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Valerie Robbins
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.
Leonard Bechtol
Vice-Chairperson
I am a lifelong resident of Point Arena, and a tribal member of the Manchester Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians. Not only did I attend and graduate from our school system, I eventually became employed for 35 years in our school district. My many hats were as a para professional, Native American liaison, Athletic director, and coach. I have also served over 15 years as a tribal council member for our tribe. Looking forward to working with Action Network and doing what I can to contribute to our community.
Karen Tanner
Treasurer
Tanner has a long history of helping others. After a stint in the US Air Force and the private sector, she went into the non-profit sector where she worked as a substance abuse counselor, HR administrator for a domestic violence agency, and workforce development coordinator for a healthcare organization serving underprivileged populations across CA (her current role). This background gives her a unique window into the complex issues surrounding substance abuse, income inequality, and domestic violence. She holds a BS in Business Management and a certification in Workforce Development.
Mary Mobert
Secretary
Mary moved to the Coast in 1976 and 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 serves as Administrative Secretary for the Gualala Municipal Advisory Council (since December 2002); Executive Secretary for Action Network (since November 2003), and; editor for three local authors. Mary is a charter member of Soroptimist International of Mendocino-Sonoma Coast.
Paul Vincent Carter
Director
Paul is an east coast transplant who received a Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee where he was an All-American Swimmer. For twenty years he wrote, produced, and directed television and commercial programs as owner of Pilgrim Productions in Delray Beach, FL. Moving to California in 1998 he transitioned back to swimming and spent twenty years as a coach and program director. Paul recently retired from The Olympic Club in San Francisco and moved to The Sea Ranch.
As a small business owner, coach, and program director, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge in program building, asset management and fundraising. His passion for helping people has always steered him towards opportunities that motivate kids and adults to higher levels of emotional and physical health, and community organizations that support that cause.
Lisa Diaz-McQuaid
Director
Lisa was born and raised in Sonoma County, Ca. Lisa is employed with Verity ~ Sonoma County’s Rape Crisis, Trauma and Healing Center as their Lead Human Trafficking Caseworker.
Lisa is the co-founder of the Redemption House of the Bay Area, a human trafficking victims advocate, motivational speaker and mentors trafficking survivors in our community. Lisa co-facilitates the first survivor (peer) lead human trafficking support group in Sonoma County and is a team leader in the RHBA human trafficking street outreach that is conducted once a month. Lisa is a motivational speaker using her story to raise awareness in our community and surrounding communities in hopes that her story of surviving to thriving will help touch the lives of those trapped in the nightmare of human trafficking.
Lisa is a passionate member of the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) movement and founded VOICE in March 2022, a support group for Indigenous women who have been victimized by ceremonial exploitation. Lisa is a former group facilitator for Verity’s ‘Girls Circle’ at Valley of the Moon connecting with high risk CSEC youth.
Lisa is a member of the Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force and serves on the board as a “trafficking survivor expert” representing Redemption House of the Bay Area. Lisa also serves as a Board Director for ‘Raizes Collective’ empowering the community through art, culture and environmental education.
Lisa received the honorary title of 2021 Community Human Rights Champion from Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights. Lisa received the Sonoma County’s 2022 Woman of the Year award from Congressman Mike Thompson and the 2022 ‘Spirit’ award from Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women.
Lisa states, “I have found my purpose to inspire, encourage and help guide others to turn their traumas into healing and gain empowerment within themselves.”
Charlene Rowland
Director
Charlene is a Canadian transplant from the prairie province of Manitoba. She is a third-generation farmer and her agrarian roots have guided her career in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management for the past 3 decades. She was raised with a deep appreciation for nature and environmental health that she strives to share with her students. Charlene has a teaching credential in Career Technical Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources and she has been teaching in Mendocino County for eleven years. Charlene has taught at Anderson Valley Middle/High School, River Community School, Ukiah High School, and Point Arena High School. Currently, she teaches Biology, Agriculture, and Community Leadership at Pacific Community Charter High School.
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