Yvette Durazo, MA, is a workplace culture and leadership expert, professor, and founder of Unitive Consulting, where she helps organizations strengthen leadership, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution practices. Raised in a bilingual border community (San Diego/Tijuana, Mexico) as the youngest of seven children, her early experiences shaped her deep belief in resilience, inclusion, and the power of human connection. As a former teenage mother, Yvette understands firsthand the importance of support systems and opportunities that help young women build confidence and direction. This perspective is one of the reasons she felt called to contribute to SHINE’s mission.

In addition to her consulting work, Yvette teaches human resources,  conflict resolution, leadership development, and mediation through the University of California Santa Cruz and UC Davis extension programs. A meaningful part of her work focuses on empowering women and young women through negotiation skills, helping them find their voice, advocate for themselves, and lead with confidence. As an empty nester and lifelong advocate for growth and learning, she is passionate about supporting organizations that create pathways for individuals to thrive.

Kavita is a seasoned finance leader with extensive experience in nonprofit and public accounting. She serves as Controller at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, where she leads financial operations, budgeting, compliance, and process improvement. Kavita partners closely with program and leadership teams to align financial strategy with mission impact and is known for building practical systems that improve efficiency and accountability.

Before joining Catholic Charities, Kavita worked with multiple nonprofit organizations as an auditor, gaining a deep appreciation for the impact mission-driven organizations have in their communities. As an immigrant and a mother, she feels a strong connection to Shine Together’s mission of supporting young mothers striving to build better futures. She believes meaningful impact requires both heart and strong financial stewardship. Kavita is also passionate about leveraging technology, data, and emerging tools like AI to improve financial decision-making and operational efficiency. As a board member, she looks forward to contributing her time and experience to help further Shine Together’s mission.

Annel Aguayo is a nonprofit executive, board member, and strategic fundraising leader with nearly two decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen philanthropy, build meaningful partnerships, and position themselves for long-term growth. She believes the strongest fundraising strategies begin with authentic relationships, thoughtful storytelling, and a clear vision for impact.

Throughout her career, Annel has partnered with organizations addressing some of the Bay Area’s most important challenges, including affordable housing, educational equity, economic mobility, and early childhood education. She has led development strategy for organizations ranging from established nonprofits to those navigating periods of significant growth and transformation, helping diversify revenue, cultivate major donors and institutional funders, and build sustainable fundraising programs that support ambitious missions.

Annel began her nonprofit career with Rebuilding Together Peninsula, where she spent ten years advancing to Development Director while helping preserve affordable housing for low-income homeowners throughout San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties. She later served as Director of Development at iMentor Bay Area, expanding philanthropic support for mentoring programs that empower first-generation students from historically under-resourced communities to pursue higher education. In 2020, she joined Rubicon Programs as Chief Development Officer, leading fundraising efforts that helped create pathways to economic mobility for individuals and families across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most recently, she served as Head of Development at SEAL (Sobrato Early Academic Language Program), where she strengthened the organization’s fundraising strategy and helped prepare it for a more diversified and sustainable philanthropic future.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Annel enjoys working alongside executive teams, boards, donors, and community partners to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Whether building a comprehensive fundraising program, advising organizational strategy, or cultivating transformational partnerships, she approaches every opportunity with curiosity, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the communities each organization serves.

A proud first-generation Chicana and lifelong Bay Area resident, Annel attended San José State University where she majored in journalism with a minor in music. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, baking, reading, relearning the piano, and bringing family and friends together around a thoughtfully prepared meal or afternoon tea.

Michelle Oceguera-Garcia is an HR executive, advisor, and board member with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations and leaders navigate growth and change. She has spent her career building people strategies, developing leaders, and creating workplaces where businesses and employees can thrive. Today, she also advises organizations on how AI can thoughtfully improve the employee experience and the way HR teams work.

Michelle’s commitment to Shine Together is deeply personal, she knows the power of having someone believe in you and the opportunities that education, mentorship, and community can create.

She joined the board because she believes every young mother deserves the chance to build the future she wants for herself and her family.

She is grateful to serve alongside a remarkable group of women who share that commitment and continually inspire one another to make an even greater impact.

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco.