Sharon Brown was appointed by A Better Way's Board of Directors to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the Board leads a thoughtful search for the agency's next permanent leader. During this transition, Sharon's priorities are ensuring continuity of the agency's mission and services, strengthening its stability, and stewarding the resources entrusted to A Better Way with care, accountability, and intention. 

Sharon steps into this role building on her leadership as the agency's Chief Operating Officer, where she has overseen Operations Management, Information Technology, Data Systems, and Quality Assurance, shaping the operational strategies that support the agency's growth and long-term sustainability in service of its mission. 

Bryan holds a B.A. in History from Bowdoin College and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Bryan joined A Better Way’s Board of Directors in 2009 and currently serves as Board Chair as well as Chair of the Administration Committee. Bryan was raised in the East Bay, California and has a long history of supporting family and youth services throughout the Bay Area. Bryan and his wife live in San Francisco with their three children.

Dr. Marc Martos-Vila is a Principal with Econ One Research, an economics and finance consulting firm. Before working as consultant, Dr. Martos-Vila was a professor at the University of California Los Angeles, the London Business School (United Kingdom), the Claremont McKenna College and ESADE Business School (Spain). He has written on various topics including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance. He has taught MBA students, undergraduate students and executives.

Dr. Martos-Vila received his PhD in Economics from Princeton University.

​Emily Wu is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Five Star Bank. She has over 22 years of experience in banking including 12 years with First Republic Bank. She has established many trusted client relationships and helped with their business banking, private banking and financial planning needs.
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Emily is an active participant in the East Bay community and especially passionate about supporting families in need. She has been a Board member of A Better Way for over 5 years, where she serves as Chair of the Fund Development Committee and as a member of the Audit committee. Emily is also a Board member and Finance committee member of East Bay Asian Youth Center based in Oakland.

Jen Kokko is the Regional Sales Manager of the Northwestern Region with Insperity, a nationwide full-service HR solution company supporting small and mid-sized businesses. She brings over 20 years of experience in business development and sales leadership, including 18 years with Insperity.

Jen joined the Board of A Better Way in 2022, driven by her passion for helping children and her strong belief in the organization’s mission.

Originally from Michigan, Jen graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan with a BA in Economics and German. She has lived and worked abroad in both the U.K. and Germany, and holds a Certified Business Performance Advisor Certification from the University of Houston Bauer School of Business.

Outside of work, Jen is a proud mother of two. Her family enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, paddleboarding, running and walking in the open space near their home, and visiting the beach. Jen and her daughter have also started crafting together, exploring creative projects with their Cricut and sublimation art.

​Ahmad serves as an attorney at the California Department of Health Care Services. He obtained a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Patricia Ochoa-Milanfar has over 20 years of experience in business management and administration in both the private and public sectors, with a focus on operations, recruiting, executive coaching, consulting, and human resources management for law firms for the past 15 years. She is an expert in CA Labor Law, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution, holding certificates in various types of mediation.

Patricia served as the Associate Executive Director and head of the Conflict Resolution Program for a Bay Area nonprofit for over four years and volunteers as a Guardianship Mediator for the Superior Court of Contra Costa County, advocating for displaced children and foster youth. In 2021, she joined her husband at Milanfar Law Firm, PC, as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing all aspects of the business and fostering a positive work culture.

Patricia holds BAs in Business/Corporate Communications and English Literature, and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Certified Legal Manager (CLM). She values family, enjoys hiking, the beach, reading, and writing poetry.

Carmen Jones-Weaks is a dedicated and passionate Human Resources professional with over two decades of experience, committed to serving underserved and marginalized communities. With an Associate degree in Bookkeeping & Accounting from Mount San Antonio College and a Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies from Watterson College, she has built a robust HR infrastructure, fostered inclusive work environments, and advocated for equitable employment practices.

Carmen has held significant leadership positions, including Director of Human Resources at St. Vincent DePaul Society in Alameda County and Senior Director of People and Culture at Community Vision Capital and Consulting in San Francisco. Her expertise lies in compliance, strategic planning, and DEI advocacy.

Carmen’s recent certifications in Payroll Law and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Today’s Workplace reflect her dedication to staying at the forefront of HR practices. Her career is a testament to her belief in the power of inclusive and equitable workplace practices, making a significant impact on the organizations she serves and the broader community.