Board of Directors
Noah Martinez | Board Chair
Noah Martinez is a financial advisor at BOLT Wealth Management, born and raised in Clovis. After graduating from the Craig School of Business at Fresno State, he began his professional career at BOLT. He started attending FLYP mixers shortly after he began his professional career and has been involved with the organization ever since. He loves helping families and businesses build out their financial plans and take the necessary steps to reach their financial goals. He’s eagerly looking forward to serving FLYP as the 2025 Treasurer and helping this great organization in a similar capacity to how I assist his clients. He hopes to build and grow with FLYP along with the greater Fresno community, and is looking forward to meeting you all at the various events throughout the year. Here's to a great year full of leading, serving, and connecting in the Fresno community!
Taylor Collins | Vice Chair
Taylor Collins is a dynamic Special Event & Program Coordinator at The Big Fresno Fair, where she specializes in orchestrating large-scale events and facility rentals across the Fair’s expansive 165-acre grounds. As a Fresno State Alumni, Taylor has a deep-rooted passion for community and innovation specific to the Central Valley. With a wealth of experience, including hosting the "Raising the Steaks" podcast—a platform exploring commercial beef production globally—Taylor combines communication expertise with leadership in the agricultural and events sectors. She has successfully coordinated signature events such as the Beer and Wine Fest, Fair Education Days, and the Livin' Local Marketplace. She also oversees large events like the Fresno Home Shows, Monster Truck Shows, and the Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration. She has been a speaker at various conferences to highlight Fresno's dedication to creating memorable experiences. While her background is in agriculture and livestock production, her career has consisted of team leadership, financial reporting, and business development. Taylor remains committed to driving positive change while celebrating Central Valley’s vibrant culture and heritage. She's excited to listen, learn, and create as the Professional Development Chair within Fresno's Leading Young Professionals.
Noor Sabharwal | Secretary
Noor Sabharwal cares deeply about building community and bringing people together in meaningful ways. She’s passionate about creating spaces where connections feel natural, partnerships grow, and people feel encouraged to show up, get involved, and stay engaged in the Central Valley. By day, Noor works as a Marketing Manager at CHAP, a national healthcare accrediting and education nonprofit based in Washington, DC. She helps lead cross-channel marketing efforts, award-winning campaigns, and content strategies that support healthcare providers across the country. From launching new service lines to shaping creative initiatives, she enjoys turning ideas into work that actually makes an impact. Even though her role is national, staying connected to her town matters to her. FLYP gives Noor a way to give back locally, meet new people, and help create events and experiences that make the community feel a little warmer and more connected.
Celeste Zavala | Corporate Membership Chair
Celeste Zavala is excited to serve as the Corporate Membership Chair for FLYP, where she leverages her strong professional network and deep knowledge of the Fresno community to spotlight and connect local businesses throughout the area. Celeste currently works at Cohen Communications as a Communications Coordinator and Social Media Manager. In this role, she brings hands-on experience in intern recruitment and mentorship, entertainment booking and strategic planning, with a particular focus on large-scale events such as The Big Fresno Fair. Her work blends creativity with organization, ensuring impactful experiences that engage diverse audiences. A proud Fresno State graduate, Celeste earned her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Commercial Recreation and Event Planning in 2016. Her passion for events, community building and storytelling continues to drive her career and involvement in local initiatives. Outside of work, Celeste is a proud Fresno enthusiast who is always on the hunt for a great meal, a good playlist or a live show/event. She loves listening to music, attending concerts and occasionally finds herself behind the decks dabbling in DJing. When she is not out in the community, Celeste enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking long walks, traveling out of town and hanging with her Shih Tzu, Kiwi.
Charles Wheeler | Membership Chair
Charles Wheeler was born in San Diego and raised in Fresno, and he graduated from UC Riverside in 2019 with a degree in Philosophy. Drawn to critical thinking and problem-solving, he started his career in software sales but soon realized he wanted to make a deeper impact. That’s what led him to the nonprofit world, where he is committed to creating meaningful change. By day, he works in fundraising and development at United Way, but outside of work, you can usually find him reading and writing at a coffee shop or working out at the track. He is also honored to serve on the FLYP board, where he is passionate about making a positive impact and helping build a stronger, more connected community.
Adam Balakian | Student Liaison Chair
Adam Balakian is a newly licensed attorney who completed the 2024 California Bar Exam after graduating from San Joaquin College of Law. His ties to the Central Valley stem from his family’s deep rooted history in the region, where both his parents and grandparents built their lives. He engages in many hobbies, including tennis, woodworking, fishing, and running. Adam is committed to increasing his involvement in the Fresno community. He joined FLYP because of the organization’s goal of connecting ambitious, like-minded individuals in the Central Valley. He hopes to become a positive influence in the Fresno area, through local politics, community engagement, and civic leadership. Through FLYP, he will continue developing his leadership, advocacy, and mentorship abilities. As Student Liaison Chair, Adam will work to expand FLYP’s reach across the Central Valley’s college campuses. He recognizes the value of bringing together like-minded, ambitious students, especially because everyone has unique backgrounds and experiences. He believes that recent and upcoming graduates benefit greatly from exchanging knowledge and skills. These exchanges, combined with forming strong connections with like-minded individuals, are essential for a young professional’s success.
