Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott is a communications professional serving as senior media relations/PR representative for Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Fresno and Central Valley service areas. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Jordan served more than three years as Public Information Officer for the County of Fresno, leading media and communications efforts for most County departments and acting as primary spokesperson on a wide variety of County issues and initiatives.
Jordan has a strong connection to the Red Cross that began in 2013 when he became the Regional Communications Director for the Gold Country Region in Sacramento, leading communications efforts for numerous campaigns, events, and some of the largest disasters in California history. In 2015, he joined the national Red Cross communications team as a social engagement strategist and has continued to volunteer occasionally in a virtual capacity during large-scale national disaster responses.
Originally from Sacramento, Jordan relocated to Fresno in 2016 with his wife, Angela, stepdaughter Sydney, and dogs Churro and Rolo. In 2019, the family welcomed their newest addition and light of their lives, Jackson.
Jordan holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Sac State, is a mediocre golfer, and a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants.
Marc’ Bady
Since joining Fresno Housing in May 2021, Marc’ Bady has played a key role in strengthening community partnerships and advancing initiatives that support the agency’s long-term strategic goals. As Chief Impact and Initiatives Officer, he leads efforts to expand external collaborations, enhance community engagement, and ensure programs are designed to deliver measurable results that benefit residents and the broader community. His work is focused on driving data-informed strategies that improve program performance and long-term outcomes.
Bady brings over a decade of experience in higher education and is completing his Ph.D. in Human Capital Development. Prior to Fresno Housing, he served as Dean of Students at Coe College, where he was responsible for student development and institutional initiatives.
Bady earned his bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., and his master’s degree at Bowling Green State University, in Ohio.
Mary Bastos
Mary Bastos is a dedicated nonprofit leader and humanitarian with more than a decade of experience in disaster response, community engagement and media relations. A long‑time volunteer with the American Red Cross, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Community Volunteer Leader, Spanish Spokesperson, Preparedness Leader and Volunteer Recruitment Lead. She is also an active member of the Central California Region’s Latino Engagement Team and Disaster Recovery Team, bringing cultural insight and deep compassion to her work.
Her commitment to service has taken her across the country, supporting recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Ian, the Mariposa Oak Fire, the Mayfield, Kentucky tornadoes, and many disasters throughout the Central Valley. Her volunteerism also extends to serving veterans at the Fresno VA Hospital, and whether she is presenting preparedness resources at the Mexican Consulate, supporting families after home fires, or installing free smoke alarms for Spanish‑speaking neighbors, Mary is known for her empathy, reliability and commitment to meeting people where they are when it matters most.
Gerald Golstein
A Fresno County native, Gerald Golstein’s personal life and professional career have been centered around public service and service to others. Serving in the public and private sector since returning to Fresno in 2017, Gerald is currently the Director of Information Technology at California Health Sciences University in Clovis. Previously, he served as the IT Division Manager for the County of Madera. Prior to returning to the Central Valley in 2017, Gerald served in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.
Residing in Fresno, Gerald is active in private and non-profit community outreach organizations and a member of the Woodward Lake Master Association board.
Thilani Grubel
A longtime Fresno resident, Thilani Grubel is a mission-driven individual who has worked with or for local nonprofits for much of her career. Leveraging her extensive marketing and communications background, she has been an integral part of sharing the message of those nonprofits. Thilani joined the Central California Red Cross board in 2022 and has been amazed by how the Red Cross serves its region. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her husband and daughter, or leaving them behind to hike, kayak, or read by herself in a quiet corner.
Nikki Henry
Nikki Henry is a community-focused executive leader with experience spanning public service, nonprofit governance, and organizational strategy. She has spent her career helping large, complex organizations communicate clearly, engage their communities, and stay aligned around what matters most.
Most recently, Nikki served as Chief Communications Officer for a major public education system in the Central Valley, where she led districtwide strategy for communications, family engagement, and organizational culture. Her work has centered on building trust, strengthening partnerships, and supporting leaders through periods of change.
Nikki is deeply committed to service in the Central Valley and has served on multiple boards and commissions focused on housing, education, and community wellbeing. She lives in the region with her family and is honored to support the American Red Cross’s mission of preparedness, response, and community resilience.
