DWMC 2024 BOARD
&
Monthly Board Meeting Information

Executive Board

Lisa Berkley, Ph.D.
President

Marina

Lisa A. Berkley’s life’s work is dedicated to how we thrive, as individuals and society.  As a former elected official in Marina, California, she is faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz where she is also Founding Director of Crown College’s Resiliency and Well-Being Program. Dr. Berkley is President of the Institute for Inner Economy, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to operationalizing positive peace and establishing healthy governance at the local, national, and international level. With more than 30 years teaching and working in individual and community holistic well-being, her visionary work has been written about in multiple international publications.

Lisa has been a global advocate for women and girls for more than 30 years. She is the former Founding President of Women In International Security’s U.S. West Coast Chapter (WIISWest) and holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Economics, an M.A. in International Policy, focusing on Counterterrorism and Transitional Justice, and both an M.A. and PhD in Leadership and Change. Dr. Berkley is the co-author of the book chapter “Female Leadership for Peace and Human Security: A Case Study of Israel/Palestine," which can be found in Women and Leadership Around the World, Vol. III (Information Age Publishing, 2015); most recently she has contributed to and co-edited the forthcoming book: Leadership at the Spiritual Edge: Emerging and Non-Western Concepts of Leadership and Spirituality (Routledge, 2024).

Josie Wilson, PH.D.
VICE PRESIDENT

PacifIc Grove

Josie Wilson is a retired clinical psychologist.  In the Department of Psychology at Southern Oregon University, Ashland, she taught introductory and developmental psychology to undergraduate students and graduate counseling courses in the Mental Health Counseling program. She served as Dean in SOU administration for five years and helped found the College of Arts and Sciences. She devoted much of her professional life to multicultural issues, work with the Latino culture and Mexico, children and women, and professional ethics. As a Fulbright Scholar in 1999-2000, Dr. Wilson taught in Mexico at the University of Guanajuato, School of Psychology. She continued collaborating with her Mexican colleagues and helped develop numerous summer courses on cultural competence for health professionals both in Oregon and in Mexico.

As a Licensed Psychologist in Oregon and New York, she worked with clients from 3 to 80 years old, including veterans, couples, developmentally delayed children, parents of handicapped children, and adults abused as children. In addition, she was a counselor in Michigan where she provided individual and group counseling for adults. Dr. Wilson earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Georgia State University.

Since moving to Pacific Grove in 2016, Josie has focused on learning about the area, developing a rich friendship network, and political involvement with the Women Democrats of Monterey County. She and her husband Michael enjoy international travel and an active health-oriented lifestyle. She also explores creative activities, reading a wide range of books, and being with friends and their daughter in Colorado.

Margie Kay

North County 

Margie Kay moved from the San Fernando Valley to Monterey County in 1976 and has been living on the same property near the Elkhorn Slough never regretting the move. Noticing that county government planned the North County area for many gated subdivisions for housing Silicon Valley workers in the late 1990s, Margie spent nearly 20 years attending water and land use public meetings and was appointed to some committees.

Professionally she has worked at many businesses including a livestock feed, pet, and garden store, a winery, a seminar business, and a large culinary herb farm.

Now retired professionally, Margie is a dedicated volunteer at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve with passion for cleaning up our county being the longest standing member of Monterey County Illegal Dumping and Litter Abatement Task Force. 

LAURA ABIHIDER
TREASURER

Pacific Grove

Laura Abihider is a deeply experienced executive leader and consultant; now that she has retired from Corporate life, she is eager to bring relevant career experience to advancing Democratic efforts in Monterey County, especially DWMC.

For more than 35 years, Laura led impactful organization-wide change, transformation and human development efforts for companies like Verizon, Honeywell Aerospace and Lockheed Martin—and in service to Government agencies like the DoD, NASA, the IRS and Air Force.  Her work included mergers and acquisitions, launching new products and brands, and business turnaround efforts.  She has repeatedly and successfully engaged government, community and corporate organizations in collaborative efforts to accelerate progress toward common goals, including environmental, workforce, diversity and community priorities.

Laura has also been responsible for all aspects of organization redesign, high potential leader development and accelerated succession planning—with special emphasis on growing women and minorities in senior leadership positions. The teams she’s led established strong reputations for: 1) delivering high value results; and 2) building lasting partnerships in getting to breakthrough solutions.

Laura resides in Pacific Grove with her little dog Hugo, greatly enjoying all that our vibrant county brings in terms of environmental beauty, learning, and community.

