Greg Bulanti
President
Realtor, Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty
Greg is a Real Estate Broker who has lived in Nevada County since 2010, when he and his wife, Dee, relocated from Sierra County to open their Grass Valley office. In 1990, Greg and Dee moved from the Bay Area to Downieville and started Sierra County Realty. Greg serves on the City of Grass Valley Planning Commission. He volunteers with the Music in the Mountains Alliance and Gold Country Celtic Society and is Uncle Sam in the Marching Presidents society. Greg is past state director of the California Association of Realtors and past president of the Nevada County Association of Realtors.
“This program makes a huge difference in the precious lives of young girls and boys who have so much untapped potential. They learn many skills and form healthy relationships in a non-threatening environment, and build the foundation to be successful and achieve their dreams.”
Allie Aguilar
Vice President
Counselor, Sierra College
Allie is a Counselor at Sierra College where she teaches Career Planning and offers personal, academic, career and crisis counseling to students. Allie works within the Extended Opportunities and Services Programs program and serves students who are disadvantaged educationally and financially. Allie previously worked as a Counselor at the One-Stop career center. She moved to Grass Valley in 2008.
“I am passionate about this organization because young people get support through every aspect of their lives from staff and positive influences from men and women volunteers to help them learn, grow, fulfill their potential and become contributing members of our community.”
Alex Gammelgard
Treasurer
Chief of Police, Grass Valley Police Department
Chief Gammelgard is a native of Grass Valley who joined the Grass Valley police department in 2005 as a patrol officer. He rose through the ranks, including serving as a detective, sergeant, lieutenant and president of the Police Officers’ Association before becoming Chief of Police in 2016. Chief Gammelgard has developed successful partnerships with citizens, organizations, school districts and the business community and has a track record of progressive community policing and innovative initiatives to build community trust.
“There is no more proactive service to the community than the work of Bright Futures for Youth. Instilling confidence, respect, love and purpose in young people will pay dividends to them and our community as they grow up to be ambassadors of those characteristics in our community and in the lives of others.”
Nanci Mason
Secretary
Retired Graphic Design Services Manager, Cisco Systems
Nanci is one of the first 200 employees at Cisco Systems, where she worked for 11 years. She was promoted five times and her last position was Corporate Identity Manager. Nanci relocated to Grass Valley in 1995 and telecommuted for Cisco before retiring in 2000 to build a house, work with horses and volunteer in the community. Prior to Cisco, Nanci operated a graphic design firm and won several awards while working for advertising agencies. Nanci, a fourth-generation Californian, began volunteering with The Friendship Club in 2006 – from creating art and teaching cooking classes to serving as a mentor. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and 2019.
“The Friendship Club’s level of professionalism is impressive and their heartfelt commitment to the girls is what compelled me to get involved. I knew there was magic happening right here, bringing positive change through education, resources, kindness and growth for youth.”
Cliff Brown
Strategy and Sustainability Consultant
Cliff provides consulting services to corporate and private-equity clients on issues of strategy and sustainability. His clientele has included Credit Suisse, Nestle and Clorox. Cliff worked as an engineer in the Silicon Valley before becoming a consultant. He relocated to Grass Valley in 2003 and his community service has focused on many youth and education-related activities, including coaching youth soccer and softball. He also volunteers with the Nevada County Sheriff Search and Rescue team and serves on the Board of the Sacramento Stanford Association. Cliff served as vice president of the NEO Board of Directors.
“I dedicate my time and admire this organization’s success in providing a safe and positive environment for youth to thrive and develop into independent, productive citizens with its unique ‘of the youth, by the youth, for the youth’ approach. I am inspired to do my part to rally this community behind a united effort to develop a comprehensive youth and community center.”
Polly Conley, PNP
Director of Pediatrics, Western Sierra Medical Clinic
Polly, a longtime resident of Nevada County and a graduate of Nevada Union High School, has more than two decades of experience in health care, with an emphasis in pediatrics. Polly joined the Grass Valley-based Western Sierra Medical Clinic – the largest outpatient health provider in Nevada County – in August 2016. She has been integral in leading the clinic’s pediatric care and Covid efforts. She also serves as a medical advisor to Nevada County school nurses and serves on several county task forces and committees, including childhood immunizations, Covid response, the breastfeeding coalition and the eating disorder task force. She also serves on the Board of Directors of KARE Crisis Nursery. Polly, who lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Nevada City, earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Nursing-Pediatrics from the University of California, San Francisco.
“Bright Futures for Youth ties closely into many of the issues that I feel strongly about. I primarily take care of underprivileged children … and try to coordinate the best care possible for them. My goal is to help as many children as possible in Nevada County. Bright Futures is a good match for my particular interests and skill sets.”
our community long term.”
Diane Hammon Kellegrew
Principal, Kellegrew Research and Consulting
Diane began her professional career as an occupational therapist serving high-risk children and youth. Following completion of her Ph.D. (USCB), she accepted a faculty appointment at USC. During her 16 years at USC, Diane taught research methods and family study courses and was the principal investigator for grants focused on improving and evaluating effective youth and family services. She was awarded a national Zero to Three Solnit Fellowship and a governor-appointment to the California Interagency Coordination Council. Diane’s work is fueled by a passion for building robust community supports to assist families and youth. Over the past decade, Diane has worked closely with the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention to train counties and non-profit agencies in strategies that strengthen families and youth and improve child welfare outcomes. After visiting their sons in Nevada County for several years, Diane and her husband moved from Ventura County to Nevada County in 2020. Her hobbies include photography, reading, gardening, and travel.
“Bright Futures for Youth builds resiliency and opens needed options for our youth. I am heartened and honored to be a part of this work.”
