Executive Board
Alison Kerr - Chair
Alison Kerr is a lifelong Monterey Peninsula community leader with deep roots in public service, sustainability, and civic engagement.
Recently retired, Alison built an 18-year career at the Naval Postgraduate School as both a Program Manager, overseeing research initiatives in humanitarian disaster relief, emergency response, and energy security, and as the NPS Federal STEM Action Officer, developing internship programs that served over 800 high school, university, and graduate students.
A resident of Del Rey Oaks since 1989, she was elected the city's first female Mayor in 2018, serving until 2022. She led the establishment of the city's first-ever reserve fund, eliminated a $500,000 debt, joined Monterey Bay Community Power, installed solar panels on City Hall, and launched advisory committees on sustainability, arts and culture, parks and youth, and emergency response. She also championed the Fort Ord Recreation Trail and Greenway (FORTAG), a multimodal path providing a safe connection across the city and eventually the peninsula.
Alison currently serves on the Fallen Leaf Lake Community Services District, the Fallen Leaf Mutual Water Company, and is Co-founder and Co-chair of Sustainable Del Rey Oaks. She formerly served on the League of California Cities’ Community Service Policy Commission, Monterey County Housing Coalition, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, and the Monterey County Airport Land Use Commission.
She holds a B.A. in Human Communications from CSU Monterey Bay and is a graduate of Leadership Monterey Peninsula. She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence by the League of California Cities Women's Caucus and with the Hartnell College President's Partnership Award.
Frederica Jones - Vice Chair
Frederica Jones retired in 2017 after a 30-year career as a Probation Officer, concluding her service as a Probation Service Manager with the Monterey County Superior Court Investigations Unit.
From 2019 to 2020, she served as Campaign Manager for the Del Rey Oaks Mayor.
Since 2020, Frederica has served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the City of Del Rey Oaks.
A lifelong public servant in her community, Frederica is committed to enriching her community and has served on several community-based organizations, including the Monterey Bay Chapter of The Links Incorporated where she served as 2nd Vice President.
She joined the Democratic Women of Monterey County and began volunteering on the Programs Committee.
Frederica joined The Salvation Army Monterey Corp Advisory Board and co-chairs the Red Kettle Kickoff Committee.
She also serves on the Board of the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County and presently serves as Vice President.
Maria Rabaino - Secretary
Maria Rabaino is a marketing and community engagement professional based in Pacific Grove, CA. Since moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 2014 and settling in Pacific Grove in 2021, Maria has focused on using digital media to connect communities and elevate voices. Her career began with helping to launch the Rollettes, where she developed essential digital marketing skills that helped the team thrive.
Currently, as the outreach coordinator for Boundless Babe Society, Maria empowers disabled women through an online mentorship program, creating a sense of belonging and support for those navigating life with a disability and strengthening community bonds through social media and virtual workshops.
Maria has also worked with the Veterans Transition Center and on Jonathan Ahmadi’s campaign, combining digital strategy with advocacy to increase engagement. Her work included running impactful social media campaigns, digital ads, web content, and developing outreach materials that strengthened community support for unhoused and formerly incarcerated veterans and built voter confidence in local leadership. She holds certifications in Nonprofit Essentials, Marketing Essentials, Fundraising Essentials, and Grant Seeking Essentials from NonprofitReady.org.
Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering, shopping locally, and attending community theater productions. Maria is driven by a strong desire to support causes that make a meaningful impact, especially for those who are often overlooked or underrepresented.
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Joe Servi - Treasurer
Joe Servi has worked in the banking industry since 1986 and currently serves as Senior Vice President at Pinnacle Bank. As a Senior Business Banker and Commercial Loan Officer, he specializes in business lending and commercial real estate financing, including multi-family properties, helping small and mid-sized businesses grow, acquire property, and strengthen their financial foundations. Joe brings decades of financial, lending, and governance experience to nonprofit and community organizations. He has previously served on numerous boards and committees, including the Friends of the California School of the Deaf in Riverside, California; the Friends of the Corona Public Library; the Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association; and the Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) Foundation, where he served as Treasurer. He currently serves on the Monterey Diocese Finance Board, the California Coastal Loan Committee, and continues to serve on the Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) Finance Committee, providing financial oversight, risk analysis, and strategic guidance to support long-term sustainability and responsible stewardship. In addition to his professional and board service, Joe has been deeply involved in youth and community activities, including volunteering as a baseball and softball coach. He remains committed to giving back to the Monterey County community through financial expertise, mentorship, and nonprofit leadership
Alexa Johnson - HRC Executive Director
Alexa Johnson has been working with HRC since June 2017. She obtained a Master's degree in Applied Anthropology from San Jose State University and a Bachelor's of Arts at California State University, Monterey Bay. During her nine years at HRC, Alexa has focused on transforming the agency to accurately reflect the needs of the community, making it one of the leading rapid re-housing agencies in the county. She has developed creative solutions to housing, including hosting room share events, outreach to local schools/shelters, and developing a Landlord Gold Standard program to repair relationships with non-profits, the clients they serve, and landlord partners. She is also currently serving as the secretary on the board for The Coalition of Homeless Service Providers.
