Board of Directors
CEO and President | Kathy Young
Kathy Young is the Co-Founder and President & CEO of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance (TVNPA), which she helped launch in 2014 to advance advocacy, collaboration, and education for nonprofits across the Tri-Valley and greater Bay Area. She leads TVNPA’s strategy, partnerships, and programs that strengthen hundreds of organizations serving our communities and has been a driving force behind initiatives that bring nonprofits, businesses, and public agencies together to address regional needs.
Before TVNPA, Kathy spent more than 13 years with the Fannie & John Hertz Foundation, serving as Executive Director of the Hertz Fellowship Programs, a nationally respected graduate fellowship in applied physical and biological sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Earlier in her career, she worked in the legal field.
In addition to her role at TVNPA, Kathy serves on the Board of Directors for both the Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce and Impact100 East Bay, a women’s collective giving organization supporting nonprofits in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. She holds a B.S. in Organizational Behavior & Leadership from the University of San Francisco. A longtime Livermore resident, Kathy enjoys time with her husband, Edward, their three children, grandchildren, and two dogs.
Board Chair | Marti Sutton
Chair, Human Services Commission – City of Livermore
Marti Sutton has worked for more than 20 years with non-profits and government agencies. Her career started at the Office of Management and Budget in the Clinton Administration. She then proceeded to work at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. While at the Urban Institute she tackled issues such as education, welfare reform and was one of the founders of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (now Power to Decide).
In 2008, Marti moved to Livermore with her husband and 3 young children and began volunteering at her children’s school. In addition, Marti served on the Las Positas College Foundation Board for 8 years as Treasurer (4 years) and Chairperson (2 years). Prior to joining the Human Services Commission, she served on the Beautification Committee for the City of Livermore. Along with her current role with the Human Services Commission, Marti currently serves on Business Advisory Board for CSU, Chico.
After returning to California, Marti worked in the Finance Group for the Learning Network, a Pearson Education company. She missed the nonprofit world and began to volunteer with BayKids, a nonprofit empowering the artistic endeavors of hospitalized children. Soon she was elected as Chair of their Board of Directors.
Marti has seen firsthand how hard non-profits work to raise funds and serve their clients. As a board member of TVNPA, Marti is excited to bring her rich experience to support nonprofits and give them the tools they need to be successful in our community.
Board Treasurer | Reanna Bradford
Chief Financial Officer, Livermore Valley Arts
Reanna Bradford’s passion for non-profit work was sparked at AchieveKids, a special needs school in Palo Alto, California, where she witnessed the powerful impact non-profits can have in their communities. She now serves as CFO of Livermore Valley Arts, where she has spent over 11 years helping the organization achieve financial transparency and stability. With more than 20 years of accounting experience in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, she brings specialized expertise to small and mid-sized organizations, ensuring they remain mission-driven.
Mrs. Bradford holds an MBA specializing in Accounting from National University and resides in Brentwood, California. In her free time, she enjoys performances at the Bankhead Theater, gardening, volunteering, being with her family, and relaxing with her two cats and a good book.
Board Secretary | Valerie G Jonas
Chief Development Officer, Axis Community Health – Retired
Valerie Jonas served as Chief Development Officer at Axis Community Health (2010 to 2023), overseeing community relations, advocacy, grants, fundraising and capital projects. Axis, a non-profit organization, is the major provider of primary care, mental health, and dental services for low-income Tri-Valley residents. Prior to that, Valerie worked with several Bay Area nonprofits, including as Regional Director for Jewish Federation of the East Bay and as consultant to the Bankhead Theater during the pre-development phase. She has served on many nonprofit boards, including Pacific Chamber Orchestra, South Florida Epilepsy Foundation, J. the Jewish News Weekly, and Congregation Beth Emek. Presently she is a board member of SPARC, serves on the Livermore Valley Arts Honorary Arts Commission, and volunteers at the Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry. Her career began in Miami, Florida at Hank Meyer Associates Public Relations and Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Foundation. A graduate of Duke University (B.A., magna cum laude) and recipient of an American Field Service Scholarship (Istanbul, Turkey), Valerie is originally from Lakewood, New Jersey. She has resided in Livermore since 1994 with her husband David, where they raised their three children and now dote on their two dogs.
Board Director | Jacob Blea III
Alameda County Superior Court Judge-Retired
Jacob Blea III is an Alameda County Superior Court Judge-Retired. Judge Blea earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and secondary teaching credential from CSUEB before attending and graduating from law school at UC Berkeley School of Law. He served the legal community for over 40 years having practiced law for 17 years before being appointed to the bench where he served for 26 years before retiring, and he has taught in the Paralegal education program at CSUEB for 35 years.
He has also been involved in several community service endeavors aimed at helping teens and young people serving as a board member on the Suicide Prevention for Teens board and the Mony Nop Foundation, an organization that works with middle school students and empowers youth by providing volunteer opportunities and scholarships. In addition, he has been a frequent speaker for the Every 15 minutes and D.A.R.E. programs, programs designed to educate youth in the dangers of drunk driving and prevent the misuse of drugs.
