Harmit Pabla, President
Harmit Pabla manages a childcare center in Rancho Cordova, California. He is passionate about working with children to strengthen early childhood education so they can prosper in future. He holds a Quality Assurance position in a fortune 500 company where he implements Lean Six Sigma methodologies to improve process and procedures.
Harmit Pabla graduated from California State University, Sacramento with bachelor’s degree in finance, Risk Management, Insurance and International Business. He has obtained a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate from Villanova University.
With over 10 years of automation experience in working in Silicon Valley. Harmit Pabla believes in utilizing technology to automate manual procedures to reduce errors and labor.
During his spare time, Harmit Pabla enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys outdoor activities i.e. camping and hiking.
Marie Jones, Vice President
Marie Jones is a full-time professor of Early Childhood Education at American River College. She is dedicated to building an early education workforce that is competent, equity minded, and both understands and values the critical role families play in their child’s life. She has served as Department Chair and on committees dedicated to student success and is currently participating in the Equity Action Institute in an effort to better understand the role she plays in promoting or inhibiting equity in her personal life, professional work and within the college classroom.
She has been an active member of the early childhood education community for 30 years, served as a Family Child Care provider, Site Supervisor, and Mentor Teacher at the American River College Child Development Center, District Liaison for SCOE, College coordinator for the California Early Childhood Mentor Program and Seminar Facilitator for community mentors. She has been involved in several education videos and served as an advisor and contributing writer for Volumes 1-3 chapter 1 of the California Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.
Marie holds an Associate in Arts (AA) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from American River College, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition from California State University (CSU) at Chico and a Master of Arts in Child Development from CSU Sacramento and is honored to serve on the Child Action, Inc. Board of Directors.
Roy Kim, Treasurer
Roy Kim is the Deputy Director of Workforce Development for the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) and Sacramento Works, Inc., the local workforce investment board. In this role, he oversees the planning and implementation of workforce development programs targeting job seekers and employers and fosters community partnerships to strengthen the Sacramento Works Job Center system. Under his leadership, a dedicated team of workforce development professionals annually provides training, education, social services, and job placement services to over 50,000 youth, adults, and dislocated workers. Roy is deeply committed to building a collaborative workforce development system that ensures self-sufficiency and upward mobility for job seekers, resulting in a highly skilled workforce that meets the hiring needs of local employers.
Alicia Leupp Hanley, Secretary
Alicia Leupp Hanley specializes in developing strategic communications solutions for integrated public education and behavior change efforts. Alicia is currently a managing supervisor at Runyon Saltzman (RSE), a full-service communications firm based in Sacramento, where she leads teams to develop and implement communications campaigns on a range of social and public health issues, including early childhood development, oral health, tobacco and cannabis cessation, maternal and infant health, water conservation, and childhood obesity, to name a few.
Alicia provides expertise in strategic communication planning, brand and message development, identifying audience insights, event planning, toolkit development, community outreach, and campaign evaluation. Notably, Alicia has worked extensively on campaigns to reach California’s diverse communities and hard to reach audiences, thoughtfully engaging stakeholders and testing materials within communities to ensure message relevance, sensitivity and impact.
Alicia holds a master of communication management degree from University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication, with a concentration in marketing, health and social change. She received a bachelor’s degree in American studies and English from University of California, Davis.
Cassandra Lichnock, Director
Cassandra Lichnock is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). As CEO, she is responsible for formulating and implementing strategic initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering a strong partnership with the Teachers’ Retirement Board. Her leadership focuses on modernizing CalSTRS’ systems and processes, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to sustainability and diversity, and guiding the evolution of its culture in a post-pandemic context.
Before becoming CEO, Lichnock served as CalSTRS’ Chief Operating Officer (COO) from March 2013 to 2021. She oversaw multiple divisions in this role, including Audit Services, Enterprise Strategy Management, Administrative Services, Benefits & Services, Public Affairs, Technology Services, and the Office of the Ombuds. She also counseled the board and the CEO, ensuring that complex operational issues and policy matters were addressed in accordance with CalSTRS’ mission, vision, and values.
Lichnock joined CalSTRS in 2008 as the Human Resources Executive Officer, where she managed strategic planning and performance management programs and directed all aspects of the human resources department. Her career with the State of California includes various significant positions. A California native, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco; an Executive Certificate in Technology Operations and Value Chain Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and certificates in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University and Labor Management Relations from the University of California, Davis.
Danielle Foster, Director
Danielle serves as the Executive Director of the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA). With over two decades of experience in housing, redevelopment, economic, and community development within the Sacramento region, Foster was recognized as the Sacramento Housing Alliance’s Affordable Housing Champion of the Year in 2022.
Before joining CADA, she served as the Housing Policy Manager for the City of Sacramento, a role established in 2019 to address the city’s housing challenges. In this capacity, she developed innovative housing policies and fostered partnerships to enhance community development. Foster also contributed to academia as an instructor for the UC Davis Continuing & Professional Education program, focusing on affordable housing programs, development principles, state law updates, and balanced community policies.
Her previous roles include Housing Manager and Executive Director for the City of Roseville and the Roseville Housing Authority, as well as Housing & Human Services Superintendent for the City of Davis. These positions underscore her commitment to advancing affordable housing and sustainable community initiatives.
Foster holds a Bachelor of Science in Community & Regional Development from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California’s Sacramento Center. Her educational background and extensive professional experience position her as a pivotal leader in addressing housing challenges and promoting economic development in Sacramento’s downtown core.
Linda White, Director
Linda White is Director of Government and External Affairs for BMW of North America, located in Sacramento, CA. In her capacity, she is responsible for managing legislative and regulatory policy issues in the western region. She works closely with elected officials, various state agencies, business leaders, non-government organizations, academia, and community partners. Key policy areas of focus for Linda includes expanding the adoption of electric vehicles (EV), including build out of EV infrastructure, equity, and advocating for consumer incentives. Linda also works extensively on various other related policy matters impacting the auto industry, including energy, autonomous vehicles, and privacy to name a few. Prior to joining BMW, Linda served as Senior Manager for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Linda has established a network of engaging the auto industry, emerging technology, and communities together by serving on various boards. Linda serves on the board of Veloz, an organization focused on increasing the adoption of electric vehicles in California. She also serves in an advisory role for the Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator (LACI), a consortium of private and public entities working to promote clean technology and spur job creation in the Los Angeles region. Additionally, she serves on the board of Leadership California, an organization that elevates a diverse group of influential women across California from success to significance. Linda also serves as a board member for She Shares. Within BMW of North America, Linda launched and is serving as chair for the company’s Black Employee’s Resource Group. Linda is a certified yoga instructor.
Prashante Bailey-Lewis, Director
Prashante Bailey-Lewis, CEO and Founder, is a highly skilled Natural Hair Care and Extension Specialist with 17 years of experience in transforming and enhancing natural hair. She is mother 3 and wife, passionate about helping individuals embrace their natural beauty and specializes in providing personalized hair care solutions, including custom extensions and healthy hair maintenance.
In addition to her hands-on expertise, she serves as a dedicated business mentor and consultant through Crown Kemist Consult, offering guidance and strategic advice to barbers, estheticians, and beauty professionals aiming to advance their careers and businesses. Her mission is to empower beauty professionals through education, innovation, and business growth.