Board of Directors for the Sierra Pacific Region (SPR) of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA)
Governor Gail Dekreon
Greetings from your Sierra Pacific Region Governor! Thank you so much for electing me. I am honored by your faith and trust in my abilities to serve as your Governor.
I work as a Superior Court Judge in San Francisco. I was born in Germany to U.S. Citizen parents, raised in Alaska, came to California to go to law school and never left. I come from a large family; I have four brothers and three sisters. I do not have children, but I do have a large dog, 3 birds, 18 nieces and nephews, 11 grand nephews, 3 grand nieces, as well as 1 great grand niece and 1 great grand nephew.
I became a Soroptimist in 2003 when I was inducted into the San Francisco club. I am a “doer”, give me a task and I will see that it gets done well and on time. I am passionate about our Soroptimist Mission and I am passionate about working with and for women and girls. I will channel that passion into creative ideas and hard work to assist our Region in meeting the needs of all of our clubs as we work to improve the lives of women and girls.
Governor-Elect Pam Taylor
Greetings Sierra Pacific Region. Thank you for the honor of being your Governor- Elect for this biennium. I look forward to the challenge and learning experience that lays ahead for me.
I was born in Redlands, Ca. My family came to Merced in 1966, I was in the first grade. Yes, I am a product of the Merced School system. I was married for 32 years and am proud of my son, Dale Taylor 37 and Catrina Larsen 34, they were 10 & 6 when I joined Soroptimist.. These two have blessed me with three granddaughters, Madison Taylor, 13, Abbigale Larsen, 11 & Katie Larsen 9. Catrina and her family lives in Sweet Home, Oregon, so any time off I get you will find me in Oregon. I rescued two wonderful dogs last summer Gracie & Ella. I also, have one brother who lives in Carlsbad with his wife, daughter and son.
I have worked for UC Merced for 13 years. I am a founding staff member and love working for the first Research University of the 21st Century. I am currently a Business Officer for the Administrative Coordination Team. We are a shared services department and I was able to help create this department from scratch. That is the excitement about working for this great University. We are pioneers in developing this campus.
I joined Soroptimist International of Merced club in June 1991 and have served that board for at least 15+ years. I have been in every seat except Secretary (not my best duty). I have served on the Sierra Pacific Region board as the District IV Director and Treasure in the last 9 years.
I was drawn to Soroptimist for many reasons however, the most important one to me is our Mission. I believe education brings independence
Treasurer Charlie Rodger
Hello and thank you for allowing me to serve the Sierra Pacific Region as Treasurer as we begin the new Biennium. I joined Soroptimist International of Modesto in 1997 and have served on that board for at least 10 of those years (6 of those as Treasurer). I also served as the last Treasurer of the Sierra Pacific Soroptimist Foundation which dissolved in 2006. I was drawn to Soroptimist for a variety of reasons and I stay because of our mission of improving the lives of women and girls.
I was born and raised in the central valley, but went out of state for college and spent two and half years in Pullman, Washington. My husband Pete and I were married in 1982 over winter break of our junior year at Washington State University. Family brought us back to the valley and we put down roots (in the form of Almond and Walnut trees on the family farm) that have kept us here. Our children actually grew up in Soroptimist. Daughter Jordan was 10 and son Jack was 6 the year I joined and they have put in their own hours helping in club projects. They have both moved back to area (only a mile and half from the farm) and Jordan brought along our son-in- law Aaron!
Secretary Nancy Lilly
Hello Sisters! I’m honored to be back on the Board serving as Region Secretary for the 2018-2020 Biennium! My time as 2010-2012 District III Director (when there were five districts) was so fulfilling. I made lifelong friends with those on the Board including Governor Gail, Governor-Elect Pam, and Parliamentarian Barbara and I couldn’t wait to serve under their leadership.