Jeffie Esparza Hickman
Jeffie Esparza Hickman is the Superintendent/Principal of University High School, a nationally ranked charter school on the campus of Fresno State. She is proud to be the first female and the first person of color to lead at UHS. UHS is ranked as the #27 charter high school in the U.S., #12 high school in California, and the #1 high school in the Fresno metropolitan area (U.S. News & World Report, 2024), as well as an A+ grade from Niche.com. Jeffie has 30+ years of educational experience, including as a teacher, athletic coach, cheer coach, Activities Director, Athletic Director, After School Program Coordinator, Vice Principal, and Superintendent/Principal. Being the leader of University High School is a dream come true. She is also a mom to two children: Jared, 24, and Halli, 20, and various cats and dogs
Kevin James
Kevin Belizaire James has over 10 years in strategic planning, program evaluation, training and facilitation for non-profit and local government agencies. He currently serves as the Vice President of Impact for United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, overseeing implementation and evaluation of programming supporting economic mobility, social care coordination and capacity building. Prior to this role, he was the Director of Equity and Impact for Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, leading the creation of theory of change, logic models and equity-based learning and practice for all 36 programs. He has developed trainings on systemic poverty, social justice, race, cultural competence, implicit bias, and strategy development and implementation, quality assurance, and several others. He has presented on both the local, national and international stage, most recently speaking at the United Way Western Regional Conference.
Prior to relocating to the Central Valley, Kevin worked in local government in St. Paul, MN as a planning analyst focusing on Social Services, Accessibility and Mental Health. He oversaw several multi-million dollar grants from the MN Department of Health as well as leading community coalition work and increased partnership between local government and community-based organizations. Kevin has also been a strong advocate of restorative justice policies, and supported the development and implementation of Warrant Resolution Day, and Housing First initiatives.
In his spare time, Kevin is an ardent science fiction, aeronautical science, music, and fashion. He is currently working on a book on comic books and historical documents of social movements, and will begin training for a pilot’s license this fall. Raised with a rich cultural history that includes Panamanian and Jamaican influence, Kevin enjoys the application of culture to community-directed projects.
He holds a BA in psychology, and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Social Psychology.
Kathy Laird
Kathy Laird is the Low Vision Clinic Manager at Valley Center for the Blind a non-profit in the San Joaquin Valley that supports, trains and employs those with Low Vision and Blindness. She is a Certified Ophthalmic Technician trained to working with individuals with Low Vision and Blindness. Her main role is helping those with vision loss determine if specialty devices can help them improve their vision to a normal functioning level. She has worked in Ophthalmology for over 25 years supporting causes such as Diabetic Retinopathy prevention as well as Glaucoma awareness.
Over the years living in Fresno she has worked supporting other non-profits in the Central Valley including the Lively Arts Foundation and American Heart Association.
Andy Paras
Andy Paras is the news director at KSEE 24 and CBS 47 in Fresno. He's been a journalist for nearly 30 years, with more than half of those spent as a newspaper reporter and digital trailblazer in South Carolina. He is a graduate of Ball State University and most recently spent five years as a news director in Fort Wayne, Ind. He is married with two daughters.
Vanessa Puopolo
Vanessa Puopolo is the Vice President of Visit Fresno County and an experienced leader in destination marketing, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, she holds CDME and CHIA certifications and brings a sharp focus on data, collaboration, and outcomes that matter. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Visit California Research Committee and believes that creative ideas with lofty goals begin with solid numbers and data.
Beyond her role with Visit Fresno County, Vanessa is actively involved in the local community. She has served as a Clovis Chamber Ambassador since 2018— earning Ambassador of the Year in 2023—is a graduate of Leadership Fresno Class 38 and is a member of the Fresno County Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She has previously volunteered with Hinds Hospice and was a board member with the Ronald McDonald House of the Central Valley.
Vanessa is passionate about service that’s meaningful, measurable, and mission- aligned—whether it’s building up a destination brand or supporting organizations that help people when it matters most. She has two children: Nathan is finishing up his second year at UCLA and Lillian is a junior at Clovis West High School.
Paul Salazar
Paul Salazar was born and raised in Fresno, CA and has been in the mortgage industry for 26 years. He has a reputation for honesty, integrity and down-to-earth values. Paul holds two licenses, a MNLS and a California Real Estate license, and is an Affiliate Member of the Fresno Board of Realtors. These values are evident in his commitment to public service. He serves as the Chairman of the After-Hours Committee for Downtown Fresno Rotary, responsible for recruiting new members, highlighting Rotary's services and conducting public outreach.
For 10 years, he also served as President and Coach of Lions Baseball Little League, helping teach today’s youth about teamwork that comes from sports. Paul takes pride in his support of the Giants and regards himself as an avid San Francisco Giant fan. One of his proudest accomplishments is that some of his Little Leaguers have leveraged the skills and sportsmanship they learned to play in the Major Leagues.
Paul remains committed to public service activities, participating in fundraisers for local causes (pets, veterans, children’s programs). He and his wife of 22 years regularly contribute to school fundraisers, as well as supporting disaster relief for local communities, national and world wide.
