Martha Cardenas-Singh Supervisor, County of Imperial
Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh made history in 2024 as the first Latina elected to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. Raised in El Centro by a Vietnam War veteran and hardworking parents, she developed a strong commitment to public service, workers’ rights, and community well-being. Before joining the Board, she served on the El Centro City Council from 2020–2024, including as Mayor, where she championed economic development, park improvements, and major capital projects such as construction of a new city-owned library and securing funding for a new police station. On the Board of Supervisors, she continues to focus on infrastructure, sustainable growth, affordable housing, and transportation through her service on the Imperial County Transportation Commission, while advocating for environmentally responsible policies that protect vulnerable communities.
Beyond her local leadership, Cardenas-Singh serves on the National Executive Board of Directors for MANA, supports women’s empowerment as 2nd Vice President of Soroptimist of El Centro, and advances opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities as a board member of ARC Imperial Valley. A graduate of Central Union High School, she holds an A.A. and B.A. in Social Science and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She and her husband of 36 years, Edward, are proud parents and grandparents. Her committee appointments include ICTC, SAFE, IVRMA, LTA, Salton Sea Authority, Countywide Oversight Board, IV Regional Chamber of Commerce, and several alternate roles. Throughout her career, Cardenas-Singh has remained dedicated to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and ensuring all Imperial Valley residents can thrive.
Dr. Ayanna Davis
Boardmember, Compton Unified School District
Dr. Ayanna Davis, a Compton native, has dedicated her career to expanding educational opportunities for California’s students. Beginning as a teacher, she became a strong advocate for early education equity and helped establish a high-quality preschool in the Watts community, as well as a workforce development center supporting adults in gaining new skills and trades. She continued this work as Principal of the Maxine Waters and Ethel Bradley Early Education Centers, advancing access, quality, and advocacy for families and educators.
Elected to the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2022, Dr. Davis draws on her diverse classroom and administrative experience to elevate the voices of teachers and school leaders. As the Board’s Legislative Representative, Compton Unified now ranks #1 in Los Angeles County and #2 in the state among districts of similar size and socioeconomic status—reflecting her commitment to excellence, equity, and student success.
Luana España Director, East Bay Regional Park District
New Board Director Luana España (Ward 4) serves as a Community Affairs Representative at the Port of Oakland, where she leads strategic partnerships and impact-driven community investments. She previously managed teams of more than 20 employees in AT&T’s Leadership Development Program, overseeing field operations, bilingual call centers, and special projects.
For more than a decade, España has advised public leaders and provided policy guidance through service on the EBRPD Park Advisory Committee Executive Committee, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council Board of Directors, and the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Citizen Advisory Committee. Her work centers on shaping policies that make public spaces more sustainable, accessible, and welcoming for all.
Jaime López Trustee, Whittier Union High School District
Trustee Jaime López is a dedicated union member, volunteer, and community leader, elected to the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. He is committed to ensuring every student receives a high-quality education, believing that strong academic foundations begin in the classroom. López supports providing teachers with the training, resources, and collaboration needed to advance student achievement, equity, college and career readiness, vocational pathways, mental health supports, and strong graduation and A–G completion rates.
He also champions sustainability, including student access to safe drinking water and responsibly managed water systems. López played a key role in securing a Community Workforce Agreement with local trade unions, ensuring Whittier residents are prioritized for district construction employment. He serves as Whittier Union’s delegate to the California School Boards Association and has previously served on the Río Hondo College Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee and the California High School Site Council. A first-generation college graduate, he holds a Master’s in Public Administration from CSU Long Beach and a Bachelor’s in Government and Spanish from CSU Sacramento.
Vanessa Marrero Boardmember, Berkeley Rent Control Board
Vanessa Danielle Marrero is a seasoned education and public service leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing equitable, supportive learning environments for K–14 students. As President of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco, she is recognized for expanding equitable access to educational resources and improving outcomes for tens of thousands of families. With expertise in strategic planning, equity and inclusion, social-emotional learning, and program development, she has led major initiatives that secured multi-million-dollar federal funding, revitalized statewide programs, informed national policy, and produced significant gains in graduation and college-readiness rates.
Her commitment to public service spans multiple leadership roles. She serves as an Associate Member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, Commissioner for Disability in Berkeley, and parent representative on the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Advisory Committees. As an elected Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner, she helps lead inter-agency efforts on housing, climate resilience, and community engagement. She has also served on the Justice and Equity for Transformation Council under the San Francisco Office of Racial Equity, working to address systemic disparities affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Dr. Marrero earned her Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC, along with an M.S.W. and dual B.S./B.A. from Stony Brook University. Honored as an “AWE Advocates Worthy of Excellence” recipient and a statewide “Latina of Influence,” she continues to champion policies and partnerships that foster just, inclusive, and resilient communities.
Dolores Melendez Councilmember, City of Sanger
Councilmember Dolores Melendez represents Sanger’s District 2 and is committed to ensuring that the voices of her community are heard and reflected in local decision-making. A lifelong Sanger resident, she was raised in the city, attended Sanger schools, and graduated from Sanger High School. Her deep connection to the community, along with her bilingual fluency, allows her to effectively engage with residents and understand the needs and priorities of the district she serves.
Larry Spicer Councilmember, City of Monrovia
Larry J. Spicer is a lifelong Monrovian and dedicated public servant. A graduate of Monrovia High School, he served 21 years in the U.S. Army as a Logistics, Operations, and Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Specialist, completing leadership, logistics, accounting, and procurement coursework while stationed at posts across the U.S., Korea, and Germany. He later earned an associate’s degree in Applied Business Management from Excelsior College. Guided by his parents’ example of service, he has held numerous community roles, including Monrovia Planning Commissioner, Trustee at Second Baptist Church, Peace on Patrol volunteer, Red Cross volunteer, and participant in local youth and neighborhood safety programs. Regionally, he has served on the Metro Gold Line Joint Powers Authority, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Transportation Committee, and the League of California Cities Policy Board.
A decorated veteran, Spicer has received multiple military commendations and community recognitions, including Neighborhoods USA’s “Who’s Who” Award, City of Monrovia’s Volunteer of the Year, and California Assembly District 41 Veteran of the Year. After serving as an Interim City Councilmember in 2011, he was elected to the Monrovia City Council in 2012, where he continues to serve his hometown. Spicer has been married to his wife, Delphine, for 33 years and is the proud parent of three adult children.
Florence Wedington Boardmember, Central Contra Consta Sanitary District
Florence Wedington serves as an elected Board Member for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) in Martinez, CA, where she has served since April 2023 and will be the incoming Board President in 2026. Central San is governed by a five-member board and provides wastewater services to nearly 500,000 residents and more than 3,000 businesses in central Contra Costa County.
In addition to her role at Central San, Wedington is a Senior Civil Engineer in the Office of Water Recycling at the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). With more than 20 years at EBMUD and prior experience as a consultant, she has deep expertise in water, wastewater, and recycled water systems. She currently oversees the development and implementation of EBMUD’s water recycling program and is committed to advancing the sustainable and equitable use of recycled water across the region. Wedington holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.