Pathways to Leadership

Athena Rowan (she/they/ella) is a Rohnert Park homeowner, veteran, parent, spouse, and neighbor. She has a BA from Chico State (Theater Arts) and her Masters from John F Kennedy University, School of Graduate and Professional Studies (Consciousness & Transformative Studies w/Ecotherapy). She is a wellness coach and event organizer (e.g. Cotati & Rohnert Park Pride 2024). Athena is committed to housing access and mental health care for all, regardless of their means. She co-hosts The Rainbow Zone on KBBF 89.1, the nations first bilingual radio station.

Brandon Keck – born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA. After high school he lived in Chico for three years where he completed the Fire Academy. After two years of trying to land a full time gig, I happened to stumble upon tree work and fell in love right away. Been advancing in Arboriculture ever since 2015, currently working as the City Arborist for Rohnert Park. He is Currently 36 years old and has 2 children, a 6 year old daughter named Lua and a 3 year old son named Atticus.

Casey Kelly has a multifaceted background in marketing, communications, and event planning. With a proven track record, Casey consistently showcases expertise in developing and executing impactful marketing strategies, adeptly managing brands, and excelling in public relations. Casey’s expertise lies in orchestrating memorable and impactful events, whether they be large-scale functions or intimate gatherings, with meticulous planning and a keen eye for detail. A proud alumna of Sonoma State University, Casey continues to leave a positive impact on her alma mater and is part of the University Advancement team. Outside of work, Casey enjoys exploring Sonoma County, attending local events, traveling, and being a foodie.

Chris Cabral has worked as the Chief Operating Officer for Nation’s Finest, and is the current Chief Executive Officer for COTS. With more than fifteen years’ experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge in homeless services and affordable housing development. Chris is the Board Chair for the Providence Community Benefit Board in Northern CA, and a member of the Executive Board for Providence and Healdsburg hospitals. In addition, Chris serves on the County Homeless Coalition Board, as well as serving as the Board President for Trips for Kids, and as a board member for Legal Aid of Marin.

Daniel Ethan Hopley is a devoted civil servant whose top priorities are his daughter and his commitments. He embraces cycling as a means to enhance both physical and mental well-being. In both his personal and professional life, Daniel is highly task-driven, valuing organization and structure. He finds joy in his career and is deeply appreciative of the opportunities life has presented and the drive to pursue them. Grateful for his supportive network, Daniel values the mutual exchange of knowledge and assistance. His life reflects a balance of dedication to work, commitment to family, and appreciation for the community around him.

Danielle McCants is the Customer Operations Manager at Sonoma Clean Power, where she has worked for nearly eight years, holding several roles within the Customer Service department. Although she currently works in the energy sector, Danielle has a strong background in water resource management. She holds a Master’s degree in Water Resource Management from Fresno State and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from Sonoma State University. Her expertise lies in optimizing organizational processes to enhance and sustain departmental efficiency, as well as managing project implementation. Outside of work, Danielle volunteers with Paws for Purple Hearts, raising future service dogs, and participates in K9 Intervention Therapy visits at the Sonoma Main Adult Detention Center.

I am a small B2B and individual service provider that provides consulting, bookkeeping, and tax preparations services. I have over 30 years experience in business administration, management and accounting. Recently graduated from Purdue Global University with my masters in professional studies 2024 and 2023 with my B.S in I & O psychology.

Emily is the Homeless Services Coordinator for the City of Rohnert Park. She has worked for the City since 2021. Before that, she held positions at the County and the nonprofit COTS. She has over a decade of experience in the homeless services field, and is passionate about ending homelessness in Rohnert Park and Sonoma County as a whole. Originally from Seattle, she moved to Sonoma County in 2012 after falling in love with its beauty and sense of community. She and her partner live in Santa Rosa with their dog Odin.

Eric has an extensive background in public service, including roles as a Deputy Labor Commissioner, Labor Relations Officer, Special Investigator, and Supervising Special Investigator/Regional Manager with California’s Department of Industrial Relations, Labor Commissioner’s Office, and Department of Consumer Affairs. He also has experience in Fire/EMS and has served as a Code Enforcement Officer for both the City of Sausalito and the City of Santa Rosa. A Healdsburg High School alumnus, Eric is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management at Columbia Southern University. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities, beach dining, local trips, and volunteering with the Redwood Food Bank and Surfrider Foundation.

Heidi Sue Roth possesses a diverse personal and professional background across various organization sizes and industries. She is an advocate for individuals living with chronic pain and other disabilities, promoting personal accommodations. Her aim is to facilitate the highest level of independence and functionality for each person. Heidi’s interests include reading, gardening, lichens, and lifelong learning.

Julia Marcus is a passionate advocate for making the world a better place. Born in the Bay Area and raised in Dallas, Texas, she moved to Boise, Idaho, to earn a degree in early childhood education with a minor in special needs education. After college, she became a private nanny and began volunteering with various organizations. Julia then joined the nonprofit Building Hope Today, focusing on preventing child sexual abuse in Idaho. In Boise, she met her fiancé, Ashton, and together they moved to Cotati with their golden retriever, Wavey. Now, Julia works at the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce, where she loves helping local businesses thrive. In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, skiing, playing volleyball, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family. Julia’s enthusiasm for life is truly contagious, inspiring everyone she meets.

