Board of Directors

Marie Stapleton, President

Marie joins the Board with a wealth of non-profit experience. For the past 20 years, she has held varying board positions at different non-profits, including founding a non-profit to support middle school music education.  After a career in high tech, including many years at Cisco Systems as Senior Marketing Manager and Senior Software Manager, Marie now runs her own small business specializing in project management for small businesses.  Marie is also the President of the Pleasanton Community of Character Collaborative and is an avid volunteer for other organizations.   

DEBBIE RIEZA, VICE PRESIDENT

Debbie Rieza is a passionate advocate for empowering adults with special needs.  Her journey as a parent to a young adult with autism has been the driving force behind her commitment to creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities. The founder of Chamba Collective, Debbie, spearheads a program aimed at empowering adults with special needs to establish and manage their own businesses.  In addition, Debbie is the proud owner of Ohana Care Home, a sanctuary designed to provide not only care but also training, empowerment, and a sense of belonging to adults with special needs.

RACHEL AUGUST, TREASURER

Rachel brings over 10 years of experience in nonprofit financial management, having served as a board treasurer and auditor for several organizations. Her expertise spans diverse sectors, including education, music, and the performing arts, where she has contributed to the financial health and governance of each organization. Rachel is dedicated to leveraging her skills to further the mission and growth of the organization.

ANN DE ROSE, SECRETARY

Ann DeRose is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in healthcare account and program management, relationship building, and community advocacy. As a retired Senior Program Manager from Blue Shield of California, she brings expertise in strategic planning, program development, and stakeholder engagement.  As a parent of a young man with developmental disabilities, Ann is committed to increasing awareness, expanding partnerships, and ensuring sustainable growth for programs that empower individuals with disabilities.  Ann has a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Services from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Ann is a certified group fitness instructor focused on providing inclusive fitness classes to all. 

We welcome NEW board members: JAMES PRINGLE, ANGELINA CHANG

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.

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 is also in the process of starting up his own independent video production business that will produce corporate or promotional video content for clients.

AngeLINA CHANG M.S., APCC, NCC, CCC 

Angelina is a two-time Sacramento State alumna with a BA in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. She is an Associate Therapist, National Certified Counselor (NCC), and nationally Certified Career Counselor (CCC) with a background in higher education and the nonprofit sector serving the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. Angelina brings a wealth of experience as she was a prior Education Coach and Instructor II for Futures Explored from 2017-2019. In her spare time, she volunteers with her graduate program’s alumni network, cherishes time with family and friends, and engages in mindful activities, including reading and the creative arts.

james pringle

James is a dedicated board member at Futures Explored, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and creative vision to the organization. He earned his bachelor's degree in Motion Pictures and Television from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and specializes in writing and directing. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, he currently serves as a branch manager at Poppy Bank in Walnut Creek. In addition to his work in finance and film, he is also a board member for the African-American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco, where he supports initiatives that uplift artists and storytellers in the community.