Christine Chapon

Christine Chapon is a former molecular biologist who was born and raised in France where she had an aversion to running as a child. Since then, Christine has formed a great love of running and is now devoted to contributing to the community and coaching youth.

Christine is a certified USA-TF Level 2 and RRCA marathon coach and has coached Piedmont Middle School Track & Cross-Country since 2010 and Piedmont High School track since 2011; currently, she also coaches track with Run 365. Christine was previously the volunteer coordinator for Students Run Oakland from 2003-2010, and she now also serves as volunteer coordinator for the SF North Face Endurance Trail Challenge and the Oakland Running Festival. Christine cherishes her races with the kids who run with RBO more than any of her own personal records!

Christine manages RBO’s training programs, coaching staff and volunteers, and many of RBO’s races. She is also CPR, AED, and first aid certified.

You can reach Christine at christine@rboakland.org.

Enrique Henriquez

Enrique was born in El Salvador and moved to San Francisco when he was just 6-7 years old in order to escape the turmoil that was happening in his country. His family later moved to Oakland where he attended Lazer Elementary and Calvin Simmons Middle School (now under a different name).

He has been coaching since 1998 when he was a junior at St. Mary's College in Moraga where he ran Cross Country for the Gaels on a full running scholarship. After graduating from college, Enrique worked with adjudicated youth for 2 years in Camden, NJ, where he fell in love with teaching and helping youth. He came back and taught at Oakland's Elmhurst Middle School for 2 years before being recruited to work at the high school level where he has been for the last 16 years. He is a USATF Level 2 certified coach, CCA certified coach, a USATF Official, and a high school cross country and track coach.

Enrique joined RBO in Fall of 2020 as one of RBO's board members. An avid athlete, he has done many century rides, marathons, ultramarathons, and everything in between. He appreciates the wealth of freedom, empowerment, and the many doors that running has brought to him that he strives to give back to the community that has given him so much. A former member of the Transports Racing Team, he now races whenever possible for Excelsior Running Team.

In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his two boys (9 and 11 years old) and helping the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), where his kids participate in cross country, basketball, and track & field.

Morgan Jaldon - Board Co-Chair

Morgan joined RBO as a board member in July 2021. She says, “RBO not only helps kids achieve running goals, it often leads to them believing that they can achieve other worthy goals as well, and I am all for that!”

Morgan started running nine years ago as a way to spend time with her dad, who is also an avid runner. She loves to run both trails and roads. Aside from running, she also enjoys cycling, exploring new coffee shops, and fostering English bulldogs with a local bulldog rescue. She is originally from Vallejo, CA.

Outside of RBO, Morgan works in Donor Marketing for a cancer research center. She is also a running coach.

Jessica Kroeckel

Live in Alameda with my husband Dalton and golden retriever Mimi.

Started running after I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus playing soccer.

Ran track and cross-country all four years at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego while studying kinesiology.

I fell in love with the running community and never stopped running since. I love how running challenges me mentally and physically. It has taught me how to persevere through challenges even outside of athletics.

When I am not running, you can find me at Washington Hospital working with the rehabilitation team, personal training, gardening, traveling, or hanging out with friends and family!

Norman La

Born and raised in Oakland, Norman joined the RBO board in July 2021. He is a proud alumnus from Oakland Tech and UC Davis. 

Norm started running for fun in college, mainly running 1-2 miles a day. It was in 2015 when his running evolved, and he trained for his first half-marathon. After completing several half-marathons, Norm graduated to marathons and ultramarathons. Some of his favorite races include the Paris Marathon and Way Too Cool 50k. Along with racing, he enjoys helping other runners reach their goals through crewing and pacing.

Norm is a career fundraiser and brings to RBO his 18+ years of experience, from universities to small nonprofits.

Franco Mannucci

Joined in October 2023, Franco Mannucci is a Bay Area native bringing a passion for running and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle to his role as a board member at RBO. In 2017, Franco discovered running as a transformative outlet for life's stressors. Since then, running has not only become a central aspect of his life but has also opened doors to countless opportunities. Now, he is dedicated to giving back to future generations by leveraging his experiences and skills.

