Biographies and Experience of our Board members
CRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lauren Tobin – Board President
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. She also volunteers with the Neighborhood Courts program. Lauren rejoined the Board in 2018 and is proud to have been a member of the committees that selected and hired both our previous Executive Director, Lejla Bratovic, and our current ED, Julia Feldman.
Lauren 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 are thankful to have both of their adult kids living nearby for now.
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. She also volunteers with the Neighborhood Courts program. Lauren rejoined the Board in 2018 and is proud to have been a member of the committees that selected and hired both our previous Executive Director, Lejla Bratovic, and our current ED, Julia Feldman.
Lauren 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 are thankful to have both of their adult kids living nearby for now.
Jeff Park – Board Treasurer
For more than a couple of decades Jeff has been a mediator. He has also been an attorney practicing employment and contract law, representing both employees and employers. Jeff’s unique perspective as both an attorney and mediator allow him to thoroughly understand the motivations and objectives of both sides of a dispute and efficiently reach resolutions. Jeff has been 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.
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 a couple of decades Jeff has been a mediator. He has also been an attorney practicing employment and contract law, representing both employees and employers. Jeff’s unique perspective as both an attorney and mediator allow him to thoroughly understand the motivations and objectives of both sides of a dispute and efficiently reach resolutions. Jeff has been 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.
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.”
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Maria Elena De La Garza
Born and raised in Watsonville, I bring more than 30 years of nonprofit experience to my work as the Executive Director of the Community Action Board (CAB) of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB). I stand on the values of equity, humility, and service to lead the agency to expand services, strengthen community engagement, become culturally reflective, and experience significant fiscal growth. As a public speaker on local, statewide and national platforms, I strive to amplify the voices of immigrants, Latinx families, and those impacted by poverty. Grounded in my mother’s dichos (teachings), I advocate for services that cultivate a sense of belonging. El dicho, “Cada quien pone su granito de arena” (every person contributes their little grain of sand), has fueled me to build networks and teams that focus on cultural respect and make a difference in the lives of others. Among the organizations where I have held leadership or board roles are Janus of Santa Cruz, Mexican American Community Services Agency, CALCapa Community Action Association, Conflict Resolution Center, Workforce Investment Board, Mercantile Mexicana, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Moreland Notre Dame, and Barrios Unidos. I hold a dual BA degree in psychology and Chicano studies from Scripps College in Claremont, California, with extensive leadership development including the Bank of America National Leadership program, United Way Leadership for Community Transformation, and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business School’s Nonprofit Management Institute, and the Gilroy Leadership Program. In 2018, I was the recipient of the prestigious UC-Santa Cruz Tony Hill Memorial Award for my work in social justice. Most recently, I received a the SCRIPPS College Alumna Recognition for Commitment to the Community Award and the Santa Cruz County Nexties Life Time Achievement Award 2023. It is with deep gratitude that I share my accomplishments and invite you to explore, listen, and learn from the voices that surround you— and decide where your little grain of sand would make the most profound difference. |
Benjamin Alamillo
Benjamin Alamillo was born in Santa Cruz, California, and lives in Watsonville, California. He is a father of 3 and a grandfather to one. Ben's commitment to social justice spans over two decades. He cares deeply about racial equity, community development, family engagement, environmental advocacy, and cultivating youth potential. Ben is a community service agent, juvenile justice advocate, and steward. Ben values collaborating with community partners and connecting with his colleagues.
Ben currently works for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and has been a program specialist for the Student Success Project, Mental Health Counselor for the Companion Project and he currently serves as a project coordinator for North County BASTA project where he creates collaborative partnerships to promote student and family engagement and well-being. Ben believes all youth and families can fulfill their inner potential and achieve greatness.
Ben has worked on youth violence prevention and intervention, positive youth development, culturally based healing models, restorative practices, and workforce development. Before his current position, Ben worked for the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos. He has also volunteered for the Watsonville Brown Berets, the White Hawk, Aztec Dancers and has sat on various panels, committees, and boards of directors.
Benjamin Alamillo was born in Santa Cruz, California, and lives in Watsonville, California. He is a father of 3 and a grandfather to one. Ben's commitment to social justice spans over two decades. He cares deeply about racial equity, community development, family engagement, environmental advocacy, and cultivating youth potential. Ben is a community service agent, juvenile justice advocate, and steward. Ben values collaborating with community partners and connecting with his colleagues.
Ben currently works for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and has been a program specialist for the Student Success Project, Mental Health Counselor for the Companion Project and he currently serves as a project coordinator for North County BASTA project where he creates collaborative partnerships to promote student and family engagement and well-being. Ben believes all youth and families can fulfill their inner potential and achieve greatness.
Ben has worked on youth violence prevention and intervention, positive youth development, culturally based healing models, restorative practices, and workforce development. Before his current position, Ben worked for the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos. He has also volunteered for the Watsonville Brown Berets, the White Hawk, Aztec Dancers and has sat on various panels, committees, and boards of directors.