​Colleen Bjerknes, ARM
SWACC JPA Manager at Keenan
Colleen Bjerknes has been with Keenan since 2001 and has maintained overall responsibility for the servicing and administration of a number of JPAs, including the Statewide Association of Community Colleges (SWACC) for the last 25 years. In 2018, Colleen entered her role as the SWACC JPA Manager. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has received her Associate of Risk Management (ARM) designation.
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Jessica Blushi
Vice President of Property & Casualty Marketing at Keenan
Jessica Blushi is an accomplished insurance executive with extensive experience in risk management, strategic planning, and client-focused solutions. As Vice President of Property and Casualty, she leads initiatives that drive operational excellence and innovative coverage strategies for public education clients. Jessica is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to enhance risk mitigation and empower organizations to navigate complex challenges.
She manages the cyber insurance program for over 400 public schools across California, ensuring robust protection against evolving cyber threats. Jessica holds the Certified Cyber Insurance Consultant (CCIC) and Associate in Risk Management–Public Entities (ARM-P) designations and has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the insurance industry. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and delivering measurable results.
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Amy Brandt
Partner at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Amy Brandt is a Partner in Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s San Francisco office, where she advises clients on a full range of education, labor, and employment matters. She works closely with community college and school district leaders on investigations, employee discipline, leaves, evaluations, contracts, and workforce reductions. Amy represents public agencies in arbitrations and in defending discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, and guides clients on Public Records Act compliance. She appears regularly before the CRD, EEOC, OAH, PERB, OCR, and the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Amy also supports districts on student matters, including discipline, appeals, and civil rights concerns. Her experience includes governance, labor negotiations, Board and Superintendent evaluations, Brown Act compliance, and conflicts of interest. As a lead negotiator, she drafts and reviews CBAs and MOUs and manages grievances through mediation and arbitration. Amy trains on key HR and education issues and is committed to special education advocacy. She previously served in Oakland Unified’ s Office of the General Counsel and is a UC Hastings graduate.
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Nicole Fayaz
Director of Account Management at Keenan
Nicole Fayaz has been with Keenan since 2011 as an Account Coordinator, quickly moving up the ranks to Account Manager, Senior Account Manager, Team Leader and now Director of Account Management. Nicole is a graduate of the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. In her capacity as Director of Account Management, Nicole is responsible for processing renewals, responding to client coverage inquiries, endorsing policy changes, assisting in JPA management and overall client management for K12 districts and community colleges. In addition to client support, Nicole is responsible for supervision as well as playing a huge role in the development of statewide department projects, resources, training, mentorship and team consistency. She is a licensed Fire & Casualty Agent/Broker and obtained her Certified School Risk Manager designation in 2015.
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Tim Femister
Managing Principal at Firestorm Global LLC
Tim Femister is the Managing Principal of Firestorm Global, a trusted cybersecurity firm. He is an experienced industry executive and thought leader with deep domain expertise in information security, specifically in public education. As a frequent speaker and presenter, he is comfortable addressing large audiences on complex and emerging topics. He has been a presenter and contributor to ACBO, CASBO, MS-ISAC, Forbes, NBC, Lifetime, and other outlets. Tim's most recent Forbes article is entitled "The Rising Threat of Cyber Attacks on K-12 Schools." Previously, he was the CEO of an equity-backed technology services firm and a corporate executive for a national IT solutions provider. A southern California native, Tim is fiercely passionate about helping education organizations establish secure digital experiences that empower safe learning.
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Ann-Marie Gabel
Vice Chancellor of Business Services at South Orange County Community College District (SWACC President)
Ann-Marie Gabel is the Vice Chancellor of Business Services for the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), where she oversees all district business departments including fiscal services, accounting, budgeting, payroll, benefits, internal audit, facilities planning, purchasing, contracts, risk services, warehouse, and mailroom services. She provides leadership for all partnership negotiations related to the Advanced Technology and Education Park and chairs the district’s committees responsible for developing procedures for the allocation of general fund resources, capital outlay projects, and reviewing board policies and administrative regulations.
