Presenters at the 2021 Our Community: An Aging & Disability Conference

Immediately prior to joining CDA, Amanda served as strategist and program consultant on several projects at the California Department of Public Health, including the launch of the Department’s Healthy Aging Initiative. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a passion for health and social justice led her to earn a Master of Public Health degree and to work for international, community-based, and healthcare non-profits promoting health and equity, including the planning and implementation of community organizing efforts with and for older adults in Nicaragua.

Ana Acton, Deputy Director of the Independent Living and Community Access Division at the California Department of Rehabilitation

Prior to joining the Department of Rehabilitation in June 2021, Ana served as the Executive Director of FREED since 2013 and before that from 2007 to 2010. Ana is a Nevada City native, growing up on the North San Juan Ridge. Her passion to further the rights and opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults has gained her statewide and national recognition. In her role as Executive Director of FREED, she was a member of the Anthem Medi-Cal Managed Care Advisory Board, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Access and Functional Needs Advisory Committee, the California Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Advisory Committee, and was an active member of the Board of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. During her time at FREED and under her leadership, the Nevada County ADRC became the first rural state-designated ADRC in California.

Jim Holmes, Placer County Supervisor

Jim Holmes was elected in 2004 and assumed his seat on the Placer County Board of Supervisors January 4, 2005. He is currently serving his 4th term. He represents the 3rd District, an area that includes a portion of North Auburn, Ophir, Newcastle, Penryn, Loomis and the majority of Rocklin. An Auburn native with more than 29 years of business experience, Jim has been dedicated to community service throughout his adult life. He is the board liaison to the Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission.

Prior to moving to Grass Valley in 2003, Jan Arbuckle served Sacramento County as a Deputy Sheriff for almost two-decades. In February 2007, Jan was appointed to the Grass Valley City Council. Elected in November 2008 to a four-year term, the Council selected her as vice mayor, then as mayor in 2010, a position she held until 2012. She is currently in her fourth elected term. Jan also serves on the Nevada County Transit Services Commission and Transportation Commission. In addition to her duties as a City Council member and a Transit Services Commissioner, she is very involved in the League of California Cities. In September, 2018, she assumed the role of President of the League of California Cities. Jan was a member of the California Governor’s Master Plan on Aging Stakeholder Task Force.

Rafi worked for United States Senator Barbara Boxer for many years in various capacities, most recently as Senior Field Representative. Rafi was responsible for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, serving as the Senator’s representative to local governments, elected officials, businesses, non-profit organizations, and constituents. He advised the Senator and her staff in Washington, D.C., and collaborated with communities on federal legislative needs and priorities. Rafi also served Senator Boxer as statewide liaison for areas of health, public works, and LGBT issues. More recently, Rafi worked in the health care sector, serving as the first ever Manager of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships for a federally qualified health center. In that role, he was responsible for government affairs, advocacy, and policy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Rafi was the primary liaison to government officials, community based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Rafi also served as a community relations consultant for large infrastructure and public works projects, worked in arts philanthropy, and has volunteered on numerous local and federal election campaigns. Rafi joined the AARP California team in 2016.

Eldon is an older adult with a disability. For the last 40-years he has worked developing, and working in, programs serving older adults and persons with disabilities. Currently he works with the Agency on Aging Area 4, and is the facilitator for the emerging ADRC in Placer County.

Sara Martinez, Placer County ADRC Resource Navigator, Agency on Aging Area 4

Sara has a Bachelor’s in Gerontology with a background in social work. Sara has a history of working with older adults and people with disabilities. Currently she is the Placer ADRC Resource Navigator.

Carl Sigmond, Disability Community Advocate, FREED

Before joining the FREED staff in 2020, Carl was the Operations Manager for The Woolman Semester School and Sierra Friends Center in Nevada City and then served in the same capacity at Earthdance, an artist-run residency and retreat center in Plainfield, Massachusetts. Carl has a degree in Computer Science from Haverford College, where he also studied nonviolent direct action theory and documentary filmmaking.