Board of Directors

Piret Harmon moved to California in 1993 after being born and raised in Estonia. Equipped with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, Piret has held diverse positions in both private and public industries. She is driven, dedicated, and passionate about contributing to the progress and success of local government and the public utilities industry. Since March 2023, Piret has led the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, focusing on groundwater sustainability in the region. Prior to this role, she spent nearly 20 years working for two public water systems in Santa Cruz County.

Bay Federal Credit Union has been Piret’s primary financial institution since her arrival in California, and she has served on the Credit Union’s Board of Directors for over a decade. Piret feels privileged to be part of the organization’s thriving leadership team and is excited to help shape the future of the credit union industry.
 

Jordan Ciliberto is an attorney in Santa Cruz specializing in estate planning, real property, and fine art transactions. He also teaches as a lecturer in the Business School at California State University Monterey Bay. Born and raised in Santa Cruz County, Jordan attended Cabrillo College, the University of California, San Diego, and Santa Clara University School of Law, where he was an Emery Merit Scholar and a Policy Fellow with the Panetta Institute for Public Policy in Monterey, California. His law practice is driven by a passion for helping clients navigate complex legal issues with a pragmatic and results-focused approach.

Jordan has been a Bay Federal Credit Union member since the late 1980s, when his parents opened a small savings account to teach him financial management. He joins the Board inspired by Bay Federal’s commitment to serving and investing in the local community, and he looks forward to advancing the Credit Union’s mission of “making a real difference.”
 

Sheila Kellerman is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years of experience in business finance, accounting, and taxation. She earned a master’s degree in taxation and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Jose State University and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Sheila was inspired to take a volunteer role with Bay Federal Credit Union due to its unwavering commitment not only to its members but also to the broader community. Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience from advising others and running her own business, S.J. Kellerman & Associates, Sheila feels she can actively contribute to the Credit Union’s goals. As a member-owned, not-for-profit organization, Bay Federal reinvests in its people and the community through superior member service, excellent employee benefits, and a robust network of community support and financial wellness initiatives. Sheila is honored to serve on the Board and to continue supporting and upholding these values.

Kathleen Lawler Bodmer, originally from Massachusetts, is an estate planning and business transaction attorney who has been practicing since 1994. Kathleen graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and earned her Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law in 1994. She moved to California in 2000 and, after nearly four years at a local firm, opened her own law practice in December 2003.

In her estate planning practice, Kathleen helps individuals and families plan for both today and “tomorrow,” providing them with control over their lives and assets. Her work addresses issues such as gifting, business succession planning, and avoiding probate court. Kathleen’s role on the Board of Bay Federal Credit Union aligns closely with her professional expertise, which includes entity formation, contract negotiation, and business transactions.

Kathleen views serving on the Board as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of the financial industry in a hands-on way while giving back to the local community. She values the chance to contribute to a solid financial institution like Bay Federal Credit Union and enjoys the positive challenges that Board service continues to bring.
 

Taylor Bateman is the Community Development Director for the City of Scotts Valley, where he has worked since 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in public administration from San Jose State University. As a member of Bay Federal's Board, Taylor is committed to continuing its long tradition of improving the financial well-being of its members.

Having used the financial services of member-owned institutions for most of his adult life, Taylor has experienced firsthand the positive impact credit unions can make. He is a strong advocate for Bay Federal’s philosophy of "people helping people" and values the exceptional service and financial products that this creates.

 

Jessica Dixon was born and raised in Santa Cruz and graduated from Harbor High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from San Jose State University and is a licensed CPA. Jessica is currently the Controller at Watsonville Community Hospital and previously served as the Decision Support Manager at Dominican Hospital, where she worked for over 20 years in various finance and accounting roles. She also briefly worked for the County of Santa Cruz in the Human Services Department and the Auditor-Controller's Office. Jessica lives in Corralitos with her husband and their spoiled pets. Her favorite pastimes include hiking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Having spent most of her life in Santa Cruz, Jessica feels inspired to work with and volunteer for organizations dedicated to improving health and well-being. Bay Federal Credit Union is one such institution, committed to enhancing the financial health of local communities.

