About

Denise is the retired CIO of Chevron’s Global Corporate Functions, an American Fortune 10 Energy Company, the second largest oil company in America. Denise is a seasoned executive who has managed all functions of Information Technology on a Global Scale. She has 33+ years’ experience supervising and coaching global employees, from entry-level gas station employees to managers in developing countries, to Chevron’s executive management. She has managed all areas of IT, including data center operations, cybersecurity, applications development and management, business partner liaison, global operations, and strategy development and deployment. In addition, she managed 200 Gas Station and Convenience Stores with top metrics. Denise has lived on both the East and West Coast of the United States, in Southeast Asia, and in Cape Town, South Africa.

Denise has an MBA from University of California, Haas Business School, and has completed Harvard University’s CTO Program. Denise has always believed in “giving back” and has used her energy for charitable purposes. She is currently serving Impact 100 East Bay’s Board and as Co-Chair of their Grant Process, on the Audit Committee of the Chevron Federal Credit Union, and on the Board and Audit Committee of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa County. In addition, she has served on the Board of Diablo Valley Literacy Council, taught English as a 2nd language, assisted Million Women Mentors with a technology project, was Chair of the Board of the South African Pro Cantu Children’s Choir, and served both the Animal Rescue Foundation and the East Bay SPCA.

“I volunteer for Impact 100 East Bay because I believe it is important to “give back” as a member of my community.”

Wende is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Corporate Edge, Inc., an executive leadership coaching and consulting firm – dedicated to ensuring the retention and success of companies, and their most critical senior-level leaders. It is her mission to help leaders ascend to their highest potential, and she works collaboratively to find creative and custom solutions to their biggest business challenges.

Wende’s wholehearted belief in the value of leadership development extends to herself. She has an MBA from Golden Gate University, a Paralegal Certificate from Saint Mary’s College, has completed Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and Leadership, and is a Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP Institute of California). She is in the process of completing the Leadership & Performance Coach Certification program at Brown University. In addition to serving as the Board Vice-President for Impact 100 East Bay, Wende serves as a Board Member for the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation as well as the Golden Gate University Alumni Association Board of Directors. She is a mentor at WOMEN Unlimited, Inc.

“I believe that when women come together, they empower one another; and when they empower one another, they have the collective power to change the world.”

Sylvia is a retired Chevron Supply Chain Management senior leader, with broad international experience in the USA and in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South America and West Africa. Upon graduation from Baylor University in Texas with a Bachelor’s in Business, she headed west to California, the start of a 34-year career with Chevron. Highlights from her career include leadership roles among the first teams tasked with operations start-ups in Kazakhstan, immediately following the country’s independence from the former Soviet Union, as well as in Thailand and Angola.

Career focus for Sylvia always included enjoying the people you work with and learning about and supporting the communities where you live. As the proud mother of a transgender son, Sylvia is passionate about making the world a better place for all members of the LGBTQ community and currently serves as a Steering Committee Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Human Rights Campaign. In retirement, Sylvia has taken on a leadership role with Impact100 East Bay, which provides friendship and collective giving with like-minded, philanthropic women addressing the unmet needs of nonprofits in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

“I’m proud to be part of a growing organization that has so far, collectively contributed sustainable support totaling $500,000 to six local non-profits, in the areas of mental health services for foster and homeless youth; literacy, college and life skills training for at-risk youth and women; and entrepreneurial capacities of under-served individuals.”

Jane is a retired Chevron Corporation Executive.  Jane had key leadership positions in Chevron’s Health, Environment and Safety (HES) Function globally.  She managed organizations through the entire energy supply chain.    Her last position was managing the internal Corporate HES Audit program for all Chevron Operations worldwide.  She has proven ability and enjoys leading organizations with people from very diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Jane has a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineer from University of Illinois.  She is a former board member of the East Bay Regional Parks Foundation and currently serves on the Impact 100 East Bay Board as Co-Chair for the Grant Committee.  Jane actively volunteers her time and resources for her passionate causes about including:  food insecurity (Contra Costa & Solano County Food Bank and church based “Muffin People”);  supporting girls in STEM (National Academy of Engineering, Girl Scouts and University of Illinois); and Get out the Vote Campaigns.

“The IMPACT of collective giving is inspiring, improving the lives of people in OUR community is why I Volunteer at Impact 100 East Bay.”

Mary K.  is recently retired from Information Technology sales.   She has worked for IBM and most recently Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).  Over the years she has supported large technology companies and retailers with a global presence .   She has managed a hybrid team across hardware, software and services sales around the world.   She and her team worked closely with their clients to understand their strategic priorities and provide solution to meet their goals.

