Chris Basanese

Board Member, Treasurer

Chris Basanese recently retired from a 40 year career working in the treasury departments of two Silicon Valley firms. During those years he was responsible for banking, insurance, investing, and corporate governance. A BA in Economics, received many years ago at UCSB, facilitated this career. Chris has been married for over 42 years to his wife Norma and together they have five children and soon to be six grandchildren. In addition to work and family, Chris is very active in his Church. Chris became aware of BalanceSCC following the marriage of his son Paul to Ashley Basanese. Chris first started assisting Ashley and BalanceSCC by volunteering his time to assist in some financial and budgetary planning. From this role Chris was honored to be asked to join the Board and looks forward to continuing to support the work of BalanceSCC.

Janine Blaesser

Board Member

Janine Blaesser has spent more than 30 years in the educational field in Santa Cruz County, serving in a wide range of duties and responsibilities. She retired as the Soquel Union School District Personnel Administrator in 2019.

Janine began her career in education shortly after moving to Santa Cruz with her husband Mike and their three children. She started as an instructional aide at her neighborhood school, Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary. She also held instructional aide positions at Live Oak Elementary School and Main Street School and later became a PIP (Primary Intervention Aide) at Capitola Elementary.  She joined the New Brighton office staff in 1997. In 2000 she moved into the Personnel Department at Soquel Union Elementary School District. It was there she discovered her passion: hiring the best teachers and staff and being responsive to their needs in order to retain them. She always strived to keep the person in Personnel.

Although retired, Janine is still active in the district, volunteering in Santa Cruz Gardens kindergarten classes and TK program. She and Mike conducted an after-school cooking program at Santa Cruz Gardens.

It was through volunteering that she rekindled her love for the students and was reintroduced to the wonderful work of the Balance Aides in the classroom. She is proud to be a member of the Board of such a fine and well-respected organization.

In retirement Janine loves to visit her grandchildren, travel to national parks, garden and quilt.

Lurena Brubaker

Board Member

After graduating from college, Lurena continued in school and received a master’s degree in school psychology. While serving as a school psychologist for Clovis Unified School District in Clovis, CA, she continued her studies graduating with a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from California State University, Fresno in 2014. In the Fall of 2014, Lurena became the Director of Student Services for Soquel Union Elementary School District, where she served for five years. It was during this time that Lurena became closely associated with Balance SCC as they were the primary provider of support for SUESD’s students with special needs.  Lurena is very excited to join the board of Balance SCC and looks forward to being a part of its future.

Bob George

Board Member, Secretary

Bob George is the brother of our founder, and former Executive Director, Vicky George. Balance has played a large role in Bob’s life since its inception. Through the ups and downs, Bob has taken pride in watching Balance grow into the amazing and successful organization it is today. Based in the UK, Bob spent thirty five years in the Fire Department. The last twenty of these years were as Captain in a busy metropolitan area. Bob is currently semi-retired and is looking forward to taking a more active role in BalanceSCC. He is passionate about our cause and will strive to maintain Vicky’s values and principles. 

Melinda Vahradian

Board Member

Melinda Vahradian is a special education teacher with 39 years of experience in Santa Cruz County. She is currently the RSP teacher at Happy Valley Elementary School. She first connected with Balance SCC when she had several students at New Brighton Middle School who were receiving one-to-one support from Balance aides. She is honored and excited to be on the board.

Marc Yellin

Board Member

Marc Yellin is a UCSC Slug (BA ’75, MA’77) and has lived in Mid-County with his family since 1987. Marc is a full time Emergency Medicine Physician at Dominican Hospital where he also serves as one of the Assistant ED Medical Directors. His interests and professional activities involve our local EMS system, Disaster Management and Mental Health and he serves on several local commissions and committees focused on those areas.

Marc and his family became involved with Balance in “the early days” when their son, Aaron was born some 20+ years ago. Aaron had multiple medical challenges and required significant assistance and support to allow him to grow, find joy, and comfort. Their family as a whole also needed support in order to meet the challenges faced, persevere and remain “whole”. “Vicky George and the Balance staff were on our speed dial, tolerated our frequent calls, supported and guided us in our never anticipated journey.” Some of the early strategy sessions for developing Kid Quest took place around the Yellin dining table. Balance SCC became an integral part of their lives.

In his local work with Mental Health and the Special Needs Communities, Marc is all too aware of the critical role served by an organization such as Balance SCC. The importance to the client and their families is unmeasurable. 

“I am honored to be allowed the opportunity to serve on the Board of Balance SCC to help promote, solidify and expand its services and role in our community.”