Board at large
Jonathan Ahmadi
Jonathan Ahmadi has lived in California his whole life. He grew up in San Jose, went to Los Angeles to go to UCLA, lived there for twenty years, and moved to Seaside with his wife 2.5 years ago. He has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and has worked in the fields of engineering, entertainment, healthcare, and politics.
He currently works as a project manager in the field of healthcare construction and has his Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials and Six Sigma Lean Black Belt Professional (LBBP) certification.
He has previously served as the Vice President of the board for the Santa Clarita Veterans Services Collaborative, a non-profit providing support for over 10,000 veterans in Northern Los Angeles County. He has also been a city homelessness task force member and helped to develop a safe-parking pilot program.
He is honored to join the HRC board to continue to work and advocate for those in our community that this wonderful organization supports.
Monica Andrade
Monica was born and raised in Salinas, CA. She is the eldest of 5 children and first generation of immigrant parents originally from Guanajuato, Mexico.
Monica proudly served in the US Army and completed one tour in Iraq. It was through her military service she understood the impact and importance of being involved in current political affairs and social justice issues.
She is married with 3 children and although it is not easy to be a full-time student, working mom, and in the forefront of advocacy for social justice and equality, she makes it work through her passion and dedication to serve.
Monica has found purpose in creating safe environments not only for her children but for the families she represents. Education, social issues, advocacy for equality, and family are at the forefront of her daily work. Monica is a Parent Educator for Door to Hope, a non-profit organization centered on providing direct services to underserved communities. In her time off, Monica is actively working directly to serve and represent the Salinas and South Monterey County communities.
Monica is always ready to continue the work to bring social equity from the lens and perspective of the underserved communities she grew up in.
Dr. Kim Brown-Barber
Kim Brown Barber, Ph.D. is a successful businesswoman, city councilwoman and a longtime educational leader with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. As an advocate for university students and women leadership, her passion and commitment over the last 17 years has focused on several areas to include: increasing diversity and inclusion, closing the achievement gap, women empowerment and leadership. Additionally, she has published a chapter in “Teaching through Challenges for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Additionally, she has authored, " Unlock Your Power," a women's empowerment support book. Her constant perseverance and dedication led her to be appointed by the former Governor Steve Beshear to the Diversity Committee for The Council for Postsecondary Education and the Strategic Planning Committee for The Council for Postsecondary Education for the state of Kentucky.
As the former Director of Pre-College and Early Outreach Support Programs at California State University Monterey Bay, Dr. Brown Barber continues to enhance diversity and inclusion for underrepresented students and afford them the opportunity to achieve success at every academic level. Additionally, as the first minority woman as city councilwoman for the beautiful city of Monterey, California, she continues to strive for inclusive voices, affordable housing, business and residential collaborations and continued sustainability.
She received a Bachelor’s degree from Hampton University, a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland in International Business, and a Doctorate degree with a focus on Public Policy and Social Change from Union Institute and University.
As the CEO of her company and brand, Dr. Kim, Dr. Brown Barber strives to inspire women of all ages, races, cultures, identities, and religions on a global scale to live lives of their fully unlocked POWER.
Impacting Change Speaker Series:
- Keynote at National Campfire Organization, 2023
- Speaker at Boost Conference, Palm Springs, 2022
- Speaker at All in for Equity, Monterey County of Education, 2019
- Speaker at American Association for Hispanics in Higher Education 2018
- Speaker at Kentucky Women’s Forum, 2018
- Guest on The Good Radio Network, 2018
- Speaker at The American Association for Blacks in Higher Education, 2017
- Speaker at Purdue University at Indianapolis, 2016
- Assisted the coordination of the White House Hispanic Initiative Visit for
- Hispanic Awareness and Advancement, 2015
- Speaker at Kentucky L.E.A.D. at the University of Louisville, 2014
Kellie D. Morgantini - Past Chair
Kellie has served Monterey County’s non-profit community for more than 25 years. A licensed attorney, Kellie recently retired after 25 years legal service for Legal Services for Seniors (a non-profit law firm providing legal assistance to Monterey County seniors 60+ years of age). Kellie served 12 years as Legal Services for Seniors Executive Director. Kellie now uses her legal background as a pro bono attorney for Legal Services for Seniors as well as serving on other local non-profit organizations. Housing is, and will continue to be, one of the most pressing issues for our low-income community members as well as those of us striving to help them.
Anna Velazquez - Mayor of the City of Soledad
Anna has over 20 years of experience in local government—including four years as a City Council member and many more in her current position as District Director for a State Senator. Anna is well versed in the areas of economic development, affordable housing, administration and implementation of federal grants, project management and community organizing. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology from California State University, Fresno. She was previously employed with the City of Salinas where she held a position as Community Development Analyst. During her 17 year, professional career at the City of Salinas she also held the position as Neighborhood Services Coordinator where she served as a resource and liaison for neighborhoods by facilitating and building civic partnerships. Anna and her husband Felipe Melchor are very excited to be raising their children in Soledad, in the town they were both raised.