the Foundation in January 2011, and he is a Program Officer in the Character Development & Citizenship Program. Robert has principal responsibility for strategy development and grantmaking to advance Citizenship, an area of emerging interest for the Foundation. He fosters partnerships with funders, public agencies, academics, and nonprofit organizations in order to promote civic education and engagement and responsible governance. Prior to joining the Foundation, Robert served as education director for America SCORES Bay Area, a nonprofit organization that manages after-school literacy and athletic programs at more than 30 urban elementary schools. He previously was an attorney with the Contra Costa Public Defender, Schiff Hardin LLP, and Greenberg Traurig P.A., where he practiced criminal defense, civil litigation, and corporate real estate, respectively. Robert graduated from Emory University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and English, and he holds a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law.

Finance and Administration

Patricia joined the Foundation as Chief Financial Officer in September 2007, and she oversees all finance and administration. Before joining the Foundation, Patricia was senior vice president and chief operating officer at Meier Mitchell & Company (later GATX Ventures), where she managed all legal, financial, portfolio, and strategic planning operations for a venture lending firm focused on high technology and life science start-up companies. She was also senior vice president for operations, co-founder, and director of Savance Corporation, a private equipment leasing company. Patricia is actively involved in community leadership. She is president of the Board of Trustees for the Piedmont Community Church and serves as a member of the Stanford University Athletic Board. She has previously served as president of the Stanford University Women’s Club of the East Bay and on the board of The Lake School. Patricia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Stanford University.

Barbara joined the Foundation as Controller in October 2007. Prior to joining the Foundation, Barbara was an accounting manager at McKesson Corporation. She previously worked as an audit professional with several public accounting firms. Barbara is a Certified Public Accountant, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from California State University, Fullerton. Cristina joined the Foundation as Accountant in April 2010. Before joining the Foundation, she was an accounting supervisor at Mervyns, LLC. Cristina graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from St. Joseph’s College in the Philippines. Kay joined the Foundation in October 2004, and she is the Senior Grants Manager for the Environment, Character Development & Citizenship, and Health Programs. Before joining the Foundation, Kay managed and tracked organizational data for Amdahl Corporation, and she worked as head corporate paralegal at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison. Kay holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Cherielyn joined the Foundation in June 2010, and she is the Grants Manager for the STEM Education Program. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a project coordinator at E3, an energy consulting firm in San Francisco, and she previously owned and operated an interior sewing business. Cherielyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University and a Master of Science degree in Cybernetic Systems from San Jose State University. Barbara joined the Foundation as Program Coordinator in June 2009. Prior to working at the Foundation, she was managing director at a retained executive search firm specializing in healthcare. Previously, she worked as a commercial underwriter for a major insurance company. Barbara received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.