Board of Directors
We are excited to welcome our AAUW Lodi Board of Directors for 2026–2027. We look forward to the leadership of President Veronica Riley and Co-President Vanessa Jara, along with Treasurer Kaery Castillo-Ferreira. We know they will lead with heart, dedication, and a genuine commitment to our members and our mission.
We are grateful to Program Co-Vice Presidents Ellen Estrada and Eddie Akana Fudala, Membership Co-Vice Presidents Aleathea Langone and Roberta Williams, and Membership Treasurer Linda Hammons for stepping forward to serve. We also appreciate Board Meeting Recording Secretary Liz Orwin, General Meeting Recording Secretary Michele Scardigli, and Corresponding Secretary Pat Bryne for sharing their time and talents with our branch.
There is so much to look forward to in this new chapter. May the coming year bring new ideas, stronger friendships, meaningful opportunities to serve, and plenty of moments to celebrate together. We are excited to see all that this wonderful team will bring to AAUW Lodi in 2026–2027!
Veronica Riley
President
Veronica Riley has over 20 years of leadership experience across county, state, and private sector environments. Her career has focused mainly on the child support program, where she has worked at every level, from frontline service delivery to executive leadership.
She began her career as a caseworker in Ventura, California, and later served as a senior consultant and lead trainer on the implementation of California’s statewide child support system and other government IT initiatives. Veronica then joined the California Department of Child Support Services, where she held senior leadership roles including Chief of the Statewide Training and Program Oversight Branches, and Regional Administrator. She then served as Assistant Director/Interim Director of the San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services. She has extensive experience in state and local government, budgeting, policy development and implementation, and training.
At the core of Veronica’s work is a commitment to social justice, kindness, and equity. She is drawn to efforts that expand access to education, strengthen women’s leadership, and create fair, inclusive systems. Throughout her career, she has advanced these values by developing leaders, strengthening organizational culture, and supporting initiatives that improve outcomes for families and communities.
Veronica is the founder of Veronica Riley Training and Consulting, Inc., where she partners with organizations nationwide to strengthen leadership, culture, and performance. She remains engaged with national child support associations and professional networks.
She holds a BA in Political Science from CSU Chico, and a Master of Public Administration from CSU San Bernardino. Veronica is a Myers-Briggs certified practitioner, a contributing member to The Center for a Loving Workplace, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. She lives in Lodi, California with her husband and their two Sheepadoodles. She enjoys cooking, kayaking, traveling, and dancing. Her current goal is to visit every continent.
Vanessa Jara
Co-President
Vanessa is an avid reader but can only read during breaks or she would get nothing done; other hobbies include, crafting and party planning, watching her children play sports and dance, and taking long drives with her husband just to get out of the house. In her spare time, she tutors because once a math teacher, always a math teacher. Vanessa is part of our Girls Night Out interest group and will be hosting at least one gathering during the year, and possibly one over the summer break.
Originally a part of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), along with other members from AAUW, Vanessa was the President of DKG until the group was dissolved due to low participation. It was an honor to be invited to the 2025 Kickback Luncheon by Maurie Jacinto where and when I
became an official member of AAUW. As the co-president this year, I am looking forward to working alongside Veronica Riley.
Vanessa, originally raised in the Bay Area, attended Bear Creek High School, graduating in 2002. Directly after high school, Vanessa attended University of the Pacific where she originally majored in biochemistry, only to change her major to mathematics. Vanessa graduated with a B.S. in mathematics as well as her teaching credential. With the hope of teaching at her alma mater, Vanessa applied and was offered a job; but instead ended up at Christa McAuliffe for one year before transferring to Middle College High School. Vanessa taught math for 12 years at MCHS. During this time, Vanessa went back to school to get a M.A. in Educational Inquiry as well as her Administrative Credential from Teachers College of San Joaquin. Vanessa continued her career within Lodi Unified School District as the Assistant Principal at McNair, Vice Principal at Bear Creek High School and finally Principal at Middle College High School where she currently works.
Vanessa and her husband, who is her high school sweetheart, have been together for 25 years, and married for 18 years. They are the parents of four children ranging from college age to transitional kindergarten: Jason, 19; Angelina, 17; Natalie, 9; and Elijah, 5. The age gap was filled with two, back to back surrogacy journeys- one from Oslo, Norway and the other from Iowa, USA. The family has one dog that shares a birthday with the youngest child, a fully energized puppy, a rambunctious male cat named Darth Vader, and a sulcata tortoise that will live entirely too long.
Ellen Estrada
Program Co-President
I am a retired RN, having worked for over 45 years in my chosen profession.
Most of my professional experience was spent at the patient’s bedside, but I always enjoyed teaching and sharing my acquired knowledge and expertise with others.
I joined AAUW when I learned about their mission of encouraging and promoting higher education for girls and young women.
I attended the Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center’s School of Nursing and graduated in 1974. This was a hospital-based nursing program and featured academics along with many hours of bedside experience in, at the time, one of the largest hospitals in the country.
I moved to Lodi about 5 years ago to be closer to my son and daughter-in-law after my retirement. I would like to spend my final years engaged in whatever role I can find, in making the world a better, safer space for humanity.
