Meet Our Team | North Bay Children's Center

Donje Fields is NBCC’s Marin Area Director with over 7 years of experience in early childhood education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and a deep passion for child development and building meaningful relationships with children, families, and educators. Donje’s work is rooted in the whole-child approach. She brings knowledge and experience in outdoor curriculum, Raising a Reader, STEAM, trauma-informed care, and supporting children’s growth through everyday experiences. She believes children’s learning happens all the time, in their play, their routines, and their connections with others. What motivates Donje every day is her energetic 2-year-old and the belief that all children deserve joyful, nurturing environments where they feel seen, supported, and inspired. Donje loves being outside, exploring nature, and expressing herself through art and color, these are some of the same things she loves to share with the children she serves. For Donje, education is a lifelong journey, and her goal is to help others see the beauty in that process and the power it has to shape not just minds, but hearts.

Leydis Mata brings over 25 years of experience in early childhood education to her role as Area Director. Originally from El Salvador, Leydis moved to the United States at the age of five and has called the North Bay home ever since. A proud mother of a 15-year-old son, she is passionate about creating nurturing, supportive environments for children, families, and educators. Leydis’s career has spanned a variety of roles, including aide, teacher, supervisor, family advocate, and Family Childcare Network Manager. She spent 18 years with Community Action Marin, where she supported programs serving children of all ages, from infants to school-age youth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Leydis is known for her calm, thoughtful leadership style and her unwavering belief in the power of early learning to transform lives. As Area Director, Leydis values building strong connections with children, families, and staff, and brings her deep experience and compassionate approach to every program she touches.

Irma Mendoza is the Enrollment Manager for North Bay Children’s Center (NBCC), where she has been proudly serving since 2017. With over 13 years of experience in early childhood education, Irma brings a deep understanding of family needs, enrollment systems, and community engagement to her work across the North Bay region. In her current role, Irma leads NBCC’s enrollment strategy and outreach, helping ensure that all children—regardless of background—have access to high-quality early learning programs. Her work is rooted in both professional expertise and personal connection: she is a proud mother of three and grandmother of two, both of whom have benefited from NBCC’s programs. Irma is known for her compassionate approach, her dedication to equitable access, and her ability to build trust with families from all walks of life. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and going on camping trips—moments that reflect the same values of connection and care she brings to her work every day.

In addition to serving as Hanson Bridget’s Assistant General Counsel, Emily contributes significant time to pro bono legal services in her community. Currently, she sits on the board of Matter of Trust (a non-profit linking surplus with needs),International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law (a non-profit connecting legal assistance to the cause of human’s rights around the work), and North Bay Children’s Center. Emily also serves as a volunteer Court Appointed Judicial Advocate supporting foster youth and is a Parks and Recreation Commissioner in Corte Madera.

Beth Wolk s a retired elementary school administrator and child care center director with over 17 years of leadership experience in education. A former teacher and lifelong advocate for children and families, she previously lived in Novato and now resides in Windsor, Sonoma County. Beth has served on the board of the North Bay Children’s Center (NBCC) for the past 8 years and was also a board member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Healdsburg branch.

Jeanne has proudly served on the Resource Development Committee of the Board at North Bay Children’s Center for six years. As a third generation San Franciscan, born and raised, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University and a California Teaching Credential from the University of San Francisco. She has been active in fundraising eﬀorts for several Marin non-profits focusing on the needs of children in our community. Jeanne and her husband, Jim, have resided in Novato for over forty years where they raised their three grown children and are proud grandparents of four. She volunteered and organized fundraisers for Novato schools while her children were in attendance and worked/taught at Mark Day School in San Rafael. She continues to volunteer in Sonoma Valley where her daughter, Alison, teaches first grade. She understands the need in providing high quality childcare and early learning opportunities to all children. Jeanne is VP of Peters and Associates and has managed properties for CP Holding Co.,LLC for over 25 years. She enjoys playing tennis, social bridge games and Mahjongg with her girlfriends, traveling far and wide and Sunday dinners with family.

