Board Members

Originally from Detroit Michigan, I grew up in a family who believed in education, community service and civic engagement. As a youngster, my father and paternal grandmother were key influencers in my life as I watched and often tagged-alone on community projects, city government organizing efforts, campaigning and ministry work. These experiences would serve to shape my desire for service and servant leadership and are some of my fondest memories. As an adult, I’ve intentionally sought out opportunities to leverage my experience, academic collateral abilities and influence for maximum impact.

When I was introduced to Alternatives in Action I knew I had found a great opportunity to leverage my experience in leadership studies, organizational management and diversity, equity and inclusion content building work to advance the lives of young people. Indeed my mission aligned with AIAs mission. For my part, I bring a plethora of professional experience from working in the brokerage field, city government, church leadership, the tech industry and currently social impact advisory. It’s with great pride and commitment that I serve as a member of the AIA board. I believe in the power of young people. I believe their voices matter and that creating opportunities to elevate their voices in meaningful ways will make a difference and make them and us better for the experience.

Omar Rascon is a first-generation Mexican American with a rich background in public service and a dedication to promoting equity and educational success. Born and raised in Richmond, California, Omar developed a strong sense of community and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around him. Having attained a Master's degree, Omar embodies the profound impact of education and determination. Throughout the past ten years, he has actively engaged in the public sector, accumulating invaluable experience and insights into the intricate workings of governance and civic involvement.

Passionate about addressing disparities in educational attainment, Omar has been a tireless advocate for increasing opportunities for underprivileged communities. His work reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of creating a level playing field for all individuals. Omar's journey is a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment to serving others. As he continues to strive for excellence and positive change, his story serves as an inspiration to those facing similar challenges and barriers. With his unique perspective and dedication to social justice, Omar Rascon is a force to be reckoned with in the pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive society.

Sharad has lived in the bay area for over a decade and moved to Oakland in 2020. He immediately fell in love with the town and is committed to getting involved and improving our community.

His professional career has focused on branding, marketing and digital media transformation. He currently works at Google as a product specialist leader for their enterprise marketing platforms solutions. Previous to that he worked at YouTube and Microsoft. He started his career at General Mills and then Sara Lee Bakery as a part of their brand and marketing teams.

He has an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters in Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

The University of California, Berkeley and Mathematics brought me to the Bay Area which has been my home now for over 20 years. Education has been key in my life, along with a desire to work with diverse populations, to work with other educators, and to share my love for mathematics and the excitement of learning and achievement stemming from hard work with students. I had a gift for mathematic, and a deep desire to work with others. I recognized that math education was not effective with much of the population, and was appointed District Math Coordinator to lead a complete overhaul of math instruction, curriculum, materials, and pedagogy K-12, while I lead the STEM department at the high school. I had the good fortune to serve on the shared management team and participate at a more global cross-subject, school level. I had acquired my Masters in Education Administrative Services, providing me the skills to lead and organize the district project, and to design, plan, and provide the professional development necessary for effective implementation. With a skilled Math Department, we increased the enrollment of girls in advanced math to 50%. Understanding and appreciating that there is always more to learn and gain from education, I have continued to expand my own formal education. I benefited from a full scholarship to the London School of Economics & Political Science for a Master of Science program in Accounting & Finance. This was an incredible experience, allowing me to work with a small graduate team from all over the world, and to gain a new perspective of the United States, viewing it from abroad. While I found my work exciting and rewarding, I felt a stronger desire to work for my community. I decided to return to education, clear my Administrative Credential, and contribute to the effort to bring equity and justice to our struggling communities of color in Oakland. I believe I bring a unique perspective having both business and education experience. Education faces more challenges than ever, with a severe shortage of certified teachers, and yet it attempts to do more than ever. I am able to lead a Math team as their Director, working with new teachers to align curriculum with California Standards, and also to build instructional skills across disciplines, serving on the Instructional Leadership team for ARISE High School in Oakland. I am completing a graduate program to build my administrative skills and clear my Administrative Services Credential. And I have the honor to serve on the Board of Directors of AIA (Alternatives in Action) High School.