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Meet the Dream Makers

Happy African American Father and Mixed Race Son Having Fun Using Touch Pad Computer Tablet Outside.

Meet Our Board

Kristi Yamaguchi, Founder, Head Dream Maker

Kristi is a wife, mother, Olympic Gold Medalist, author and philanthropist. “All the athletic glory and honors are wonderful. But sometimes I come face-to-face with a disadvantaged child or with a struggling mother or father, and I am grateful for my gifts. And I rededicate myself to doing whatever I can to help someone in need. The good feeling I get rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand in Albertville.”

Favorite children’s book: E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web”

Mark D McCaffrey

President of the Board

Mark D McCaffrey

President of the Board

As GoDaddy’s Chief Financial Officer, Mark is responsible for the company’s accounting, finance, financial planning and analysis, tax, treasury, procurement, investor relations and global real estate departments.

Before joining GoDaddy, Mark spent over 20 years holding various roles at PwC in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector. Mark most recently was its US TMT Sector Leader, guiding an experienced team of consultants working across clients in the TMT industries.

He also served as the Global Software Industry Leader for the firm, including the global engagement partner on several of PwC’s largest multinational software and services clients. Mark has experience as a strategic business advisor, with frequent speaking engagements at industry conferences world-wide and annual workshops for financial executives, operational executives, and board members. He also lectures at colleges and universities on the subject of leadership and frequently blogs on industry and leadership topics.

Mark’s career has centered on serving clients in the technology and media industries, particularly on organizations building their digital capabilities. As industries converge, digital innovation has been a hallmark of his work and his clients’ success. A graduate of Pace University, Mark was a member of the Board at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose through 2017.

Casey Johnson

Executive Vice President

Casey Johnson

Executive Vice President

Casey is the National Portfolio Director at GreenLight Fund, a venture philanthropy firm, after serving as the founding Executive Director of GreenLight Bay Area for its first 5 years, where she imported their first four portfolio organizations. Prior to GreenLight, Casey completed a fellowship at Room to Read, an international NGO focused on literacy and girls education in developing countries. Casey’s background has been working with literacy and education-focused nonprofit organizations in California, Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Casey earned her master’s degrees in Education from the University of San Francisco and in English from Brooklyn College. She spends her free time keeping up with her sons, reading, running and volunteering in her local community.

John Ramsbacher

Secretary

John Ramsbacher

Board Member

John is a founding principal of Oryx Partners. He is a successful real-estate investor and developer in San Francisco and other areas. His experience includes sourcing, entitling, and investing in numerous development projects, including the acquisition of property for redevelopment.

John is a nationally recognized attorney who started his legal career in 1990. During his legal career, he has advised high net worth families in the areas of real estate, tax and estate matters. John is an ACTEC Fellow and is included in Best Lawyers of America, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. He was also a co-founder and director of Republic Bank, Inc.

John has lived in San Francisco since 1997. John is involved in philanthropy personally and on behalf of his clients, including causes that benefit the Tenderloin community and MMG Foundation, which has brought critical thinking programs to San Francisco public schools. He is a member of the Alumni Board and Capital Campaign Committee at the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana.

John’s favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web.

Michael Milton

Treasurer

Michael Milton

Treasurer

Michael is a native of Arizona having graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance before moving to the Bay Area in 2004. Michael is a finance professional who has been in banking since 1998. He currently works for Fremont Bank as the Vice President of Branch Banking. Outside of work, Michael enjoys gardening, taking his mountain bike to the hills in the East Bay, and spending time watching his son play volleyball.
Favorite Children’s Book: Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

Nicole Auyang

Board Member

Nicole
Auyang

Board Member

Nicole has 20+ years of banking experience with the majority of time spent in Business Banking in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently the head of SBA-sales and strategy and manages a business banking team for the Northern California region at City National Bank.
She is well versed in structuring complex commercial credits; an expert in conventional/SBA lending, knowledgeable in treasury management; and she is effective and successful in business development and relationship management overall.
Nicole has also become a thoughtful leader, a credible project manager and is skilled in developing executional strategy plans. She graduates in September 2022 with an executive certification in banking at Pacific Coast Banking School.
She remains active in the community. She is a passionate supporter of equality and in helping local small businesses grow here in the Bay Area. She is also an advocate for the underserved, from children, youth to seniors. ”

