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President
Biographies of Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members
Ms. Bermudez is the immediate past-President of Lawyers Club of San Diego and is currently President of San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. Ms. Bermudez received her B.A. from UC Irvine and her J.D. from Stanford Law School.
Boot received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School where she was an Articles Editor for the Michigan Technology and Telecommunications Law Review. During law school, she interned for a federal district court judge, a state court appellate judge, and the Detroit prosecutor’s office. She also spent a semester studying international law at Hong Kong University. Prior to law school, Boot was Finance Director for the re-election campaign of a Washington D.C. City Councilmember At-Large. She also served as a Regional Field Coordinator for a New Hampshire Presidential Primary campaign. Boot graduated from the University of Michigan with an honors degree in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. While at Michigan, she was elected Student Body President, representing over 38,000 students. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Public Relations Committee for the Lawyers Club, a specialty bar association dedicated to advancing the status of women in the legal profession and in society.
Barbara Bry, Founding President
Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, she was a partner at Ross, Dixon & Bell, LLP (now Troutman Sanders, LLP), where she litigated complex cases in state and federal courts nationwide, including insurance coverage and “bad faith,” commercial, employment law, libel and defamation, and First Amendment cases. Cleesattle is a member of the executive committee of the California State Bar Association’s Public Law Section and a member of the CLE Advisory Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association. She also is a board member of Lawyers Club of San Diego, a bar association dedicated to the advancement of the status of women in the law and society. She co-chairs Lawyers Club’s Leadership Development Committee and serves as editor of the association’s award-winning monthly newsletter, Lawyers Club News. Cleesattle was named a 2009 Top Attorney in Municipal & Government Practice by the San Diego Daily Transcript. She previously worked as a daily news reporter for The Lancaster (Ohio) Eagle-Gazette. She graduated summa cum laude from American University’s Washington College of Law and received her B.A. in communications/print journalism, cum laude, from American University. Jennifer Dreyer Jennifer has served on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties for five years and was recently nominated as Chair-elect. Jennifer is also the immediate past Chair of Planned Parenthood’s political organization, The Action Fund. Jennifer met her husband on the debate team, loves to talk politics, and is pleased that her two daughters (3 and 5 years old) readily recognize three women when the TV is on: Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Katie Couric.
Sarah Kruer Jager  Bryna Kranzler is a writer with previous experience in marketing and public relations for health care, high-tech, and consumer products companies. A graduate of Yale University School of Organization and Management, where she earned an M.B.A., she also attended Barnard College from which she earned a B.A. in Program in the Arts: Writing. Bryna was the recipient of the Helen Prince Award for Excellence in Dramatic Writing, and was a finalist in Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Competition. A contributor to the San Diego News Network, she is currently editing for publication her grandfather’s memoirs from the Russo-Japanese War, including the four death sentences imposed upon him for organizing the first union of bakers, plotting to assassinate Czar Nicholas II, and other revolutionary activities.Elyse Lowe
In addition to practicing law, Cynthia is active in the East Village community of downtown and Co-Chair of the 2010 Women’s Resource Fair. Cynthia has experience working for elected officials as a Deputy City Attorney in the Oceanside City Attorney Office and in the San Diego City Attorney Office. She has volunteered for national, state and local campaigns.
