Board of Directors

The Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way Board of Directors meet monthly, 5:30 p.m., the second Thursday of each month. The board is currently meeting via Zoom.

2024 Board Meeting Schedule:

March 14
April 11
May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8
September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12

Robert Bendorf, President

Robert was raised and has been a member of the Yuba-Sutter Community since he was an elementary school student.  Attending local schools, he graduated from Yuba City High School and Yuba College, and went on to complete his undergraduate work in Business Management.

Robert began his career in public service at the age of 18.  He is the former County Administrative Officer in Yuba County. 

He has spent many years volunteering in the Yuba-Sutter community as a sports coach, President of the Yuba Sutter Youth Soccer League, little league coach, and member of Marysville Kiwanis.  Robert has been a Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way supporter and board member for the past ten years.

Erica Hernandez, Vice-President

Erica is a Regional Manager at Sutter Medical Foundation in Yuba City. She graduated from Carlsbad High School in May 2001 and immediately joined the United States Air Force. She was stationed in Tucson, Arizona and served active duty from May 2001 to September 2004 as a Weapon's Loader on the A10 Fighter Jet. During that time she did many TDY's around the world including a six-month deployment to Kirkuk, Iraq.

In September of 2004, Erica transitioned to the United States Air Force Reserves at Beale AFB and began college at the University of Phoenix to pursue a degree in Business Information Systems. She began working for Sutter Medical Foundation in 2004.

Erica has an 8 year old son. They enjoy spending their free time finding new adventures.

Volunteering is important to Erica. "One of the things dearest to me is volunteering to help the needy and making sure my son helps too," Erica said. She spends many hours doing volunteer work and leading volunteer efforts in the Yuba-Sutter area including Operation Backpack and the March of Dimes Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.

  Sarah Kotko, Secretary/Treasurer

Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2012 and currently holds her ECE credentials from the California Department of Education. Her desire to be a champion for children took her out of the classroom and led to her current role with First 5 Yuba County. In her position she works with a variety of community partners to support family resilience, trauma-informed care, second-hand smoke reduction, early childhood development and so much more.

Sarah relocated from Yolo County in 2020 and immediately fell in love with the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa area. She joined the Board of United Way in 2021 because of her passion to advocate for and support the community she lives and works in. She is driven to ensure the voice of the community is heard and believes our community members are our lived experience experts.  Sarah understands lasting changes take time and is dedicated to putting that time in for the community she loves.

 

  Nancy Aaberg

Nancy Aaberg retired from her position as the Superintendent for the Yuba City Unified School District in October of 2016.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Gettysburg College and a Master’s in Education from CSU Chico, with continuing education courses that include the California Chief Business Official training. 

Her career experiences include over 25 years of teaching mathematics at the high school and community college levels, along with adjunct facility for CSU Chico, CSU Sacramento and Yuba College in education courses.  Administrative experiences include coordinator, director, and assistant superintendent roles related specifically to curriculum, instruction, and assessment.  Ms. Aaberg previously worked on the leadership team for the National Science Foundation grant to the California Department of Education known as Math Matters. In addition, she served as the Interim Director for the Northern California Mathematics Project at UC Davis.

Nancy’s community and professional activities include Friday Night Live, Sutter County Children and Families Commission, United Way, Yuba City Economic Development Commission, church, Association of California School Administrators and Delta Kappa Gamma, among others.

Sandi Adams Sandi Adams
Sandi Adams is a long time Yuba-Sutter community member and is a Director with Sutter Medical Foundation. She has a MBA and manages the strategic vision of this organization locally along with the day to day operations of SMF. She oversees 500 employees and collaborates with over 300 clinicians to provide quality care to the community.

Sandi has a commitment to her community. She has been a board member of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered in many community events. She has been a Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way board member since 2018 and enjoys the engagement this allows within the community.

Chief Baker Brian Baker

Brian Baker was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Yuba City in September 2021.

