"Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody."
-Fmr. President Barack Obama
Education Assistant/Art & Teens
Martha Mendoza
"We are all meant for greatness!"
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Paty Avila
Karely Ordaz is an Oakland native who has lived in East Oakland for over 20 years. She is currently the Chief of Staff at Hamilton Families, a nonprofit that for 30+ years has stabilized and housed homeless families in the Bay Area. Previously she served as Special Assistant to Mayor Libby Schaaf where she focused on issues impacting East Oakland residents. Prior to the Mayor's Office, Karely worked as a legislative aide to Councilmember Noel Gallo where she specialized in community engagement and development. She is committed to serving her community and excited to be the Chair of EOBA. She previously served as Board Chair of Amethod Public Schools, a $23M charter school management organization providing quality education to under-served youth in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Karely attended Oakland Unified School District public schools and received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley in Environment, Policy, and Public Health.
Board President
Karely Ordaz
Fredrick Anyanwu (he/him) is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Elton John AIDS Foundation, based in New York/London where he leads the organization’s global fundraising effort to support EJAF’s pursuit of an AIDS-free world, in accordance with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Fredrick formerly served as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Resource Development for CARE, where he led growth & expansion of CARE’s Resource Development efforts across the United States. Prior to serving as AVP at CARE, he was Executive Director for Major Gifts Fundraising, CARE - Western Region. CARE is the premiere international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and long-term international development programs in the most vulnerable communities across the globe.
He graduated from Pepperdine University with a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on international relations and economics. Fredrick also holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Azusa Pacific University. He serves on the board of Center for Diverse Leadership in Sciences at UCLA’s Institute of Environment and Sustainability. He is also a member of The Pacific Council on International Policy.
Board Member
Fredrick Anyanwu
Situ Wunnava is the district manager for a major bank in the East Bay Hills district where she is responsible for managing approximately 115 team members in eight stores located throughout the Piedmont, Emeryville and Oakland area. Since 2005, she successfully held store manager positions in South Shore Alameda, Alameda Marina and Paseo Padre. She transitioned into the regional customer experience manager in 2008 and in 2013, Situ took on the regional banking sales coach consultant position for the East Bay region. She graduated from Osmania University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Finance. Outside of work, Situ volunteers at various nonprofit organizations including FIA and Boys and Girls Club in Alameda. She has been married for fourteen years and has a son, Ishan, who is 4 and a half years old.
Board Member
Situ Wunnava
Bruce Stewart was born and raised in Berkeley, CA, where he attended St. Mary's College Preparatory High School and the University of California majoring in Communications and Public Policy. He has worked in the Banking industry as an Operations Supervisor at Security Pacific Bank and Hibernia Bank. From there his career moved to the Auto Finance industry where he held the position of Western Regional Training Supervisor for WFS Financial and The Money Store (Auto Finance Division). He is a licensed Life/Health Insurance Agent specializing in Medicare health plans and long-term care coverage with Bankers Life & Casualty. He entered the Insurance industry with the Managing General Agency (MGA), Black/White & Associates as a Corporate Trainer and Human Resources Coordinator. He currently works for the City of Oakland Planning and Building department. Along with his membership on the Board of Directors of the East Oakland Boxing Association, he also supports the Alzheimer's Foundation and the American Red Cross as a rare blood donor.
Board Vice President
Bruce Stewart
Dawna Williams is the Director of Administration for Hamilton Families, a San Francisco nonprofit that works to house many of San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents. Dawna considers herself a political junkie and holds a hybrid B.A. Political, Legal, Economic Analysis Degree from Mills College. For more than a decade, Dawna has worked as an activist promoting voting rights and housing access for marginalized members of the Oakland and San Francisco communities.
Her record of public service began in early 2000 when she joined the League of Women Voters and a women’s group called POWER (Progressive Oakland Women Empowering Reform. Other highlights include her service as a Board member of the Mills Board of Governors, Co-Founder of Squeak & Sweets, and Co-organizer of the 2011 Oakland.
Board Member
Dawna Williams
Lance Lennier is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. He grew up in the North Bay and currently resides in the East Bay. Lance was a multi-sport athlete that competed collegiately and brings nearly 10 years of competitive boxing experience to EOBA. He is a former Northern California and Nevada Golden Gloves champion that remains a strong advocate for the sport. Lance attended Sonoma State University and John F. Kennedy University. He received his degree in Business Administration and certification in project management. Lance has spent over 25 years working in high tech professional services having led national and international operations. He has held various senior leadership positions and now manages a business unit for a multinational firm that provides support to various Fortune 1000 companies. Lance also coached youth sports for several years, been an advisor to a diversity organization, and chaired a parent committee for a Charter School.
Board Member
Lance Lennier
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Education Assistant/Garden
Martha Mendoza
STAFF
"Never give up because great things take time."
Administrative Manager
Lucy Villarreal
“Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.”
-Bruce Lee
Gym & Facilities Manager
Raemann Reyes
"I believe that life presents us with unique opportunities where we conquer the unimaginable."
Executive Director
Solomon Howard
"When you get, give. When you learn, teach."
- Dr. Maya Angelou
Operations Director
Cerise Palmanteer
Our
Team
