Board of Directors

Erica Alfaro joined the SIATech Board of Directors in 2022. She is an award-winning author, international keynote speaker, education advocate, former human resources manager, and founder of Harvesting Dreams, LLC.

She earned her high school diploma from New Millennium Charter School, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University San Marcos, and a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Counseling from San Diego State University.

Erica gained global recognition when her graduation photos went viral and made headlines worldwide. Her personal story has been featured by CNN, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, and many other media outlets. She has received honors from the U.S. Assembly, Congress, and Senate, along with multiple leadership awards.

Elyse Burden joined the SIATech Board of Directors in September 2023.

Joe Herrity is Principal at Groundwork Social Sector Consulting where he focuses on organizational development, including serving as a co-convener of the California Opportunity Youth Network. Joe has spent the past 20 years traversing the social sector with a primary focus on youth development, workforce development, and collective impact systems change efforts. He is particularly proud to serve as a founding Ally Advisor to the Youth Liberation Movement, a young adult led organization in Santa Clara County working to help public systems and agencies center lived experience expertise. He became a SIATech board member in the fall of 2022.

Oliver Unaka became a member of the SIATech Board of Directors in September 2023. He is the Associate Vice President at the University of La Verne and a seasoned expert in marketing communications. With nearly three decades of experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, he is an educational leader, business consultant, lecturer, and a mentor for at-promise youth. Oliver is a passionate advocate for high-quality and equitable education, dedicating himself to enhancing student-learning outcomes at all levels – from TK-12 to post-secondary. He has served on several boards, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, California Association of Black School Educators, and The State Bar of California.

Oliver holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Redlands and a bachelor’s degree with honors (Phi Sigma Tau) in Philosophy from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Additionally, he holds certificates from the African American Board Leadership Institute and Cornell University.

Dr. Asha' Jones has joined the SIATech board.