Biographies and Experience of our Board memebers
CRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Williams – Board President
Jeff Park – Board Treasurer
For more than 23 years Jeff has been a mediator and attorney practicing employment and contract law, representing both employees and employers. Jeff’s unique perspective as both an attorney and mediator allows him to thoroughly understand the motivations and objectives of both sides of a dispute and efficiently reach resolutions. He is a mediator panelist for the Santa Clara County and San Mateo County Superior Courts. He was a volunteer community mediator for over 14 years and served as Secretary for the Campus Consortium, an organization developing peaceful conflict resolution processes on university campuses. He was the past Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Jeff is currently a Partner at Habbu & Park Inc. in San Jose.
Since Jeff took his first mediation training in 1994, he has been passionate about mediation. He views it not only as an effective process for resolving disagreements, but as a way for people to gain understanding of those they disagree with and to become more aware of themselves. Jeff is excited and grateful for the opportunity to promote mediation at CRC because it enables personal growth, a richer life, and peace.
For more than 23 years Jeff has been a mediator and attorney practicing employment and contract law, representing both employees and employers. Jeff’s unique perspective as both an attorney and mediator allows him to thoroughly understand the motivations and objectives of both sides of a dispute and efficiently reach resolutions. He is a mediator panelist for the Santa Clara County and San Mateo County Superior Courts. He was a volunteer community mediator for over 14 years and served as Secretary for the Campus Consortium, an organization developing peaceful conflict resolution processes on university campuses. He was the past Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Jeff is currently a Partner at Habbu & Park Inc. in San Jose.
Since Jeff took his first mediation training in 1994, he has been passionate about mediation. He views it not only as an effective process for resolving disagreements, but as a way for people to gain understanding of those they disagree with and to become more aware of themselves. Jeff is excited and grateful for the opportunity to promote mediation at CRC because it enables personal growth, a richer life, and peace.
Alicia Flores - Secretary
Alicia Flores works for Bay Federal Credit Union as the Vice President of Member Services. She has over 40 years of experience working in the Financial Industry. Alicia received her BA in Business Management through the University of Phoenix.
Alicia joined CRC in 2021; she has many years of experience serving on various boards for local nonprofits. She served on the CASA of Santa Cruz Board for 6 years, supporting the mission of making a difference in the lives of children and youth in the foster care system. Most recently she served on the Board for Hospice of Santa Cruz County, supporting their mission of honoring the choice of individuals and families with end-of-life care and providing grief support to our community. She appreciates the arts and volunteers at the Community Arts & Empowerment, Un Watsonville Brilliante. Alicia brings her expertise in community outreach and program development.
Alicia has lived in Santa Cruz County her whole life. She is committed to supporting her community and seeing it develop for future generations. She currently lives in Watsonville with her family and has a son and daughter as well as two loveable dogs, Harley and Romo. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking, and attending Zumba classes. “I am so honored to be part of the CRC Board and able to work with an inspiring group of individuals focused on cultivating peace in the community.”
Alicia Flores works for Bay Federal Credit Union as the Vice President of Member Services. She has over 40 years of experience working in the Financial Industry. Alicia received her BA in Business Management through the University of Phoenix.
Alicia joined CRC in 2021; she has many years of experience serving on various boards for local nonprofits. She served on the CASA of Santa Cruz Board for 6 years, supporting the mission of making a difference in the lives of children and youth in the foster care system. Most recently she served on the Board for Hospice of Santa Cruz County, supporting their mission of honoring the choice of individuals and families with end-of-life care and providing grief support to our community. She appreciates the arts and volunteers at the Community Arts & Empowerment, Un Watsonville Brilliante. Alicia brings her expertise in community outreach and program development.
Alicia has lived in Santa Cruz County her whole life. She is committed to supporting her community and seeing it develop for future generations. She currently lives in Watsonville with her family and has a son and daughter as well as two loveable dogs, Harley and Romo. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking, and attending Zumba classes. “I am so honored to be part of the CRC Board and able to work with an inspiring group of individuals focused on cultivating peace in the community.”
Danny Contreras
Health Services Manager of the County of Santa Cruz, Health Services Agency in the Clinics Division, over the Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) program. Danny also manages his K.E.Y.S 2 LIFE organization where he and his team provide consulting, mentoring, case management, trainings, speaking at school assemblies and classrooms. Danny also recently graduated from Loyola Law School through their Independent Forensic Gang Expert College. Danny is contracted and consulted regularly by agencies, schools, and people in the community on various issues in the community involving at-risk youth, incarceration, re-entry, gangs, addiction, implementing MAT in clinics, outreach, prevention, intervention, homelessness, etc. Danny teaches at the local police academy to educate officers on stigma, character, gangs, criminality, drug addiction, stereotypes, providing trauma informed care, etc. There is a saying that says “Hurt people, hurt people but Healed people HEAL people!” Danny today, is in a place where his past experience and education puts him in a unique position to help people on their journey to healing. He is a voice for those who cannot be heard to get the services they need.