With a passion for creating transformative learning opportunities with and for CEOs, Dr. Mike Pelfini is Founder and Managing Partner of ForeMeta Coaching ™. Mike’s work sparks breakthroughs through executive peer groups, trainings and individual coaching. He has served on NBCC’s board for over eight years and served as Board Chair for three years. Mike holds certifications as a HeartMath® Trainer and Whole Brain Thinking® practitioner. He’s also an active member of the Tamalpais Aquatic Masters swim team. Mike and his wife, Joanne, are each lifelong residents of San Rafael and are blessed with 3 children & 2 grandchildren.

Steven Leonard, a 30-year veteran Northern Californian real estate executive, is currently a Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and has completed more than over $150 billion in commercial real estate leasing and sales transactions in the Bay Area during his career. He is recognized as a leading authority in several real estate segments, including office buildings, industrial buildings, office development land (tenant) representation and industrial development land.

Leonard holds a BA and MBA in real estate land use affairs/urban geography from California State University Sacramento. He sat on the board of directors and served as board secretary of Circle Bank until its acquisition by Umpqua Bank in 2012 and is a past president of the non-profit group The North Bay Children’s Center. At Beacon Business Bank, he is a member of the board’s loan committee.

Stan Hoffman has over 40 years of experience in property management within the shopping center industry, including 29 years as General Manager at Town Center Corte Madera and 9 years at The Village at Corte Madera. Before his career in property management, he worked as a retail buyer and Store Manager for a Bay Area department store chain and a large specialty retail store chain. Stan grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he attended Albany High School and played on their football and wrestling teams. He went on to study at UC Berkeley, earning a degree in Social Welfare. Currently residing in Novato, CA, Stan is near his children and grandchildren. He is grateful for the lasting friendships he has developed over the years within the Marin community through his affiliation with local businesses. In addition to his work in property management, Stan has served on the North Bay Children’s Center Board of Directors and has been a member of the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 1986. Throughout his tenure, he has held various leadership positions, including President on multiple occasions, as well as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Brad Haller is a retired senior leader with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Growing up in Hawaii, Brad developed a passion for surfing and travel, which has shaped his adventurous spirit and love for exploration. Throughout his career, Brad has not only excelled in his professional endeavors but has also dedicated himself to giving back to the community. He is actively involved with organizations such as the North Bay Children’s Center, the Sonoma County Food Bank, and the American Cancer Society, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Brad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Denver, where he honed his communication skills that would later serve him well in the financial sector and in working with clients wanting to grow and scale their businesses.

Beth Spotswood is the founding digital editor, and current special projects director to award-winning quarterly magazine, Alta Journal. Beth’s work in Alta has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club, Los Angeles Press Club, and the FOLIO Awards.

In her nearly two decade career in journalism, Beth’s writing and editorial work has been published in 7×7 Magazine, San Francisco Magazine, Discovery Channel, Slow News Day, KGO Radio, SFGate, SFist and the San Francisco Chronicle, where she had her own weekly column in the Thursday edition of the newspaper. Beth’s bachelor’s degree in apparel design led to her first job as the costume mistress at Beach Blanket Babylon. A native of Marin County, Beth lives in Novato with her husband and son.

Henry Chu is currently an Associate Chief Administrative Officer with Kaiser Permanente San Rafael, bringing over 12 years of extensive experience in healthcare operations. He joined NBCC earlier this year to continue supporting this wonderful organization and giving back to the community he lives in. A Bay Area native, Henry completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley and earned his Masters of Health Administration from USC.

Jeff Belingheri is the Managing Partner of the Novato office of Bregante + Company LLP. Bregante + Company has been a Corporate Partner of NBCC since 2016 and Jeff has served on the NBCC Board since 2008. Jeff has been a CPA since 1993; he holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance) from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Marin County Estate Planning Council.

Alice has over 30 years work experience as a Financial Consultant for the Pidgeon Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and contributes her skills overseeing the managed money relationships for the team. She is originally from New York, but has lived in California for almost 40 years, where she raised her two grown children. She lost her husband to cancer in 2022. Alice has always loved volunteering and serving the greater community. She is on the Vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church and an Officer of The Order of St. John and St. John’s Volunteers Corps. She’s mentored 2 homeless mother’s and their children through Gilead House, coached several seasons of Girls on the Run, volunteers at Dinner with Grace, the Marin Food Bank and facilitates a card-making effort for the Veterans at Ft. Miley. She enjoys skiing, travelling, HIIT classes and playing with her mini goldendoodle Roscoe.