Carol Naiman Waldman
In addition to serving on the Run Women Run Executive Committee and as Programs Committee Chair, Abby is involved in a variety of community and non-profit organizations including: City of San Diego, Board of Library Commissioners; Scripps Health, Board of Trustees and Former Chairman; Scripps Translational Science Institute, Advisory Board; Episcopal Community Services, Board; and University of California, San Diego, Board of Overseers. President
Executive Committee Advisory Board Staff President Michelle Burton is the president of Run Women Run. Executive Committee Barbara Bry, Founding President Michelle Burton, President Anita Busquets Jennifer Dreyer Elaine Hanson Rosemary Straley Abby Silverman Weiss Advisory Board: Michelle Burton, President Virgina "Ginny" Armbrust Susan Atkins Nadia Bermudez Sarah Boot Julie Bronstein Janice Brown Lynn Bruser Barbara Bry, Founding President Francine Busby Anita Busquets Aurora Cudal Amy Denhart Jennifer Dreyer Laura Fink Elizabeth French Lucy Goldman Lorena Gonzalez Shana Hazan Linda Hirshberg Gayl Jaaskelainen Sarah Kruer Jager Bryna Kranzler Joan Little Lynne Litwiller Elyse Lowe Pat McQuatar Cynthia Morgan Maddy Morris Tina Nova Bonnie Burns Price Paula Siegel Bernice Stafford Nancy Stagg Rosemary Straley Elizabeth Studebaker Vicki Thompson Cynthia Thornton Carol Waldman Abby Silverman Weiss Staff Emily Jennewein Marketing Director Emily Jennewein Marketing Communications 858-755-2665 Biographies: Michelle Burton, President Virgina "Ginny" Armbrust Susan Atkins Nadia Bermudez Sarah Boot Julie Bronstein Janice Brown Lynn Bruser Barbara Bry, Founding President Francine Busby Anita I. Busquets, M.B.A. is a highly experienced, start-up executive who has served in a wide range of operating and financial management roles. Ms. Busquets serves as President and COO of NCE Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a small agricultural biotech company focused on antifungal and antibacterial compounds and technologies. She is also the co-owner of Aliane Wines, a San Diego based wine importer and distributor of fine wines produced by small independent family owned vintners. Ms. Busquets serves on three boards including, NCE Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Planned Parenthood of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties, and Athena San Diego. In the past she served as a director of Project Wildlife, Chairman of the Board of VNA and Hospice of South Texas and as President of the KLRN (local PBS station) Community Advisory Board, in addition to the board of GeneTex, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. She is an active Member of Run Women Run and serves on its Advisory Board. Aurora Cudal Amy Denhart Jennifer Dreyer Laura Fink Elizabeth A. French is a partner in the law firm of Green Bryant & French, LLP. Her practice emphasizes the representation of community associations, individuals in tort and personal injury actions, employers in all aspects of employment law and providing assistance and representation to families with children who require Special Education services including IEPs, related services, behavioral plans and appropriate placements in the least restrictive environment. Elizabeth earned a B.A. degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame, Indiana in 1990. In 1993, she earned her J.D. degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington. Her community activities include serving on the Board of Directors for Community Associations Institute (CAI), acting as a delegate for a legislative action committee related to CAI and she is a volunteer with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, which is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people in San Diego County who can not afford to pay for legal services. Elizabeth also acts as a co-leader for her daughter’s Girls Scout troop. Elizabeth resides in Point Loma with her husband and four children, Brenna, Erin, Lucas and Kate. Lucy Goldman Lorena Gonzalez Shana Hazan works at Jewish Family Service (JFS), where she oversees all aspects of the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry’s teen leadership programs, including a thriving Student Executive Committee and a network of Hand Up Clubs at 10 area high schools. Under her direction local teens engage in issue advocacy, food drive coordination, volunteer management, in addition to planning innovative awareness raising fundraisers, like Rock Out for Hunger. Shana also manages corporate donor outreach and affinity group development for Jewish Family Service. Shana holds an MS Ed. from the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Before coming to JFS, she worked in Public Relations, taught elementary school in Chicago’s inner city, and served as the Safe Routes to School Director for Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago, where she was actively involved in advocacy and program development to reduce childhood obesity by increasing physical activity and active transportation. Shana was selected for San Diego News Network’s 35 Under List in 2009. She serves on the Advisory Board for Stanley E. Foster Construction Tech Academy, and lends her time to Crystal Crawford’s 2010 State Assembly campaign. In late 2009, she brought together community partners to present the first annual Evening of Empowerment for Young Women. Linda Hirshberg Gayl Jaaskelainen Sarah Kruer Jager joined Monarch in 2005 and is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and management of investments as well as various investor relations activities. Prior to Monarch, Sarah worked at UBS Investment Bank in Chicago as an analyst in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Diversified Industrials Groups. In this capacity, Sarah executed financing and advisory assignments across a broad range of