Previously, Ms. Gabel was the Executive Vice President of Finance, Facilities, and Technology Services at Long Beach City College (LBCC). During her tenure at LBCC she also held the positions of Acting Superintendent-President, Vice President of Administrative Services, and Interim Vice President of Student Support Services. Ms. Gabel also worked in the fiscal departments at Rancho Santiago Community College District and North Orange County Community College District. Ms. Gabel, a certified public accountant, started her career as an auditor with Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman, LLP (currently known as Clifton Larsen Allen), where she worked with several community colleges and K-12 districts.
Ms. Gabel is active in several state organizations in support of community colleges. She was appointed by Governor Brown to the Community College Student Success Funding Formula Oversight Committee. She is the President of the Statewide Association of Community Colleges (SWACC), a statewide joint powers authority responsible for property and liability coverage. Ms. Gabel also chairs the Facilities Advisory Committee for the Association of Chief Business Officials (ACBO) and is a member of the ACBO Board and the state Chancellor’s Advisory Workgroup on Fiscal Affairs. Ms. Gabel serves as the Treasurer for the Community College Facilities Coalition (CCFC) board and also serves on the Community College League of California’s (CCLC) Advisory Committee on Legislation (ACL). In November 2025, Ms. Gabel was the recipient of the Paul Holmes Facilities Leadership Achievement Award, presented by CCFC for her exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to enhancing facilities that support the success of California’s community college students.
Ms. Gabel earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s degree in educational management from the University of La Verne.
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Mellissa Gallegos
Partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo
Mellissa Gallegos represents and advises California community college districts, school districts, and county offices of education in all education and employment law matters, including employee evaluation, discipline and dismissal, reasonable accommodation, interactive meetings, and restraining orders. She also assists with California Public Records Act responses, collective bargaining issues, and defending employers against allegations of discrimination with the Civil Rights Department and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ms. Gallegos’ state-wide practice also includes conducting prompt and effective investigations, including complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, including Uniform Complaints, Office of Civil Rights, Title 5, and Title IX investigations for both higher education institutions and K-12 school districts. She also serves as a hearing officer for Title IX hearings.
Ms. Gallegos is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Title IX Committee, as well as Co-Chair of AALRR’s Women’s Leadership Committee. She regularly presents at conferences for state-wide educational organizations, including the Association of Chief Human Resource Officers/Equal Employment Officers (ACHRO/EEO), the Community Colleague League of California (CCLC), the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California School Board Association (CSBA), the California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA), and the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA).
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Jeff Johnston
Vice President, Property & Casualty at Keenan
Jeff Johnston joined Keenan in May of 2021 after 18 years with Sedgwick, where he served as Vice President, Pooling. Jeff has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, leading and supporting pool clients throughout California. He is currently the account executive for two K-12 pools, North Valley Schols Insurance Authority I and II, and one CCD pool, Northern California Community Colleges Self-Insurance Authority. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing from California State University, Sacramento.
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Star Leal
Founding Attorney of Leal Law Group, APC
Ms. Leal specializes in conducting thorough, unbiased, and legally sound investigations on behalf of educational institutions. She brings a deep and practical understanding of the California Education Code, employee discipline processes, collective bargaining and negotiations, special education laws, and the complex interpersonal dynamics that often arise within school communities.
Ms. Leal’s investigative experience spans a wide range of matters, including discrimination and harassment claims, Title IX, employee and student misconduct, sexual abuse allegations, bullying, hostile work environment complaints, and concerns involving district personnel. Ms. Leal regularly navigates high-stakes and emotionally charged situations, ensuring that each investigation is conducted with professionalism, discretion, and meticulous attention to detail.
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Felipe Lopez
Executive Vice President of Business/Assistant Superintendent at Cerritos Community College District
Felipe Lopez has more than 20 years of California community college finance experience serving as a Chief Business Official and auditor. Mr. Lopez is the Executive Vice President of Business Services/Assistant Superintendent at Cerritos College. Prior to Cerritos College, Mr. Lopez served as the Chief Business Officer at the Compton Community College District. While at Compton CCD, he was instrumental in re-building a robust financial structure designed to ensure long-term institutional stability.
Mr. Lopez began his career in public accounting where he spent 10 years working with California community colleges and K-12 districts in audits and business advisory services.
Mr. Lopez serves as the President Elect of the Association of Chief Business Officials (ACBO) and chair of ACBO Fiscal Standards and Accountability Committee.
