Kelsi Perttula grew up in Sacramento, came to Berkeley for college, and has lived in the Bay Area ever since.  Kelsi worked for ten years as a forensic scientist, primarily for San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. In 2012, she left that career and went to earn her doctorate at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. Recently she began work as an assistant professor at nearby CSU East Bay in the Department of Public Health. With her spouse Drew, they have four young children. She loves supporting CALICO and believes its mission is critical to getting children through some of the most difficult times in their young lives.

 

Favorite Childhood Book: Can't pick one. The Babysitter's Club series and Harriet the Spy

Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Playing Super Mario Brothers and Legend of Zelda

Current Hobbies: Yoga and tricking my kids into eating vegetables

Edward Vieira-Ducey grew up in San Leandro, attending Assumption School and then Bishop O’Dowd High School. He earned his BA from Georgetown University and his law degree from King Hall at UC Davis. He has served as a deputy district attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office for over 16 years. As a Deputy DA, Eddie spent four years on the child sexual assault unit, working in close partnership with the amazing staff at CALICO. Having witnessed first hand the incredible work of CALICO and its partners, Eddie leapt at the chance to join its board.

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Childhood Book: The Giving Tree

Childhood Game/Activity: Anything with the neighborhood kids

Current Hobbies: Relaxing when not dealing with three boys and an ill-behaved golden retriever

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Susan Torrence served as a Deputy, then Senior, District Attorney in Alameda County for almost 35 years. She specialized in the investigation and prosecution of sex crimes against adults and children for more than half of her career. The other half she prosecuted murders, serious felonies and environmental enforcement actions. She headed the Sexual Assault Team for the DA's Office, started the Sex Crimes Investigator's Task Force, and led trainings for District Attorney's throughout California via the California District Attorney's Association.  She served seven years on the Children's Justice Act Advisory Committee for Cal EMA, recommending funding for innovative and replicable programs assisting and advocating for children in the court system.

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Favorite Childhood Book: Winnie-the-Poo

Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Climbing trees

Current Hobby: Gardening

Dominique is deeply committed to supporting children and adolescents who are healing from traumatic experiences. She holds a strong respect and appreciation for CALICO’s trauma- informed, developmentally appropriate, and multi-disciplinary approach to supporting child survivors. For the past six years, Dominique has been a User Experience Researcher and Product Adviser at Apple. She graduated from Brown University with a degree in Computer Science and has furthered her knowledge with coursework in Developmental Psychology, combining her technical knowledge with her passion for child welfare.

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Favorite Childhood Book: Ender’s Game

Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Neopets and Pokémon

Current Hobbies: Rowing, playing board games, and singing

Dr. Latoya C. Conner is a professor, clinician, ethicist, and forensic psychologist who has dedicated more than 20 years to helping children, youth, and families heal through trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. The founder of Clinical & Forensic Psychology Institute, PC, she has testified in hundreds of family, civil, and criminal cases, with her current work focused on educator sexual misconduct. Dr. Conner serves on the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association (APA). Trained at Columbia University, (Ph.D., MPhil, Ed.M., M.A.) Yale School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Conner brings academic rigor together with a passion for community care. A certified yoga teacher in the Sivananda and Kemetic traditions, she integrates mind-body practices into her work with grief, trauma, and resilience. Dr. Conner is honored to support CALICO’s mission to bring healing and hope to children and families.

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Favorite Childhood Book: Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Acting/dancing/gymnastics
Current Hobbies: Yoga, travel, and cooking plant-based recipes

Pawan Sohi is a seasoned technology and business leader with experience across sales and marketing, customer advocacy, and strategic relationship management. She is known for building trusted partnerships and driving meaningful digital transformation through IT enablement that delivers long-term impact. Her strategic leadership, customer-centric approach, and deep industry insight have supported innovation and growth in highly regulated industries. Beyond her professional roles, she actively advocates for leadership development, inclusion, and women in technology. She is passionate about the environment and believes in learning without walls through real-world experiences and time outdoors in nature. Calico’s commitment to protection, awareness, and community-based intervention strongly resonates with her values of inclusion, advocacy, and long-term societal impact and is excited to contribute to Calicos mission. 

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Favorite Childhood Book: Panchatantra Tales - Classic animal fables with moral lessons

Favorite Childhood Game or Activity: Riding her bicycle, climbing trees, and playing with friends

Current Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, and cooking