Hutch Hsieh

Board Member

Hutch Hsieh

Board Member

Hutch Hsieh is the Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Corporate and Business Operations for Thomas James Homes. Previously, he held different leadership roles at AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah, including Vice President, Legal and Vice President, Real Estate. Hutch sat on AAA's Diversity Council as an inaugural member, and was the executive sponsor of its AAPI employee resource group.
Hutch began his legal career working as an emerging companies and venture capital attorney with global law firms. He then co-founded a startup consulting practice, where he provided strategic and legal advice to early-stage tech companies.
Hutch received a J.D. from Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin
Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Aimee Sueko Eng

Board Memeber

Aimee Sueko Eng

Board Member

Aimee Sueko Eng is a non-profit and philanthropic professional with over 15 years of experience in the field. She most recently served as Vice President of Programs at the Thomas J. Long Foundation, a private foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area where she oversaw a $90 million grantmaking program. Aimee is in her second term as an elected School Board Director for the Oakland Unified School District, representing District 2 and has served as Board President since January 2018. Aimee holds a B.A. in American Studies from Wesleyan University and a M.A. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University.

Aimee’s favorite children’s book is: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

Kara T. Okamoto

Board Member

Kara T. Okamoto

Board Member

Kara T. Okamoto is a third-generation real estate agent who grew up with real estate in her blood. Alongside her father, Allen M. Okamoto, Kara works diligently to carry on the family legacy started by her late grandfather, Takeo Okamoto. This family business has served the San Francisco area for over 70 years. Kara brings to this team her reputation for integrity, honesty and client-focused ethics. Kara is an active and connected member of this community. She is the founder of the AREAA’s (Asian Real Estate Association of America) YPN (Young Professionals Network) called theEDGE.

Kara’s favorite book: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

Bret Hedican

Board Member

Bret Hedican

Board Member

Bret is a two-time Olympian and played 17 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), winning the Stanley Cup in 2006. Currently, Bret is the radio color analyst for the San Jose Sharks. He also helps with the USA Women’s Olympic Team as an assistant coach. In 2011 he started his own licensing company, E360 Global, and is the co-founder of Rosterbot.com and Tsu.ya by Kristi Yamaguchi. Bret’s wife, Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, and their two daughters, Keara and Emma, are his highest priority.

Favorite children’s book: J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series

Louise Ing

Board Member

Louise Ing

Board Member

Louise K. Y. Ing, a founding shareholder and director of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, believes the better you know the community, the more you can help your client. Her deep connections to the local for-profit and nonprofit sectors allow her to help the community prosper and make the most of relationships that are relevant to her clients’ business.

Favorite Children’s Book: Anything by Richard Scarry, like Busy Busy Town.

Nadyne Orona

Board Member

Nadyne Orona

Board Member

Nadyne is a San Francisco native, and spent more than 20 years in sales & marketing working in Silicon Valley’s technology industry, when she decided to branch out on her own and founded her skincare company called Pure Hapa. She decided her new calling in life, besides being a Wife, Mother and Grandmother, is to commit her time & support to non-profit organizations in the Bay Area with great purpose and focus. One of her top priorities is to continue to teach her grandchildren the important value of giving back to the community.

Favorite Children’s Book: Watty Piper’s “The Little Engine That Could”

Sara Jo Buehler

Board Member

Sara Jo Buehler

Board Member

Sara Jo founded her own law firm in Honolulu, Hawai’i focused on family law after working in several small firms in Honolulu and San Francisco. She prides herself on being client-focused and empathetic, applying her client’s needs to current law. She also has an extensive background in non-profits, including as an Executive Director, other staff positions and as a board member. She spends her free time traveling, enjoying the ocean, or hiking. She has two adult children who are pursuing their higher education on the mainland.

Sara Jo received a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College.

Jeffrey Ting

Board Member

Jeffrey Ting

Board Member

Jeffrey is Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor with Ting & Associates at Merrill Lynch, where he and his brother & business partner, Jason Ting, lead a 15 person Wealth Management Team in San Mateo, CA. He enjoys tennis, skiing, traveling and attending Cal Football games in his free time. He lives in Hillsborough, CA, with his wife Winnie and two sons, Ian and Nolan.

