The Team
BOSS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are representative of the communities we work in. The Board is responsible for the organization’s legal, mission, financial and contractual compliance. The Board delegates daily operation of the organization to the Executive Director and her staff team.
Executive Director
boona cheema boonache@aol.com
boona has been the Executive Director of BOSS since 1978, leading the organization from its growth from a one-site drop-in center to an award-winning county-wide organization with multiple model programs. She has extensive experience in program design and oversight, fundraising, budgeting, reporting, community and press outreach, and strategic planning. Following personal experiences of being displaced from her home and later volunteering with war-wounded children, boona has been committed for over 35 years to social justice, human rights, and creating better opportunities and resources for people in need. Acclaimed for her drive and determination, boona speaks regularly on the issues of poverty and homelessness. To engage boona as a speaker, please contact Janny Castillo at (510) 649-1930.
Board of Directors
President – Jill Knowland jknowland@yahoo.com
Vice President – Glenn Clark mccr@there.net
Glenn is an attorney with Miller, Clark, Calvert & Obenour in Berkeley, California. He specializes in Social Security disability and employment law. Glenn founded and served as both director and board member for the Berkeley Youth Hostel, which merged with BOSS in 1975 to provide the organization’s first shelter.
Treasurer – Dan Scarola danscarola@aol.com
Dan spent 20 years with Clorox, the last 10 years as director of manufacturing. He served as interim executive director and board chair for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, and is currently treasurer and board member for the Oakland-based Workforce Collaborative.
Secretary – Devaki Chandra devakichandra@hotmail.com
Devaki is an economist who works in fundraising and micro-enterprise development forThe Home of Comfort in West Oakland. She has also helped children and youth in West Oakland with health education and smoking prevention outreach activities.
Board Member – Carmen J. Angelandretti ownonehome@yahoo.com
Board Member – Kate DeYoe katedeyoe@hotmail.com
Kate has extensive experience in community development, having served as a consultant to organizations focused on homelessness, affordable housing, asset-building, and micro-enterprise, including San Francisco’s Project Homeless Connect, Hamilton Family Center, First Place Fund for Youth, and others. A graduate of Leadership Berkeley, Kate is a member of Full Circle Fund, and the Grantmaking Committee of the Berkeley Community Fund.
Board Member – Loren Jones ns27jones@yahoo.com
Loren volunteers as an HIV/AIDS peer advocate/educator affiliated with WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life Threatening Diseases) and the LOTUS Project, a teaching organization that prepares peer advocates to work with clients. She also serves as a board member for the California Education and Prevention Project (CAL-PEP).
Board Member – Dorlista R. Reed dreed@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Dori has 26 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in city government as a senior management analyst and special projects coordinator. She has significant exposure to multiple operations, and is a key contributor focused on impacting organizational development and positive community relations.
Board Member – Wilson Riles wriles@pacbell.net
Board Member – William White wcwyte@sbcglobal.net
Bill has been a Police Review Commissioner for over 10 years and prior to that was a Commissioner on the City’s Personnel Commission. He served as a Board Member of the South Berkeley YMCA, and Chairman of the Berkeley Salvation Army. He is also Vice President of the Bay Area Black Pilots Association.
Support and Development
Assistant Director – Robert Barrer rbarrer@self-sufficiency.org
Robert currently manages BOSS’s federal, county, and city grants, as well as supervising data collection and reporting and assisting in monitoring contract compliance. Robert has extensive experience with program operations, evaluation, and contracts.
Chief Financial Officer – Qassim Moon qassim@self-sufficiency.org
An accountant for 38 years, Qassim worked at Lilly Shipping and The Art in San Francisco prior to BOSS. Qassimâ??s experience includes creating cost allocation systems by program, daily cash position tracking, and agency and program financial reporting.
Program Director – Winston Burton wiburton@aol.com
Winston has created and shepherded the organization’s training, education and economic development programs for several years. He has extensive experience in program design and oversight, fundraising, budgeting, reporting, planning, and outreach.
Program Director – Phyllis Sakahara sakahara@self-sufficiency.org
Phyllis has expanded and reorganized health-focused wellness and recovery programs for people with mental and multiple disabilities. Phyllis has extensive experience in program design and oversight, fundraising, budgeting, reporting, planning, and outreach.
Development Director – Sonja Fitz sonja@self-sufficiency.org
Sonja has served as policy & communications director and newsletter editor in addition to her current role. She has extensive experience in grantwriting, donor cultivation, event planning, community and media outreach, and marketing.
Administrative Assistant and Community Builder – Janny Castillo santana400@aol.com
Janny educates staff and program clients on social justice issues, writes for Street Spirit newspaper, conducts life skills classes, and represents BOSS in collaborative campaigns advocating for transportation justice and affordable housing.
