Nicole Washington

Nicole, owner of Micro Biz Coach®, works with micro and small business owners to identify strategies that ensure a successful business start-up or boost a veteran business owner’s bottom line. Micro Biz Coach focuses on educating the micro and small business owner to leverage internet technology in order to compete with larger businesses.

Nicole brings to the table a wealth of experience from her previous career with Ernst & Young, Whittman Hart, and MarchFirst consulting firms. As a management consultant, she worked with several fortune 500 clients including Sprint and Nationwide Insurance. Micro Biz Coach’s clients have been featured on CNBC, Fox Business News, TheStreet.com and a host of Clear Channel radio stations.

Nicole is a member of the Ohio TechAngel Fund, the 2nd largest Angel Investor Network in the United States. Nicole was also a member of the Ohio Women’s Business Advisory Roundtable and currently serves as Chair of the Business Advisory Council for Samueli Academy. In addition to her highly sought after ebook, Best Kept Secrets of Internet Business, Nicole teaches businesses how to use internet tools including social media technology and speaks to organizations about Increasing Women in STEM disciplines. She will release her second book, Best Kept Secrets of Internet Businesses 2.0 in 2013.

Sandi Jackson

Sandi attended Colorado State University and Stanford University. After obtaining her degree in Occupational Therapy and Psychology, Sandi received her MBA from California State University, Long Beach. Sandi then worked at the University of Southern California (USC) in pediatric neurology specializing in learning disabilities in children and conducted research and treatment with Dr. Jean Ayres at the Ayres Clinic at USC.

Sandi has been a leader in the philanthropic community for the last 35 years. In 2003, she co-founded with Susan Samueli the Coalition Advocating for Human Security (CAHS) Program at the University of California, Irvine CUSA Center. She is past board chair of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation/Memorial Health Services and the Orange County Baron’s League of the American Cancer Society. In addition, Sandi served on the Board of Directors of the Opera Pacific. Sandi has chaired/co-chaired or sponsored numerous events for the American Cancer Society, Opera Pacific, Chapman University, Orange County Performing Arts Center, University of California, Irvine and Angels of the Arts.

Sandi has been on the Orangewood Foundation Board of Directors since 2004. She has served on the Executive, Development and Investment Committees. Sandi has chaired the Major Gift/Planned Giving Committee and Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign and co-chaired the Steering Committee to develop Samueli Academy.

In addition, Sandi presently serves on the Leadership Council of the Department of Education of the University of California, Irvine; the Board of the 44 Women for Children; and on the Athletic Campaign Committee for Chapman University.

Richard Arum

Professor Richard Arum joined UC Irvine as Dean of the School of Education effective June 30, 2016.

Previously, Dr. Arum – a professor of sociology and education at New York University (2000-2016) – chaired the Department of Sociology and Department of Humanities & Social Sciences in the Professions. He served as director of education research at the Social Science Research Council (2005-2013) and as interim director of NYU’s Institute of Human Development & Social Change.

From 2013-2015, Dr. Arum was senior fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He is currently president-elect of the American Sociological Association’s sociology of education section.

Professor Arum is an expert on the legal and institutional environments of schools, social stratification, and digital education. He has done influential research on the effectiveness of college education at preparing students for transitions to adulthood. His work focuses on student work habits, teaching and curriculum, and the development of critical thinking skills. His educational research is informed by sociological scholarship on socialization, social stratification, and organizations.

Professor Arum began his career as a high school teacher and technology consultant in the Oakland public school system. He earned a doctorate in sociology at UC Berkeley, a M.Ed. in teaching and curriculum at Harvard University, and a B.A. in political science at Tufts University.

Chris Scheithauer Chair

Chris is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Chris handles many types of general civil litigations matters, although he currently focuses his practice on class action employment benefits litigation and counseling under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). He also has extensive experience in the area of labor and employment litigation and advice.

Chris has been repeatedly honored as a “Southern California Rising Star” in Los Angeles Magazine and the Southern California Super Lawyers-Rising Stars edition with regard to his ERISA and federal practices. He is also ranked in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA and the 2011 edition of The Legal 500 United States for being a leading lawyer in this field.