Favorite Children's Book: Going to the Zoo in Hawaii by Mora Eibe and Jon J. Murakami

Kristen Correll

Board Member

Kristen Correll

Board Member

Kristen is a wife and a mother of 4 children with 30+ years of leadership in education. She began as a classroom teacher and reading specialist in DOD and Title 1 schools, served as Head of School for an early childhood and elementary program, and provided assistance to at-risk and special needs students as an educational advocate. She has spoken at national and international conferences to parents and teachers on reading readiness, literacy development, and classroom management, among other topics. Kristen believes strongly that introducing children to literacy early should be about igniting interest, expanding knowledge, building imagination, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning and a connection to books. Kristen has a Bachelors in Education and Business Administration, a Masters as a Reading Specialist and a Doctorate in Education/Curriculum and Instruction. .

Favorite Children’s Book: Miss Rumphius

The Always Dream Team

Lori Yamaguchi

Director of Programs lori@alwaysdream.org

Lori Yamaguchi

Director of Programs

Lori is the Programs Director of the Always Dream Foundation. She spent several years on the Board of Directors before taking on the Executive Director role in July 2011. Prior to her directorship at the Always Dream Foundation, Lori spent 16 years at Franklin Templeton Investments, most recently as the Director of Global Financial Operations. Lori’s two young daughters serve as her inspiration for ensuring other children are provided with opportunities to succeed in life.

Favorite children’s book: Roald Dahl’s “James and The Giant Peach”

Aarika Riddle

Executive Director aarika@alwaysdream.org

Aarika Riddle

Executive Director

Aarika has spent her career in service to youth focused non-profit organizations. She is passionate about early literacy and closing the opportunity gap for students. Prior to joining Always Dream, she served as a Senior Executive Director at Reading Partners in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in Hawaii, Aarika lives in Oakland with her husband and two young sons.

Favorite children’s book: My favorite book as a child was “Haircuts for the Woolseys” but I love reading “Edward the Emu” with my kids.

Michelle Collier

Development & Marketing Director michelle@alwaysdream.org

Michelle Collier

Development & Marketing Director

An avid reader and nonprofit fundraising professional, Michelle has focused her career on advancing educational equity and social justice. With more than a decade of nonprofit management experience and a masters degree in nonprofit administration, she hopes to connect people with the mission of Always Dream and to promote early literacy skills for all.
Favorite Children's Book: The Winnie the Pooh series

Dean Osaki

Co-Founder dean@alwaysdream.org

Dean Osaki

Co-Founder

Dean Osaki’s professional insights and perspective comes from a diverse background in community relations, sports and corporate philanthropy, cause-related marketing, branding, fundraising and management of non-profits.

Currently serving as a consultant, his past experiences include, Campaign Director of United Way in Silicon Valley, Co-Founder and Executive Director for Kristi’s Always Dream Foundation, Director of Marketing for the Examiner and Target, Manager Community Relations, Western & Southwest Regions.

Favorite Children’s Book: Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham”

Josie Loaiza

Program Operations & Data Manager

Josie Loaiza

Program Operations & Data Manager

Josie grew up in South LA, California and graduated from Humboldt State University in 2018. Since discovering her passion for educational equity, Josie has supported students from kindergarten to university level in various parts of California and Nevada. Josie is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Education, Equity, and Social Justice at San Francisco State University.

Favorite children’s book: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by: Laura Joffe Numeroff

Chelsea Brinegar

Marketing & Communications Manager

Chelsea Brinegar

Marketing & Communications Manager

With a bachelor's degree in communications, a master’s degree in nutrition, and nearly a decade of experience, Chelsea's career path has spanned across industries. As a digital communications professional, she has worked for hospitality, nutrition and fitness, and ag-tech companies. Most recently, she served as the senior communications specialist for the Hawaiʻi State Senate. As a girl growing up in a rural midwestern town, reading opened up her eyes to a bigger, more diverse world. She deeply believes that every child deserves the resources and support to experience the same.