Kelly Smith started working in the family grocery business while in high school and after earning a degree from St. Mary’s College of California in business administration, she took the role of Human Resources Manager and Community Outreach Manager. She is now the President and CEO of United Markets, her family’s two-store operation in Marin County. She believes her position creates an opportunity to both serve her community and take care of her 120 employees. She finds the industry challenging and fulfilling because it allows her to creatively problem solve. She has a passion and a never-ending curiosity for the grocery business and its intersection with the community it serves.

Dennis has over three decades of experience as a financial executive in the venture capital, private equity and real estate industries. Since 2011, Dennis has been a senior executive at Foresite Capital, a healthcare venture capital firm, as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in economics, Dennis also has an MBA from Santa Clara University. Besides his position on the Executive Committee of the board at North Bay Children’s Center, Dennis has been active in the nonprofit sector for over twenty-five years, including board president of two significant North Bay nonprofit organizations, one providing mental health services to adults and one providing transportation and nutrition services to seniors. Dennis brings significant financial, governance and leadership skills to the board.

Mickele Carpenter brings more than a decade of experience in human resources, talent strategy, and workforce planning. In her current role at Traditional Medicinals, she leads talent acquisition, learning and development efforts and diversity and inclusion strategy. Mickele is a committed advocate for inclusive workplace cultures and equitable hiring practices. Her strategic leadership and deep commitment to talent development strengthen the board’s focus on equity and effective governance.

Paivi works with the NBCC program, senior leadership, and human resource teams on Professional and Workforce Development to support the professional growth of teachers and center leaders and to build sustainable early childhood education workforce models of excellence. She manages training compliance, child development permit obtainment, renewal and upgrading and educational stipends and professional benefits. She also manages NBCC’s Apprentice, Apprentice Mentor, and Internship programs in Marin and Sonoma Counties and collaborates with Community Colleges, Apprentice Program Employer Partners and other NBCC Community Partners. Paivi received her Master of Science degree in Curriculum/Early Childhood Education from California State University East Bay. She holds a Vocational Teacher certification from Finland and a Life Children’s Center Supervision Permit from the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit administration, early childhood program advancement, teaching, mentoring and leadership development in the United States and in Finland.

Mariah has worked in the insurance industry since her adolescence. Less than a week after graduating college, she accepted a position at Arrow as an Associate. During the last 13 years, Mariah has worked in almost every position available at Arrow to learn the intricacies of the business and build her skill set. Mariah has helped companies from start-up to enterprise-levels review market options and elect benefit programs that allow those companies to recruit and retain top level employees. Outside of the office, Mariah is passionate about her work in the community. Mariah focuses on organizations that work to create limitless opportunities for children and the handicap able community. She is proud to serve as the Board Chair for NBCC. In her free time, Mariah is the mother of two beautiful little dudes, married to a Kaiser numbers nerd and enjoys going on horseback rides around the Bay Area.

Paige Newton serves as the Program Director, working closely with Area Directors and Site Supervisors to oversee daily operations and enhance program quality. Her leadership spans key areas including parent education and engagement, curriculum development, and professional development for staff. With more than 15 years of experience in the field, Paige has held a variety of roles—Teacher, Site Supervisor, Program Coach, Area Director, and now Program Director. These experiences have shaped her inclusive and responsive approach to supporting children and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Paige holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She holds a Program Director permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is an authorized Teaching Pyramid Coach through WestEd. She remains actively engaged in the professional community as a member of the Evening of Honor Committee and the Santa Rosa Junior College Advisory Board.