Chief Baker possesses an Associate in Science degree from Yuba Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  Brian also possesses a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach.  Chief Baker has completed the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Program, along with the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the POST Executive Development Course.  Brian has received Management Level Certification from California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.  During his employ with the police department, Brian has received numerous awards and commendations from both the department and members of the community. 

Brian is an active member in our community and volunteers his time to a variety of area charitable causes.  Brian is a past president of the Yuba City Kiwanis Club and is currently member of the Yuba Sutter Kiwanis Supper Club.  Chief Baker has been a board member and a past president of the California Robbery Investigators Association since 2004.  During his career Chief Baker has served on the board of directors for the Yuba City Police Officers Association and served three years as president. 

Brian and his wife Renee live in Yuba City, where Brian has called home for the past 30 plus years. Brian enjoys spending time with his daughters Morgan and Brooke and with friends.

Brian joined the YSC United Way board in September 2022.

MannyManny Cardoza

Manny Cardoza joined the YSC United Way board in March 2021.

Connie Cornelius

Connie Cornelius is a retired teacher who keeps herself involved in the community by volunteering with numerous non-profit agencies. These agencies include the Salvation Army, Relay for Life, Shady Creek, Every 15 Minutes, Family of the Year and Sober Grads. The Yuba City resident is married to Bill Cornelius, the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools.

Connie is very involved on the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way's Elegant Soiree Committee and is an integral part of the event's success. When local businesses see Connie coming, they almost always say "Yes!"

Vera Vera Correa

Vera Correa has a long history of serving the community. She is the past-president of the Alliance for Hispanic Advancement. She is also on the Yuba County Community Services Commission. Her past service includes Yuba County Planning Commission, Yuba County Economic and Business Committee and the Yuba-Sutter International Women's Conference. Vera also gives her time to numerous community events such as the Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival, the Mexican Independence Day Festival, the Day of the Dead event and the Bi-national Health Fair. She also volunteers with SoYouCan and the Western Farmworker's Union. Vera was named "Woman of the Year" in 2018.

Vera, with her wealth of experience, joined the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way board in May of 2023.

Bal Dhillon

I moved to this country from India in 1973 when I was 9 years old.  I went through the Yuba City Unified School system and my parents were my biggest advocates for receiving higher education. The main reason my family moved from India was so that my four sisters and I could get the best education possible. I am a lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter area.  I live with my husband Sukhdev and I have two adult children Josh and Sabina.

My professional experience includes serving at every educational level; Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, District Superintendent and County Superintendent. I have led major efforts resulting in higher student achievement, significant improvement in teaching and increasing school status.

I serve on many local and national boards, I believe in giving my time through community service to help improve the lives of all students. I have received a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Masters of Education degree in Education Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education from California State University, Sacramento.

My core beliefs are that everyone deserves the opportunity to get the best education possible; a good education opens many doors.  I have been in the education field for 28 years and, to this day, what makes me happy is when I am able to make a significant difference in a student’s life.

Rich Eberle Richard Eberle

Richard Eberle is the Auditor-Controller for Yuba County. Richard joined the YSC United Board in August 2022.

Scotia Holmes
Scotia Holmes has dedicated her career to education, ensuring that students have access to the very best regional academic programs. She began her career as a bilingual teacher, later became Assistant Principal, and then a Principal, all at the elementary level. In 2015 she retired from her position as Yuba County Superintendent of Schools. Scotia has a very special place in her heart for children with special needs.  Perhaps this comes from her mother who taught special education classes for 35 years!

Scotia has been an avid supporter of United Way for most of her career and that continues now that she is retired.   She joined the Board of Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way in January 2011.

Favorite pastimes and hobbies include hiking (easy trails only), snorkeling, traveling and reading. In recent years she has enjoyed the sights on land and water while visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Costa Rican Jungle and the Galapagos Islands with Don Blackard, her favorite traveling companion.