Favorite children’s book: The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

Annika Malik

Program Manager

Annika brings extensive experience in program management and collaborative partnerships from her tenure at Niroga Institute. Her strong background in working with underserved families and Title I schools highlights her dedication to educational equity and closing the opportunity gap through accessibility. This commitment makes Annika a seamless fit with Always Dream's mission. In her role as Program Manager, she will be supporting our team to reach more families.

Favorite Children’s Book: Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

Troy Clark

Administration
Assistant

Troy Clark

Administration Assistant

Troy was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor's degree in 2019. From an early age, Troy’s family pushed him to read and be proactive about his education. However, growing up in such a small, limited town, it took stepping out of that comfort zone to find his passion for educational equity. Troy’s philosophy comes from a quote by Maya Angelou "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

After graduating, Troy also found his passion for coaching basketball and has volunteered to coach for a few different schools around the East Bay. Troy wants to use his experience and life story to help bridge the opportunity gap for students with similar backgrounds.

Favorite childhood book: There was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly - Lucille Colandro

Terrie Togafau-Tarpley

Family Literacy Book Coach (Hawaii)

Terrie Togafau

Family Literacy Book Coach (Hawaii)

Terrie Togafau has spent many years working and tutoring students from the elementary to high schools. She has worked as a part time teacher with Hawaii Department of Education and, in addition to her responsibilities at Always Dream, is currently a Tutoring and Activities Coordinator with Hawaii Literacy Family Libraries. She enjoys working with students of all ages and their families in pursuing a love of reading. Terrie loves to read all kinds of books including poetry, fiction, science/climate fiction, biographies, young adult literature, and children's literature.

Favorite children's book: The Taste of Blackberries by Doris Buchanan

Jennifer Spencer

Family Literacy Book Coach (Hawaii)

Jennifer Spencer

Family Literacy Book Coach (Hawaii)

Jennifer Spencer has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed. in Child Development from Chaminade University Honolulu. She spent several years as a teacher in a Transitional Kindergarten class at a private preschool and is currently a substitute teacher for elementary grades K through 5 th grade. She also worked for various family advocacy social services agencies such as the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency Head Start and Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois. Jennifer believes that early reading skills and providing positive learning experiences during early childhood are critical in fostering academic, social, and emotional development.

Favorite children’s book: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Karen Hernandez

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Karen Hernandez

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Karen firmly believes in advocating for the value of early literacy. She considers herself a facilitator of learning who enjoys being a support for children and their families. She holds a bachelor degree in Marketing and Business Administration from UCA. She's currently pursuing an Early Childhood Education degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in Science and Arts as her second career. She holds a teacher and family worker credential that has supported her to work effectively with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners for many years helping children to learn skills that guided them succeed. Karen loves to being outdoors, running, writing articles and reading to relax and unwind.
Favorite children's book: Corduroy by Don Freeman

Sara Carrillo

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Sara Carrillo

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Sara has lived in Watsonville, CA, for more than 30 years, graduated from Brandman University in 2015 and obtained a BA in Early Childhood Education. With more than 20 years of experience in the Child Development field, she has served the community and families in many different roles such as Home Visitor, Early Head Start Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Parent Educator, Child Development Screener and Early Interventionist. The targeted population that has assisted has been low-income families, high risk, and children with disabilities. She enjoys walking in nature, listening to instrumental music and eating Mediterranean and Mexican food. She is native Spanish Speaker, and her passion is supporting families and children to overcome obstacles, and to help them develop to their maximum potential.

Favorite Book: The Napping House by Audry Wood

Ariel Zander

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Ariel Zander

Family Literacy Book Coach (California)

Ariel started her career in education in 2008 as a third grade teacher in New Mexico. Since then she has served as an Early Literacy Specialist, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal and Curriculum trainer in Philadelphia, Denver and Albuquerque public schools. She holds a Master level teaching certificate as well as an M.S.Ed in Learning Sciences and Technologies from the University of Pennsylvania. She believes that all children should have access to quality literature so they can develop an authentic love of reading.
Favorite Children's Book: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

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Always Dream is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit Organization. Our Federal ID No. is 94-3255817