Judge Blea has resided in Livermore since 1985 with his wife of 43 years Cheryl, where they raised their 4 children.
Board Director | Christine Dillman
Executive Director, Tri-Valley Haven
Christine Dillman has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 25 years. In 2001, she began working at Tri-Valley Haven and has held several positions at the organization including Director of Sexual Assault and Counseling Services. Last year she was promoted to Director of Development. Christine received her BA from Brandeis University. Currently, she is pursuing her MBA in Finance at the University of California, Davis and will graduate in September 2021. Christine has been on the board of directors of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA). She also served as a founding board member of Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance (TVNPA) from 2015 – 2019. Currently, Christine is the President of the Women in Leadership at the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management. Christine’s lifelong passion is ending violence against women and children.
Board Director | Andrew Gelb
General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. – Retired
Andrew Gelb grew up in New York City and lived in Southern California before settling in Pleasanton, which has been his home for over twenty-two years. After graduating from UCLA’s School of Law, Mr. Gelb practiced law in Los Angeles for twenty years — emphasizing business, commercial, and employment dispute resolution and litigation — before he left his law practice to accept a position in Pleasanton with a longtime client, a foreign-owned technology company that operates nationally and internationally. He spent many years as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, strategizing, advising, resolving problems and, more importantly, helping to avoid them. Mr. Gelb retired several years ago from his positions there, and is thankful for the experience, which included learning to recognize and respectfully navigate cultural and other differences worldwide. Since retiring, Mr. Gelb has become a member of Pleasanton North Rotary and the Pleasanton Police Department’s Community Advisory Board.
Board Director | Lisa Henderson
Founder and CEO of Set To Thrive
Lisa is the Founder and CEO of Set To Thrive, a nonprofit she launched in 2021 to support children experiencing foster care and homelessness. Through Set To Thrive, Lisa leads
strategic partnerships and program development, providing new essential items that help
children feel confident, supported, and prepared to succeed in school and life.
Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its impact through strong collaborations with social services and school districts, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable youth receive the resources they need to thrive in their communities. Lisa is also spearheading a new initiative focused on supporting youth transitioning out of foster care and into secondary education, helping bridge critical gaps during this pivotal stage of life.
A longtime Danville resident, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband Phil, their four grown children, and grandchild. Outside of her professional work, she loves traveling, connecting with friends, and playing tennis.
Board Director | Amit Pabla, MHA
Chief Operating Officer, Axis Community Health
A Livermore resident since 2018, Amit is deeply committed to helping his local community thrive. He is passionate about improving health equity and fostering partnerships that expand access to essential services across the region. His professional experience spans community health centers, veteran care, and health plans—always with a focus on building collaborative, mission-driven teams that put people first.
Amit holds a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s in Sports Medicine from the University of the Pacific. Outside of work, he enjoys life in Livermore with his wife and young son, staying active, and supporting initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing.
Board Director – Anti-Poverty Collaborative | James Paxson,
General Manager, Hacienda
James Paxson has been employed with Hacienda in Pleasanton for thirty-five years in various capacities and has served as its General Manager since 1995. He currently manages all programs operated on behalf of investors and owners of property within Hacienda including: Development and Planning, Infrastructure Management, Security, Transportation, Environmental Monitoring, Amenities and Community Relations. In addition to serving on the board of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance, Mr. Paxson also serves on the boards of several local and regional organizations including: The East Bay Economic Development Alliance, the East Bay Leadership Council and Axis Community Health Center (currently serving as Chair). Mr. Paxson has also served on and chaired: the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, the City of Pleasanton Economic Vitality Committee, the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center, the Alameda County Measure B Citizens Watchdog Committee (as an EBEDA Appointee), and the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board. In addition, Mr. Paxson serves on the Steering Committee for the Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative, a project of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance. Mr. Paxson lives with his wife of thirty years, Kathy. They have two children.
Board Director | Nathan Tran
Policy Advisor, Innovation Tri-Valley
Nathan Tran works as the Policy Advisor of Innovation Tri-Valley, a public-private economic development network where he spearheads advocacy on affordable housing, mental health, green energy, transit access, and other issues vital to our region’s future. He also serves as Co-President of APAPA Tri-Valley, the only nonprofit centered around the civic education and engagement of the Tri-Valley’s rapidly growing Asian population.
The proud son of refugees and welfare recipients, Nathan first entered public service at the age of 16, as one of the Tracy City Council’s youngest-ever interns. In the 8 years since then, he has graduated cum laude from Pomona College, managed research projects at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government, and staffed over 20 elected officials, including our very own Senator Jerry McNerney.
Now rooted in Livermore, Nathan loves catching up with friends at local bars and cafes, exploring the Bay Area’s transit lines and hiking trails, writing satirical Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, and daydreaming about how best to support the communities he calls home — from the Central Valley to the Tri-Valley.