Meet Our Board

Jayne Williams

Founder | Executive Director

A mentor to young and old, Jayne has spent the last twenty years serving underprivileged and at-risk children through community and school activism, as a Sacramento Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Sacramento County Sheriff’s Chaplain for Grant High School, a coordinator, lay counselor and “recovery coach,” and a consultant to Northern California teachers for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). She is driven to serve others less fortunate.

Christy Barton

Board Secretary

Christy earned her Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She retired from her position as the Assistant General Manager of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District after serving over 40 years. She has served on several local boards, including the Friends the Library and Woodland Youth Services, which managed area group homes for boys and girls..

Anisa Vallejo

Board Member

Anisa is a Housing Program Manager with Yolo County Housing with over a decade of experience in affordable housing, homelessness programs, and public administration. Prior to finding her passion in housing, she had a career in aviation and holds a BS in Aeronautical Science and an MBA in Aviation Business Management. She is passionate about empowering young adults to build confidence and achieve self-sufficiency through workforce development. She also enjoys outdoor adventures and Bay FC games with her family.

Matthew Borrelli

Board Member

Matthew was born and raised in Woodland, and is a junior at Chico State, where he is currently pursuing a degree in studio art and has aspirations of becoming a teacher and animator.

Matthew worked as an ALMS intern for almost two years while attending WCC, where he studied to finish his general education. Matthew travels and speaks on behalf of Chico State on the Neurodivergent Student. He is passionate about educating and encouraging youthstruggling in today’s world.

Barbara Sonin, Esq.

Attorney at Law, ALMS Advisor

Barbara began her college education at Stanford University, majoring in sociology. She moved to New York, where she completed a B.S. in Business Administration from Excelsior College while working full-time. After decades working in financial positions in both large corporations and small start-ups, Barbara decided to pursue a second career as an attorney. Barbara's goal is to provide a listening ear to help people express their real fears, desires, and goals, so she can address those fears, desires and goals in the plans she crafts. She is an Attorney and Counselor at Law with Sonin Law.

Juan Carlos Nolasco

Board President

As a life-long Woodland resident, Juan Carlos Nolasco is a Creative Developer with Yolo Federal Credit Union, where he combines his passion for storytelling and design to engage and educate the community. With a background in marketing at the Heidrick Ag Museum and a long career in banking, he brings both creativity and financial expertise to his work. His journey also includes time at Woodland Community College—both as a student and an employee—further deepening his ties to local education and growth.

Betsy Taloff

Board Member

With more than 35 years of administrative experience in a variety of industries, Betsy’s primary experience is legal services and nonprofit organizations. She has expertise in office management, finance, bookkeeping, payroll and benefits, and human resources. Betsy and her husband raised their children in Woodland, and she has been a resident for more than 30 years.

Jessica Pemberton, MSN RN CEN TCRN CAISS CSTR

Board Member

Jessica is the Performance Improvement Coordinator for Kaiser Vacaville’s Level II Trauma Center, with more than 35 years of experience as a registered nurse and board certification in multiple subspecialties. She brings extensive expertise in clinical quality, performance improvement, and patient centered care. Jessica is the proud mother of four sons, shares her home with two cats and two dogs, and credits her great husband as her strongest support. She has been a proud resident of Yolo County since 2002 and is honored to serve her community through board involvement.

Hon. Steven M. Basha, Ret.

Ex Officio Board Member

Steve Basha served on the Yolo Superior Court from April 2006 to January 2018. His primary assignment for many years was juvenile court. After his retirement, he has served as a visiting juvenile court judge in Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, and Solano Superior Courts. Prior to becoming a judge, he worked in county counsel offices for 22 years including 5 ½ years as Yolo County Counsel. He was a high school teacher and athletic coach at three Michigan High Schools for eight years prior to attending law school. He and his wife have five children and five grandchildren.

Ron Davis

Immediate Past President, ALMS Advisor

Ron is the Senior Solutions Engineer for thriving software startup, Dozuki. Prior to that, he worked with students and industry professionals to train them in software and technical writing. Ron acts as a technical advisor for ALMS and its digital literacy program.

Angela Lynn

Board Treasurer

Christina Puente

Board Member

Cristina is an equity-driven leader dedicated to advancing education and workforce systems that expand opportunity for marginalized youth and students. As a Program Manager at Capitol Impact, she leads cross-sector initiatives across California that strengthen regional workforce development through career pathways, dual enrollment, and designing and leading meaningful events and convenings that bring employers, students, families, educators, and community leaders together.

Cristina brings a collaborative, community-centered approach shaped by her background in bilingual education, program design, and partnership building. She is passionate about creating inclusive, culturally responsive strategies that support underserved communities.

She holds a Master of Arts in Education and Bilingual Teaching Credential from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from UCLA.

Rob Beggs, Ph.D., P.E.

Board Member

Rob has lived in Woodland for 40 years, retired from Brown and Caldwell as an engineer in water related systems, and lives with his wife, Terry, of 47 years. His background includes working with many civic institutions and industries such as cities, water districts, regulatory agencies, farmers, and food processors.  As a former scoutmaster for 4 years, he enjoys working with youth on goals, projects, and learning.  With a strong background in nature and environment, he also enjoys time outdoors camping, hiking, and tracking.

Kelley Jacobsen, CFMP

ALMS Advisor

Kelley is the Chief Operating Officer at Yolo Federal Credit Union. She was raised, married, and resides in Woodland. She believes in the credit union motto of “people helping people” and has a passion for the industry. As a graduate of William Jessup University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, she is also a Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP) through the American Bankers Association. Kelley is a lifelong Yolo County resident and is involved in many volunteer activities throughout the community. She is currently also a board member for the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.