Edwyna Akana Fudala
Program Co-President
Aleathea Langone
Membership Co-Vice President
Aleathea Langone serves as Membership Co-Vice President of AAUW Lodi.
She attended U.C. Berkeley and has a B.A. in molecular biology. She is a retired Lodi Unified educator.
Roberta Williams
Membership Co- Vice President
Robert Williams has been an AAUW Lodi member since 1981.
She has been AAUW Lodi Lifetime member since 1985. It was a Christmas gift from her husband.
Liz Orwin
Board Meeting Recording Secretary
Elizabeth Orwin is passionate about shaping the future of engineering education. As dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at University of the Pacific, she champions innovative, hands-on learning experiences that empower students to thrive—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Elizabeth has been in engineering education for 25 years, as a faculty member and eventually Engineering Department Chair at Harvey Mudd College, and now Dean at the University of the Pacific. She holds a B.S. in Engineering with honors from Harvey Mudd College and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Under her leadership, Pacific’s School of Engineering and Computer Science has launched bold initiatives that put students at the center. From an interdisciplinary first-year design and innovation course featuring real-world community projects, to joining the Kern Engineering Entrepreneurial Network to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, Elizabeth is committed to preparing graduates for success in a rapidly changing world. She also led the creation of the school’s Makerspace, transforming an idea into a vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration.
Elizabeth’s dedication to inspiring the next generation extends beyond campus. She teaches engineering design to high school students and drives outreach programs like MESA and Science Blast, opening doors to STEM careers for young learners. Her volunteer work reflects the same passion: as president and member of the Lodi branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), she helps girls and women achieve their educational goals through scholarships and programs like Tech Trek. She has also served in the Society of Women Engineers, as a Girl Scout leader, Lego League coach, and organizer of elementary school science fairs—always with the goal of sparking curiosity and confidence in STEM.
Guided by values instilled by her parents, Elizabeth strives to make a difference through her work and service. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire and support young people as they learn to create meaningful impact in the world. Elizabeth enjoys reading, hiking, traveling the globe with her family, amateur photography, and making scrapbooks of family adventures.
Michele Scardigli
General Meeting Recording Secretary
Michele Scardigli serves as the corresponding secretary for AAUW Lodi.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Davidson College and a Master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University.
Pat Byrne
Corresponding Secretary
Professionally, I worked in education teaching science and/or math from Middle School to University for about 10 years. After a few years working in the wine industry, while I pursued advanced degrees. I changed paths and worked over 20 years in market research/marketing for an electrical community.
I have a BS in Biology from Dominican University, MS in Human Biology from UOP and an MBA from Sac State.
I have lived in Lodi area since 1981, with previous California towns including Tulelake, San Anselmo, Santa Barbara, San Rafael and Stockton.
My family has raised cattle for over four generations in Modoc county where I lived as a child.
Currently, I am enjoying retirement by spending time with family and friends.
Kaery Castillo-Ferreira
Treasurer
With over fifteen years of dedicated service in the telecommunications industry, Kaery Castillo-Ferreira brings a multifaceted skill set honed through dynamic roles in credit risk management, auditing, operations, and sales. Currently serving as a Business Strategy Manager within T-Mobile’s Credit Risk Management, Kaery plays a pivotal role in designing and implementing risk mitigation strategies that safeguard the company’s financial health while enabling responsible growth in the commercial lending space.
She has spearheaded the development of robust credit risk frameworks that proactively identify and manage potential liabilities, significantly reducing exposure to commercial credit defaults. Her work has led to measurable reductions in bad debt through data-driven analysis, enhanced underwriting practices, and cross-functional alignment on risk tolerance thresholds. By integrating strategic insights with operational execution, Kaery ensures that risk is managed not as a constraint but as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
The daughter of entrepreneurial parents, Kaery grew up with a front-row view of the challenges and opportunities that come with business ownership—instilling in her a lifelong passion for financial literacy and economic empowerment.
Kaery holds an MBA from the University of La Verne and a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Linda Hammons
Membership Treasurer
For the past 50 years, Linda Hammons has been a member of Lodi AAUW. Linda has appreciated how membership has had value during different stages of life—raising two children, a career as a teacher, an ongoing interest in community service, and now retirement.
She then served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa. After the move to Lodi, she wanted to connect with her new community and was lucky enough to discover AAUW. Over the years, Linda has served as president, program vice president, newsletter editor, scholarship chair, Be Informed chair, and membership treasurer. Through AAUW, she has benefitted from mentoring by phenomenal women (and now the inspiration of talented younger members), lifelong friendships, continuing opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills, and the pride of being a part of an organization that improves lives for women and girls.
Retirement has meant more time for community service with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Women’s Center of San Joaquin County (now Prevail), and Breakthrough Project youth activities that celebrate living together in a diverse community. Thankfully, it has also provided time to be with friends, to read books with her book group, to travel with family (including twin grandsons), to Jazzercise, to walk at Lodi Lake, to play Words With Friends—and to usually have a jigsaw puzzle going!