Mr. Lopez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, a Certificate in Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Organizations, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Mr. Lopez is also a doctoral candidate in Organization Change and Higher Education Administration.
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Eric Lucas, JD, CPCU, ARM
Senior Vice President-Keenan Property & Liability Claims Administration (PLCA)
Eric Lucas has over 40 years of experience in the property and casualty business, from commercial insurance to in-house counsel for a Real Estate Investment Trust where he oversaw litigation across the United States. Eric’s experience includes more than 20 years working with public entity pools, including the past 16 years in California specifically for K-12 and CCD clients.
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Aaron O'Donnell
Partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo
Aaron O'Donnell represents California community college districts, universities, and school districts in education and employment-related matters. He provides experienced advice and counsel to clients in all aspects of education and employment law, including compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws, employee evaluation and discipline, employment discrimination and wrongful termination, labor relations, reductions in force, student discipline, disability accommodation, Brown Act compliance, conflicts of interest, First Amendment and other constitutional rights of students and employees, whistleblower protection, and investigations of employee misconduct. He represents education clients in grievance arbitrations, administrative hearings, and civil litigation in state and federal court.
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Dianna Poulin
Director of Loss Control at Keenan
Dianna Poulin has over 35 years of experience in insurance and risk management, specializing in educational institutions. Since joining Keenan in 2007, she has helped schools and community colleges reduce employee injuries through hazard assessments, training programs, and behavior-based safety initiatives. Dianna also provides expertise in evaluating and mitigating risks related to abuse and sexual assault prevention, ensuring safe environments for students and staff.
She has led the development of Keenan’s Special Education Academy and Supervisor’s Academy, and she advises on board policies, liability programs, and risk management best practices. Dianna is highly skilled in implementing online training systems such as Keenan SafeSchools and risk management platforms like P&C Bridge.
Beyond her professional role, Dianna serves on the Board of Directors for NORA (formerly the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center), supporting advocacy and resources for survivors of sexual violence. She holds multiple professional designations, including Certified Insurance Counselor, Certified Risk Manager, Certified School Risk Manager, Certified Office Ergonomics Evaluator, and is an active member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Her expertise helps educational organizations maintain safe, compliant, and supportive environments for staff and students.
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Gerry Preciado
President & Principal Consultant at 34th Street Consulting
Gerry Preciado has trained and consulted with thousands of public entity, private sector and university employees. His areas of expertise and emphasis are leadership and organizational development, conflict resolution, and public entity governance. After spending several years as an employment law trial attorney (representing first plaintiffs and then defendants), Mr. Preciado realized that by the time his clients called him, it was too late. Something had gone wrong during the human interaction at work.
Consequently, he spent several years developing an approach to leading and managing people while empowering them to positively manage and respond to conflict and other workplace challenges. The result is encapsulated in 34th Street’s proprietary approach, “The Wedge: A Simple Metaphor for Improving Every Relationship in Your Life.”
Over the past 25 years, Gerry has been an in-demand keynote speaker, presenting at conferences nationwide. His presentations are engaging, educational and inspiring. He always provides practical solutions for workplace relationships and real-life application. Mr. Preciado received both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from UCLA and is leading the revolution to empower the labor force with the skills necessary to navigate workplace relationships and create sustained positive change.
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Eric Preston
Senior Vice President of Property & Casualty at Keenan
Eric has been with Keenan since 2004, where he started as a Loss Control Consultant. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Human Resources, with emphasis in Human Resource Management, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Eric earned his Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities (ARM-P) designation in 2008, his P&C broker license in 2011 and his CSRM designation in 2014. Eric works closely with some of the state’s largest JPAs to help them manage their losses and implement risk management best practices both directly and through the Loss Control department’s staff of 58 Safety and Risk Management professionals. Eric has expanded specialties in the areas of campus security, school site design, fire sprinkler systems, aerial lifts, behavior-based safety, vocational art shop safety, as well as special education safety.
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Jody Shipper
Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director at Grand River Solutions
Jody Shipper, J.D., serves as a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Grand River Solutions. A nationally recognized subject-matter expert with more than 25 years of experience in Title IX and related fields, she is known for her insight into best-in-class programming, policies, and community outreach aimed at addressing sexual misconduct on campus. She lectures extensively at universities and conferences throughout the U.S. on Title IX, VAWA, harassment, and implementation of best and emerging practices.
