Step Up to Run Women Shaping the Future of Politics and Public Policy

A second generation Mexican American, Dionne Ybarra is the founder of The Wahine Project, a 501(c)3 Non Profit that has served over 6,000 girls and women since its inception in 2010. The Wahine Project has formed partnerships with NGO’s in 6 countries to inspire a global response that brings a diversity of girls into a relationship with the ocean and with one another. Ybarra is also an Operations Manager for The Nature Conservancy where she is on the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Team, where she is responsible for a variety of administrative activities that assist work in 22 countries. Dionne was recently appointed as Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women in Monterey County and she also serves on the Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee for Monterey County. A native of San Diego, California, Delaine Eastin graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1969 with a bachelor's in political science. She received a master's in political science from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1971 and taught at community colleges before she joined Pacific Bell in 1979, where she was an accounting manager and later a corporate planner while she served on the Union City Council. Then in 1986 following her election to the California State Assembly, she served 8 years until she was elected California Superintendent of Public Instruction, where she championed an increased investment in education, K-3 class size reduction of 20-1 or less, standards in all grades for English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Sciences, and the arts. After 8 years as SPI, Eastin returned to private life in 2003, joining the National Institute for School Leadership as its executive director. In 2005, Eastin began teaching Educational Leadership and Women in Politics at Mills College as a distinguished visiting professor. Eastin was twice elected to Union City Council and was the first and only woman to date to be elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1995–2003) under Governors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. Myel Jenkins is an engaged parent, community volunteer, and a professional with over 15 years of management experience in non-profit, foundation, and county government. Myel currently is a Senior Program Officer with Sierra Health Foundation and stays active in her community as a parent voice serving on school district committees. Her interest in non-profit service and youth issues sparked when she first volunteered with the Friday Night Live program while in high school. Jackie Smith serves as a Commissioner and Legislative Representative on the Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission. She is also a member of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and serves on the Sacramento Legislative Team. Jackie is founder and lead organizer of the ‘Senior Summit” Series, which are designed to educate seniors about resources and new legislation in Placer and El Dorado Counties addressing senior issues. Having spent 12 years supporting the research and development division for a Fortune 500 biotech firm in Santa Clara, Jackie also served as Community Service Coordinator and a Microsoft instructor. Prior to that she held several positions with electronic and semi-conductor manufacturers in the Silicon Valley. Jackie has served on several non-profit boards including Sunburst Projects, Hearts That Care, and the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. Tara Sreekrishnan serves on the Santa Clara County Board of Education. She the county board with professional public policy and community outreach experience at the city, county, and state government levels. She currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to California Senator Dave Cortese.Sreekrishnan has worked on local political and advocacy campaigns, served on several nonprofit boards, and co-founded the nonprofit Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) that empowers students across Santa Clara County to combat climate change through impactful e