Slate of Officers 2023-2024
PRESIDENT Melissa Xanthe Stevens - ΦBKNCA: Teaching Excellence Chair 2020–2023. BA Gender and Women’s Studies (summa cum laude) UC Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, 2019. MA English Literature, Loyola Marymount University, 2024. Content editor and/or copyeditor, Punctum Books, Marymount Institute Press, and freelance. Producer of Emmy Award-winning television program Cheap Eats, Los Angeles, 2015–2019. Owner/operator of event décor company Balloonacy in Sacramento, CA, 2001–2015. Opera singer (lyric soprano) and singing teacher in Australia and Europe, 1992–2000. Studied under Dame Joan Hammond DBE CMG at the Victorian College of the Arts, the University of Melbourne. Editor, researcher, singer/songwriter who loves cats, trees, coffee, and poetry. Passionate about environmental humanities, medieval studies, animal rights, disability inclusion, Indigenous rights, gender equality, and social justice.
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS O'Neil Dillon - O’Neil grew up in Berkeley and attended UC Berkeley (1962) and UCSF School of Medicine (1965). After internship at Mt Zion Hospital in San Francisco, he joined the US Public Health service and provided medical care to Peace Corps volunteers in Malaysia. On return to the US, he finished a psychiatric residency at Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCSF finishing in 1971. He practiced psychiatry in Berkeley, including providing psychiatric care of UC Berkeley students at Cowell Hospital student health services. Along with many years of private practice in Berkeley, he has also provided psychiatric crisis intervention services at San Quentin State Prison high security and death row inmates. He has been Past President of the Medical Staff at Alta Bates Hospital, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Herrick Hospital in Berkeley, as well as Past President of the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, SCHOLARSHIP Joanne Sandstrom - ΦBKNCA: Second Vice President, Scholarship, 2006 – present. A.A., Glendale Junior College (as it was then), 1957; B.A. in English and teaching credential, UC Berkeley, 1959 and 1960, respectively; M.A. in English, Cal State Long Beach, 1968. Taught English at Costa Mesa High School, Saddleback College and Long Beach City College, 1969-1975. Sailed around the world, 1975-1980. In charge of the publications program (editor, typesetter, proofreader, marketer, publicist, etc.) for the Institute of East Asian Studies, UC Berkeley, September 1980-2009 (on leave sailing around the world again in 1988). Retired and doing freelance editing.
THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT - MEMBERSHIP Patricia Kenber - ΦBKNCA: Third Vice President - Membership, 2013 - present. B.Sc. (Honors) Mathematics, University of Exeter, UK, 1966; B.A. English (summa cum laude), San Francisco State University, Phi Beta Kappa, 2000; M.A. English San Francisco State, 2003. Systems engineer IBM UK until moving to USA in 1972. American Association of University Women (1979-1992): Branch leadership roles in Georgia and California, and California AAUW Communications Chair, (1991-92). Board member of Role Players Ensemble Theatre, Danville (2004-2009), serving in various roles – publicist, database manager and President. Currently employed as a tax preparer for a CPA firm. Enthusiastic, reader, traveler and theatergoer.
CORRESPONDING/RECORDING SECRETARY Susan Jenkins - ΦBKNCA: Corresponding secretary 2015 – present. A.A., Liberal Arts, University Studies (honors), Gavilan College, 1995; B.A., History (honors) Santa Clara University (magna cum laude), 1998; Phi Beta Kappa 1998. Alpha Sigma Nu, national Jesuit honor society, lifetime member. Community volunteer, most recently Board member Santa Clara Chorale (2008 – 2013), serving as fundraising chair, grant writer, and annual campaign manager. Over 10 years experience working in Silicon Valley for various high-tech companies focused in the areas of finance, legal, and HR. Avid reader, gardener, wantabe chef, theatergoer, and traveler.
TREASURER Duncan Missimer - ΦBKNCA Treasurer 2014 – present. B.S. Chemistry, UC Santa Barbara 1975, Phi Beta Kappa; B.S Computer Science, UC Santa Barbara 1984; System software developer from 1984 to 2017 at Hewlett-Packard, Rhapsody Networks, Brocade Networks, Harmonic Inc; Memberships - IEEE.
Committee Chairs appointed by the Board for 2023-2024
ASILOMAR CHAIR Deirdre Frontczak - ΦBKNCA: Various 1983-85, Asilomar 2014 - present. Chair. B.A. Philosophy, New York University; Ph.D. Philosophy, Boston College; M.Th. Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. Lecturer in Ethics and Sustainability, Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. Principal, The Sheen Group, consulting in leadership, ethics and strategic communications. Affiliations include Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (Executive Council); American Philosophical Association.; Society for Business Ethics; Internal Society of Sustainability Professionals.
CHAPTER LIAISON Amanda Sanyal - ΦBKNCA: Chapter Liaison 2014 - present. B.A., Communication Studies and Cultural Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara 1997; Phi Beta Kappa 1997; Golden Key National Honor Society 1997; Order of Omega 1996; Delta Delta Delta 1995; Consumer technology, public relations, and social media 1998-present.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Ray Hendess - ΦBKNCA: Communications Officer, 2007 - present; Webmaster 1997 - present; President, 1995-1998; Program Chair, 1991-1995; Scholarship Committee, 1991-1994; ΦBK Western District Secretary/Newsletter-Editor/Webmaster, various dates. B.S., Chemistry (magna cum laude), Bates College, 1960; Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Princeton, 1964. Research scientist, Eastman Kodak, 1964-1981; real estate owner/manager, 1976-2000; computer system administrator 1998-2002; web design 1997-present. Hiker, gardener and theatergoer.
TEACHING EXCELLENCE CHAIR - Melisa Lassel
Nominating Committee 2023-24 (Following to be elected, others may be appointed by Board). Volunteer if you are interested. Contact Judy
Judith L. Hardardt, RN, EdM. RN, Englewood Hospital School of Nursing, 1959, AB, (History, with honors), Douglass College, Rutgers University 1973; Ed.M., Education, Psychology, Rutgers, 1979. Graduate studies Cambridge University (Pembroke College), 1975; Executive Program for Smaller Companies, Stanford University School of Business, 1992. Work experience includes clinical nursing (OR, medical, surgical, ob/gyn), 6 years; Secondary School Teacher (History, Psychology, 6 years; Clinical Pharmacology 28 years. Officer and board member Associates of Clinical Pharmacology (now Association of Clinical Research Professionals); founder and president of The Hardardt Group, provider of consulting services to pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide (now part of CVS, Inc.), past president, Society for Humanism in Medicine; board member, LabConnect LLC; past president and first vice president, Phi Beta Kappa Northern California Association; volunteer in various community organizations & churches in Davis, CA and Grand County, CO; skiing, hiking, cycling and travelling enthusiast.
Elizabeth D. Archambeault: A. B. Mount Holyoke College (1965); M.A., Stanford University (American history), 1966. Assistant editor, Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield, Ill.) 1966-68; editor, National Register of Historic Places (National Park Service, Washington, D.C.) 1968-74. Subsequent employment, Sunnyvale Public Library and editor for Japanese technical translator; fundraiser for Mount Holyoke for 20+ years.