As she is transitioning in the next chapter of her life, Mary K. Is looking to become more engaged in the community and leverage the skills from her professional career.  Previously, both she and her daughter were part of a mother/daughter non-profit national organization, National Charity League focused where both of them held board/leadership positions.

Born on the east coast, she is a California transplant.  She loves travel, reading and most of all time with her family, all of whom reside in the Bay Area.

Connie worked for Chevron for 35 years in various IT management roles. She retired in 2015, shortly after returning from working and living as an expat in Angola for 5 years. Post retirement, Connie is active doing water aerobics, playing bridge, visiting family in Montana & Oregon and traveling.

Connie graduated from University of Oregon with a BS in French. Her most rewarding experience while living in Angola was administering polio vaccinations to young children. She has been a member of Impact100 East Bay since 2018, working on the Grant Committee in 2019-2021, and as Big 3 Events Co-Chair 2020-2021.

“Working on the Grants Committee gives me insight into the extraordinary needs in our community and a sense of pride when we choose our grantees that will positively impact the lives of those in need.”

Alexis Bonn is the Director of Development at Opportunity Junction, a local nonprofit helping individuals gain financial security through launching careers primarily in healthcare and administration. She loves being in mission-driven work and wearing many hats from fundraising to marketing and communications. Alexis also utilizes her creative background in her side-business, AB Marketing & Creative, where she provides consulting services in marketing and communications.

As a four-year collegiate athlete and student worker, Alexis graduated from Azusa Pacific University where she earned her Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing, and her Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Constantly eager to learn something new, she recently completed the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy’s Fundraising Academy as cohort representative.

Alexis has a passion for making a difference in her workplace, her home, and around the world – always striving to leave things better than she found them.

“I am honored to be a part of this group of women who share a passion for making a difference. We are turning our passions into actions. Collectively, we are making an impact in our communities.”

Born in the UK, Katie moved to Northern California in 1998 to fulfill her dream of working for a Silicon Valley start-up. She has recently retired after 30 years working for global tech leaders such as Hewlett Packard, Oracle and IBM as well as several start-ups.  Katie spent her career managing partners and customers to deliver innovation, increase revenue and build company value.

Katie holds an Honors degree in Public Administration from De Montford University in the UK and a Diploma in Marketing from the Royal Chartered Institute of Marketing.  She has lectured on Entrepreneurialism at Stanford, Golden Gate and Rutgers Universities and, in 2000 was named to B-2-B Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People”.

Throughout her career Katie enjoyed building and leading teams from diverse backgrounds and cultures and is now applying her proven ability to create communities, drive change and deliver results to coaching and community volunteering.

Katie has always believed in “giving back” where there is tangible impact: with roles as President of the philanthropy organization of her university; chair of a sister school program in Contra Costa County and a Scholarship Program at Monte Vista High School. In addition, she was Chief Operating Officer for Astia, a global not-for-profit that connects their community of cross functional experts with women entrepreneurs to accelerate their business. She continues to be an active mentor and advisor for start-ups.

“I am proud to be part of Impact100 East Bay: inspired by the collective giving and effective application of the skill and money of women who want to make a difference to our community – with their hearts, expertise and dollars.”

Rachel grew up in Northern California. After receiving her degree in Psychology from San Diego State University, she moved back to the Bay Area and began work in Finance and Investor Relations in the high-tech industry of Silicon Valley.

Rachel has spent over 25 years actively working with Bay Area nonprofit organizations. She has served on the Greater Bay Area Executive Board of Breakthrough T1D (formerly known as JDRF), was a member of Children’s Hospital Oakland’s Rowan Branch, and helped raise service dogs as a Breeder Caretaker for Canine Companions.

After joining Impact100 East Bay in February 2025, Rachel immediately got involved in the Grant Committee and joined the Board as Events Co-Chair. “I grew up watching my mother volunteer her time and efforts to many worthy causes. I guess the example of giving back to one’s community just stuck with me.”

Stephanie is a retired executive in the Information Technology services market. She held numerous positions from Client management, Sales Leadership in local, national and worldwide roles. She worked collaboratively with clients to understand the client’s long-term strategic direction and then developed solutions using IT enabling services to achieve their goals. She also participated in mentoring programs, personally mentoring numerous women in business.

