BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A native Sacramentan, Ms. Jennings grew up in the military and is a proud U.S. Air Force brat. She retired from the California State Legislature after serving 31 years as a Senate staffer. With an eye toward the future, she is passionate about the process by which today’s youth will be assured the quality of life we all deserve. She serves as a commissioner to the County of Sacramento's Adult and Aging Commission. She also serves on the Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice Board of Directors. Joshua’s House serves members of our unhoused family providing them with dignity and support in their final days. Ms. Jennings is certified by the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) to serve as an end-of-life doula for Joshua's House.
As a life-long beneficiary of mental health care services, the availability and quality of services to all those in need is a passion for her. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee for the County of Sacramento and also serves as a speaker for the County of Sacramento's Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau. The arts remain a strong influence in her life, particularly in the medium of textiles. Ms. Jennings considers it a privilege to serve the South Natomas community.
Jasmine Ferdinand
Vice-President
Jasmine has a passion for community service and lives with the purpose of giving back.
She is a wife and is a mother to three children. She proudly serves as a high school teacher within the Natomas Unified School District.
Raised in the vibrant community of Oakland, she has called Sacramento home for over 20 years, with 11 of those spent in the diverse neighborhood of Natomas. Her educational journey began at California State University, Sacramento, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Science. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching with an English Credential, at the University of San Francisco. Beyond the classroom, she actively engages in community service as a Board Member for both the Natomas Field Townhomes Association and Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice. As a mother to three NUSD students (one of whom attends UC Merced), she is deeply invested in the success and well-being of our local youth. In her free time, she indulges her passion for literature and exploration through avid reading and a lot of travel. Alongside her roles as an educator and volunteer, she is also a certified End-Of-Life Doula, providing compassionate support to individuals and families during challenging times. With a dedication to lifelong learning, community involvement, and nurturing future generations, she finds fulfillment in wearing many hats -- from teacher to advocate, volunteer, and mother.
Harry is a relative newcomer to South Natomas. He moved here in early 2022 after having spent the previous 52 years in nearby Davis. Harry has practiced law for the past 44 years, nearly all of it in solo private practice in Davis and Woodland. Involvement in the community has been a feature of Harry's life as much as his practice has been.
Harry grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento and graduated from Mira Loma High School in 1970. He did his undergrad work and attended law school at UC Davis, earning a BA in 1974 and a JD in 1978. He supported candidates now remembered only by political junkies and major nerds. When he was in college, he wanted to change the world when he grew up. Actually, he still does but figures that he can do more helping his own community than by supporting losing presidential candidates. That is why he is joining the Board of SNIA. After spending his professional life helping one person at a time, he thinks that he will go back to saving the world and take the larger view of working in his own community. Think globally. Act locally.
Besides law and building community, Harry's personal passion is opera. "I don't have enough drama in my life just practicing law, I need the opera for real excitement.
Harry Roth
Board Member-at-Large
Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater
Board Member-at-Large
Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, BS, MA, Ph.D., MPH is the Founder and CEO of the Health Communication Research Institute, Inc., a 501, c, 3 nonprofit corporation that started in 1989 to address health disparities. In 2016, she began work on creating the Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice Program to create the first supportive care facility offering hospice care for terminally ill homeless men and women on the West Coast and the eighth in the country.
She retired in January of 2016 as an associate professor of hematology/oncology (1987-2016) in the UC Davis School of Medicine, where she also developed and directed the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Outreach Research and Education Program; and served as adjunct faculty in the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and in the UC Davis MPH Program.
She formed and chaired the UC Davis Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Advisory Board; co-chaired the UC Davis Cancer/Sacramento State Partnership Board to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities; chaired the UC Davis LGBT Cancer Health Disparities Task Force; and represented UC Davis on the Survivorship Committee of the ATHENA Breast Cancer Program. She was a California Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society and was a cervical cancer spokesperson for the California Medical Foundation. She served as a national consultant for the American Medical Association Ethics Task Force on Physician/Patient Communication.
Dr. von Friederichs-Fitzwater is also professor emeritus at California State University, Sacramento, where she served for 20 years (1985-2005) as a professor in communication studies including three years as department chair. During her tenure, she was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1999 and was named a Minority Faculty Mentor in 1996
Dr. von Friederichs-Fitzwater received the Quintus C. Wilson Alumni Achievement Award in 2018 from the University of Utah; the Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in Salt Lake in April, 2019; and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D) Degree from California State University and California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) in May, 2019.