Jill St. Peter brings four decades of experience to the field of early childhood education. With a diverse background that includes roles as a Teacher, Site Supervisor, Early Learning Coach, Trainer, and her current position as Curriculum and Training Director, Jill has consistently demonstrated her unwavering commitment to early childhood education. Jill holds a Master of Arts degree in Education and Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development. This commitment to academic excellence underscores her dedication to advancing the field and ensuring the well-being of young children and educators. Jill is certified by West Ed as a trainer for the Program for Infant and Toddler Care and Beginning Together Inclusion. She is also certified by the Center for Optimal Brain Integration as a Trauma Informed Care Trainer. Her expertise has been showcased at esteemed conferences such as NAEYC, CAEYC, and Head Start. Her involvement in professional communities underscores her dedication to continuous improvement and collaboration. Jill has been an active member of the California Coaching Advisory Group, Trauma Informed Care Community of Practice, Sonoma County Quality Counts Consortia, Region 1 Coaching Community of Practice Leader, Sonoma County Coaching Collaborative, Hope and Healing Early Learning Collaborative, and the Evening of Honor committee. Jill’s passion for early childhood education and her extensive experience makes her an asset to the field, continually inspiring and supporting educators their mission to provide the best possible start for young children.

Nicole oversees the C Street campus as the Site Director, bringing over a decade of experience in early childhood education, specifically with children ages 0-5. She began her career in San Francisco, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University. Nicole’s journey started as a Postpartum Doula and preschool assistant, quickly advancing into leadership roles. For the past six years at NBCC, she has served as Director at three locations, including the Healdsburg model site. She holds a Director’s Permit and is a certified Teaching Pyramid Coach through WestEd. Nicole’s experience also includes serving as a garden educator with the Garden of Eatin’ team, helping schools implement the GOE Curriculum. She is deeply passionate about creating inclusive, enriching environments that support dual language learners and meet the unique needs of every child. Through her work with the TALLK Program (Teachers Acquiring Language Learner Knowledge), she supports teachers in developing literacy skills for dual language learners. Nicole’s dream is to return to working in an NAEYC-accredited school, such as the Brayton Campus, where she can continue to foster high-quality early childhood education.

Debbie Neal is the Assistant to the VP of Programs at NBCC, a position she has held since 2001. Over the years, she has been given the opportunity to grow within the organization, gaining valuable experience across a variety of roles. Debbie’s work has spanned different age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has earned her Site Supervisor Permit. Debbie is the proud mother of two children who keep her busy with their various activities. Her daughter, Isabella, is 16 years old and currently a junior in high school, while her son, Brayden, is 11 and in 6th grade. Both of her children have been through the NBCC program, starting from infancy and continuing through pre-kindergarten. Debbie and her husband, Keith, have been married for 17 years and live in Cottonwood. Outside of her professional life, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family. She loves shopping, going on trips, wakeboarding on their boat, and riding on the motorcycle with her husband. Debbie is passionate about working with children and finds joy in seeing their smiling faces as they learn new and exciting things. Building relationships with parents and community partners is also a great passion of hers. She believes that as Early Educators, they play a key role in laying a strong foundation that supports a child’s educational and personal growth throughout their life.

Teresa leads all efforts for the Garden of Eatin’ program, driving the organization’s mission to provide equitable health and education opportunities to empower children to reach their full potential. A systems thinker with over 25 years of experience in program and educational leadership, Teresa has spearheaded instructional farm-to-school initiatives, developed food systems, and created curriculum in nutrition, garden and nature-based education, and designed gardenscape learning environments. Inspiring children’s innate curiosity she is dedicated to ensuring all young people have access to diverse and dynamic learning experiences. Teresa holds a master’s degree in education with ESL certification and a master’s in Reading & Literacy. Her credentials include professional certifications as a Life Lab Garden Educator, North Carolina University Design in Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments, Outdoor Classroom Project and Nature Explore Leadership Institute. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Integrated Climate Literacy and Environmental Education, Teresa is passionate about fostering creative collaborations, driving innovation in sustainable education, embracing challenges with a growth mindset for life-long-learning.

Ralph O’Rear is a legendary “Facilities” figure and has three decades of experience in large scale building and operation management, strategic planning and project management. The children call him “Fix It” Ralph. Ralph’s career in Marin County was spent at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, the Lucas companies (Lucasfilm Ltd., Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts Entertainment Company) and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Even in his early years Ralph was very aware of the pressing need to develop affordable early child care options that serve working families. He led onsite initiatives for child care services at the Lucas Companies and the Buck Institute. Coming out of semi-retirement, Ralph joined NBCC in 2018 with the new role of Facilities & Operations Director. Ralph oversees all aspects of facilities management, capital and construction projects, and information technology. Ralph leads NBCC’s Bright Futures Task Force and is overseeing the capital construction project to replace and expand NBCC’s main campus facility in Novato.

