ACTION NETWORK
Creating community wellness & strengthening families

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Chris Wall, Chairperson  

Chris received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1980 and moved on to a 36-year career with Cummins Inc., a global manufacturer of diesel engines and power systems.  In addition to engine development and power system application engineering. Chris had the opportunity with Cummins to start up a corporate child care center and to serve as General Manager of a global team in developing and selling new power systems for the oil and gas market.   Chris was a Court Appointed Special Advocate serving children in need for 25 years in Bartholomew County, Indiana.  Retirement came with a welcome move to California. Tax Season finds her as a certified tax volunteer with AARP in Point Arena.  She also volunteers at Sea Ranch and at the Art Center in Gualala. 

 

Valerie Robbins, Vice-Chairperson                                                                                                             

Valerie has a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Special Ed.  She is experienced in leading and contributing her efforts towards assisting nonprofit organizations and working with children and families.  Val is Owner and President of Mortgage Personnel Services based in Rohnert Park.  

                                                                                          

Mary Mobert, Secretary                                                                                                               
Mary partnered with her husband in several businesses, including Doghole Custom Boats; Interface, a computer and office service business, and Semi-Sentient Systems, a software company that wrote programs for themselves and other companies throughout the U.S.  She has served as a translator for the Denver University Science Department; an assistant legal secretary for James Cameron, Attorney at Law; and, presently, she serves as the Administrative Secretary of the Gualala Municipal Advisory Council (GMAC, since December 2002) and as Executive Secretary for Action Network (since November 2003).  Mary is also a member of Soroptimist International of the Mendocino-Sonoma Coast (since 1979). 

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Andrea Phillips, Director                                                                                                          
Andrea lived in Gualala from the time she was four to about 14 years old. Then, she moved away so that she could attend a private school named, Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa. After high school she attended Santa Rosa Junior College and became involved in the insurance profession. She currently works as an insurance broker for Farmer’s Insurance in Gualala, as well as for many different companies. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

                                                                                                                                                  

Aparna Wilder, Director

Aparna’s career stretches across several fields including program management, service learning, media production, and education technology. She led an experiential learning program at the Center for the Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania; co-founded an education design consultancy, IRL Labs, which builds digital storytelling tools and develops educational programming; and served on the senior leadership team at Climb Hire, a non-profit that prepares working adults for entry-level jobs in tech. Aparna is a TED Fellow and former digital mentor with Girls Write Now, an after-school writing program for at-risk youth based in New York City. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and MPA from Columbia University.

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Carol Barkley, Treasurer

My areas of action include domestic violence prevention and intervention/shelter, public education, governmental affairs and community board membership for a large homeowner’s association of 3500 families.  My experiences include: Local Teacher, Administrator, Counselor; Administrator for California Charter Schools;  Trainer for California Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) credential program; and Administrator of two not for profit domestic violence/sexual assault prevention and intervention programs.

 I want to participate in a meaningful way in the projects, goals, and strategic vision of the Action Network because the organization is integrated into the community it serves, improves the quality of life for its individuals and the community, and infuses the concept of community through education, leisure, and service.

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Cris Mulvey, Board Member

All my life I have worked in the non-profit sector, primarily with low income women and families (in Ireland, Peru, Philippines and Montana) on issues such as poverty, childcare, education, healthcare, leadership and empowerment. My roles have included: Family Resource Center tutor; Community Group Issues Researcher; EU-Funded Program Manager focusing on strengthening and networking Low Income Community Women's Education Groups; and, most recently, Executive Director of a Non Profit focused on Women's Support. 

I am inspired by the mission of Action Network and very much aligned with its values. As an immigrant to the US, (I am originally from Ireland) and a retired recent immigrant to the Mendonoma coast, I am eager to connect with, weave myself into and hopefully contribute rather than just take from this gorgeous place. I am excited at the prospect of working with others in this community to create wellness, equity and a more nourishing and sustainable life for all.

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Thaïs Mazur, PhD, Executive Director of Action Network

Thaïs has been a Mendocino Coast resident for the past 25 years and became the Action Network Executive Director in April 2019, with the retirement of the incumbent.  She received her PhD in Human Science from Saybrook University, with a focus on whole community wellness and sustainable practices across all ages and cultures.  In her previous position as Project Manager and Coordinator of Healthy Mendocino, Thaïs focused on housing, childhood trauma, mental health, poverty, and family wellness. Thaïs has expertise in the development of best practices to encourage health equity, foster community resilience, and build collective leadership.