Health Services Manager of the County of Santa Cruz, Health Services Agency in the Clinics Division, over the Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) program. Danny also manages his K.E.Y.S 2 LIFE organization where he and his team provide consulting, mentoring, case management, trainings, speaking at school assemblies and classrooms. Danny also recently graduated from Loyola Law School through their Independent Forensic Gang Expert College. Danny is contracted and consulted regularly by agencies, schools, and people in the community on various issues in the community involving at-risk youth, incarceration, re-entry, gangs, addiction, implementing MAT in clinics, outreach, prevention, intervention, homelessness, etc. Danny teaches at the local police academy to educate officers on stigma, character, gangs, criminality, drug addiction, stereotypes, providing trauma informed care, etc. There is a saying that says “Hurt people, hurt people but Healed people HEAL people!” Danny today, is in a place where his past experience and education puts him in a unique position to help people on their journey to healing. He is a voice for those who cannot be heard to get the services they need.
Maria Elena De La Garza
Executive Director of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. MariaElena has over 22 years of experience in nonprofit work and is currently the Executive Director of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Chicano Studies from Scripps College in Claremont California and also has had extensive leadership development and training experience. Most recently, MariaElena completed the Leadership in Community Transformation offered through the United Way where she expanded her knowledge in building community networks, leadership in action, and solution based strategies. MariaElena has experience serving on various boards for local nonprofits and brings her expertise in community outreach, cultural competent services, program development and inclusiveness to support and increase equity. MariaElena is born and raised in Watsonville and is completely committed to increasing access and services that will support community success. She still lives in the neighborhood where she grew up with her partner, Marc and her pooch.
Executive Director of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. MariaElena has over 22 years of experience in nonprofit work and is currently the Executive Director of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County. She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Chicano Studies from Scripps College in Claremont California and also has had extensive leadership development and training experience. Most recently, MariaElena completed the Leadership in Community Transformation offered through the United Way where she expanded her knowledge in building community networks, leadership in action, and solution based strategies. MariaElena has experience serving on various boards for local nonprofits and brings her expertise in community outreach, cultural competent services, program development and inclusiveness to support and increase equity. MariaElena is born and raised in Watsonville and is completely committed to increasing access and services that will support community success. She still lives in the neighborhood where she grew up with her partner, Marc and her pooch.
Julia Feldman
Lauren Tobin
Lauren Tobin is an attorney by training and a mediator at heart. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Lauren moved to California and embarked on a brief career in a civil litigation law firm. Finding the litigation process cumbersome, ineffective, and frustrating, she began to search for better ways to use her dispute resolution skills and was thrilled to discover CRC in her own community.
Lauren first joined CRC in 1997 as a member of the Board of Directors. She took the 40-hour training and volunteered as a mediator in the community mediation program and small claims court. She left the Board after two years, but joined the training team and continued working as a trainer and mediator through 2003.
In 2004, while she continued as a supporter of CRC, Lauren shifted most of her volunteer energy to working at Gateway School in Santa Cruz, an independent school her two young children attended. Her service at Gateway included eleven years on the Board of Trustees, including a three-year stint as Board President; two years as the Chair of the annual auction gala; three years as a member of the Conflict Resolution Task Force; and twice serving as the Chair of the Head of School Search Committee, leading the group that hired new Heads of School in 2007 and 2014.
In 2011, Lauren returned to CRC as a trainer and mediator, with a primary focus on workplace mediation and facilitation. Lauren rejoined the Board in 2018 and is proud to have been a member of the committee that selected and hired Executive Director Lejla Bratovic.
Lauren has also served our community for two years as a member of the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, including acting as Jury Foreperson for the 2017-18 year. She enjoys hiking, traveling, writing, and spending time with family and friends. Lauren and her husband Tom have a daughter, Sierra, who lives and works in New York City, and a son, Jonah, who attends Tufts University in Boston.
Lauren Tobin is an attorney by training and a mediator at heart. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Lauren moved to California and embarked on a brief career in a civil litigation law firm. Finding the litigation process cumbersome, ineffective, and frustrating, she began to search for better ways to use her dispute resolution skills and was thrilled to discover CRC in her own community.
Lauren first joined CRC in 1997 as a member of the Board of Directors. She took the 40-hour training and volunteered as a mediator in the community mediation program and small claims court. She left the Board after two years, but joined the training team and continued working as a trainer and mediator through 2003.
In 2004, while she continued as a supporter of CRC, Lauren shifted most of her volunteer energy to working at Gateway School in Santa Cruz, an independent school her two young children attended. Her service at Gateway included eleven years on the Board of Trustees, including a three-year stint as Board President; two years as the Chair of the annual auction gala; three years as a member of the Conflict Resolution Task Force; and twice serving as the Chair of the Head of School Search Committee, leading the group that hired new Heads of School in 2007 and 2014.
In 2011, Lauren returned to CRC as a trainer and mediator, with a primary focus on workplace mediation and facilitation. Lauren rejoined the Board in 2018 and is proud to have been a member of the committee that selected and hired Executive Director Lejla Bratovic.
Lauren has also served our community for two years as a member of the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, including acting as Jury Foreperson for the 2017-18 year. She enjoys hiking, traveling, writing, and spending time with family and friends. Lauren and her husband Tom have a daughter, Sierra, who lives and works in New York City, and a son, Jonah, who attends Tufts University in Boston.