Chris is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Federal Bar Association. Chris is also a member of the California and American Bar Associations and is admitted to practice in California. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern districts of California. Chris has appeared Pro Hac Vice for clients in various states..

Elizabeth Dorn Parker

Elizabeth “Liz” Dorn Parker has dedicated much of her career to working for non-profit organizations focusing on the areas of marketing and development. Currently, Liz works at Orange Coast College Foundation as a foundation and outreach specialist. In this position, she is responsible for developing and coordinating the activities for the Foundation, including outreach for athletic teams, departmental events, alumni activities and the Emeritus Institute.

Until 2014, Liz served on the Orange County Board of Education. During her 32 years on the Orange County Board of Education, she was elected to serve as President of O.C. School Boards Association and President of the California County Boards of Education. Additionally, Liz was responsible for outreach and collaboration with business leaders, educational organizations and institutions on the local, state and federal levels.

Liz has an extensive history of being active in the community. She has volunteered her time as a board member and vice president of the Newport Harbor High School Foundation and board member and president of Newport Harbor Baseball Association and AYSO Soccer Region 97.

Liz received her bachelor’s degree in Art History from University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Elizabeth Dorn Parker Chair

Elizabeth “Liz” Dorn Parker has dedicated much of her career to working for non-profit organizations focusing on the areas of marketing and development. Currently, Liz works at Orange Coast College Foundation as a foundation and outreach specialist. In this position, she is responsible for developing and coordinating the activities for the Foundation, including outreach for athletic teams, departmental events, alumni activities and the Emeritus Institute.

Until 2014, Liz served on the Orange County Board of Education. During her 32 years on the Orange County Board of Education, she was elected to serve as President of O.C. School Boards Association and President of the California County Boards of Education. Additionally, Liz was responsible for outreach and collaboration with business leaders, educational organizations and institutions on the local, state and federal levels.

Liz has an extensive history of being active in the community. She has volunteered her time as a board member and vice president of the Newport Harbor High School Foundation and board member and president of Newport Harbor Baseball Association and AYSO Soccer Region 97.

Liz received her bachelor’s degree in Art History from University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Sandi Jackson

Sandi attended Colorado State University and Stanford University. After obtaining her degree in Occupational Therapy and Psychology, Sandi received her MBA from California State University, Long Beach. Sandi then worked at the University of Southern California (USC) in pediatric neurology specializing in learning disabilities in children and conducted research and treatment with Dr. Jean Ayres at the Ayres Clinic at USC.

Sandi has been a leader in the philanthropic community for the last 35 years. In 2003, she co-founded with Susan Samueli the Coalition Advocating for Human Security (CAHS) Program at the University of California, Irvine CUSA Center. She is past board chair of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation/Memorial Health Services and the Orange County Baron’s League of the American Cancer Society. In addition, Sandi served on the Board of Directors of the Opera Pacific. Sandi has chaired/co- chaired or sponsored numerous events for the American Cancer Society, Opera Pacific, Chapman University, Orange County Performing Arts Center, University of California, Irvine and Angels of the Arts.

Sandi has been on the Orangewood Foundation Board of Directors since 2004. She has served on the Executive, Development and Investment Committees. Sandi has chaired the Major Gift/Planned Giving Committee and Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign and co-chaired the Steering Committee to develop Samueli Academy.

In addition, Sandi presently serves on the Leadership Council of the Department of Education of the University of California, Irvine; the Board of the 44 Women for Children; and on the Athletic Campaign Committee for Chapman University.

Kevin Tiber

Kevin M. Tiber is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Farmers and Merchants Trust Company and Senior Vice President of Farmers & Merchants Bank. For Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, he is jointly responsible for the management of Trust Company activities, including administration, operations and information technology. He also is Chair of the Farmers and Merchants Administrative Committee, a member of the Farmers and Merchants Executive Committee and a member of the Farmers and Merchants Investment Committee. For Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kevin is a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Kevin is responsible for shareholder relations, capital markets activity concerning the Bank’s common stock, business development, and a variety of administrative functions. He works with many of the Bank and Trust Company’s charitable, religious, and educational clients in the areas of investment management and finance including New Market Tax Credit transactions. He has been with the Farmers and Merchants organization since 1993.

