Our Team
Oakland Elizabeth House
2024 Board of Directors
Mariah Bruce, Senior Academic and Student Services Manager, Contra Costa College
PRESIDENT
Mariah is the Senior Academic and Student Services Manager of Workforce & Economic Development at Contra Costa College. Located in the Student and Administration building, Mariah supports Dean of Workforce and Economic Development managing grant funding and projects that support the development of Career Education programs resulting in students' successful transition into the workforce.
With over 25 years of experience working in private and public higher education and real estate, Mariah is highly skilled in project management, community outreach, program development and recruitment. This includes her time serving as Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions at Holy Names University which deepened her commitment to the core Catholic education values. She also served in strategic roles in enrollment, faculty leadership and subject matter expert and is part of Oakland Chamber of Commerce Leadership Oaklands Class of 2021.
Mariah previously volunteered at Oakland Elizabeth House, supporting career exploration and success planning. Having experienced homelessness in her past, Mariah has a passion for driving equity efforts forward with her professional and personal time and part of her personal mission statement is to leave people better than she finds them. She is from Oakland and a lifetime bay area resident.
Mariah holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Finance from San Francisco State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Masters of Adult Education and Training, Graduate Human Resources Management Certification and Graduate Project Management Certification from University of Phoenix.
Dr. Jackie Yancy
Executive Director, Ex-Officio
Dr. Jackie Yancy has spent the majority of her career working with women who face domestic violence, homelessness, and being a single parent. She holds a B.S. in Organizational Management, a M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage, Child, and Family Therapy, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Currently Dr. Yancy is the Executive Director of Oakland Elizabeth House in Oakland, California.
She also co-founded Triumph Educational Center in 2002 along with her husband Pastor Will Yancy, who is a well-known and respected domestic violence leader, educator, and minister. Its programs have provided services to families in crisis for over a decade. Because of her commitment to serving women, Dr. Yancy passionately empowers women to overcome challenges by guiding them to identify how they are WIRED (Working Inside Realistically Erasing Doubt). Recognized in Alameda County as an experienced practitioner in the field of domestic violence, Dr. Yancy has worked in collaboration with the Alameda County Family Justice Center, Alameda County Probation, and Alameda County Social Services to provide assistance for both victims and aggressors. Every program Dr. Yancy involves herself with helps reunite families and assist victims with regaining control of their lives. In addition, her work is helping many women understand the truth that will set them free to live safe and healthy lives.
Marena Perez-Ratto
Director
Marena Perez-Ratto is an East Bay native, paralegal and travel enthusiast with a deep passion for social justice particularly concerning racial injustice, economic inequality, and providing support for the BIPOCQ community.
Marena primarily works in real estate and family law. She has been at her firm for 9 years and has assisted with numerous cases, trials, and mediations throughout her career. Outside of her work, Marena is an animal lover with two cats and one pitbull. She is an avid traveler with her husband, most recently to Japan where she fell in love and hopes to return. When she is not traveling or at home with her animals, she could be found weight training, discovering new restaurants, or enjoying a cocktail with a friend.
Marianne Landis, Retired Teacher, Diocese of Oakland
Secretary
Marianne Landis was born and raised in Oakland. She attended Holy Names High School and Holy Names University where she received her BA and Elementary Teaching Credential. Over the years, she has worked both in business and academia. She spent 27 working in San Francisco in the Business Offices of both KBCW and KPIX TV and 12 years teaching third grade in the Diocese of Oakland at both St. Anthony in Oakland and All Saints in Hayward. Since leaving the classroom in 2017, she has helped out in the business offices of Corpus Christi School in Piedmont and St. Theresa in Oakland. Outside of work she volunteers with the Holy Names High School Alumni Association, Alameda Family Services League, Mercy Retirement and Care Center and her home owners association in Alameda. Marianne joined the Elizabeth House Board in October 2019.
Cecilia wright, Project coordinator, industrial, Jones Lanf LaSalle jjl
Treasurer
Cecilia Wright is a California native who has a marketing background of 15+ years working on both the client and agency sides. She has experience in project management, customer onboarding, segmentation, and competitive research, most of which was in finance. Cecilia holds a B.A. in Advertising from San Jose State University and volunteered in her sorority, Delta Gamma, as Treasurer, Fundraising Chair, and Rituals Chair. Cecilia is a mom of two teenage boys who are the center of her life and keep her on her toes. She has volunteered her time with the local Benicia chapter of Boy Scouts and has held the position of volunteer coordinator with Benicia FC league for 8 years. She also enjoys traveling and learning about new places and things in her free time.
Regina Parker, Director of Human Resources, International House, UC Berkeley
Director
Regina Parker is a seasoned Human Resources Director with over 24 years of professional experience. Notable assignments include Human Resources Manager for the University of California-Berkeley and E-commerce at Albertsons Companies. She previously held strategic roles as HR Business Partner with California Bank & Trust and ACT 1 Personnel Services.
Ms. Parker is adept at recruiting, talent development, and project management. Career achievement highlights include, development and implementation of employee engagement events, and development and implementation of innovative performance review programs. She has put into operation significant programs and policies in the areas of training, compensation, benefits, employee incentives and employee on-boarding. She also has a passion for developing long-lasting collegial relationships with all levels of workforce teams and staff.
Ms. Parker holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration - Management from California State University - Bakersfield and a Masters degree in Human Resources Management from California National University.
Courtney Welch, Mayor, City of Emeryville
Director
Courtney Welch is an Oakland native, experienced civic leader, and proud mother of two. In her career, Courtney focuses on state housing law compliance, government affairs, and socioeconomic mobility. Courtney serves as chair of the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, is a member of the ALL IN Alameda County Steering Committee, and the Homeownership San Francisco Board of Directors. In 2021, she was elected to the Emeryville City Council, and is currently serving as the 2023 Vice Mayor. Courtney resides in Emeryville with her sons, Caleb and Cruz.
