Who We Are.

Ahamadou Bocar first began volunteering for the Foundation’s annual audit committee in 2012. Ahamadou, an audit partner at CohnReznick, received his education in both America and Europe and holds degrees from San Jose State University and the University of Nancy in France. He has more than 28 years of audit, finance, tax, and accounting experience with public accounting and investment banking organizations. A native of Mali, West Africa, he has traveled the world through his educational and career engagements. Ahamadou is “very interested in literacy and improving early child education and learning.”

Treasurer

Sarah is a communications executive with nearly two decades of experience serving in public policy and nonprofit organizations, including Calbright College, the California Health Care Foundation, and the California Budget & Policy Center. She is an avid reader and eager to talk about the growing TBR (to be read) list she’s always building. Sarah started her career as a journalist in California’s Central Valley, covering the communities where she grew up. That experience has fueled her passion to ensure people have access to quality information to make decisions in their lives and to highlight diverse stories of people, policies, and decisions across our communities. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from California State University, Sacramento and bachelor’s degrees in print journalism and gender studies from the University of Southern California.

President

Randy Getz is an investment broker with CBRE, Inc. He is married to the artist Pat Mahony and together they are the parents of Camille, a film editor in Los Angeles. Randy is also on the boards of LAI-Sacramento, an international invitation-only land economics society, as well as the American River Natural History Association. Randy believes that “one’s ability to read deeply and well and to think critically have never been more important. The Sacramento Literacy Foundation is an important source of support for the development of important learning skills that will lead to a better informed, more knowledgeable and perceptive community now and into the future.”

Cindy Hill is an accomplished marketing and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience, primarily in hospitality and entertainment. As an early hire for W Hotels Worldwide, she led marketing efforts for over 25 properties globally. In 2019, she founded Grace Marketing Agency, partnering with businesses, especially women-owned, to develop compelling brand narratives and dynamic marketing strategies. Her work with iconic brands like Getaway House, VS&Co, and Hitachi Vantara highlights her creative approach and extensive network.

Chris joined Principal^® in 2015 with more than 18 years of experience in the financial services and mortgage industries.  Chris worked with a financial services firm outside of Baltimore, MD for four years while attending college.  Chris spent 10 years as a mortgage originator, with the last five and a half years as a brokerage owner.  He and his wife relocated to Northern, CA in early 2014 where he began his second career as a Financial Professional.

Chris has developed an understanding of what it means to have a responsibility to his customers.   His goal has always been to help as many people as possible.  He looks forward to helping individuals, families and businesses with their financial goals.

Currently Chris, his wife, May, and their children Koda and Kalissa reside in Elk Grove, CA.  He enjoys living in California and raising his children here where they are closer to his wife’s family.  When he is not helping his clients, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and participating in charitable events.

Vice President

Dr. Sobha Kollipara‘s professional career has been dedicated to caring for children with special conditions. Dr. Kollipara practiced at UC Davis Medical Center and retired from Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento.

She moved to the United States in 1973 after graduating with honors from Osmania Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India. She received her postgraduate medical training in Pediatrics at DC General Hospital, Washington, D.C., and then a fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at UC Davis.

During her career, Dr. Kollipara has been involved in all aspects of children’s health and well-being. In 2001, she and her team at Kaiser created educational camps for children with Type 1 Diabetes and spearheaded an educational program for the prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in children. These programs continue today, helping children with Type 1 & 2 Diabetes. Sobha and her team were awarded the much-coveted Sidney R. Garfield Exceptional Contribution Award for these innovative projects.

Sobha strongly believes children’s overall well-being is tied to their literacy. As a Sacramento Literary Foundation board member, she hopes to help improve childhood literacy by connecting the medical and literacy communities. Sobha’s hobbies include writing stories/poetry and fusion cooking.

Mary Ellen Shay’s professional background is in affordable housing and community development initiatives. Previous titles include State of California Housing and Community Development Department Program Manager and City of Redding Planning and Community Development Department Director. She is a licensed real estate agent and has been affiliated with the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program, California Housing Consortium, Northern California Association for Non-Profit Housing, Southern California Association for Non-Profit Housing, and Sacramento Habitat for Humanity (Past President 1989-1991). She is a co-Author of California Affordable Housing Handbook (1998). Her degrees are from San Francisco State College and University of Southern California. Mary Ellen is the Owner and President of M.E. Shay & Co.

Secretary

Christine, a Sacramento native, holds a master’s degree in Communication Studies from Sacramento State. She is a dedicated wife and mother of four, and has a thriving career as a Digital Strategist and journalist for the Sacramento Observer. Christine has been a passionate supporter of the Literacy Foundation for many years and is excited to further her commitment by joining the board. She is an advocate for literacy and fondly remembers her childhood visits to the Rancho Cordova Library. Christine is an avid user of Libby and is known to get lost in a book to avoid housework weekly. She has instilled a love of reading in her children, who also avoid housework but can’t blame anyone but herself. Besides her professional work, Christine also coaches youth sports, teaching soccer and softball to kids in Sacramento. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching sports, and spending time with her family.