Cristina Medina Dirksen
Chair
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Cristina Medina Dirksen is a Senior Public Affairs Representative for Kaiser Permanente. She served as Mayor Pro Tem and as an elected council member for the City of Marina. Cristina is a former journalist, working for newspapers in Fresno, Fort Worth, Texas, Oregon and two local publications.
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She attended Monterey College of Law and worked as part of an in-house legal counsel team for a publicly traded international mining company before working in philanthropy. Cristina is a community volunteer, having served on nonprofit boards, including The Friends of the Marina Library and Marina Youth Arts (current). She is a 2020 graduate of Emerge California who put her skills into action, helping elect key candidates in the area.
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She and her husband are raising their triplet daughters Mariessa, Ruby and Viviana in Marina, their home for the last 24 years.
Cristina's Linkedin profile.
Email: secretary@hijosdelsol.org
Natalie R. Herendeen
Vice-Chair
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Natalie Herendeen is the Executive Director and Attorney for Monterey Waterkeeper. Natalie was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, where most of her family continues to live. In 2014, Natalie returned to the Salinas Valley after graduating with honors from Santa Clara University School of Law to work within her community and improve
conditions for her fellow residents. Natalie has been a licensed attorney since December 2014. Prior to this, Natalie earned her Bachelor's Degree at University of California Santa Barbara in Global Studies with an emphasis on culture and ideology and graduated Phi Betta Kappa.
Prior to joining the team at Monterey Waterkeeper, Natalie was the Executive Director and Attorney for the Center for Community Advocacy in Salinas from 2021 to 2024, whose mission is to identify, cultivate, and recognize leadership from farmworkers and low-income families and to expand opportunities in their lives.
In July 2023, Natalie founded Wildlings Conservatory who mission is conservation, discovery, healing empowerment, and advocacy to conserve land to conserve life and implement sustainable systems, solutions, and second chances to address the injuries caused to our earth, communities, and vulnerable sentient beings, creatures and lifeforces that coexist in our shared planet.
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From 2014 to 2020, Natalie was the Staff Litigation attorney, and later Director of Litigation for Legal Services for Seniors for Monterey County where she helped local residents fight elder abuse and other consumer claims. Natalie also managed her own solo practice, Herendeen Legal, from 2016 to 2021.
Natalie's LinkedIn profile.
Email: chair@hijosdelsol.org
Veronica Plascentia
Secretary
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Veronica Plascencia brings extensive experience in marketing, community outreach, and leadership to her role on the HDS Board of Directors. Currently serving as the Local Sales Manager at News-Press & Gazette in Salinas, Veronica leads a team focused on building client relationships and executing impactful marketing campaigns. Her career in media and marketing includes previous roles such as Senior Marketing Manager for the Blue Zones Project Monterey County, where she crafted multi-channel strategies to engage and support underserved communities, especially the Hispanic population in Monterey County.
With a background that spans nonprofit collaboration and media relations, Veronica is skilled in developing targeted communication strategies and fostering strong community connections. She has also served on other boards, including as a member of the Salinas Valley Young Professionals board, and has been actively involved in school PTAs. Her commitment to community engagement aligns seamlessly with HDS's mission to create meaningful change through education and outreach.
Veronica's LinkedIn profile.
Email: veronica@hijosdelsol.org​​​​
Stefan Jaskulak​​
Treasurer
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Treasurer. With an impressive career spanning over two decades in finance and strategic management, Stefan has consistently driven impactful financial operations and sustainable growth for diverse organizations. Previously a member of HDS's Board of Directors, Stefan has decided to return after a few years to continue supporting the organization’s mission and goals. Known for his proactive approach to fiscal excellence, he is highly skilled in financial planning, forecasting, and operational improvement.
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Stefan’s leadership experience extends across both corporate and nonprofit sectors, where he has played key roles in aligning financial strategy with organizational objectives. With a solid educational background in accounting and finance and a commitment to transparency and prudent financial management, he is an invaluable asset to the HDS Board. His return to the board underscores his dedication to responsible stewardship and long-term financial health for HDS.
Email: treasurer@hijosdelsol.org
Elizabeth Jimenez
Board of Directors
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Elizabeth Jimenez brings over 23 years of experience in organizational communications, program management, and community engagement to the HDS Board of Directors. Her extensive career includes impactful roles in both nonprofit and government sectors, where she has developed and managed communications and outreach initiatives that foster community development and social equity. Currently serving as the Grants and Communications Manager at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, Elizabeth oversees grant writing and communication strategies that strengthen organizational impact and engagement.
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Prior to her role at Rancho Cielo, Elizabeth held leadership positions at the National Steinbeck Center and in public service roles in Mexico, including as the Communications Director for the City Utilities in León and as a Public Relations Director in the Mayor’s Office. Her experience includes developing international partnerships, managing large-scale educational programs, and implementing community outreach initiatives that connect diverse populations with resources and educational opportunities. Elizabeth’s bilingual abilities and cultural insight enhance her work, particularly in her outreach and engagement with underserved communities.
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Elizabeth is a dedicated advocate for educational access and empowerment, with academic qualifications that include a Bachelor’s in Business Communication and an MBA focused on management and marketing. Her commitment to HDS’s mission and her expertise in strategic communication make her a vital contributor to the organization. Elizabeth's LinkedIn profile.
Email: elizabeth@hijosdelsol.org​
Directors Emeritus
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To all former board members of Hijos del Sol, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication, wisdom, enthusiasm, and compassion. Your commitment to our community, our visitors, and our organization has been instrumental in shaping Hijos del Sol into what it is today. Your decision to lead and nurture this organization has left a lasting impact. Thank you for everything.
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Ramiro Medrano
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Nick Sandoval, Jr.
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Rosío Pedroso
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Ted Rico
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Stefan Jaskulak
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Elizabeth Gonzalez-Jaskulak
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Danika Jaskulak-Gonzalez
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Rosmary Soto
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And all others