Anna Velazquez
IMMEDIATE PAST president

Soledad

Anna Velazquez is a dedicated Public servant. As the first female Mayor of Soledad, she is also the District Director for Senator Anna Caballero and serves on the Board of the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County. She has over 20 years of experience working in the community and for local government. She is well versed in the areas of economic development, affordable housing, administration and implementation of federal grants, project management and community organizing. Ms. Velazquez has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminology from California State University, Fresno. She was previously employed with the City of Salinas where she held a position as Community Development Analyst. During her 17 year, professional career at the City of Salinas she also held the position as Neighborhood Services Coordinator where she served as a resource and liaison for neighborhoods by facilitating and building civic partnerships. Anna and her husband Felipe Melchor are very excited to be raising their children in Soledad, in the town they were both raised.

General Board

Monica Andrade

Soledad

Monica Andrade was born and raised in Salinas. She is the eldest of 5 children and first generation of immigrant parents originally from Guanajuato, Mexico.

Monica proudly served in the US Army and completed one tour to Iraq. It was through her military service she understood the impact and importance of being involved in current political affairs and social justice issues.

She is married with 3 children. It is not easy to be a full-time working mom while being in the forefront of advocacy for social justice and equality, but she makes it work.

Monica has found purpose in creating safe environments for her children and the families she represents. Education, understanding social issues, advocacy for equality, and family are at the forefront of her daily work. Monica is Parent Educator for Door to Hope, a non-profit organization centered in providing direct services to underserved communities.  In her time off, Monica is actively working directly to serve and represent the South Monterey County communities.

She serves as an Alternate for Rep. Zoe Logren in the MCDCC and is the Treasurer for Salinas LULAC #2055. She joined the DWMC board in 2021 and is ready to continue the work to bring social equity from the lens and perspective of the underserved communities she grew up in.

Isaura Arreguin

Salinas

Isaura Arreguin was born and raised in Michoacán Mexico, at the age of 17; she migrated to California and learned English in just one year! Isaura obtained a Bachelors of Science in Sociology from Grand Canyon University while raising her daughters, being a professional, working full time and being a wife. One of her biggest passions is to mentor, empower and advocate for young Latinas to achieve their professional and personal goals and be a bridge for their success. Isaura has collaborated with programs like Mujeres en Accion, Girls Inc, Monterey County Migrant Ed, Alisal Union School District, Monterey County Adult Schools and the Salinas Valley in the development of educational programs and opportunities for underrepresented students and their families. She currently works at Creative Commons, a non profit organization and international network devoted to educational access and expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. Isaura believes opportunities are endless for those that have “ganas” and are focused on their goals, therefore her desire to give back to the community and be a resource and support to others. She has been a National Board Member at Latina Professionals for the past three years and has been currently selected as President of the CA Central Valley Chapter. Isaura is married and lives with her husband and two daughters in Salinas California. Isaura loves to travel, learn about new cultures and meet people from all over the world, when she travels she is passionate to embrace the Mexican culture, she is very proud to be Mexicana.

KIM BARBER, Ph.D.

Monterey

Kim Brown Barber, Ph.D. is a successful businesswoman, the first African American woman on the Monterey City Council, District 1, and a longtime educational leader with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. As an advocate for university students and women leadership, her passion and commitment over the last ten years has focused on several areas including: increasing diversity, closing the achievement gap, student success, academic excellence, preparation and motivation. Additionally, she has published a chapter in “Teaching through Challenges for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Her constant perseverance and dedication led her to be appointed by former Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear to the Diversity Committee for The Council for Postsecondary Education and the Strategic Planning Committee for The Council for Postsecondary Education for the state of Kentucky.

As the Director of Pre-College and Early Outreach Support Programs at California State University Monterey Bay, Dr. Brown Barber continues to enhance diversity and inclusion for underrepresented students and afford them the opportunity to achieve success at every academic level.

She received a Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland, and a Doctorate degree with a focus on Public Policy and Social Change from Union Institute and University.

Today as the CEO and Founder of Journey To Becoming, Dr. Brown Barber aims to inspire thought leaders, change agents, and “becomers” on a global scale to live fulfilled purpose driven lives.

JULIE A. GUEST

Carmel

Julie Guest is a new resident of the Monterey Peninsula community retiring to the area with her husband to be closer to their grandchildren.

 She has always been actively involved in making a difference through various volunteer and leadership opportunities.

She continues to serve on the Board of Directors of The People Concern which provides permanent supportive housing, physical and mental health care, substance abuse and domestic violence services throughout the county of Los Angeles. Serving as the Board Chair for three terms (2014-2017), she led the merger of OPCC and Lamp Community. The agency was re-namedThe People Concern following completion of the merger. Together these agencies have provided over 80 years of service to thecommunity’s most vulnerable neighbors with a 93% effective rate of retained housing.

