Board of Directors

Marie Stapleton, President

Marie joins the Board with a wealth of fundraising experience. She runs her own business specializing in Project Management and Event Planning for small businesses. She is well-connected with the school district in Pleasanton and was a Senior Marketing Manager and Senior Software Manager at Cisco in previous years. 

DEBBIE RIEZA, VICE PRESIDENT

RACHEL AUGUST, Secretary

ANN DE ROSE, FUNDRAISING

We welcome NEW board members: JAMES PRINGLE, ANGELINA CHANG, LYNNELL SCOTT

Ray Fortney

Ray is a senior executive with over 40 years in general management, executive leadership, and executive search, with an extensive background in the technology, sustainability/cleantech, energy, and engineering/construction sectors. He has worked for Fortune 100 global companies and small venture-backed startups. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the USS Hornet Museum and Foundation.

Dawn Deason

An accomplished public relations professional, writer, and video producer with an expertise in creative and effective messaging for specific audiences, Dawn owns a full-service custom film/video production company sensitive to the needs of our diverse communities and dedicated to sincere and ethical business practices. Her company employs a number of FE’s Film & Media students. Dawn has received numerous honors and awards for her production of internal and external communications. She brings her communication and media relations management skills to the Board.

David Schlesinger

As a Production and Office Assistant for Access Sacramento and an Audio/Visual Assistant for the California Youth Leadership Forum, David has extensive education and work experience in all aspects of film and TV production. He graduated from Cosumnes River College in 2018 with an A.A. Degree in Film/Digital Cinema Production and an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts – Arts & Humanities. He also received a certificate for completing a COVID-19 safety training course for the Film and TV production industry. As a person with autism, he hopes to use his video production experience in his advocacy efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. He also loves to create his own video projects and share real-life stories with the community.