industries. Sarah attended University of Michigan on a golf scholarship, and her academic and athletic honors include being named by the National Golf Coaches Association to the Division I All-American Scholar Golf Team and receiving Academic All-Big Ten Conference Honors. Sarah graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with high distinction. Sarah currently serves on the Founding Advisory Board of Run Women Run and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Land Use & Transportation Committee. Sarah is also an active volunteer at Pro Kids Golf Academy & Learning Center and a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Pension Real Estate Association Bryna Kranzler is a writer with previous experience in marketing and public relations for health care, high-tech, and consumer products companies. A graduate of Yale University School of Organization and Management, where she earned an M.B.A., she also attended Barnard College from which she earned a B.A. in Program in the Arts: Writing. Bryna was the recipient of the Helen Prince Award for Excellence in Dramatic Writing, and was a finalist in Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Competition. A contributor to the San Diego News Network, she is currently editing for publication her grandfather’s memoirs from the Russo-Japanese War, including the four death sentences imposed upon him for organizing the first union of bakers, plotting to assassinate Czar Nicholas II, and other revolutionary activities. Joan Little Lynne Litwiller In December 2008, Elyse became the Executive Director of Move San Diego, the only non-profit in San Diego advocating for world class public transit and sustainable transportation and land use planning for our region. She is the sole full time employee of this small but mighty organization and is excited about Move San Diego’s important contribution to the future livability of our region. After graduating UCSC with a degree in Environmental Studies and Earth Science, Elyse spent 11 years with the City of San Diego. She started her career in the Environmental Services Dept. managing citywide recycling and waste reduction programs, and also working a Budget Analyst for in the Financial Management department. Elyse began to see herself as a change agent for San Diego. Her goal was to be a positive force for community improvement in her home town. After completing the Community Economic Development program at the SDSU School of Business, Elyse joined the staff of then San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer. Elyse acted as Council Representative, and was appointed as the Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Director, advising on land use, environmental issues and public policy. She became the Consultant to the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee and in her last year with the City, Consultant to the Rules and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. In these leadership positions, Elyse was able to enact change by working directly on community improvement projects, and advising on housing and land use policy decisions that affect the way we live in San Diego. She has been involved in the past with the National Management Association, the California Resource Recovery Association, the Salvation Army Joan Kroc Community Involvement Committee, the Chamber of Commerce Land Use and Housing Committee, the City of San Diego Land Use and Housing Technical Advisory Committee, served as President of the Women’s Environmental Council San Diego Chapter, and acted as a liaison to various Redevelopment and Community Planning Advisory Committees for the City of San Diego. She currently sits on the SANDAG Stakeholder Working Group for the Regional Transportation Plan Update, the transportation committees for the San Diego County Taxpayer’s Association, the Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown San Diego Business Partnership’s. She is a member of the Herb Klein Leadership Roundtable, the Southwestern Yacht Club Family Friendly Committee, and as an Advisory committee member to Run Woman Run, a political action committee supporting pro choice San Diego women for elected office. Pat McQuatar Cynthia Morgan Maddy Morris Tina Nova Bonnie Burns Price, Ph.D., has labored in the groves of academe throughout her adult life, as a student, a teacher, and an administrator. She earned a baccalaureate at Albright College, a master’s at the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate at Temple University. When living in Pennsylvania, she taught at Albright College, Kutztown University, and Reading Area Community College, at which she was a member of the first year faculty; she also served RACC as a division head and academic vice president. Upon return to her native San Diego, she co-founded and led a private graduate university, establishing branches in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. Merging her university with another, she returned to community college work in teaching and administration at the San Diego and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Districts. Since retiring from Grossmont College, she has worked as a post-secondary accreditation consultant. In Pennsylvania, Bonnie applied her political science education to solving real political problems, engaging in political activism to promote equal rights for all through leadership in the county American Civil Liberties Union and the Democratic Party. She also served as a local public official for 20 years. In addition, she was a founding board member of Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania, which serves nine economically-depressed counties. Bonnie took time from these and other activities to raise a daughter, who resides in England and works as an information technology engineer, while raising a daughter with her