Dr. Cervantes has 25 years of experience in the education, mental health, justice system, social services, non-profit industry,leadership, organizational business and public relations sectors.
Her expertise spans beyond the application of systems through transformation in education, child welfare, mental health, leadership, consumer engagement, program evaluation, and development.
Dr. Cervantes is a well-known state and national speaker and trainer for over 25 years.
Her educational background includes a B.S in Education and Special Education, Master’s Degree in Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Dr. Cerrene Cervantes
Board Member At-Large
Harrison Linder
Board Member-at-Large
Harrison is a new addition to the South Natomas neighborhood, having just moved in January 2025 after living in the Midtown neighborhood of Sacramento for the prior 2 and half years. Harrison is a member of Generation Z, a renter, and an advocate for older adults. Harrison currently works for LeadingAge California as its Assistant Director of Housing Policy, where he advocates on behalf of over 400 nonprofit providers of affordable senior housing. Harrison also serves on the advisory council of Sacramento’s Area Agency on Aging as well as the Sacramento Adult and Aging Commission.
Before moving to Sacramento, Harrison grew up in San Francisco’s Sunset District and attended nearby public schools. For college, Harrison traveled to Singapore to attend Yale-NUS College, a liberal arts university founded in partnership between Yale University and the National University of Singapore. After graduating in 2021, Harrison returned to the United States and interned on Capitol Hill for Congresswoman Jackie Speier before moving to Sacramento.
Outside of work and local government volunteering, Harrison is an enjoyer of the outdoors and can be found in various state/national parks/forests most weekends of the year.
David Excel Unanwa
Board Member-at-Large
DavidExcel Unanwa is a passionate and dedicated individual who has made significant contributions through his involvement in various organizations and initiatives. With a strong commitment to community service and leadership, DavidExcel has positively impacted many lives.
As a volunteer at Joey's Food Locker he helps pack and serve over 700 meals weekly to needy families. This experience laid the foundation for his continued commitment to serving the community. A member of the Natomas Unified School District Student Voice Advisory Council, he plays a key role in voicing student concerns and contributing to policy discussions. His active engagement ensures that diverse perspectives are represented, and student interests are promoted, fostering a collaborative school environment.
In addition to advocacy work, DavidExcel took on the role of Vice President of MESA
(Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement). In this position, he has developed leadership skills to help guide students through projects such as the Cargo Glider and Moon Base. He oversees the building and testing of projects based on MESA regulations, leading to successful participation in regional competitions. His involvement in MESA showcases his passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and leadership.
DavidExcel's commitment to academic support is evident through his role as a Peer Tutor at Natomas High Community High School. He offers constructive feedback to students, helping them improve their performance and study skills. He conducts one-on-one tutoring sessions for students struggling in Algebra and English, providing personalized academic support.
Continuing his leadership journey, DavidExcel serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Natomas Site Council. In this role, he participates in budget allocation discussions to ensure funds are effectively distributed to support school goals and student needs. He contributes to the development and review of school policies related to safety, discipline, and academic standards.
DavidExcel's dedication has been recognized with several awards, including the Black Excellence Award for academic achievement and setting exemplary examples in the school, and the Honor Roll for achieving high honors within the top 10 percent of the school. DavidExcel Unanwa's commitment to excellence, leadership, and community service makes him a valuable asset to any organization he is involved with. His passion for helping others and his drive to excel in all his endeavors reflect his unwavering dedication to making a positive difference in the world.
Mary Yousef is a parenting counselor and educator from Egypt, with a strong background of more than 10 years of teaching science. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree, and a diploma in Psychological Health from Egypt, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in School Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential.
She moved to the US. and has lived in Natomas since September, 2022. She is now employed as a Library Media Technician at Natomas High School and continues to support students and educators.
Mary is passionate about positive parenting and youth development. She is dedicated to empowering families and educators foster healthier relationships and stronger communities.
Kaleigh Russell is a junior at Natomas High School Community School who is passionate about empowering youth with a positive and uplifting voice. Dedicated to making a difference, she strives to inspire and encourage those around her to reach their full potential. Committed to advocacy, Kaleigh works to create a safe and fair community where the voiceless can be heard and supported.
Mary Jousef
Board Member-at-Large
Kaleigh Russell
Board Member-at-Large