Claire Hayes, CPA (President)
PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Ten Almaden Blvd., Suite 1600
San Jose, CA. 95113
Lance Gidel, M.A. (Vice President)
Gidel & Kocal Construction Company, Inc.
President
574 Division Street
Campbell, CA. 95008
Chris Lowe, M.B.A. (Treasurer)
Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Vice President Administrataion &
Chief Financial Officer
25801 Industrial Blvd., Ste B
Hayward, CA. 94545
Erin Leigh, J.D. (Secretary)
Stanford University, Office of the General Counsel
Attorney
Heather A. Rangel
Deloitte Tax LLP
Senior Manager, Global Employer Services
San Jose, CA
Lenore Wilkas, GRI, SRES
Prudential Real Estate
959 Diaz Lane
Foster City, CA. 94404
Jean K. Cecil, J.D. (Executive Director)
Career Closet of Santa Clara County
43 E. Gish Rd., Suite 100
San Jose, CA. 95112
(W) 408-451-1200 ext. 15
jean@careercloset.org
President, Board Member Claire brings over fifteen years of accounting and management experience to her position on Career Closet’s board. “Given that I work in business,” Claire said, “I felt that the Career Closet mission fit. I realize that I am incredibly lucky, so I want to make that difference for all women.” Born in Ireland, Claire graduated from University College in Dublin with a commerce degree. She then trained as a chartered accountant in Ireland, joined PricewaterhouseCoopers, and was promoted up the ranks to her current role as Senior Manager in San Jose. In her spare time, Claire likes to read, hike, rollerblade, and travel; she works in several leadership positions in the community, the Firm with Assurance Methodology, and Women’s Networking Circle.
Vice President, Board Member Lance first got involved with Career Closet when he managed the San Jose facility remodeling, and also personally solicited most of the $140,000 in donated services and products. Lance earned a BA in biological science from San Jose State University and an MA in education from the University of San Francisco, and taught for eight years. For the past twenty-five, however, he has been Owner/President of Gidel & Kocal Construction Co., Inc., specializing in commercial work. He is also a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association, for whom he regularly teaches. In his spare time Lance enjoys golfing, trips to Hawaii, and spending time with his beautiful granddaughters.
Treasurer, Board Member Chris Lowe has served as Vice President Administration & Chief Financial Officer of Anthera Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANTH) since November 2007. Previously Mr Lowe served with Asthmatx, a medical technology firm, (acquired by Boston Scientific) as Vice-President Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer since August 2005. Prior to that, Mr Lowe was with Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company, as Chief Accounting Officer until its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in June 2005. Mr. Lowe also serves as a Director for Hansen Medical (NASDAQ: HNSN). Mr. Lowe holds a B.S. in business administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an M.B.A. from Saint Mary's University, Texas.
Secretary, Board Member Attorney Erin Leigh found out about Career Closet when her sorority alumnae association did a fundraiser for Career Closet. As a professional woman herself, Erin “wanted to be involved with Career Closet in some way since it provides such an amazing opportunity for women.” Erin graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BS in human and organizational development, and then got her JD at Chicago’s Loyola University School of Law. After working for two Nashville law firms, Erin joined the Office of the General Counsel at Stanford in 2005, where she handles a variety of cases involving Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and the medical school. For fun, Erin enjoys the Bay Area’s beautiful climate with many outdoor sports and activities such as running, swimming, and hiking.
Board Member A longtime Bay Area resident, Lenore had heard of and admired Career Closet’s work, and finally got a chance to bring her skill set to work when she recently changed careers. After she graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor of arts major in television production (and music minor), Lenore spent over thirty years in the broadcasting industry on the air on both TV and radio. She returned to California, worked for multiple Internet start-ups, and moved into selling real estate in 2001, which she currently does with her husband. In her free time, Lenore enjoys singing with two musical groups, knitting, winemaking, and international travel.
Executive Director, Board Member Jean started volunteering for Career Closet, fell in love with the mission, and a few years later put her social service background to work as Executive Director; in 2007, Jean was named Employer of the Year by the Council on Aging Silicon Valley. Jean began her career working for the Sheriff’s Department in Ann Arbor, Michigan; after fourteen years of enforcing child-support cases, Jean earned her law degree while continuing to work. She then became the County Director of Child Support in the state capital. Jean moved to California in 2002; she retains her license to practice law in Michigan, her passion for helping women, and the wonder of new experiences.