Mark Heine
School social worker and child/family psychotherapist,
Nevada Joint Union School District
Mark Heine has more than 15 years of experience in social work. Before joining the Nevada Joint Union High School District, Mark worked with Nevada County Children’s Behavioral Health Department, the Grass Valley School District and with nonprofit organizations. Mark has hiked the entire 2,658 miles Pacific Crest Trail and is married to Judith Kautz, a clinical social worker with Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital whom he met hiking the trail. They have two children. A native of Chicago, Mark moved from the Bay Area in 2013 to Nevada County, where his twin brother, Scott Mikal-Heine, also lives and works for Nevada Joint Union. Mark earned a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.
“Growing up in a working-class family in south Chicago provided me with a clear view of the hardships youth of all stripes often face. Youth in rural California also deal with many issues. Fortunately, I also discovered a vibrant ecosystem of public agencies collaborating with youth-centered nonprofits in Nevada County. After working for years with Friendship Club girls and NEO-connected youth, I am truly honored to be on the Board of Bright Futures for Youth in making a difference for the young people of Nevada County.”
Rick Kalb
Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Rick started his career with Northwestern Mutual in San Francisco in 1983. Rick, a Wealth Management advisor with clients throughout the United States, moved to Nevada County in 1992. Rick serves on the Board of Directors for Hospice of the Foothills and is a member of the 49er Rotary Club and Gold Country Estate Planning Council. He is the founder of the Big Brothers Nevada City Mountain Endurance ride that occurred for 20 years.
“I volunteer because of my long-term commitment to give back to my community. I really like how Friendship Club helps young women achieve their goals and dreams. This will pay big dividends to
Machen MacDonald
Owner, ProBrilliance Leadership Institute
Machen began his financial services career with The Mutual of New York in 1989 in the San Francisco Bay Area. He pioneered performance and accountability coaching within the company before establishing the ProBrilliance Leadership Institute in 2003. Machen, a best-selling author of books on peak performance, writes a weekly column for The Union newspaper. He is a past president of the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and the International Coaches Federation – Sacramento.
“Watching young women and men of Bright Futures for Youth find their way to greater confidence, growing self-efficacy and persevering resourcefulness is pure goodness in action.”
Shannan Moon
Sheriff, County of Nevada
Sheriff Shannan Moon has served as Nevada County Sheriff since January 2019. During her more than 30 years with the Sheriff’s Office, she has served numerous positions, including as a Correctional Officer, Major Crimes Detective, Narcotics Detective, Crisis Incident Negotiations Team member and Commander, and Deputy Sheriff.
Sheriff Moon is a lifelong resident of Nevada County whose father had a longtime law enforcement career. She has a track record in her everyday commitment to increasing the quality of services provided to the community at the Sheriff’s office.
Timothy Reid
Director of Pupil Services, Nevada Joint Union High School District
Tim previously served as an assistant principal at Nevada Union High School. He teaches agriculture business at Sierra College. His career in education includes teaching agriculture at Bear River High School, where he helped lead its three-pronged agriculture education program: directing more than 40 Supervising Agricultural Education (SAE) projects exhibited at the Nevada County Fair, serving as co-advisor for FFA and teaching more than 150 students in agriculture mechanics. Tim previously worked as a Quality Control Inspector for Markon, a produce company in the Salinas Valley. He is president of Nevada County Livestock Producers, involved in many community organizations and runs a commercial cow/calf operation. Tim served as secretary of the NEO Board of Directors.
“I really want students to find their calling. I see students every day struggle with acceptance and belonging. This organization helps them find their calling and sense of belonging, making them feel safe and our community better every day.”
Mimi Simmons
Real Estate Broker, Century 21 Cornerstone Realty Group
A fifth generation native of Nevada County, Mimi has been in real estate for more than 38 years and has been a community leader for many nonprofits in the area in Board positions and providing financial support and fund raising. Her Board service includes being President of Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Nevada County Board of Realtors. Mimi is founding Broker of Century 21 Cornerstone Realty Group. She is passionate about her hometown and continually strives to contribute to the quality of life so many enjoy.“
“Having the benefit of being raised in this community opened my eyes to the current need for our youth to strive and look forward to their adult years. Bright Futures for Youth has created a fantastic opportunity to provide support in so many avenues for the kids and give them direction for their future that they may not otherwise have.”
Erin Sullivan
Administrator of Operations, Professional Services, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Erin has served at the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing for nearly 20 years in numerous positions, including communications, legislation/policy and accreditation. Erin’s commitment to supporting women and children in need is evidenced by her membership and service on the Board of Directors of Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) International and as Board President of Capitol Network, Sacramento. A California native, Erin settled in Nevada County in 2014 to return to her grandfather’s roots.
“As a girl, I experienced firsthand what it is like to struggle with making the right choices. By providing a healthy and supportive space, we give girls a chance to breathe, build relationships by giving and receiving friendship, and imagine a broader future for themselves. By building strong girls, we are helping to build a strong community.”
Barbara Thomas
Retired Public Relations executive, technology field
For nearly a decade, Barbara served as Public Relations and Human Relations Director for a San Francisco-based public relations agency, facilitating the firm’s work in introducing the Internet to the public. Previously, Barbara worked as Public Relations Manager for Trimble Navigation, a Sunnyvale-based technology services software company. She started her career in the nonprofit sector for Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, located at Stanford University, as Director of Development. In her early years, she was inspired to help young women by mentoring a group who decided to take a gap year before going to college. Since moving to Nevada County in 2005, Barbara has served on several boards, including the Center for the Arts, including as Board President, InConcert Sierra and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. In addition, she has served as Board President of The Friendship Club.
“This organization makes it possible for me to fulfill my long-term commitment to help young women achieve their highest potential and goals. Serving on the Board is rewarding. It’s a gift to work with the Board and this amazing staff.”