Anna Ramirez | Community Outreach Chair
Anna Ramirez is a results-driven project management professional with a heart for community and collaboration. She has led nonprofit and community-based initiatives, always keeping people and impact at the center of her work. Whether coordinating resources or working directly with partners, Anna thrives in roles where strategy meets action. She enjoys stepping into opportunities that spark growth in her community and is excited to continue building meaningful, mission-driven initiatives within Fresno, CA. With a Master’s in Psychology, Anna brings a people-first approach to her projects, which leads her work to be rooted in curiosity, empathy, and an openness to inclusion to make sure diverse voices are heard. She believes that true community impact happens when people from various backgrounds feel welcomed and valued. Anna also enjoys bird watching with the Fresno Audubon Society, exploring national parks, and spending quality time with her family. She also volunteered at a number of organizations, including Hinds Hospice, the Juvenile Justice Center through SERI as a group counselor, and local galas and events, finding fulfillment in giving back and helping bring people together for meaningful causes.
Paul Criado | Social Chair
Paul Criado is this year’s Social Chair. Growing up in a small town just outside Fresno, he was always inspired by the vibrancy, culture, and potential of the city. From a young age, I knew I wanted to contribute to Fresno’s growth and positive change in any way I could. He first learned about FLYP through a classmate in Downtown Academy, a group of professionals dedicated to learning about and advocating for Downtown Fresno’s revitalization efforts. Joining FLYP presents an opportunity to learn from others, expand his network, and develop the skills he need to make a meaningful impact in our community. As social chair, he is both excited and committed to creating events that bring people together, foster connections, and strengthen relationships. He’s excited to collaborate with members to design experiences that build lasting bonds, and highlight the best our city has to offer. Let’s make this a year to remember!
Sandra Vidrio | Professional Development Chair
Sandra Vidrio is a native of Fresno County and a first-generation alumnus of California State University, Fresno. Sandra’s career in economic development started as a student assistant supporting entrepreneurs at Fresno State. Shortly after, she joined a local Community Development Financial Institution, expanding her skills in small business development, gaining a new perspective on the ongoing challenges of small-to-medium sized businesses and creating various programs to address these needs. Finding solutions through innovative strategies and educational programs has been Sandra’s passion. She continues to grow this mission by leading the Business Services Center at the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board. Outside of work Sandra is a youth mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California and active board member at WorkLight Women’s Fresno Chapter, The League of Mexican American Women, and most recent Fresno Leading Young Professionals.
Ramiro Merino Diaz | Communications Chair
Ramiro Merino Diaz serves as the bilingual Public Information Officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the nation’s first 220 mph and 100% renewable powered high-speed rail system that will connect the state of California. As an information officer in the Central Valley, Ramiro is responsible for the public information plan and storytelling of the project, which includes media relations, social media, and stakeholder and community engagement in both English and Spanish. As a spokesperson for the project, Ramiro takes pride in his efforts in bilingual communication, where he utilizes his skills in public speaking, translating, and storytelling to engage with the public, media, and stakeholders. He is excited to serve on the FLYP Board of Directors as this year’s Communications Chair. He looks forward to amplifying the communications efforts of the organization, elevating the brand identity and online presence through engaging social media content, and ultimately connecting with the members and larger community as the premiere young professionals organization in the Central Valley and beyond. In addition to his full-time career, Ramiro is also a photographer and a social media content creator. He is passionate about capturing meaningful moments and storytelling through engaging content. Outside of work, he is a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Alumni Chapter and Community Advisory Council through Fresno State’s Division of Equity and Engagement, as well as a singer with the Fresno Master Chorale. When not working, Ramiro loves watching movies with his active Regal Crown Club membership, enjoys running in local 5k’s every month, attending live shows and concerts, hiking and exploring local parks, and trying out local eateries such as a new food truck.
Gabrielle Rivas | Web & Design Chair
Gabrielle Rivas is a communications professional with a strong background in community outreach, public engagement, and storytelling. From planning events and managing social media strategy to building partnerships and creating content, she enjoys storytelling through communications and engaging with folks in her community. Currently working with the California High-Speed Rail Authority, Gabrielle helps keep communities from Merced to Bakersfield informed on one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country. She’s also worked with the Tulare County Probation Department and Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, leading projects from outreach campaigns to multimedia strategy and event coordination. With a Master’s in Strategic Communication and Public Relations from Sacred Heart University and a Bachelor’s in Communication and Sociology from Fresno Pacific University, Gabrielle enjoys blending creativity with strategy. Outside of her day job, she enjoys capturing people’s stories and uniqueness through portrait photography. On the weekends you can catch Gabrielle going for a run with her dog or grabbing a Vietnamese coffee.