I began my 40 years of service in Parks and Recreation in Redlands, California with stops along the way in San Bernardino, Long Beach, City and County of San Francisco, and East Palo Alto before joining the City of Oakland as the Director of Parks and Recreation in 2004.
I began my position as the Director of Oakland Parks & Recreation eleven years ago. As the first female Director in the more than 100-year history, I believed my purpose was to expose, empower, engage and excite others about our natural spaces. During my tenure, I managed:
- Staff of nearly 1400 full and part-time employees
- Park assets including 2,500 acres of open space (140 parks)
- 28 recreation, community and interpretive centers
- 14 community gardens
- 44 outdoor tennis courts
- Three golf courses
- 53 athletic fields
- Five swimming pools.
I also oversaw the development of the East Oakland Sports Complex, the management of the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, Joaquin Miller Park and Lake Merritt, and supported several conservation efforts on park land managed by Oakland Parks and Recreation.
As Superintendent of the Southern Division of the City and County of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, I managed Golden Gate Park, McLaren Park and the Conservatory of Flowers where I was instrumental in the Save the America’s Treasures Initiative. My forty years of experience in parks and recreations have given me a strong background in recreation/park development with particular emphasis on connecting with diverse and underserved communities. Although retired, I remain a strong voice of commitment and dedication to work, constantly advocating and conveying the message of the value of parks, recreation, conservation, preservation, open space and play.
I hold a Master’s degree in Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Redlands, Redlands, California.
I serve on the Alameda County Parks, Recreation and Historical Commission, Board member of the Regional Parks Foundation, the Martin Luther King Freedom Center Board of Directors, past President of the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, past Chair of the California Minority Association, member of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). I also appeared on the cover of NRPA Magazine and have been featured in the magazine for changing demographics.
I am married with two adult children.
