Board of Directors
Welcome to the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) Board of Directors page. From corporate leadership to academia, finance, community development, and more, our board members collectively embody a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication reflect OCCTAC's core values of inclusivity, empowerment, and the transformative power of the arts.
As advocates for social justice, education, and artistic expression, our board members are at the forefront of creating meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Through their leadership, OCCTAC continues to be a beacon of hope, providing vital resources and opportunities to our community's most vulnerable members.
We invite you to learn more about each of our distinguished board members and their remarkable contributions to OCCTAC's mission. Together, we are committed to building a brighter future for the children and families we serve, one artistic endeavor at a time.
Stuart M. Nichols
Board President
Vice President, Sun Apparel
Stuart M. Nichols, a dedicated advocate for underserved populations, holds the position of Board Co-chair of Fund Development at OCCTAC. As Vice President of Sun Apparel/Screen Printers Resource, Stuart leverages his extensive business management experience to drive positive change. His commitment extends to serving organizations focused on homelessness and substance abuse issues, embodying the values of community and compassion.
Kim M. Kaston
Board Vice President
Supply Chain and Communications Professional Choreographer
Kim M. Kaston, an accomplished professional in aerospace and entertainment, serves as the Board Co-chair of Fund Development at OCCTAC. With a career spanning senior management at The Boeing Company and choreography for The Walt Disney Company, Kim brings a unique blend of expertise to the board. Her passion for global engagement, cultural exchange, and civic empowerment resonates with OCCTAC's mission, making her a valuable asset to the organization.
John Tran
Board Treasurer
Senior Vice President
Head of Portfolio Management
CommerceWest Bank
John Tran, a seasoned professional in commercial banking, leads the Board Finance Committee at OCCTAC. Currently Senior Vice President and Head of Portfolio Management at CommerceWest Bank, he brings over two decades of experience in the field. John's passion for community service is evident through his multiple tenures on the OCCTAC Board, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact.
Claude Goldenberg
Board Secretary
Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education,
Stanford University
Dr. Claude Goldenberg, an influential figure in education research, holds the position of Board Secretary at OCCTAC. As the Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University, his extensive research focuses on promoting academic achievement among language minority students. With a background encompassing teaching and groundbreaking research, Dr. Goldenberg brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. His contributions extend internationally, advising committees on English education and literacy development in various countries.
Lakshmikanth Namburi
Board Member, Chair of Board Development and Nominations
VP of Memory Products, FormFactor Inc.
Lakshmikanth Namburi, a technology innovator and leader, serves as a Board Member at OCCTAC. In his capacity as VP of Memory Products at FormFactor Inc., he brings over two decades of experience in microfabrication technology. With a strong background in engineering and business management, Lakshmikanth contributes a wealth of expertise to the board's endeavors.
Larissa Harrison
Board Member
Director of Development for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Larissa Harrison, an experienced fundraiser with an international background, recently earned her MBA from UCLA Anderson in June 2022. She currently serves as the Director of Development for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Clinical Immunology, and Allergy at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, focusing on major gifts. Her previous work in Corporate and Foundation Relations resulted in securing over $8M in grant funding for UCLA. Before entering fundraising, Larissa managed UCLA's joint research institute with Peking University, China, promoting scholarly exchange in science and engineering. Beyond her professional career, Larissa has a passion for the creative arts, including drawing, painting, theater, filmmaking, and photography, which she integrates into her fundraising endeavors. Larissa resides in Santa Monica with her 12-year-old son, Malcolm, and their loyal dog, Ralphie.
Nadine Levin
Board Member
Sr. Insurance Education Specialist
Pacific Life
Nadine Levin, a committed advocate for education and community support, contributes her expertise as a Board Member of OCCTAC. With a longstanding tenure at Pacific Life Insurance Company, Nadine manages the Life Insurance Division’s Continuing Education Program. Her role involves ensuring compliance and enhancing education programs, reflecting her dedication to professional development and giving back to the community.
Rossina Gallegos
Board Member
Director & CSR Officer
Corporate Social Responsibility, Union Bank
Rossina Gallegos, an esteemed leader in corporate social responsibility, contributes her insights as a Board Member of OCCTAC. With a history spanning over four decades at Union Bank, she has expertly managed charitable contributions and foundation requests while fostering community engagement. Rossina's commitment extends beyond her professional realm as she actively participates in numerous civic and community organizations, serving as the President of the Santa Ana College Foundation and contributing to Orange County Human Relations, among others.
John Saleman
Board Member
Audit Partner at WithumSmith+Brown
John Saleman is an Audit Partner at Withum, a leading national CPA firm providing comprehensive audit, tax, and advisory services. With nearly 25 years of experience, he specializes in financial statement audits for manufacturers, distributors, and professional services entities. John, a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, also contributes to Withum's Accounting & Auditing Continuing Professional Education Committee. Outside of work, he is dedicated to community service, previously volunteering as an AYSO referee. John resides in Huntington Beach with his wife, a high school special education teacher, and their teenage son, cherishing family time, outings to the dog beach with their two whippets, travel adventures, and football matches.
Melody Winter Head
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Chair Regional Manager, So. Cal.Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (on disability)
Melody Winter Head, a devoted advocate for community development, contributes her expertise as the Board Vice President of OCCTAC. As the Regional Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Melody has dedicated her career to addressing crucial issues in low-wealth communities of Southern California. Her innovative strategies span affordable housing finance, small business development, workforce development, and K-12 education reform. Despite facing disability challenges, Melody remains actively engaged with various community-based organizations, including Clearinghouse CDFI, Orange County Community Housing Corporation, and OCCTAC.
Sam Chari
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Senior Vice President, Experian
Sam Chari is currently SVP, Global Head of Risk and Compliance at Experian. Based in Southern California, Mr. Chari provides oversight of enterprise risks across the firm. Previously, Mr. Chari has been in several risk management related roles, including serving as the Head of Enterprise Risk at PIMCO and Head of Operational Risk at AllianceBernstein. He holds a MBA from the Stern Business School (NYU) and a MS from Clemson University.
Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami
Board Member
Founder and Executive Director, OCCTAC
Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, a visionary leader dedicated to empowering underserved communities, is the Founder and Executive Director of OCCTAC. With an impressive background in academia, Ana's passion for arts, education, and social justice drives OCCTAC's mission. Her unwavering commitment has garnered recognition and awards, reflecting her profound impact on arts, culture, and education.