  Angela Huerta

Born and raised in South Carolina, Angela has lived in northern California since 1982. She graduated from CSU Chico in 1993 with her bachelor's degree in English. She earned her multiple subject and single subject English credential in 1994. She served as an English teacher at Gridley High School from 1994 to 2002. During this time, she earned her master's degree in Educational Leadership and her administrative credential from the University of LaVerne. She secured her first administrative position as an assistant principal at Andros Karperos Middle School where she served for three years. She was then promoted to principal of April Lane Elementary School where she served for 11 year. For the 2016-2017 school year, she secured the position of principal of Kynoch Elementary School where she served for two years. Currently, she serves as Director of Communications for Sutter County Superintendent of Schools.  Angela joined the United Way Board of Directors in 2019.

Manjit  Manjit Jhutti

Manjit has been a part of the Yuba Sutter Community for the past 40 years.  Manjit immigrated to the United States at the age of 23 from India with her late husband. Together they raised three children, a son and two daughters. She has five beautiful granddaughters who keep her quite busy.

Professionally, Manjit retired from her role in education in 2022. During her tenure in Live Oak, Manjit had a very robust career and served the community in many different capacities. Manjit taught 4th and 6th grade, High School Foreign language, and served as the ELD coordinator and AVID Coordinator. Manjit has a Master’s degree in School Counseling.

Outside of the classroom Manjit has also sought to make an impact in education. Some of her experience includes sitting on the panel to develop the CSET Exam, serving on the CTA State Council and developing the Punjabi Foreign Language program for Live Oak Unified School District.

Manjit is passionate about making a difference in her own community through service and volunteerism. She joined the YSC United Way Board of Directors in July of 2023.

Tony Kurlan
Tony has served on served on the board of directors of The Acting Company, the Community Memorial Museum Commission, the Yuba City Senior Commission and Congregation Beth Shalom.

He has served on the Sutter County Grand Jury . Other organizations Tony has volunteered for include: SPAA fundraising committees; St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Christmas Breakfasts; Sons in Retirement Golf Committee.

Tony joined the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way board in September 2017.

 

Randy p Randy Page

Randy Page has lived in the Yuba-Sutter area for 60 years and has been a leader in the community since 1984. Randy has been a member on many community boards and service clubs including Kiwanis, Easter Seals, Teen Challenge, Salvation Army, Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium and others.

He has been an educator and athletic coach during that time. Notably, he was the Director of the Tri-County ROP for 6 years. He was an educator for 32 years prior to retirement.

“I love this community and have spent most of my adult life in the service of others, particularly the youth of our community.”

Randy joined the YSC United Board in January of 2023.

 

Ericka Summers
Ericka Summers is the Executive Director of First Five Yuba. She joined the board in 2019.

 

Satwant Takhar
Satwant was born and raised in Yuba City and has been a part of the Yuba-Sutter community most of his life, having briefly lived in both the Sacramento and Fresno areas.  Satwant attended local elementary schools, he graduated from Yuba City High School and Yuba College and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University Sacramento.  Over the past 22 years he has held positions in the fields of finance and administration in local government entities including Counties, Cities and Special Districts.  

Satwant served on the Yuba City Planning Commission for 8 years and was Chairperson of the Commission in 2007.  He also served on the Sutter County Housing Authority Board of Directors for 10 years and was Chairperson for several terms.

Satwant has been married for over 25 years and has three children all enrolled in the local school district.  Satwant says, “I think the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way is an organization that gets things done in their efforts to serve the local community, just look at the great turn out for the food drive, it was amazing, I was very impressed."

 

Mary Welker

Mary has been a Registered Nurse with Sutter Health for the past 20 years and has served in a variety of roles during her tenure with Sutter Health.  She is currently the Regional Administrative Director for Sutter Medical Foundation in Yuba City.  Her husband, Seth, is a retired Yuba County Probation Officer and they are the proud parents of two children named Jacob and Emily. 

Mary is committed to her community, and this is demonstrated by the numerous community events she has been involved in over the years such as Bash Against Cancer, Race for Awareness, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, Alzheimer’s Walk and bell ringing for the Salvation Army just to name a few.  Mary has been a supporter of the United Way for many years and is very excited and honored to have joined the Board of Directors.