Board of Directors

Get to know our 2025 Board of Directors

Bertha Flores | Board Chair

Bertha Alicia Villarreal-Flores is honored to serve as the Chair of Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals (FLYP). Being part of this incredible organization has been an amazing journey, and she's excited for everything we have planned as we celebrate FLYP’s 20th anniversary this year.

She was born and raised in Caruthers, Fresno County, and she has a deep love for her community and the opportunities it offers. This is her third year serving on the FLYP board. She started as the Social Chair, where she had the opportunity to organize FLYP's mixers, discover new local venues, and introduce members to some of Fresno’s best locally-owned spots. It was such a great experience to bring people together and support our local businesses. Last year, I served as Vice Chair, and now, I’m proud to lead as Chair.

Professionally, she is a real estate agent with Altura Realty, and she has spent the past 20 years helping people in the Fresno area find solutions that fit their needs and budgets. Her passion lies in creating meaningful connections and providing exceptional customer experiences.

In addition to my work in real estate and with FLYP, she has had the privilege of serving as a coordinator for the Entrepreneur Mentor Program at Fresno State. In this role, she helped connect students with mentors and provided guidance on key aspects of entrepreneurship, including vision, leadership, sales, team building, and networking. This experience helped her develop my own soft skills, such as connecting with others, sharing her vision, and building strong relationships—skills that align perfectly with FLYP’s mission to lead, serve, and connect. Cheers to a successful and powerful 2025!

Christian Govea | Vice Chair

Christian Govea is the Director of Access and Opportunity at United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties. He currently oversee the Free Tax Prep program, REACH program (Utility assistance), the AmeriCorps program, and am developing the Prosperity Coaching framework.

He choses to work in nonprofit because he has a passion for providing pathways to socio-economic development for the folks in his community. As a born and raised Fresnan, he strives to secure long-lasting change for his children, his neighbors, and his neighbors’ children.

He has previously worked in reentry at the Center for Employment Opportunities, providing support to folks returning from incarceration with professional development and then grew to assist BIPOC led organizations receive funding through the SNAP Employment and Training program. After his stint at CEO, he worked as the Partnerships Program Manager at Community Financial Resources where he facilitated the use of no fee non-predatory financial products for 150+ CBOs across the United States.

He is a single dad to a rambunctious 4-year-old boy named Lincoln and share a home with his girlfriend Melissa who is a registered nurse here in the Valley. He enjoys finding local food trucks, going to the movies, and traveling to the beach whenever he can.

Sean Minier | Secretary

Sean Minier is excited to be serving his third term for the 2025 FLYP Board! He currently works as an Office Manager for Seibert’s Oil Company, a locally owned petroleum distributor for providing fuel for local businesses in the Central Valley. Sean received his Masters of Business Administration from Fresno State in 2021.

He has been involved with FLYP since 2015 thanks to a friend sharing about the organization. After various mixers and participating in the Downtown Academy Program, he knew this was a great organization to be a part of. His favorite memory with FLYP was the first time he attended the annual FLYP Banquet in 2019, which he fondly remembers as a great experience. He enjoys serving with FLYP, because not only is it an opportunity to give back to the community, but to help others gain comfort in making new friends and acquaintances by putting yourself out there.

Taylor Poisall | Member at Large

Taylor Poisall is the Regional Communications Director for the American Red Cross Central California Region and works with a team of talented volunteers connecting communities to the mission of the American Red Cross through storytelling, media relations, social media and disaster public affairs.

She serves as a national spokesperson for the organization and has conducted interviews with national and international media outlets such as the BBC, Accuweather, Fox Weather and the Weather Channel.

Born and raised in the Central Valley, she is passionate about community revitalization and young professional mentorship. A 40 Under 40 recipient, Taylor is dedicated to serving her community by serving on the board of directors at Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals since 2021, and is an active member of California Public Information Officers and Public Relations Society of America.

You’ll oftentimes hear her talk about her dogs, the latest hike she went on, or her favorite local downtown Fresno restaurant. She is passionate about helping the community and leaving the world better than she found it.

Noah Martinez | Treasurer

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!

Victoria Mosby | Corporate Membership Chair

Victoria Mosby is a research analyst and community advocate with a Master’s degree in Economic Policy in Global Markets. With experience in data analysis, sustainable development, and public relations, she’s worked with international fintech startups and local chambers of commerce.

Victoria is passionate about empowering individuals and communities. She’s focused on women’s economic empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. Her goal for 2025 is to expand her knowledge on grant writing and business analytics.

Victoria has lived in Europe for 5 years – namely Spain, Austria, and Hungary. Outside of work, she loves coffee, tea, walking around aimlessly, listening to podcasts, traveling, and eating spicy food. She is also a member of Toastmasters International - a public speaking group.

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.

Noor Sabharwal | Community Outreach Chair

Noor Sabharwal is excited to step into the role of Community Outreach Chair for FLYP, where she will focus on fostering partnerships, organizing community events, and strengthening connections within the Central Valley.

Professionally, Noor serves as a Marketing Manager at CHAP, a healthcare accrediting and educating nonprofit based in DC. She co-leads cross-channel marketing efforts, award-winning campaigns, and content strategies that support healthcare providers nationwide. From launching new service lines to driving impactful initiatives, Noor is passionate about making a meaningful difference.

With her professional role based across the country, FLYP offers Noor the perfect way to stay rooted in her hometown and give back to the local community she deeply values. She’s looking forward to collaborating with others to create spaces where connections thrive, and communities grow stronger.

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!

Taylor Collins | Professional Development 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.

Sandra Vidrio | Special Events 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.

David Rodriguez | Web & Design Chair

David Rodriguez is a passionate creative professional with many years of experience in graphic design and visual communications. Born and raised in Fresno, he currently works at Granville Homes' GVWire.com division while maintaining his own creative practice through Driven Designs. His expertise spans a wide variety of design work including web design, magazine and book layout, print media, marketing collateral, logo design, and large-format corporate materials.

Throughout his career, he has served diverse clients across multiple industries, including manufacturing, publishing, food and beverage, real estate, and finance. He also enjoys videography, photography, and coding.

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.