Board of Directors

“Financial support represented so much more than money. It represented someone’s belief in me, my talents, my capabilities, and my future.”

Antonio “Tony” Avila has been the Principal Architect and the Director of Design with Darden Architects. He is a licensed architect and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Tony is a native of Fresno and a product of Fresno Unified Schools. As a graduate of Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals Downtown Academy inaugural class and a contributing supporter to the Better Blackstone Design Challenge, he believes strongly in the betterment of the greater Fresno community. Tony is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects and has provided award-winning architectural services to clients throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

“Just when I thought college wasn’t an option, I received 3 scholarships that changed my life.”

Misty Her was hired as Superintendent of Fresno Unified School District in April 2025. She has also served as a School Leadership Instructional Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Fresno Unified School District. Stepping into this role has allowed her to continue to improve student progress, build and develop employee relations, and expand community partnerships on a deeper level. Misty has been a part of Fresno Unified for her entire career, starting as a preschool aide and teacher in grades second through sixth. She became the first Hmong Vice Principal in Fresno Unified School District, and two years later became the very first Hmong woman principal in the United States. She has also served as an Instructional Superintendent with School Leadership. Misty believes her calling is to lead educational missionary work to change the lives of children and their families in a positive way. She knows the decisions she makes have a direct impact in changing the trajectory of minds and inspiring hope. Misty believes the greatest gift we can offer someone is the opportunity to see their full potential. It is incredibly powerful to invest in and inspire HOPE in our youth.

“You have the confidence within you to do what you really want in life. During the challenging moments, remember that you have the ability to overcome obstacles by tapping into your resiliency and asking for help.”

Elizabeth “Beth” J. Dooley has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) since December 2007. Prior to joining EECU, Ms. Dooley was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Credit Unions for the California Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) by Governor Gray Davis, continuing her service under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beth oversaw the regulation of all state-chartered credit unions in California. Beth earned her B.A. in Economics from Mills College and her J.D. from Western State University College of Law. She is a member of the California Bar and is actively involved in the community serving on a number of boards and advisory committees.

“I was a statistic on track to fail.”

In 2017, Pao Yang became the Fresno Center’s third Executive Director and first President and CEO. In its 30 year history, The Fresno Center (TFC) has grown from three employees to over 130, serving diverse communities throughout more than twenty established local, state, and federal programs. These programs purposely encompass a wider scope and breadth in response to growing needs in all traditionally underserved communities. TFC now has a multi-cultural focus and works to provide an array of culture-based services that support self-sufficiency, economic viability, and empowerment. The Center is proud to help other organizations and individuals reach their cross-cultural goals and engage with their target audiences.

“College was the first time I truly stepped out of my comfort zone and was present with people that weren’t the same as me, people who thought differently than I did.”

Robert “Bob” G. Nelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fresno, and the Founder and CEO of #MilitantPositivity, LLC, an educational organization specializing in speaking, consulting, and podcasting. With over seven and a half years of experience as the Superintendent of Fresno Unified School District, he led a transformative era of student success, strengthened employee relations, and fostered expanded community partnerships in California’s third-largest school district. Graduating from the University of Southern California (USC), he completed his Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision at Fresno State and then received his doctoral degree at USC. He has spent most of his career directly impacting Fresno Unified, starting as a teacher in 1991 at Burroughs Elementary School. Bob is the first internal employee to serve as Fresno Unified Superintendent in 30 years.

Laura Schlundt has served as the Controller for Net Positive Consulting Engineers since the company’s founding in 2021, playing a key role in its growth and success. A proud graduate of Fresno State with a Bachelor of Science degree, Laura began her career at an accounting firm before transitioning to the Sanger Unified School District’s accounting department, where she worked for eight years.

Originally from Southern California, Laura moved to Fresno in 2004 to attend Fresno State and soon made the city her home. Along with her husband and son, she has embraced the diverse culture and wonderful opportunities Fresno and the Central Valley has to offer.

Outside of work, Laura is a founding member of the Rotary Club of Community Action in Fresno County, where she is passionate about giving back to her community through service. She believes in building a better world and is dedicated to enriching the Central Valley through her efforts in community involvement.

Babatunde Ilori is an accomplished educational leader with a robust background in both technology and equity-driven education reform. He currently serves as the CEO of Parsec Education, a Fresno-based edtech company that has experienced significant growth under his leadership. In a recent milestone, Parsec secured $8 million in Series A funding to expand its data-driven solutions aimed at improving student outcomes in K–12 schools.

Prior to his role at Parsec, Ilori held key positions in educational leadership, including serving as the Executive Director of Accountability and Communications at Madera Unified School District. He also contributed to Fresno Unified School District as the Director of Equity and Access and Chief of Staff, focusing on advancing equitable practices and operational efficiency.

Ilori holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the Broad Residency at the Yale School of Management (formerly the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems), an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems from Azusa Pacific University.

DJ Criner is a dynamic community leader and educator, deeply committed to social justice and youth empowerment in Fresno. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Saint Rest Baptist Church in Southwest Fresno, where he has been instrumental in revitalizing the community through initiatives focused on economic development, racial reconciliation, and youth mentorship.

Criner’s leadership extends beyond the pulpit; he is actively involved in various civic and educational efforts. He serves as the Chairman of the Faith in Fresno board, advocating for social justice in the community, and as a campus pastor for Fresno Pacific University’s North Campus. His work includes collaborating with local leaders to address issues such as food insecurity, economic development, and cultural ministry.

Criner holds a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Fresno Pacific University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. His educational journey has equipped him with skills in financial literacy, leadership development, and community engagement.

Zak Johnson is Senior Vice President and Regional Commercial Banking Manager at California Bank & Trust, where he leads commercial and small business banking teams across the Central Valley. With more than two decades of leadership in banking, he has been recognized nationally for innovation, team development, and exceeding growth goals. Prior to his current role, he held leadership positions at Wells Fargo and Bank of America, building expertise in guiding businesses, fostering growth, and strengthening community partnerships.

A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Economics, Zak brings deep expertise in credit, strategic planning, and financial management. Beyond his professional role, he is an active volunteer, serving with Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, and the San Joaquin Valley Parkway and Conservation Trust. His dedication to service reflects his belief in building stronger communities through mentorship, conservation, and hands-on support.