Board Members

KathyL@volforoak.org

I am a semi-retired city planner, specializing in sustainable and transit-oriented development. A native of California, I moved from my home town of Altadena and have lived in Oakland since 1987. I met Volunteering for Oakland board members while volunteering on the 2011 President Obama re-election campaign and later while promoting the Affordable Care Act. I joined the board of Volunteering for Oakland in early 2015 and have enjoyed participating in the Annual Volunteer Fair and various Dictionary Day events. The Dictionary Day events, where we give dictionaries to third graders in Oakland schools, have been extremely rewarding and have re-ignited my love for tutoring children.

Why am I in VFO? Having volunteered for the Obama Campaign in 2006 through the election in 2008, I was motivated by Obama’s example to do community service. I am originally from NYC and have lived in California since 1971. I have lived in Oakland since 1975 and enjoy being involved in activities that help the local public schools. I attended law school and graduate school in psychology in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have worked as a trial lawyer, as an Administrative Law Judge and as a Mediator.

Valda Sanders is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and has been a Bay Area resident for the past 31 years. She is a retired Electrical Engineering Manager from the electric and gas utility industry and is currently pursuing her passion to work and serve in the community. Volunteering for Oakland’s Dictionary Day project is one that she is excited to work with because it allows her the opportunity to interact with and educate 3rd graders on the importance of words and the English language.

I am originally from Chicago, Ill., moving to California in my high school Sr. year. Upon completing high school in Pasadena, Ca, I served in the U.S. Navy through the late 1960’s. After military service I graduated from the University of Michigan Business School, now known as the Ross School. I enjoyed a broad and rewarding career in the energy industry, as well as being a small business owner and a financial advisor. I have lived in Oakland for over thirty years. My wife and I reared two fine young men, influenced cousins, nieces and nephews, and hopefully inspired other young adults through employment.