Board of Trustees

Bill Withrow

Trustee – Area 1

bwithrow@peralta.edu

Bill Withrow has a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Colorado and an MBA in finance from Harvard University. He served for 24 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain, Supply Corps. He also worked as a financial professional for the past twenty years, retiring from Wells Fargo and Company. For the City of Alameda, he served as a Councilmember and Mayor. As Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Robert Lippert Foundation, he helped to provide college scholarships to students and charities in Alameda. Term began 11/02/2004. Current term ending 12/2028.

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito

Board Vice-President – Area 2

pgonzalez-brito@peralta.edu

Paulina Gonzalez-Brito (They/Them/Elle) is the Chief Executive Officer of Rise Economy. 

Trustee Gonzalez-Brito identifies as Xicane, Purepecha, Mestize. They received their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California Los Angeles, and were a student at both Rio Hondo Community College and East LA Community College.  Trustee Gonzalez-Brito has worked for over 10 years to protect and advance the rights of students with disabilities, and previously served as co-President of the Alliance for Parents and Teachers at Oakland School for the Arts, where they organized to include parents and students on the school's governing board, and to include student-centered diversity and equity goals in the school's charter. Term began 3/14/2023.  Current term ending 12/2028

Louis Quindlen

Board President – Area 3
lquindlen@peralta.edu

Louis Quindlen has devoted his professional life to education. He was the Department Chair of the Laney College Machine Technology Program from 2003 to 2020, where he worked to build the program to one of the best in the state of California. In 2015 the California Industrial and Technology Education Association named Professor Quindlen as Community College Instructor of the Year. In 2019 he was the winner of the We Rise Award as Laney Faculty of the Year. Louis has worked in career education at the college level, regional level, and statewide level. He has also worked with local employers like the San Francisco Public utilities Commission and EBMUD to build apprenticeship and bring women and people of color into these high paying skilled trades jobs. Term began 12/13/2022.  Current term ending 11/2026.

Nicky González Yuen

Trustee – Area 4
nyuen@peralta.edu

Nicky González Yuen has served on the Peralta Community College District’s Board of Trustees since November 2004 representing Berkeley, Oakland, and Albany.  He has been an instructor at De Anza Community College since 1989 where he teaches courses covering U.S. politics, grassroots political organizing, environmental politics, and race, class, and gender. Trustee Yuen serves on his faculty union’s Executive Council and co-directs the union’s student internship program.  He also co-directs the California Campus Camp, a statewide training program to empower community college students, faculty, and staff to build democracy and support their communities.  Trustee Yuen earned both his doctorate and J.D. degree from UC Berkeley. Term began 11/02/2004. Current term ending 12/2028.

Cindi Napoli-Abella Reiss

Trustee – Area 5
cinapoli@peralta.edu

Cindi Napoli-Abella Reiss has been an educator within the California Community College System for over twenty years. Napoli-Abella Reiss has been a vocal advocate for the arts, civic engagement, global education, and equity issues in higher education at the local and state level. She has spent much of her academic work researching African-American and Latino/a students’ success rates and has worked to increase success and persistence through pathway and learning communities at her own college through Global Education initiatives and Pipeline projects. Napoli-Abella Reiss has been very active in governance as vice-president of the West Valley Academic Senate and on many committees of the State Academic Senate (ASCCC)  in the areas of  Curriculum, Governance, Internal Policies, Legislation and Advocacy, and Education Policies. She is a Commissioner on the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)., and has been a board member of Oakland Leaf, an educational non-profit organization for Oakland youth, since 2012. Napoli-Abella Reiss holds two B.A. degrees in Comparative Literature and in Art History from the University of California; a Master’s in Art History from San Francisco State University; a Doctorate in Art History from the University of California, Irvine; and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from Harvard University. Term began 12/07/2018. Current term ending 12/2026. (Photo: Paul Kuroda)

Dyana Delfín Polk

Trustee – Area 6
ddelfinpolk@peralta.edu

Dyana Marie Delfín Polk is a third-generation Mexican-American community college graduate, public education advocate, and political organizer. She received her Associate’s degree from Merced College, her Bachelor’s Degree in American History and Chicano Studies from UC Berkeley, and her Master’s degree in Public Policy from Mills College. As a community college student, she advocated for transferable courses to the UC system when they were at risk of being cut at her campus, which began her work as an education advocate. Most recently, Dyana served as a legislative aide in the Berkeley Mayor's office  working on education and health policy. Currently, she is a consultant for various East Bay nonprofits, advising on nonprofit management and violence prevention strategies rooted in social and racial justice and as a policy advisor for Oakland Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors for the Multicultural Institute, a Berkeley-based nonprofit working with Latino immigrant families, day laborers and domestic workers increase access to opportunities through workforce development and education. Dyana represents the North Berkeley Hills, parts of Elmwood, Claremont, and parts of North Oakland and Montclair. She is a longtime resident of Berkeley’s Northside neighborhood and is active in local politics. Term began 12/08/2020. Current term ending 12/2028.

Sheweet Yohannes

Trustee – Area 7
sheweetyohannes@peralta.edu

Sheweet Yohannes is an Assistant Dean, Adjunct Professor, and US Army Veteran.  Born of immigrant parents starting a new life in the United States, Sheweet Yohannes wasn't afforded many opportunities to succeed in life.  Starting her higher education journey at community college, Sheweet understands its role in communities where access to higher education is limited.  Over the past 10 years, she has dedicated her life to education in the forms of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) abroad, mentoring students, offering college test prep courses, and, longest of all, working in higher education in multiple capacities.  Additionally, Sheweet’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for the non-profit, Building Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), which addresses the root causes of poverty and homelessness by providing offerings such as career training programs, supported independent living projects, and reentry case management services. Sheweet holds a BA in International Business, an MS in Business Analytics, and an MS in Human Resource Management. Term began 12/13/2022. Current term ending 11/2026. 

Sophia Parmigiani

Student Trustee

30047706@peralta.edu

Sophia Parmigiani is a full-time student majoring in biology at Berkeley City College. She plans to transfer to a UC and pursue medical school, fueled by her passion for health and human rights with an emphasis on helping underserved communities. She’s eager to support students demonstrated by her involvement in the local community, some of which include being an ASBCC Senator for a term, President of the Women’s Leadership Club, and volunteer at the Newman Church Student Center. Feel free to reach out to her at the BCC campus where she currently works as a Student Ambassador. Additionally, she would love to address your concerns at office hours, hosted at the beginning and end of each month throughout the Peralta campuses. Ultimately, she embraces her position as Student Trustee wholeheartedly, viewing it as an honor to have the opportunity to advocate for the student body! Fun fact: She dreams of traveling around the world.

Pierce Byrne

Student Trustee
30030839@peralta.edu
Pierce Byrne is a full-time student at Berkeley City College majoring in Business Administration. Having grown up in the Bay Area, he plans to transfer to HAAS School of Business to positively impact social issues within global communities and ethical practices. He has cultivated a dedication to the community through some of his school activities, including taking on the role of Vice President of Finance for International Students Connection and serving two terms as an ASBCC Senator and ASBCC Vice President of Administration. His focus is on helping students transition smoothly and find their voice in community college. This was developed through his previous experience as a Student Ambassador where he would provide an ear to the wants and needs of students. Feel free to reach out to him if you have any questions or concerns. He will also be conducting visits to each Peralta campus twice a month, committing to advocate for and promote transparency for all students across the Peralta district in his role as Student Trustee.