My journey with Soroptimist began in 1993 when I was invited to help with one of Soroptimist International of Oakdale’s projects—Distinguished Young Women. I was so impressed by the Soroptimist members, participants, and what this program accomplishes, I decided I wanted to take part! I became a member in September, 1994 and will celebrate 25 years in 2019!
Throughout the years, I have enjoyed all aspects of being a Soroptimist, especially helping women and girls. And, I have been given so much in return. Learning how to lead, how to speak to large groups of people, collaboration and consensus—and many other skills that I have used in my professional and personal life. I retired from the City of Oakdale six years ago after 32 years and have been enjoying life with my husband, family, and friends, helping care for and spoiling our grandsons, cycling, travelling, and serving with my Soroptimist sisters. I’m looking forward to all we will accomplish these next two years!
District I Director Cheryl J. Addleman
It is an honor and pleasure to serve as District I Director for the Sierra Pacific Region 2018-2020 Biennium.
I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know all the District I Club Presidents, Boards and members over the next two years. I am very excited to hear about club successes and I also would like to find out how, I, along with the assistance of the SPR Board, can offer support and guidance on any challenges that clubs might have.
As a brief background about myself, I joined the SI San Francisco Club in 2009 and have held several positions on our club’s board. I have served as President for two (2) different one-year terms, Vice-President, Secretary and as a Board Director for two different two-year terms. I have also had the pleasure of serving as Fundraising Chair, Dream it Be It: Career Support for Girls Chair and most recently as Public Awareness Chair.
Again, I am extremely excited to get to know all of the clubs in District I and equally excited to be able to provide whatever support is needed in order to have a greater impact on women and girls in our communities. I am very proud to be a part of this global volunteer organization that is working to improve the lives of women and girls through educational empowerment. I strongly believe in our mission and by working together, I also believe that Soroptimist Clubs will play a vital part in being the dream catchers and dream makers for the next generation of women and girls!
District II Director Beth Stochl
I am excited to be the 2018-2020 Sierra Pacific Region District 2 Director and a member of SPR’s fun and talented Board of Directors. I joined Soroptimist International of Ceres in January 2013, after moving to Ceres from Southern California. I found SI Ceres to be a welcoming group of women involved throughout my new community. I learned much more about Ceres, Stanislaus County and Soroptimist International serving on the SI Ceres Board, most recently as President. SI Ceres supports the Soroptimist Dream Programs, in addition to working with Junior High girls and providing annual high school scholarships.
I grew up in San Francisco, graduated from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare and San Jose State in Urban Planning. I was a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) in Evansville, Indiana serving as a community organizer and then moved back to the Bay Area in 1980. I married Jim that summer. We lived in Hayward and then San Jose until 1985. We then moved to Pasadena, where my husband attended Fuller Seminary. I worked for the three largest cities in Los Angeles County – Glendale, Long Beach and Los Angeles – in planning and community development administration before becoming a consultant, often to the smallest cities in the region. I have a son (29) living in SoCal and a daughter (25) living in San Jose.
District III Director Jane Hokanson
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to be your District III Director for the next two years. I am looking forward to visiting all the clubs in District III and meeting even more of the wonderful women who help make up our Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region. I joined the SI Clovis Soroptimist group in 2011 and have enjoyed every minute of service since then. I have been Treasurer for 4 years and President for 1 year. Our mission of working to improve the lives of women and girls is close to my heart.
I was born in Minnesota and graduated from college in 1968. Since then I have lived in California, Texas, and Florida. Karl & I married in 1988 in Alameda, CA. I have no children. Karl has a son, a granddaughter and now a great grandson. I had a yacht management business and was involved with the marine community. Eventually we moved to Florida. After Karl retired and we spent a year on the road in our motor-home, we went to work as a management couple in the self storage industry. We managed for 8 years in Florida and now for 7 years in Fresno. I am an Ambassador with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and really involved in our local community. I may not have been born in California, but I am a California woman at heart.
Parliamentarian Barbara Giambastini