Julie has also been an active member of the Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA), a leadership training organization committed to “Women Building Better Communities.” With three decades of volunteer service with JLLA, she has served in several boardpositions including as President. In May 2021, she was recognized as the League’s “Spirit of Voluntarism Honoree” for her extensive service to the community and within the League. She is now a member of the Junior League of Monterey County.

 Her professional resume additionally includes four years as Director of Volunteer Services for SoCal South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman (CA-36) and the congresswoman’s statewide gubernatorial campaign in 1998. 

Julie graduated from Duke University with an AB in public policy studies.

Frederica Jones

Del Rey Oaks

Frederica Jones retired in 2017, after having accomplished an over 30 year career as a Probation Officer. Her last assignment as Probation Service Manager was assigned to the Monterey County Superior Court Investigations Unit. Between 2019 and 2020, Frederica served as Campaign Manager for Del Rey Oaks Mayor. She has been appointed one of City of Del Rey Oaks Administrative Hearing Officer and has held that appointment since 2020.

During her adult life, public service has been a huge part of Frederica’s life. She enjoys being able to be a contributable member of society and making the most of opportunities to serve others to better promote and enrich our community. Since retirement, Frederica serves on community based organizations including serving on the Executive Board of Monterey Bay (CA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated since 2019, serving in the capacity of 2nd Vice President.  Frederica joined the Democratic Women of Monterey County in 2022 and volunteered with the Programs Committee.

In 2023, she joined the Salvation Army Executive Board and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Red Kettle Kickoff Committee. In that same year, she also joined the Housing Resource Center Board where she serves as Interim Vice President and on the Development Committee.

Frederica has lived in Monterey since 2007. During her free time, she enjoys spending family time with her husband and traveling throughout the world.

Megan Whilden

Monterey

Megan Whilden is a fourth generation Monterey resident (her great-grandfather served as Mayor for 2 terms) dedicated to community advocacy. She recently returned home after two decades in Massachusetts where she was Board Chair for Berkshire County’s official Democratic organization, an elected member of her local Democratic ward committee, and a Berkshire NAACP board member for many years. She volunteered extensively with local, statewide and national Democratic campaigns. 

In 2016 she co-founded the Four Freedoms Coalition after the Presidential election to serve as a collective non-partisan voice during the Trump administration. The Four Freedoms Coalition had over 150 business and nonprofit members, and held an annual march, rallies and protests, and free civic engagement workshops on advocacy, issues, running for office and more. 

She was an early board member of WHEN, a local group helping elect progressive women to office. WHEN was featured in Ms. magazine and won an award from the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus for its pioneering grassroots advocacy.

In Monterey she is an advisor to the Community Foundation for Monterey County’s Fund for Homeless Women, co-founded by her mother, Kathy Whilden, and has volunteered locally with Palenke Arts, the Center for Partnership Systems, the California Native Plant Society, Power Over Parkinsons, and other organizations, and is a member of Junior League of Monterey County and the Monterey Civic Club. 

Early in her career she worked in DC for AIDS United, the national policy and advocacy leader on AIDS research, treatment, and prevention. For more on her professional background, click here.

Ex-Officio Board Members

Nicole Hollingsworth

Marina

Originally from the East Bay Area, Nicole Hollingsworth graduated from CSU-Monterey Bay in 2009 with a B.A. in Communications and opted to stay in the Monterey area. Shortly after she graduated, she began working for then Assemblymember Bill Monning and was Senator Monning’s District Director until he termed-out in 2020. She is currently the Director of Governmental and External Relations at CSUMB.

Nicole was appointed to the 7th District Agricultural Association, Monterey County Fair Board of Directors in 2018. Additionally, she is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club, Ventana Chapter. Nicole has a strong passion for public service and commitment to social justice.

In 2017, Nicole graduated with Highest Honors from Golden Gate University with a master’s degree in Public Administration. In 2018 Nicole and her husband, Daniel Hollingsworth, welcomed their daughter, Harper Grace, into the world. They all currently reside in Marina with their two Scottish Terriers.

PRIS WALTON, Ph.D.

Carmel Valley

MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS

The DWMC Board meets monthly on the second Monday of each month (except July and December) at 6:00pm. The location changes each month, spanning from South to North County. Wi-Fi/Internet permitting, we do our best to make the meetings hybrid.

Members of the public are welcome to speak at the beginning of each meeting, for 3 minutes before closed session. If more time is needed, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.

For location information and/or for zoom link, email us.
** Please be sure to put: “ATTENDING BOARD MEETING” in the subject line and include in your email the issue you wish to speak on.