Fresno County - About Us - Network for a Healthy California--Central Valley Region

About Us

The Network for a Healthy California -- Central Valley Region is administered by the University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno County.

Dr. Constance Schneider, R.D., Ph. D.
Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences Advisor

Connie Schneider, PhD, RD, is the Nutrition, Family, and Consumer Sciences Advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno. Connie oversees the Nutrition Programs, which include the Network for a Healthy California grants, (5 a Day Campaigns), Project Lean, EFNEP and FSNEP. Dr. Schneider recently served as the Regional Director for the Central Valley Health and Nutrition Collaborative and Director of Nutrition Social Marketing at UCCE. As a registered dietitian, she has over twenty years of experience working with individuals, hospitals, and communities in areas related to life span nutrition, diabetes, heart health, and food management. Dr. Schneider is certified by the American Dietetic Association in childhood and adolescent weight management. She received her doctorate in nutrition and food management from Oregon State University. Classes taught at Oregon and Fresno State include food systems management, dietetic resources management, nutrition, life span nutrition, community nutrition, and sports nutrition. Dr. Schneider is the President of the Central Valley Dietetic Association and a member of the California Dietetic Association's Child Health Education and Wellness Task Force.

Nichole Mosqueda

Network for a Healthy California Manager

As the Network for a Healthy California Manager, Nichole oversees the Central Valley Health and Nutrition Collaborative and the Network for a Healthy California Programs. She helps promote the Collaborative mission of wellness through life-long healthy eating and physical activity. Nichole brings a diverse background to the Network. She received a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Fresno Pacific University and was selected to participate in the American Studies Program in Washington DC. During this time she worked with the USDA in Youth Development at the National 4-H Headquarters where she helped to expedite the 2003 National 4-H Conference. Nichole continued her work with the National 4-H Council in Maryland as a Resource Development Specialist. She also worked in Washington DC as a marketing coordinator for a national restaurant chain, focusing on sales and community outreach. Nichole is pursuing a Master's degree in Education-Youth Development.

Stephanie Sharp
Program Manager

Stephanie Sharp is responsible for the on-going administration and management of the Children's—Power Play!, Latino Campaign, Worksite Wellness, and African American Campaigns for the seven-county Central Valley Region (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare Counties) including supervision of personnel action, work plan development and implementation, training, nutrition social marketing budgets, and resource management for schools, community youth organizations, retail (supermarkets and restaurants), farmers' markets, sub-contractors, a steering committee, and media. Stephanie has been an employee of the University of California Cooperative Extension for over 18 years beginning at the grass-roots level.

Eustolia Zamora-Bonilla
Latino Campaign Program Coordinator

Eustolia brings thirteen years of experience providing nutrition and physical activity education to low-income families in the Central Valley as well as strong presentation skills in a classroom setting including educating low-income families on nutrition education and physical activity and providing in-service trainings to peers. Eustolia received a Pharmacy Technician Certificate from California State University, Fresno and studied Business Administration at Reedly Community College. She is also a WIC certified Nutrition Educator.

Gerarrd Herrera

Program Coordinator, Worksite Wellness

Under the supervision of the Network Manager, the Worksite Wellness Program Coordinator is responsible for assisting in the on-going coordination of program partners and volunteers for the Worksite Wellness Campaign activities for organizations with a workforce where at least 50% of employees meet food stamp eligible guidelines (185% poverty level) for the seven county Central Valley Region ( Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare counties). Jerry is a University of California Berkeley Alumni, School of Spanish Literature, member of the Lambda Chi Alpha order. His work experience encompasses working as; Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, university of California Merced, Consultant/Trainer for the City of Corcoran YMCA, in COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CURRICULUMS, Director of Director of Development/Diabetes Coordinator for Corcoran District Hosipital and serves as the kings county Program Coordinator for the Binational

Leslie Fineza, Physical Activity Coordinator

As Physical Activity Coordinator, Leslie works closely with Network Campaigns to develop and implement nutrition and physical activity education. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Health Science, Community Health from California State University, Fresno. She was a member of the Gimik Filipino Club at Fresno State for 5 years and served as a secretary (03-04) and vice-president (05-06). Her experience in the health field includes interning with Community Regional Medical Center’s Worksite Wellness Program and working as a Patient Care Assistant in the Cardiovascular Progressive Unit. Leslie will enter the RN program, Fall 2008.

Yolanda Randles
African-American Campaign Coordinator
West Fresno Health Care Coalition (WFHCC)

Yolanda has over 20 years of health service experience and is currently working on a Masters in Public Health to improve her skills in Health Promotion. As Executive Director of WFHCC, the contracting agency for African American Campaign, Yolanda is the Program Coordinator for the Campaign.

Hilda Martinez
Network for a Healthy California, Communications Coordinator
Hilda Martinez is a Communications Coordinator for the Network for a Healthy California. In her capacity as Communications Coordinator, Hilda assists the Central Valley Health and Nutrition Collaborative and the Network for a Healthy California Programs primarily with media relations. Hilda brings 13 years of public relations and journalism experience and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Harvard University and a Masters in Journalism degree from the University of California at Berkeley

Abrie Gerhardt

Network for a Healthy California Communications and Event and Retail Coordinator

Abrie Gerhardt is the Network for a Healthy California Communications Coordinator as well as the Event and Retail Coordinator. Abrie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Journalism with an option in Public Relations from California State University, Fresno. She is currently furthering her education and receiving a Special Events Planning Certificate at CSU, Fresno. Gerhardt brings a wide variety of work experience in the fields of Public Relations and event planning to the Network.

Yolanda Murillo
Program Assistant, Network for a Healthy California
Yolanda Murillo is an Assistant for the Network Programs as well as the Central Valley Health & Nutrition Collaborative, for which UCCE serves as lead agency. Yolanda has 11 years experience as Secretary to UC academic staff, farm advisors , 4-H program, and UC Personnel Management Farm Advisor.

Site was last updated July 14, 2008