Stephanie’s focus is on prioritizing and balancing family, community and women connecting to support each other is at the center of her pre- and post-retirement. She and her daughter were part of a mother/daughter non-profit national organization, National Charity League focused on leadership, community service and cultural awareness. And she has held numerous board positions since 2008 with Loaves & Fishes, NCL, Inc and Impact100 East Bay. She enjoys spending time with her husband, three grown children and her granddaughter in both the Bay Area and Phoenix, AZ.

“Connect with a diverse set of philanthropic women with big hearts who want to give back to our communities and make a difference! I found that and much more!”

Robin Keefe is a transformational nonprofit executive and trusted advisor with more than 20 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations. Known for her expertise in executive operations and board leadership, she drives organizational impact through strategic direction, financial stewardship, and innovative programming that supports the growth and sustainability of emerging nonprofits.

Robin’s work in the nonprofit sector has defined, empowered, and enriched her life. But she is equally passionate as a proud mother of two sons and their wives, and the delighted grandmother of four ‘astonishing’ grandchildren.

Kathy Young is the CEO and cofounder of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance (TVNPA), a premier hub dedicated to fortifying nonprofit organizations. With a professional background spanning various sectors, Kathy boasts years of unwavering commitment to community development. Her strategic insights, coupled with a deep understanding of community dynamics, have positioned TVNPA as an indispensable resource for nonprofits in the Tri-Valley region. Under Kathy’s leadership, the alliance offers resources, education, and collaboration platforms, ensuring local community initiatives achieve maximum outreach and efficacy. Kathy’s proficiency encompasses areas such as organizational growth, strategic alignment, community engagement, and partnership development. A true believer in the power of collective action, Kathy remains steadfast in her mission to elevate community endeavors through the strength of the nonprofit sector.

Before creating TVNPA, Kathy held pivotal roles in prominent organizations, such as the Hertz Foundation, where she executed successful initiatives, developed cutting-edge programs, and forged robust alliances with pivotal community stakeholders.

A recognized voice in the nonprofit realm, Kathy is frequently invited as a speaker and influencer in various forums. Fueled by a belief in collective betterment, Kathy remains dedicated to amplifying the reach and resonance of philanthropic endeavors.

Kathy received her B.S. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. Kathy is a resident of Livermore and she spends her leisure time with her husband, Edward, three children, her grandchildren, and her two dogs.

Teri was an educator based first in Chicago and then in the Bay Area. She taught at Oakland’s Adult and Career Education Program for over seventeen years. Honored as the 2006-2007 Teacher of the Year, she served as the Brain Health Program Coordinator, specializing in Brain Fitness education. She functioned as lead teacher, teacher trainer, and curriculum developer. The Brain Fitness program she developed and taught was a finalist in the www.Sharpbrains.com Brain Fitness 2010 Innovation awards. In her forty-eight years of teaching, she has designed and implemented wellness classes in community college, university, and hospital settings, including prenatal and postpartum exercise and education, employee fitness, and the effects of exercise and nutrition on health. Her background in physical education and its role in maintaining cognitive health formed the perfect marriage between her backgroundand passion for health and wellness.

Teri received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters of Science in Physical Education from the University of Illinois where her coursework included The Biology of Aging, Physical Activity for the Elderly, and Analysis and Study of Problems of the Aging. Ongoing training has included Understanding the Brain, Biology of Behavior, Sensory Perception and Aging, Sharp Brains Virtual Summit Technologies for Cognitive Health and Performance, and Brain Fitness after Thirty.

Teri began teaching in Chicago in 1975. She has taught infants through college students.  Her students came from many backgrounds and included able-bodied people as well as persons with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and mental illness. She has enjoyed the challenge of creating a community where there is a place for each person.

Nancy is a retired Physical Therapist, having worked for 36 years in a variety of clinical settings. Her role as PT included mentoring students as a Clinical Preceptor in the Acute Care setting, working as Director of Rehab in both a Skilled Nursing Facility as well as a Private Practice Sports Medicine clinic, Staff Therapist for John Muir Home Health Services, and Senior PT at JM Outpatient Rehab Services at Tice Valley-Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, performing both clinical as well as administrative duties. When not working, Nancy enjoys cooking, reading, camping and gardening.

Nancy was born and raised in the Bay Area, received a BS in Biology with a minor in Spanish Language from the University of Nevada-Reno, and returned to the Bay Area to complete her degree in Physical Therapy from the University of California San Francisco in 1984. After retiring, she joined Impact100EastBay in 2021, and started volunteering for the Grants Committee in 2022.