Prior to founding Grand River Solutions, Jody co-founded Project IX, a nonprofit focused on Title IX-related services to schools with a mission to provide effective solutions for preventing and responding to sexual violence. Previously, Jody served as the systemwide director for Title IX/VAWA/Clery and sexual assault/sexual violence compliance for the University of California system. Prior to that, she served for 11 years as Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity at a large, NCAA Division 1 research university where she also held the post of Title IX Coordinator, as well as Chief Diversity Officer, Director of Investigations, and Affirmative Action officer. In these roles, she provided direct, hands-on experience in the fields of Title IX, civil rights, employment law, and workplace and academic investigations. Her responsibilities included focusing on diversity efforts, sexual assault prevention and training, threat assessment, affirmative action, and protecting minors on campus.
Before working in higher education, Jody served as outside counsel to businesses and nonprofits in California, litigating employment and education matters before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies.
Jody received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. She is FETI certified and is the author of the comprehensive reference manual Workplace Investigations: The HR Manager’s Step-by-Step Guide. Jody was also a founding board member of the California Association of Workplace Investigations (now AWI).
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John Stephens
Chief Executive Officer, Keenan and Accretive Insurance Solutions
John Stephens is the Chief Executive Officer of Keenan, responsible for leading the company and driving strategic vision. A recognized leader in the specialty program and reinsurance marketplace, John has played a key role in building some of the largest public agency workers’ compensation, property and casualty and construction wrap-up pools in the United States. John leads the reinsurance placement for the Schools Association for Excess Risk Joint Powers Authority, which protects nearly 600 California public agencies, $140 billion of total insurable values and 3 million students, as well as the Protected Insurance Program for Schools JPA, which insures $20 billion in worker’s compensation payroll, and the Statewide Wrap-Up Program, a rolling OCIP that has enrolled over 900 projects and $11 billion in construction values.
John graduated from California Lutheran University, is married, has three daughters and is a competitive CrossFit Athlete.
Keenan, a Gallagher company, has been the preeminent insurance leader for California insurance for public educational entities and healthcare organizations since 1972.
Gallagher is one of the leading insurance brokerage, risk management, and HR & benefits consulting companies in the world. With significant reach internationally, Gallagher employs over 71,000 people and provides services in more than 130 countries.
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Morgan Turner
Vice President of Business Services/CFO at Feather River College
Morgan Turner has served at Feather River College for more than 15 years and currently holds the position of Vice President of Business Services overseeing fiscal services, food services and the bookstore. Her career at the College began as a student worker in the Human Resources office, reflecting a full-circle journey grounded in community college values and student success. A proud community college graduate, Morgan went on to earn her Master of Business Administration.
Morgan also serves as Vice President of the Northern California Community College Self Insurance Authority, which focuses on property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance and risk management across member districts.
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Cindy Vyskocil
Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at South Orange County Community College District
Dr. Cindy Vyskocil is the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), where she serves as the district’s chief human resources officer and negotiator and oversees all aspects of labor relations and employment services. With 28 years of service in the public sector, including 23 years in community college administration, Dr. Vyskocil is well known for her experienced human resources leadership at both multi-college and single-college districts.
Before joining SOCCCD, Dr. Vyskocil was the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at Coast Community College District, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Long Beach Community College District, and Director of Equity and Diversity at North Orange County Community College District, respectively. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Irvine; an M.P.A from California State University, Fullerton; and two bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University.
Dr. Vyskocil has served as both President and Past President of the Association of Chief Human Resource Officers (ACHRO), and she currently serves as the chair of the Human Resources Committee for the Statewide Association of Community Colleges.
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Susan Wheet
Vice President, Finance and Administration at Solano Community College District
Susan Wheet serves as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Solano Community College. She holds a Master of Business Administration and brings more than two decades of experience in education finance and organizational leadership across non-profit, K–12, and higher education sectors.
At Solano, she oversees fiscal services, facilities, business operations, and public safety, managing a $69 million budget with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and innovation. She has led major initiatives to strengthen audit compliance, grow institutional reserves, and launched the college’s Leadership Mentor Program to develop emerging leaders across campus.
Susan also serves as President of the Northern California Community College Self Insurance Authority, which focuses on property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance and risk management across member districts.