NONPROFIT
The Wooden Floor, one of the nation’s leading creative youth development programs, welcomes three new members at large to their esteemed Board of Directors: Richard LeBrun, Managing Director and Head of Alternatives Business Management of PIMCO, Dr. Sarah Lopez, Chief Medical Officer for Zócalo Health, and Jerry Thode, founder and CEO of the J Paul Group LLC.
“For over the past decade, The Wooden Floor has taken a proactive approach to developing exceptional board governance practices and assessing ourselves to Board Source’s national governance data. Strategic and diverse board development is one of our highest priorities,” states Dawn S. Reese, Chief Executive Officer of The Wooden Floor. “Each one of our board members reflects our organizational values and brings their unique lens and talents to our mission to inspire and transform the lives of more young people through the power of dance and access to higher education.”
Richard LeBrun has been with PIMCO for over 19 years, beginning as a Deputy General Counsel, primarily responsible for the firm’s alternative funds and transactions. He now serves as a Managing Director and Head of Alternatives Business Management at PIMCO Headquarters in Newport Beach. LeBrun also has over 21 years of legal experience, and prior to joining PIMCO, was an associate with Ropes and Gray, focusing on investment management and private-equity-related matters. “It is an honor to support a mission that aligns with my passion for creativity and community, and I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of these incredible students,” said LeBrun.
Dr. Sarah Lopez, MD, MBA, an alumna of The Wooden Floor, studied medicine and business at the University of California, Irvine and was a part of the first cohort for “Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community” (PRIME-LC), a program focused on training highly qualified doctors dedicated to serving diverse populations. Dr. Lopez has a long history of serving the Latino community through education by starting “Una Hora Con La Doctora” through MPNA GREEN, a nonprofit in Santa Ana, teaching parents about different health topics. She is now Chief Medical Officer of Zócalo Health and values health education for all communities. “I am here to pass that empowerment forward, ensuring our youth continue to thrive through education, creativity, and movement—strengthening both themselves and the community around them,” said Lopez.
Jerry Thode is the founder and CEO of the J Paul Group LLC. Thode’s career spans over 35 years as a board member and senior executive, serving in key strategic and operating roles in growth-oriented companies. He previously worked as Western Regional Technology Leader for Tatum LLC, Southwest Area Vice President for CapGemini Consulting, and a consulting partner with Ernst & Young LLP. His wealth of knowledge led him to focus on aligning enterprise operations and technology to business strategy, while directing the commercialization of emerging technologies for companies in Hi-tech spaces. “A strong board truly helps the hard working and very competent leadership of the staff that supports the students in both direct educational experiences as well as those very important informal experiences that develop confidence, vision, and the objectives for each student,” said Thode.
The Wooden Floor’s Board of Directors also approved its newest installment of leadership including Board Chair Jehan Jayakumar, Founding Partner of Carlson & Jayakumar, LLP, Immediate Past Chair Theresa Allen, Managing Director of RBC Wealth Management, Vice Chair Joseph Chatelle, Principal of Mercer, Secretary Richard Lee, Market President Retired of Aetna Southern California, and Treasurer Yvonne O’Neill, Certified Public Accountant of O’Neill Financial Management.
