Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dawn Steele – Chair

Dawn Steele graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a B.A. in Business Administration. While in college she spent a semester in Washington D.C., interning at an international marketing and consulting firm. Dawn also served as president of Fresno Pacific’s Rotaract Club. Following graduation, Dawn worked for the City of Fresno’s Economic Development Department and as a Management Analyst for the Neighborhood Revitalization Division of the Downtown and Community Revitalization Department. In her spare time Dawn sits on the Board of Directors for the FPU Sunbird Conservatives Alumni Association. Dawn has also been honored as Business Street’s “Business Leader of the Week”, Business Street’s “40 Under 40″ and was the 2010 FLYP’er of the Year.

Contact: dsteele@flypinfo.com

 

Sarah Moffat - Vice Chair

Sarah Moffat is a Madera native who moved to Fresno to attend California State University, Fresno.  While in college, Sarah interned for the State Bar of California in San Francisco, Girardi & Keese Law Firm in Los Angeles, Madera County Probation and Fresno City Councilman Tom Boyajian.  Sarah went to work for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.  Currently Sarah is responsible for sixteen Central California counties, in addition to her work on law enforcement issues throughout the state.  Sarah was a 2008-2010 Democratic Delegate for Assembly District 29, Graduate of Leadership Fresno Class 27, Business Street 40 Under 40 2011 Honoree ,current member for the City of Fresno Sister City Committee for the City of Verona, Italy and Board Member for P.A.I.N. (Prescription Abuser In Need) a local non-profit aimed to bring awareness and assistance for prescription drug abuse in Fresno County.  Sarah is an active member of the FLYP Sunday and Wednesday Softball Teams, the FLYP Social Committee  and was recognized as the 2009 FLYP’er of the Year.

Contact: sarahm@flypinfo.com

 

Lidija Stojkoska, – Treasurer

Originally form Macedonia, Lidija Stojkoska moved to the USA in 2003. She graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a B.A. in Business Administration – Accounting. Upon graduation she started working for a local CPA firm, Wiebe Hinton Hambalek. Her goal is to finish her CPA examination and eventually acquire a global MBA.  She is also a member of CALCPA.

Contact: lstojkoska@flypinfo.com

 

Jason G. Williams, – Secretary

Jason G. Williams received his B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno in 2008 with an emphasis in Human Resources Management.  Jason began working in HR for Kraft Foods during his senior year of college and has held three progressive positions with the company in the four years he has been employed by Kraft Foods.  In addition to HR Management, Jason works on continuous improvement projects with Kraft Foods and earned his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Jason is an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management, Human Resources Association of Central California, and he volunteers with many local non-profit organizations during his free time.  Jason is an active member of FLYP Softball and is looking to expand the FLYP athletic presence in the local area.

Contact:jwilliams@flypinfo.com

 

Jake A. Soberal – Membership Director

Jake A. Soberal graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in History and Political Science, and earned his J.D. from Western State University College of Law. Prior to college and law school Jake graduated from Clovis High School. Jake will be responsible for adding an intellectual property law practice at Walter & Wilhelm Law Group after passing the California Bar Exam. As the Membership Director at FLYP, Jake also serves as FLYP’s Ex Officio on the Board of Directors at the Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, traveling, the dramatic arts (as a patron not a player), and being an amateur foodie (emphasis on the amateur). Jake believes in Fresno—the city and region—and views FLYP as a vital part of its growth and improvement.

Contact: JSoberal@flypinfo.com

 

Joseph A. Newcomb - Information Technology Director

Joseph A. Newcomb graduated from Fresno’s Heald College with an A.A.S in Computer Information Technology. Currently he works in IT Management for the Madera County Office of Education. Joseph moved to Fresno from the Bay Area, where he developed a large scope of experience in technology and leadership. Joseph worked as a Network Systems Engineer for the Department of Defense and an IT Coordinator for the Cambrian School District. Joseph is excited to be part of Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals and is working diligently to establish enduring services that generate new opportunities for young professionals.

Contact: technology@flypinfo.com

 

Lindsay Barsamian – Social Director

Lindsay Barsamian is a Fresno native who earned a B.A. in Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Currently she serves as Councilman Andreas Borgeas’ Chief of Staff for Fresno City Council District 2. She previously held the position of Senior Account Executive for Passantino Andersen Communications. In 2004, Lindsay went to work for the Schwarzenegger Administration. From 2007 until the end of his term Lindsay served as the Director of the Governor’s Central Valley Office, counseling the Governor on issues confronting the Valley. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Director and Field Representative. Lindsay has been involved with several political campaigns, including Mike Villines for Assembly and Meg Whitman for Governor.  She served several times as a Delegate to the California Republican Party Convention. She was also appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger to the Summer and Intersession Enrichment Legislative Task Force. The Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named Lindsay Member of the Year. She also belongs to the California Women’s Leadership Association. Lindsay enjoys travel and spending time with friends, family and her son Logan.