pilot spouse. Paula Siegel Bernice Stafford Nancy Stagg Rosemary Straley Elizabeth Studebaker Vicki Thompson Cynthia Thornton Carol Waldman Abby Silverman Weiss is a mediator, arbitrator and consultant, concentrating on employment law and employment-related business conflicts. Her expertise is commercial and employment dispute resolution, business and employment law litigation, and counseling. She serves as a mediator on the Employment Law panel of the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC)and as an arbitrator on the Employment Law and Complex Litigation panels of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). In July, 2009 she retired as a partner of Baker & McKenzie, LLP, after a 30-year career with the firm as trial lawyer and as managing partner of the SD office. In addition to serving on the Run Women Run Executive Committee and as Programs Committee Chair, Abby is involved in a variety of community and non-profit organizations including: · City of San Diego, Board of Library Commissioners · Scripps Health, Board of Trustees and Former Chairman · Scripps Translational Science Institute, Advisory Board · Episcopal Community Services, Board · University of California, San Diego, Board of Overseers She maintains her professional and law related memberships: · Association of Business Trial Lawyers, San Diego chapter, Emeritus Director · American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution and Litigation Sections · Lawyers' Club of San Diego, President’s Circle · San Diego County Bar Association, · San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Women’s Advisory Council · University of San Diego School of Law, Board of Visitors She also is on the following Business related board: · CONNECT, Board of Directors, Honorary Lifetime Member · Athena San Diego, Emeritus Director and Member of Pinnacle Awards Steering Committee · Rancho La Puerta Group, Advisory Executive Board Member Staff Emily Jennewein serves as Marketing Director of Run Women Run. In 2009, she created the new Website for Run Women Run. Emily is the principal in Emily Jennewein Marketing Communications, a Web development and marketing communications firm whose clients include the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, San Diego Grantmakers, and the San Diego Museum of Art. Emily is president-elect of Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego. |
Michelle Burton became president of Run Women Run in October 2009. Michelle is managing partner of Shoecraft Burton, a civil litigation law firm. She graduated with distinction from San Diego State University and earned her law degree from California Western School of Law where she was on the national trial team. She previously chaired Run Women Run's membership committee.
Xavier Martinez is Run Women Run's treasurer. Xavier is the treasurer for numerous Democratic campaigns and committees. He serves as Controller for the San Diego County Democratic Party. He is Co-Chair of the California Democratic Party's Organization and Development Committee and has served as the CDP's Region 20 Director. A member of the President's Advisory Council at CSU San Marcos, he is also a founding Board Member of Encuentros Leadership of North County. Xavier owns Martinez & Associates, a bookkeeping and tax service. 
Ginny Armbrust is a Mechanical Engineer, educated at UCSD and SDSU. She worked for General Atomics and McDonnell Douglas before starting a company involved in the design and development of low observable materials and devices. While engineering is her profession, politics is one of her passions. The evolution of women’s rights has been a main driving force for political activism and for that reason is proud to be a part of Run Women Run. 
Nadia P. Bermudez is a business and employment litigation attorney with GCR, LLP. Ms. Bermudez is Chair-Elect of the Employment Law and Litigation Committee of the ABA’s Tort Trial Insurance Practice Section. In 2007, she was honored on San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s “40 under 40” list and in 2009, received the Women Who Mean Business Award from the San Diego Business Journal. 
Sarah Boot is an associate at the law firm of Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP. She represents internet and technology companies in her legal practice, which focuses on complex civil litigation and intellectual property litigation. 
Julie Bronstein is Director of Philanthropy for the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation where she focuses on donor relations and development. In addition, she evaluates and advises on philanthropic opportunities in the community. Prior to this position, Julie ran her own political fundraising firm in San Diego, including such clients as Senator Feinstein, Lt. Governor John Garamendi and the California List. 
Lynn Bruser has served the public interest for nearly 20 years. When her son Josh was born prematurely in Hawaii in 1985, she visited him in the hospital and was confronted by demonstrators who thought that she was trying to get an abortion. This motivated her to become one of the forces behind opening the first NARAL chapter in Hawaii where she became one of the community’s most outspoken advocates for choice. After moving to San Diego in 1990, her tireless activism on behalf of choice led to appointments on the board of directors of both Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and she also served on the board of WomenCare. Lynn has walked precincts, raised money, demonstrated on street corners and collected signatures for the causes and candidates in which she believes. Recently she demonstrated against Ringling Bros Circus in San Diego, and she is proud to be on their wanted list. Currently she is focused on collecting signatures for Proposition 2 which calls for humane treatment of farm animals.