I have been a citizen of Rohnert Park for over 18 years. I currently work for Sonoma State University and I have 3 children who have been a part of the CRPUSD school district. I am interested in how our local government operates and I love seeing this town grow and continue to prosper. In addition to spending time with my family, I enjoy running around this town. I also like to work out and spend time outdoors all over Sonoma County.

Kelsey Reidinger is the Volunteer and Community Support Coordinator for Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. In her role, Kelsey works with volunteers and community members alike to care for wildlife in need. Kelsey has found that her greatest pleasure within her role is helping our community better understand the wildlife that surrounds us and how we can peacefully coexist alongside them. Starting with the rescue in 2019, she has gained significant experience in human-wildlife conflict resolution, community outreach, and volunteer management. Outside of rescue work, Kelsey enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, Ben, and Australian Cattle Dog, Maisel.

A graduate of Sonoma State University and resident of Rohnert Park, I have spent most of my professional career as a social worker serving the senior population. After receiving my MSW from SFSU, I worked in San Francisco for ten years before relocating back to Sonoma County. Currently, I am the Director of Care for Senior Helpers of Sonoma County. In addition to my professional career serving seniors, I sit on the Aging and Disability Commission for Sonoma County. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters, as well as reading and listening to music.

Dr. Myra-Ashley Amparo is the founder of Sonoma Sports & Family Chiropractic, dedicated to solving pain, normalizing movement, and maximizing performance. With a strong background in sports and leadership, she values collaboration and believes teamwork is essential for achieving lasting health outcomes. She has served as an outpatient clinician at Palmer West Chiropractic College and a sports chiropractor for a semi-pro football team in San Jose. Now, as the incoming President of a BNI Chapter in Rohnert Park, Dr. Amparo continues to empower others through connection, fostering well-being and growth within her community.

Ryan Long is a seasoned project management and public outreach professional with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance, public communications, and stakeholder engagement. As the Principal at Connective Outreach, Ryan leads efforts to inform and engage communities on behalf of cities and water agencies, particularly during major construction and infrastructure projects. His expertise includes crafting inclusive communication strategies, managing virtual and in-person community meetings, and overseeing the development of outreach materials such as postcards, door hangers, and handouts.

Throughout his career, Ryan has played a key role in navigating regulatory frameworks, helping clients secure property use permits, and ensuring that all project communications are clear, timely, and accessible. In recognition of his expertise, Ryan was appointed to the 

City of Cotati Planning Commission in 2023, where he continues to contribute his knowledge to local development initiatives. Ryan’s recent project leadership includes communications for high-profile initiatives such as the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Roads Recovery Project and the Fulton Road Widening Project in Santa Rosa, CA. His ability to build relationships with contractors, engineers, and community members has been instrumental in the success of these projects.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Hawaii. His commitment to fostering transparent communication between government entities, contractors, and the public makes him a trusted leader in his field.

Ryan is passionate about fostering the growth and health of the community and environment. After several years of leading mental health programs in Sonoma County, he is now bringing his experience to Conservation Corps North Bay.

Sarah Sparks is a lifelong resident of Sonoma County with a passion for leadership. In her career as a business systems analyst and IT manager, she collaborates with others to identify business problems and deliver the best solution. She is thrilled to join the Pathways to Leadership program so she can grow her skills and gain experience to someday create a sustainable and thriving community. She lives in Rohnert Park with her husband and children. She loves Sonoma County and looks forward to making it a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Stephanie Derammelaere works as the Executive Director of the Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO), having moved into the nonprofit world following a career in marketing and journalism. She previously founded and operated Career Leap, which assisted small business owners with creating business plans and developing small business feasibility studies. She was also a writer for North Bay Biz magazine for many years. At RFO Stephanie is responsible for strategic leadership, fund development and financial oversight, partnerships and relationship management, communications and marketing, program planning, and other charges. Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Mills College and her MBA from Golden Gate University.

Jill Kempf is a member of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. Jill has held several positions within the department including her current position as a Crime Analyst. Jill’s work focuses on supporting various initiatives by identifying needs of the department and community while using data and research methods. Jill’s prior work experience includes the insurance industry and the telecommunication industry. Jill holds a Bachelor and Master of Science and is a California State certificated Crime Analyst. Jill enjoys spending time on our beautiful Sonoma County Coast and time with her friends and family.

Jessica Murphy brings over a decade of real estate experience, starting in the residential sector before transitioning to commercial real estate. Her expertise spans asset management, leasing, and investment strategies, working with firms like Shorenstein and Century Urban. She has been involved in organizations such as CREW SF, SPUR, and NAIOP, and received the 2012 Scholar Award from BOMA. Alongside her professional work, Jessica volunteered with the San Diego Foster Youth Mentorship Program, reflecting her commitment to community service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sociology from the University of San Diego.