Melvin Freeman holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and is an active member of NACHR – The National Association of Certified Healthcare Recruiters and SHRM – Society for Human Resource Management. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Melvin has worked with some of the largest Bay Area-based non-profit organizations. He prides himself on being an engaged and active leader who listens to his team and meets employees where they are. The largest team Melvin has personally managed consisted of 65 employees across 5 departments. He is Lean Six Sigma trained and holds the highest leader engagement survey results at 97%. Melvin enjoys connecting with and working alongside people to help them reach their full potential.

Kristina works closely with NBCC’s Site Supervisors on all aspects of program operations, which include: processing enrollment, state reporting, curriculum development, program evaluations, staff development, and parent engagement. She also works closely with NBCC’s elementary school partners and program enhancement specialists on curriculum alignment and implementing school readiness strategies. Kristina received her Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Leadership in Early Childhood Education from Chapman University and a Bachelors of Art in Family and Consumer Science with a focus in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University, Long Beach. She holds a Program Directors permit from the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing and has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for the past 12 years.

Lori works closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Team to support the organization in all aspects of fund development, marketing, and communications. She has more than 20 years nonprofit experience in fundraising and program administration. Lori holds an undergraduate degree in marketing and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Prior to joining NBCC’s Executive Team, Lori served as the Managing Director for Marin Girls Chorus and as the Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer for the nationally recognized Guide Dogs for the Blind. Lori is a past Board President for Marin County’s San Rafael Host Lions club and volunteers for several nonprofits. Lori lives in Novato with her husband and two children.

Laurel brings more than eight years of nonprofit finance and accounting expertise to NBCC, where she leads all financial strategy, contract management, budgeting, and planning. A collaborative leader, she takes pride in being a dedicated and solutions-oriented team member. Laurel holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco and dual bachelor’s degrees in business/accounting and political science from Dominican University of California.

Guided by a deep commitment to education, she centers learning and equity in all aspects of her work. Outside of NBCC, Laurel is an advocate for women’s rights and actively supports local election campaigns. She has been a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor since 2021. Laurel and her husband live in Marin County.

As one of NBCC’s founders for 36 years, Susan has been at the helm of NBCC, driving its mission to provide affordable, high-quality childcare and early learning opportunities for the community’s most vulnerable children. Under her visionary leadership, NBCC developed groundbreaking initiatives such as the award–winning “Garden of Eatin’ Living Curriculum,” which weaves nutrition and environmental education into NBCC’s daily programming. Beyond the classroom, Susan has demonstrated exceptional leadership during times of crisis. During the 2017 Sonoma County wildfires, she led efforts to support families and teachers displaced from seven of NBCC’s locations in evacuation areas. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and schools closed, she worked closely with county emergency services to provide critical childcare for medical first responders and essential workers, ensuring NBCC adapted to meet the community’s urgent needs. Susan’s commitment to addressing emerging challenges led her to present to the Early Care Climate Task Force, where her contributions and NBCC’s innovative practices were featured in the Early Years Climate Action Plan. With a passion for collaboration and system change, Susan’s entrepreneurial spirit has inspired transformative progress in early childhood education, creating brighter futures for children across all income levels.

Visit our careers page and join our team

Susan Gilmore

Laurel Druke

Kristina Sisseck

Lori Mogan

Melvin Freeman

Ralph O'Rear

Debbie Neal

Nicole Porter

Paige Newton

Donje Fields

Jill St. Peter

Paivi Lane

Teresa Fogolini

Leydis Mata

Irma Mendoza

Kelly Smith

Mariah Shields

Dennis Ryan

Mickele Carpenter

Alice Pidgeon

Jeff Belingheri

Emily Charley

Henry H. Chu

Beth Spotswood Daza

Brad Haller

Stan Hoffman

Steve Leonard

Dr. Mike Pelfini

Jeanne Peters

Beth Wolk

North Bay Children’s Center
932 C Street, Novato, CA 94949 415.883.6222

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