Volunteering for Impact100EastBay is very much like working in Rehab: Each member brings her skill set and area of expertise to the group. We work as a team to identify projects or needs, devise plans to address them, and then implement the plans to achieve our goals, with the ultimate goal of making a difference in the lives of those in need by supporting deserving local nonprofits that serve them.

In 1980 Penni fulfilled a longtime dream of moving to the Bay Area, after growing up in the New York City suburbs and spending 11 years in the Midwest.

Her career has centered on understanding and addressing the sources of inequalities in education and employment opportunities through research, university teaching, education program development for under-served youth, and education program evaluation.

She taught sociology and demography at Indiana University, Bloomington, and sociology at UC Berkeley
and worked in various corporate and nonprofit management roles, including at the Bechtel Corporation
and Bank of America.

For the past 17 years, Penni has supported nonprofit, social justice-focused organizations. She worked with ConnectEd: The National Center for College and Career on grant writing and consulting for low-income school districts throughout the United States and served as the Interim Executive Director of The Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC), a Berkeley nonprofit focused on reducing cancer treatment inequalities, especially for people of color.

Penni has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of Southern Indiana, The San Francisco Senior Center, and Opportunity Junction in Antioch, CA, a nonprofit providing training for low-income individuals entering healthcare and administrative careers. Additionally, Penni is a board member at Jewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay, a nearly 150-year-old nonprofit that serves community members of all national, racial, and ethnic backgrounds in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Penni earned her B.A. in sociology and political science from New York University and her M.A. and
Ph.D. in sociology and demography from The University of Michigan.

Robin spent 35 years conducting research on education in the United States, largely working for nonprofit clients and government. She analyzed survey and administrative
data on education at all levels, prepared reports, and wrote proposals. She also serves on the board of San Francisco Achievers, a nonprofit organization that supports young Black men in the San Francisco Unified School District graduate from high school ready for college, matriculate, complete a 2- or 4-year degree, and enter the labor force. Robin runs the food pantry at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Oakland and also serves on the church’s vestry (board). She tutors Berkeley High students in math two afternoons a week.

Robin earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Cal. She grew up in Wisconsin, but has lived in Berkeley since 1988. She loves to read fiction and nonfiction (and co-chairs her book club), knit, walk with friends, watch movies, and attend concerts. She enjoys using her experience in education and reviewing proposals to further the work of the Impact100 East Bay Grants Committee.

Riffi retired from a career in commercial banking, that is, working with family-owned businesses, ending her career as President of a small, community bank.  After banking, she was an executive recruiter for commercial bankers, had a realtor license and rehabbed houses.  Along the way, she was a CASA, active with the League of Women Voters, on the Board of Gateway Greening, and volunteered with other organizations, reflecting her strong drive to “give back”.  She received her B.S. in political science from Boston College.  She and her husband, Rick Seiter, moved to Oakland from St. Louis three years ago to be close to their grandchildren (and adult children). Except for a fun, seven-year stint in Nashville, she lived in St. Louis all her life.   Upon moving the CA, one of her first projects was to find a women’s giving group – Imact100, similar to the one she had been active with in STL.  Riffi loves cooking, spending time with friends, knitting projects that take four times as long as they should, gardening, hiking, community work, reading, traveling, and playing pickleball.  She is excited for this leadership opportunity with the Grants committee.  

Stacey wakes up every day inspired to empower others so that our world may be filled with passion-driven people who pursue excellence in everything they do. In pursuit of this goal Stacey’s career has encompassed myriad functions with top organizations across multiple industries. Currently she’s serving as Associate Director, Admissions for the UC Berkeley Haas MBA Programs for Working Professionals, after a decade working with the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Previously she built the Customer Success and Customer Analytics functions at several Internet 1.0 and 2.0 startups, navigating through the treacherous waves of the early Internet. She began her career in consulting – first in technology at Andersen Consulting, where she developed large scale systems in COBOL and later in Strategy Consulting with Booz-Allen, focusing on consumer and technology products.

Stacey’s passion for empowering others extends to her community as well. She’s been an active volunteer in the community, with leadership roles in Scouting, PTA, and Robotics teams. In addition to her role as the Tech Goddess for Impact100 East Bay, she’s currently serving as an Advisor at the UC Berkeley chapter of Chi Omega Sorority. Beyond her formal roles, she is an active mentor to students and young adults in the community. Stacey has an undergraduate degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We have a long way to go, so we need the power that comes from the women committed to making history. That’s the only way we’ll get there. Change Lives, Change Organizations, Change the World. That’s what we do. Together!”