He is active in the trust and banking industries and has served as a consultant to a variety of financial software and services companies.

Kevin is a member of the Board of Directors of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Foundation, currently serving as immediate past Chairman of the Board. Also among his notable community involvement, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Orange County High School of the Arts and serves as its Finance Chair, Chairman and President of the McDonald Family Foundation, a member of the Board of JSerra Catholic High School, a former member of the Board of Directors of Aliso Viejo Girls Softball, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Nature Center and a former member of the General Plan Advisory Committee for the City of Aliso Viejo.

Kevin earned a B.A. in Economics from California State University, Fullerton, and resides in Aliso Viejo with his wife and two daughters.

Chris Scheithauer Chair

Chris is a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and is based in the Firm’s Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Chris handles many types of general civil litigations matters, although he currently focuses his practice on class action employment benefits litigation and counseling under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). He also has extensive experience in the area of labor and employment litigation and advice.

Chris has been repeatedly honored as a “Southern California Rising Star” in Los Angeles Magazine and the Southern California Super Lawyers-Rising Stars edition with regard to his ERISA and federal practices. He is also ranked in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA and the 2011 edition of The Legal 500 United States for being a leading lawyer in this field.

Chris is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Federal Bar Association. Chris is also a member of the California and American Bar Associations and is admitted to practice in California. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern districts of California. Chris has appeared Pro Hac Vice for clients in various states.

Sandi Jackson

Sandi attended Colorado State University and Stanford University. After obtaining her degree in Occupational Therapy and Psychology, Sandi received her MBA from California State University, Long Beach. Sandi then worked at the University of Southern California (USC) in pediatric neurology specializing in learning disabilities in children and conducted research and treatment with Dr. Jean Ayres at the Ayres Clinic at USC.

Sandi has been a leader in the philanthropic community for the last 35 years. In 2003, she co-founded with Susan Samueli the Coalition Advocating for Human Security (CAHS) Program at the University of California, Irvine CUSA Center. She is past board chair of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation/Memorial Health Services and the Orange County Baron’s League of the American Cancer Society. In addition, Sandi served on the Board of Directors of the Opera Pacific. Sandi has chaired/co-chaired or sponsored numerous events for the American Cancer Society, Opera Pacific, Chapman University, Orange County Performing Arts Center, University of California, Irvine and Angels of the Arts.

Sandi has been on the Orangewood Foundation Board of Directors since 2004. She has served on the Executive, Development and Investment Committees. Sandi has chaired the Major Gift/Planned Giving Committee and Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign and co-chaired the Steering Committee to develop Samueli Academy.

In addition, Sandi presently serves on the Leadership Council of the Department of Education of the University of California, Irvine; the Board of the 44 Women for Children; and on the Athletic Campaign Committee for Chapman University.

Susan Samueli

Susan was born and raised in San Fernando Valley, CA and received a B.S. in Mathematics from UC Berkeley in 1972. From 1972 to 1985 she was with IBM Corporation where she worked initially as a software programmer in the Federal Systems Division, Westlake Village, CA and then as a Systems Engineer in the National Marketing Division, Los Angeles, CA.

After leaving IBM in 1985, she developed keen interest in alternative health care and received a Ph.D. in nutrition from the American Holistic College of Nutrition in 1993 and a Diploma in Homeopathy from the British Institute of Homeopathy in 1994.

Susan relocated to Orange County in 1995 and has become very active in the community. She is co-founder of the Samueli Foundation, which makes grants to agencies working in the areas of health, social services, religion, education and the arts. She serves on the board of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation (OCF) and was the founder of 44 Women For Children, an auxiliary that primarily raises money for teens emancipating from the foster care system. She also serves on the Board and Advisory Board of the Susan Samueli Center for Integrated Medicine (SSCIM) at UC Irvine.

She was honored with the UCI Medal in March 2000, was the 2002 Ellen Cooperman Angel Award Recipient given by the John Wayne Cancer Institute and she received the 2005 General William Lyon Crystal Vision Philanthropy Award given by Orangewood Children’s Foundation.