Board of Directors
Michael Marable, President
I am originally from the California Bay Area and have always had an interest in helping the community. I first became involved with Project Second Chance back in 2017 as a tutor and continue to tutor to this day. Project Second Chance is the perfect organization for gifting literacy to those who need it.
Rob Venema, Treasurer
I am recently retired, having spent most of my career in Finance for various companies, the majority of those years in Treasury. Prior to retiring, I was the Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Cash Management for Kaiser Permanente. I began tutoring for Project Second Chance in January of 2022. Seeing the importance of the work that was being done by the organization, I was excited when an opportunity to join the board became available.
Elizabeth Bognar, Secretary
I joined Project Second Chance in 2014 as a tutor for English language learners. Soon after becoming a tutor, I was invited to the PSC Inc. Board as a member. I’ve been serving as the PSC Inc. Board Secretary since 2018. Project Second Chance is a valuable non-profit organization that provides literacy services to our Contra Costa County communities. I’m proud to support this admirable organization through my Board activities, tutoring, and participating in community events. My professional background includes business management and marketing, as well as teaching English as a second language.
Lisa Cline
I have been tutoring with Project Second Chance since 2015, mostly with English Language Learners. I really enjoy learning about the different cultures my students come from, and I find the differences in how various languages are structured fascinating. But most importantly, I know that reading and writing English helps people with so many facets of their lives. I joined the PSC Inc. Board in 2022 as a way of giving more to this program that brings me joy and helps learners in so many ways.
Ann Marie Foley
I’ve been a Project Second Chance tutor since early 2022 and am delighted to join the PSC board in 2023. Working with my PSC learner is the highlight of my week! I’ve seen firsthand, here and in another East Bay city, how literacy learning has the power to transform lives. This kind of program is vital for a healthy community and I’m dedicated to keeping PSC able to provide free literacy education services through one-on-one tutoring. My life’s work in education and nonprofit administration, as well as working as a certified professional coach, is deeply aligned with helping people achieve their goals.
Romi Graham
I am a new tutor and a board member who is enthralled with Project Second Chance. After retiring and dissolving my corporation in the International Trade industry in 2017, I have been looking for volunteer assignments that I could genuinely feel passionate about. Although I have done some volunteer and paid in-class teaching assignments, including at the UC Berkeley Extension Programs, what Project Second Chance offers is uniquely impactful to learners as well as tutors and, in turn, to our local community, superseding more than learning English literacy.
Carol Mansinne-Shafer
After retiring in 2022 from the IT/Healthcare world, I started tutoring with Project Second Chance. I have witnessed how this literacy program has the power to enhance lives. I quickly discovered how much I was learning while joining my learner on her journey. I’m proud to join the PSC Inc. Board and eager to assist in promoting public awareness and financial support for Project Second Chance. This opportunity allows me to draw on my experience as coordinator for a not-for-profit food pantry.
Susan Schneider
I retired in 2021 after a 35-year career in quality assurance and regulatory affairs management in the biotech and medical device industries. I am a Fellow in the American Society of Quality and held a RAC certificate from the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society. I started tutoring dyslexic adult learners for Project Second Chance in 2022 and am very honored to have joined the PSC, Inc., board in June 2023. Being a tutor is such a fulfilling experience and I am excited to donate more of my time to promoting literacy through my board position.