Barbara Bry is the executive editor and associate publisher of San Diego News Network (SDNN.com). She has been on the founding team of two companies and three non-profit organizations including Proflowers.com, San Diego Athena, and Connect. In the community, she serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties, the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Women's Foundation, and she is a member of San Diego Rotary Club 33. 
Anita I. Busquets, M.B.A. is a highly experienced, start-up executive who has served in a wide range of operating and financial management roles.
Jodi Cleesattle is a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice, where she works in the Civil Division’s Employment, Regulation & Administration Section in San Diego, litigating employment and administrative law cases on behalf of state agencies in state and federal courts and preparing and arguing appeals and writs. 
R. Elaine Hanson M.D. is a retired Ob-Gyn who was educated at the University of Iowa and UC San Diego. She served on the medical school faculty at UCSD until 1995 and at Scripps Clinic until 2001. She has served on the board of directors and as president of EdUCate! The University City Foundation for Public Schools, and is currently on the board of Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties. She is President of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Blood Bank. She and her husband and three adult children are all involved in various organizations and careers revolving around education, healthcare, and environmental conservation and sustainability.
Shana Hazan works at Jewish Family Service (JFS), where she oversees all aspects of the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry’s teen leadership programs, including a thriving Student Executive Committee and a network of Hand Up Clubs at 10 area high schools. Under her direction local teens engage in issue advocacy, food drive coordination, volunteer management, in addition to planning innovative awareness raising fundraisers, like Rock Out for Hunger. Shana also manages corporate donor outreach and affinity group development for Jewish Family Service.
Sarah Kruer Jager is a Principal, Investment & Development of Monarch Group, a private real estate investment and development firm. Sarah joined Monarch in 2005 and is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and management of investments as well as various investor relations activities. Sarah is also a founding member of the Monarch Investment Funds real estate private equity funds family.
In December 2008, Elyse became the Executive Director of Move San Diego, the only non-profit in San Diego advocating for world class public transit and sustainable transportation and land use planning for our region. She is the sole full time employee of this small but mighty organization and is excited about Move San Diego’s important contribution to the future livability of our region.
Cynthia Morgan is a partner at the law firm of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack where she has a transactional practice in land use, real estate, business and public agency. Cynthia received her B.A. from Michigan State University and her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Bonnie Burns Price, Ph.D., has labored in the groves of academe throughout her adult life, as a student, a teacher, and an administrator. She earned a baccalaureate at Albright College, a master’s at the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate at Temple University. 
Rosemary is national coordinator of Hillary Rodham Clinton Support Network, founded in 1992 with a membership nationwide of over 25,000. With HRC as role model, a priority activity of this organization is electing pro-choice women at every level. Rosemary serves on NOW's national Committee on Global Feminist Issues and Strategies. She is active in many organizations locally which promote access and opportunities for women and girls. She is president of George-Straley Foundation which supports empowerment and income generation projects -- especially microcredit -- with women in developing nations. 
Carol Naiman Waldman developed an interest in politics by working on campaigns. Her professional campaign experience includes working for Lucy Killea’s first state senate campaign, and then as a volunteer coordinator for the National Abortion Rights Action League where she traveled to Illinois and Iowa to recruit and train volunteers. She served on the legislative staff of the Chula Vista City Council, then after NARAL joined the staff of former Assemblymember Dede Alpert. After attending graduate school in Los Angeles, Carol joined PR firm Millennium Services, Inc., where she handled media relations for political candidates, special events and businesses. Subsequently, she returned to legislative service on the staff of Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson. 
Abby Silverman Weiss is a mediator, arbitrator and consultant, concentrating on employment law and employment-related business conflicts. Her expertise is commercial and employment dispute resolution, business and employment law litigation, and counseling. She serves as a mediator on the Employment Law panel of the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC)and as an arbitrator on the Employment Law and Complex Litigation panels of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). In July, 2009 she retired as a partner of Baker & McKenzie, LLP, after a 30-year career with the firm as trial lawyer and as managing partner of the SD office. 
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