Jean Cecil
Jayne Arthur
Claire Hayes
Michelle Forker
Pilar Furlong
Lance Gidel
Lesley Harte
Erin Leigh
Rosalinda Luna
Simone Smith
Lenore Wilkas
Executive Director 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.
Volunteer Coordinator As Volunteer Coordinator, Jayne puts her extensive background in management and nonprofit work to use by helping to schedule the 120+ volunteers that contribute to Career Closet’s work. After graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Jayne managed International Top Models’ offices in Ottawa and London, founded Personal Image Consultants, and then built a franchise business, Coverall of Boston, managing a staff of fifteen. Moving out to California, she held management positions at a number of businesses, most recently at A Miner Miracle, which, similar to Career Closet, provides image counseling and makeovers to disadvantaged men and women.
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 In her almost twenty-year career with Monster.com, Michelle gained expertise in online advertising, marketing, and operations. What brought her to Career Closet was her desire to give back to the community, and to help women empower themselves. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and advertising, she started in the ad division of Monster.com’s Seattle office, moving up the ranks through Portland and Santa Clara before eventually managing the entire West Coast division. When she’s not figuring out the next great way to get Career Closet’s name out there, she enjoys spending time with family, playing the piano, reading, fashion (of course!), and traveling.
Board Member Pilar used to donate to Career Closet, but until she started volunteering, she didn’t realize how broad their work really was. Since 2004, Pilar has used her professional background to help Career Closet continue helping women succeed in the workforce. After studying at Mills College and getting her BFA in advertising at the Academy of Art, Pilar did fundraising for the SFMOMA and the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation, managed membership at the San Jose Museum of Art, held several development and managerial posts at the Palo Alto–area Red Cross, and currently is the Vice President of Public Support for the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, she enjoys gardening in the summer and skiing in Tahoe with her husband in the winter.
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.
Board Member After a long and successful career in international banking, Lesley switched to devoting her energies to parenting and volunteering. She came to the San Jose Career Closet in 2001 because she resonated strongly with the mission, and wanted to give back to empower women’s success. Lesley worked for many years for the trust company of a major international bank, and specialized in international portfolio management, offshore trust administration, and international estate administration. She has lived across the United States and has traveled extensively in Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas, and the Far East. She also enjoys all types of music, indie movies, cooking, gardening, and collecting Depression glass.
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 It only takes one chance meeting with the right person to change your life. That was what happened to Rosalinda Luna. Newly wed, new to the area, new career, and looking to carve her way into this new city, she was blessed to meet Career Closet Executive Director Jean Cecil at a business mixer. Instantly she knew she had found a new friend, a way to help other women, and a way to give back to her new community. After spending 10 years as a photojournalist, Rosalinda still loves documentary photography but is enjoying her new career path as a Senior Account Manager for Meriwest Credit Union. In her spare time, she manages her photography business, Images by Rosalinda, and enjoys traveling, dancing, reading, attending boot camp, and spending time with her husband Mark.
Board Member A Bay Area native, Simone first heard about Career Closet while she was working, and had filed it away until she retired. With her retail and human resources background, she was a great fit for Career Closet’s work, and donates her time up front as a dresser, and behind the scenes in the shop and as a board member. A graduate of local high schools and college, Simone worked extensively in high-fashion retail and in human resources in the electronics industry. Simone also volunteered in the past with both the Girl and Boy Scouts for a number of years as a troop leader, as a school library and classroom aide, and at Village Oaks Townhomes as a board member and landscape chair.
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.