The California Public Defenders Association's Board of Directors is comprised of public defenders committed to improving indigent defense throughout California and advocating for systemic change in the criminal legal system.

Executive Officers

Daniel Messner
Daniel Messner
President
Solano
Susan Leff
Susan Leff
Vice President
Santa Barbara
Lael Kayfetz
Lael Kayfetz
Treasurer
Siskiyou
Stephanie Regular
Stephanie Regular
Secretary
Alameda
Evan Kuluk
Evan Kuluk
Assistant Secretary
Contra Costa
Tracie Olson
Tracie Olson
Immediate Past President
Yolo

Board Members

Ricardo Garcia
Ricardo Garcia
Term: April 2027
Los Angeles
Tony Kimbirk
Tony Kimbirk
Term: April 2027
San Bernardino
La Mer Kyle-Griffiths
La Mer Kyle-Griffiths
Term: April 2027
Los Angeles
Lisa Maguire
Lisa Maguire
Term: April 2027
San Mateo
Alice Michel
Alice Michel
Term: April 2027
Sacramento
Yarrow Neubert
Yarrow Neubert
Term: April 2027
Sonoma
Heather Rogers
Heather Rogers
Term: April 2027
Santa Cruz
Tracy Krause
Tracy Krause
Term: April 2027
Sonoma
Rebecca Kahan
Rebecca Kahan
Term: April 2028
Santa Clara
Jennifer Redding
Jennifer Redding
Term: April 2028
Santa Clara
Brendon Woods
Brendon Woods
Term: April 2028
Alameda
Michelle Wouden
Michelle Wouden
Term: April 2028
Monterey
Amy Hoffman
Amy Hoffman
Term: April 2028
San Diego
Allison Lowe
Allison Lowe
Term: April 2028
Riverside
Jennifer Jennison
Jennifer Jennison
Term: April 2028
Stanislaus

Staff

Kate Chatfield
Kate Chatfield
Executive Director
Elisa Laier
Elisa Laier
Operations
Edwin Kisun
Edwin Kisun
Trainings Coordinator

CPDA Past Presidents

Tracie Olson, 2025-2026, Yolo County

Matt SotoRosen, 2024-2025, San Francisco

Arlene Speiser, 2023-2024, Orange County

Graciela Martinez, 2022-2023, Los Angeles County

Laura Arnold, 2021-2022, Santa Barbara County

Jennifer Friedman, 2020-2021, Los Angeles County

Oscar Bobrow, 2019-2020, Solano County

Robin Lipetzky, 2018-2019, Contra Costa County

Brendon Woods, 2017-2018, Alameda County

Charles Denton, 2016-2017, Alameda County

Michael Ogul, 2015-2016, Santa Clara County

Garrick Byers, 2014-2015, Marin County

Winston A. Peters, 2013-2014, Los Angeles County

Juliana Humphrey, 2012-2013, San Diego County

Margo George, 2011-2012, Alameda County

Jose Varela, 2010-2011, Marin County

Bart Sheela, 2009-2010, San Diego County

Les McMillan, 2008-2009, Los Angeles County