Michael Leung graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) and later earned a master’s degree in the same field. Michael has worked for the semiconductor giant Intel and the smaller company SEI, designing chips for PC motherboards and consumer electronics.

In his spare time, Michael volunteers with various Chinese charities and nonprofit organizations. He is deeply impressed by the culture and philosophy of Bay Federal Credit Union. As a board member, he is committed to sharing that ethos with the community. Michael’s dedication to the community and his support for a local credit union will be reflected in his contributions to Bay Federal's success in developing outstanding loan and deposit products that embody the philosophy of “people helping people.”

Dennis Osmer first volunteered to serve on the Supervisory Committee in 1998 and joined the Board of Directors in 2006. Over the years he has held various officer roles, including the privilege of serving as Board Chairperson. Dennis finds it rewarding to work with an organization that has such a strong record of serving its members and local communities. He is committed to maintaining strong community ties within the Credit Union’s charter areas to ensure it remains responsive to members' needs.

His experience includes serving as Executive Director of Central Coast Energy Services, Inc., a nonprofit that assists low-income individuals with energy bills from Marin County to Monterey County, as Mayor of the City of Watsonville, as Fourth District Commissioner on the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission, and on the Central Coast Community Energy Community Advisory Council.

Dennis and his wife Laurie live in Watsonville, where they are proud parents of two adult children and have welcomed two grandchildren into the family.

Jim Phillips has worked in higher education for over 20 years. Currently, he serves as Program Lead for Digital Accessibility and Equity in the Experience, Strategy, and Design group within Information Technology Services at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Jim earned a Ph.D. in Romance Studies from Duke University (1997), an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Kent State University (2001), a master’s and bachelor’s degree in French, and a bachelor’s degree in business from San Diego State University. In addition to his work in technology, Jim’s interests include real estate and financial investing. Alongside his three brothers, he helps manage a family property business in San Diego.

Jim and his family joined Bay Federal Credit Union shortly after moving to the area, drawn by their longstanding connection to credit unions. Bay Federal’s values and community involvement make it a meaningful place to belong.
 

As the Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Santa Cruz County and now the Chief Executive Officer of United Way Bay Area, Keisha Browder has led multiple countywide initiatives focused on the building blocks of a thriving life: education, economic mobility, health, and community engagement. An experienced nonprofit executive, Keisha’s career spans over 20 years in community development, education, youth success, and philanthropy across the United States. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders.

Keisha serves on several boards that align with her values of equity, integrity, compassion, and dignity. In addition to Bay Federal Credit Union, these include the United Way Worldwide Equity Advisory Council, Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz County Health Improvement Partnership, Digital NEST Advisory, Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Community Advisory, and Nonprofit Connection of Santa Cruz County.

Keisha is grateful for her decade-long relationship with Bay Federal Credit Union as a genuine community partner. She is honored to have the opportunity to leverage the Board's skills and passion for community to support Bay Federal and its members.

Ileana Ortega Brunetti is excited to join Bay Federal Credit Union and continue "making a real difference" in the community. Growing up in Watsonville and the greater Monterey Bay area, Ileana’s professional experience has been centered in the nonprofit sector, where she has contributed to local efforts in environmental conservation, education, and economic justice.

Ileana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also attended graduate school at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, earning dual degrees: a Master of Arts in International Environmental Policy and a Master of Business Administration in International Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Sustainable Development. Outside of work, Ileana enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and connecting with nature.

H. Duane Smith’s career in Santa Cruz includes serving as City Administrator for Scotts Valley, Executive Director of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and Senior Engineer for Ifland Engineers in Santa Cruz.

Appointed to the Bay Federal Supervisory Committee in 1992, Duane later joined the Board of Directors in 1996. He retired from the Board and was honored with the title of Director Emeritus in 2014.

Duane shares that Bay Federal and its members remain essential parts of his life. He is passionate about supporting the Credit Union's goals and leadership and is proud of the Board of Directors and employees who are dedicated to serving and assisting members with their financial needs and decisions.