Contact: lbarsamian@flypinfo.com

 

Stacy Lucas – Fundraising Director

Stacy Lucas, a native of Fresno, is an associate attorney with Barsamian & Moody in Fresno.  She specializes in employment litigation, focusing on advising and training employers regarding labor and employment issues.  Stacy graduated from Clovis High School in 1993.  She earned her B.A. in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her law degree from Loyola University’s New Orleans School of Law. She practiced as a plaintiff’s attorney in Louisiana for four years before returning to the Central Valley. Since joining FLYP Stacy has helped organize events, assisted in fundraising and become a member of the Downtown Academy. Stacy is also the President of the Shakers of Community Hospital, a group of professionals that raise money and awareness for community.

Contact: slucas@theemployerslawfirm.com

 

Jillian Coppler – Marketing Director

Jillian Coppler is a graduate of Fresno State University with a B.A. in Mass Communication. While in college, Jillian worked as a youth intern at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fresno, spent several summers on staff at Hume Lake Christian Camp, and completed an intensive outdoor leadership program in New Zealand through Torchbearers International. After graduating, Jillian worked for the McClatchy Company, first as a reporter and outdoor recreation columnist for the Sierra Star, and later as editor of the Fresno Bee’s Talk magazine, a features publication for the South Valley. Jillian has also worked extensively as a freelance writer for publications across the Central Valley. She now works for Fresno Pacific University as the Regional Centers Communications Specialist. Jillian loves to be outdoors, kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing and backpacking. Jillian and her husband, Matt, are also members of the Fresno County Search and Rescue mountaineering team.

Contact: marketing@flypinfo.com

 

Lisa Burger-Murphy – Public Relations Director

Lisa Burger-Murphy is a Colorado native who came to California in 1997 to escape the cold.  She studied Journalism at California State University, Northridge and moved to Fresno in 2004 to take a job as an associate producer at KMPH FOX 26.  She worked her way up the ranks and in 2006 was named Executive Producer of Great Day, the station’s morning newscast. In 2007, Lisa was named the station’s Employee of the Year. In addition to FLYP, Lisa is a Leadership Fresno alumni and has also completed the Fresno Citizen’s Academy. She was named to Business Street’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2010.

Contact: lmurphy@flypinfo.com

 

 

Derek Abbott – Community Outreach Director

Derek Abbott is a Fresno native and holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Fresno Pacific University and is currently working on a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.  Derek presently works as a regional Business Manager for DeVry University.  In addition to his fulltime role as a business manager Derek is an Adjunct Faculty member with Heald College where he teaches business and computer application courses.  Prior to entering the higher ed field, Derek spent five years in consumer and business banking/finance and four years experience working within managerial roles in the nonprofit educational arena.  Mr. Abbott is a recent graduate from the 27th class of Leadership Fresno, a program designed to network likeminded community members with the goal of improving their surroundings.  Outside of the classroom he enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and participating in community events in Fresno.

Contact: DAbbott@flypinfo.com

 

Chelsi Silva – Professional Development Director

Chelsi Silva is a Visalia native who works as an Operations Project Manager for Central Valley Business Incubator-Small Business Development Center (CVBI-SBDC). She is working with CVBI-SBDC to bring attention to the Central Valley as the “Blue Tech Valley.” She is also VP of Public Relations for LifePays, where she generates national media relations campaigns. While attending California State University, Fresno, Chelsi interned for Assembly Leader Mike Villines and Congressman George Radanovich. After obtaining a B.A. in Political Science, Chelsi worked for Assembly Leader Mike Villines in his Capitol and District Offices. She later interned for Decade Software and the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship before earning her M.B.A. with electives in marketing and entrepreneurship.

Contact: csilva@flypinfo.com

 

Allison Boogaert – Past Chair (Ex-Officio)

Allison Boogaert is a Fresno native and a graduate of Scripps College, with a B.A. in Psychology and Art. She also holds an M.A. in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies from Fresno Pacific University. After graduating from college, Allison worked in the area of governmental advocacy for nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and municipalities, and as an Associate for Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. in Oakland and Sacramento. While attending graduate school, Allison developed extensive experience in the nonprofit sector as the Program Director for Mama Makeka House of Hope. She now works as a Consultant for Boogaert & Noll, LLC, focusing her expertise on research methodology, non-profit organizational sustainability, and peacemaking. Allison is also the co-founder of the film production company, Satoria Productions, LLC.