A self proclaimed Bay Area running enthusiast, Franco actively participates in numerous run clubs and organizations throughout the region. He runs for Team Salomon and serves as an ambassador for multiple brands. Currently on his bucket list are the world majors, having completed Berlin, Chicago, and New York. As Head Coach of Track and Field at Milpitas High School, he channels his passion for running into coaching, especially relishing the opportunity to work with the youth. 

Franco's commitment to youth development extends beyond the track. He firmly believes that running instills invaluable life skills such as perseverance, responsibility, socialization, and self-worth in children, preparing them for success in the real world. With family residing in Oakland and a baby nephew destined to be a future RBO student, Franco's personal connections strengthen his dedication to the organization. He eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute actively as a board member, ensuring that RBO continues to grow and expand, leaving a lasting impact on future generations.

Rick Rosenbaum - Board Co-Chair

Rick has volunteered as a mentor and long-distance coach for RBO since 2014 and is motivated and amazed by the positive impacts that distance running brings to our students and families.

Rick grew up in Los Angeles, moved to the East Bay to study at UC Berkeley and is constantly drawn to our beautiful and accessible regional park trails. He works as a planning and project manager for a locally-grown company that builds quality homes in the East Bay. When not running or hiking with his dog, he is riding his road or mountain bike in the East Bay hills, volunteering to support teens as a crisis counselor for CrisisTextLine.org, and spending time with family and two daughters.

Rick is a member of Lake Merritt LMJS running club and racing team and won the team road racing title in 2018.  He is an accomplished trail and road racer with nearly 100 finishes including the New York, Oakland, and L.A. Marathons; Skyline 50K; Marin Double Trail Race; and Oakland Running Festival’s Half Marathon since 2011.

Karen Reyes - Treasurer

Karen started volunteering with RBO after moving to the West Coast as a way of getting to know her community. She quickly fell in love with the organization and its mission, and joined the board in October 2022.

Prior to moving to the West Coast from NYC, she participated in multiple races like the Brooklyn Half and the Queens 10k. She enjoys long distance running and finds that her best ideas and strategies come during these runs . For her, running teaches you discipline and determination while also keeping your mind sharp.

She has a background in Business & Finance and when she is not running or being active, she is traveling with her family around the world.

Elizabeth Schwartz

Elizabeth joined RBO as a volunteer in Jan. 2021 and became a board member July 2021. As a former coach with Girls on the Run, she was excited to get involved with another running organization when she moved to the Bay Area in 2019.

Elizabeth ran track in middle school and started to enjoy running for fun while in college. She has run several 5ks, a couple of 10ks, and one half marathon. Her favorite race was the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon because community members cheered runners on the entire way.

Elizabeth currently resides in Oakland, CA as an attorney, but has lived all across the U.S. (Martinez, CA, Sylvania, OH, Oklahoma City where she taught 2nd grade for two years, and Eugene, OR). For fun, she enjoys playing tennis and taking her dog for walks.

Dana Stranz

Dana is an east coast native who grew up watching the Boston Marathon and admiring the talented runners. She moved to the Bay Area in 2018 and joined the RBO Board in October 2022. Dana played basketball and lacrosse in her youth and after school took up running as a hobby. She has completed 5K's, 10K's and half marathons in her time as a runner. She enjoys how the sport challenges you to improve on your personal best, every time you lace up your shoes.

Dana is a self-proclaimed foodie as well as an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time in nature. Some of her other favorite ways to get outside are mountain biking, cycling, hiking and kayaking - all with her dog Luna if she can. When she is not outdoors, Dana is the Vice President of Credit and Risk at RSF Social Finance, a financial services organization that connects social entrepreneurs with capital. She and her husband live in Berkeley with their dog Luna.

Tod Vedock, Founder and Emeritus Board Member

Tod Vedock, the visionary behind Running for a Better Oakland, is a devoted champion of the community. Over the years, he has been actively involved in various non-profit organizations, such as Operation Hope, Children's Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as serving as a current National Red Cross Disaster Lead.

After successfully selling two telecommunications businesses, Tod shifted his focus towards his property and private investment venture, ADRv LLC. Additionally, he has undertaken an exciting new project by establishing a farm, Honey Hill Tahoe Farm LLC in the serene Lake Tahoe area, where he now calls home.

Tod's unwavering dedication to recreation has had a profound impact on the community. Notably, his instrumental role in introducing the Oakland Running Festival highlights his commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for the city's residents.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Tod takes great delight in sharing his passion for volunteering, running, and entrepreneurship with his two beloved daughters. He firmly believes in instilling these values in the younger generation, ensuring a legacy of community engagement and fostering a strong work ethic that will endure for years to come.

Justin Williams

Justin has been a member of RBO since 2022. He believes running and sports can build self confidence, resiliency and teamwork. Which are all skills that can translate into all phases of life.

Justin has recently moved to the Bay Area from Los Angeles, CA. Justin has been running for the past 8 years after playing four years of collegiate football at Langston University, completing several marathons including LA and Chicago.

Aside from running Justin enjoys attending live sporting events, finding new local food spots and enjoys a good movie. Back in Los Angeles Justin also worked as a coach for a non profit organization “Compete Forever” which was a weekly children’s football skill development camp. When not working with RBO Justin works in Sales for a start up tech company.

Shelly Wong

Shelly has donated to RBO for years, but recently started mentoring and volunteering in person in the 2021-2022 season.  She believes running teaches everyone to set goals, train, and accomplish whether in running or in life.  She is inspired by the little kids and the big kids, who are so excited to run every Saturday around the lake with big smiles on their faces.  

Running brought to Shelly the ability and stamina to learn new sports including biking, swimming, skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite foiling and winging.  Shelly is excited to bring her lifetime love of running to new learners.  She first started running when a friend was training for a marathon.  Shelly started running one block at a time, and ended up running the SF Marathon.  Today, Shelly loves local trail and hill races.  

Outside of RBO, Shelly is an entrepreneur in the design field with experience in the manufacturing, distribution and property management areas.  She is also focused on giving back to the community by founding a non-profit It-Takes-A-Village during the pandemic, and working with various non-profits in the bay area bringing solar/electric opportunities to disadvantaged communities and robotics education to public schools.

Paul Yee

A longtime Oakland resident, Paul is passionate about helping people achieve their goals. He discovered running relatively late in life and now dedicates his time coaching others and building community. An RRCA-certified coach and avid marathoner, he is a lead coach for the Piedmont Junior Runners Club and a pacer for the LMJS marathon training program. He is a co-organizer of the Lake Merritt Donut Runners and an advisor to TNT Strength, a personal-training studio in Oakland.

Paul is a retired CFO, having spent 25 years helping grow consumer brands such as Stitch Fix, Method, Peet’s, and Gap. He is passionate about helping Asian professionals navigate the business world while remaining true to their authentic selves. He is on the leadership team for the Stanford Graduate School of Business Asian Alumni Chapter and is an executive mentor for the MJAA Mentorship Program. Besides traveling and solving crossword puzzles, Paul loves playing board and video games with his wife and two sons.

Joe Zarrehparvar

Joe joined RBO as a volunteer in the summer of 2020 and joined the RBO board in December 2020. He lives in Oakland and is a first generation immigrant who grew up on soccer; he played regularly until 2010 when the idea of not getting hit while running became very attractive. Now, Joe is an avid runner and not a sprinter, which drew him to long distance running and 1-2 races per year.

Joe also volunteers with Alameda County Community Food Bank and Berkeley Food Pantry. He has not experienced the pre-COVID fun of running with RBO kids but is very much looking forward to it soon and being an active member of the running community.