Christine Chapon

Christine Chapon is a former molecular biologist who was born and raised in France where she had an aversion to running as a child. Since then, Christine has formed a great love of running and is now devoted to contributing to the community and coaching youth.

Christine is a certified USA-TF Level 2 and RRCA marathon coach and has coached Piedmont Middle School Track & Cross-Country since 2010 and Piedmont High School track since 2011; currently, she also coaches track with Run 365. Christine was previously the volunteer coordinator for Students Run Oakland from 2003-2010, and she now also serves as volunteer coordinator for the SF North Face Endurance Trail Challenge and the Oakland Running Festival. Christine cherishes her races with the kids who run with RBO more than any of her own personal records!

Christine manages RBO’s training programs, coaching staff and volunteers, and many of RBO’s races. She is also CPR, AED, and first aid certified.

You can reach Christine at christine@rboakland.org.

Ebo Dawson-Andoh - Coach and Board Member

Ebo joined RBO during the 2017 spring season after moving back to Oakland from SF and started coaching the 6th - 12th grade team in 2018. He has a master's degree in kinesiology from California State University East Bay and also used to do both personal and group exercise coaching.

Ebo has been running on and off since high school, where he ran cross country for one year and track & field for three years, competing in the 100, 200, and 400 m sprints. He got into distance running about 12 years ago after running a Ragnar Relay race in DC with some friends. Since then, he’s run 7 marathons and a number of other races.

In his free time outside of his work as a user experience researcher, Ebo bikes and hikes a lot in the East Bay hills.

Coach Ebo is CPR, AED, and first aid certified.

Sarah Holvick

Sarah joined RBO in fall 2021 and was immediately hooked. She has served as a volunteer, run mentor, coach, and now board member. 

She has always been a runner, but not a particularly fast one. While Sarah struggled through many high school cross country races, Sarah hit her running stride in college and beyond. She now has completed close to ten half marathons and many more 5 and 10ks. 

Sarah brings over a decade of experience working in nonprofits and local government, including strategic planning, performance management, and project management. 

Norman La

Born and raised in Oakland, Norman joined the RBO board in July 2021. He is a proud alumnus from Oakland Tech and UC Davis. 

Norm started running for fun in college, mainly running 1-2 miles a day. It was in 2015 when his running evolved, and he trained for his first half-marathon. After completing several half-marathons, Norm graduated to marathons and ultramarathons. Some of his favorite races include the Paris Marathon and Way Too Cool 50k. Along with racing, he enjoys helping other runners reach their goals through crewing and pacing.

Norm is a career fundraiser and brings to RBO his 18+ years of experience, from universities to small nonprofits.

Franco Mannucci

Joined in October 2023, Franco Mannucci is a Bay Area native bringing a passion for running and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle to his role as a board member at RBO. In 2017, Franco discovered running as a transformative outlet for life's stressors. Since then, running has not only become a central aspect of his life but has also opened doors to countless opportunities. Now, he is dedicated to giving back to future generations by leveraging his experiences and skills.

A self proclaimed Bay Area running enthusiast, Franco actively participates in numerous run clubs and organizations throughout the region. He runs for Team Salomon and serves as an ambassador for multiple brands. Currently on his bucket list are the world majors, having completed Berlin, Chicago, and New York. As Head Coach of Track and Field at Milpitas High School, he channels his passion for running into coaching, especially relishing the opportunity to work with the youth. 

Franco's commitment to youth development extends beyond the track. He firmly believes that running instills invaluable life skills such as perseverance, responsibility, socialization, and self-worth in children, preparing them for success in the real world. With family residing in Oakland and a baby nephew destined to be a future RBO student, Franco's personal connections strengthen his dedication to the organization. He eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute actively as a board member, ensuring that RBO continues to grow and expand, leaving a lasting impact on future generations.

Mayra Montoya

Mayra joined RBO as a run mentor with her daughter Yamilet in the Fall of 2017. A Salvadorian native, she came to San Francisco in 1981. A graduate of UC Davis and Sacramento State University, she started her career in social work and quickly switched gears to Law enforcement/Corrections. After almost 24 years with San Mateo County, Mayra recently retired.

Mayra ran cross country in HS and completed her first 5K in 2000. This race led to her first marathon in Hawaii, several half marathons, obstacle races, several AIDS/lifeCycle rides and sprint/olympic distance triathlons. She is a RRCA-certified level 1 coach and enjoys the freedom and focus that running provides.

When not working her part-time job with the City of San Leandro Parks and chauffeuring her 2 kids all over the place, you will find Mayra hiking with her 85-lb Rottweiler, biking, taking boxing classes and relaxing through yoga and Tai Chi. She is excited to be a new board member and is thrilled to be a part the growth and success of RBO and the community it serves.

Heather Platt

Heather Platt joined the RBO Board in August 2024 after having been a run mentor for the 2018 season.

As a kid, she would do anything to avoid the mile. She started running 17 years ago and has since run two marathons, many relays and countless half marathons. Heather has experienced running's impact on her health, confidence and persistence. As a Type 1 diabetic, she loves showing others that, if you can be both determined and open to change – anything is possible!

Heather lives in Oakland, CA and is the Director of Annual Giving at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco where she has also been an Assistant Cross-Country Coach for the past 6 years. When she isn't running or spending time with friends, she enjoys cooking with her family, reading and playing the mandolin.

Elizabeth Schwartz

Elizabeth joined RBO as a volunteer in Jan. 2021 and became a board member July 2021. As a former coach with Girls on the Run, she was excited to get involved with another running organization when she moved to the Bay Area in 2019.

Elizabeth ran track in middle school and started to enjoy running for fun while in college. She has run several 5ks, a couple of 10ks, and one half marathon. Her favorite race was the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon because community members cheered runners on the entire way.

Elizabeth currently resides in Oakland, CA as an attorney, but has lived all across the U.S. (Martinez, CA, Sylvania, OH, Oklahoma City where she taught 2nd grade for two years, and Eugene, OR). For fun, she enjoys playing tennis and taking her dog for walks.

Tod Vedock, Founder and Emeritus Board Member

Tod Vedock, the visionary behind Running for a Better Oakland, is a devoted champion of the community. Over the years, he has been actively involved in various non-profit organizations, such as Operation Hope, Children's Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as serving as a current National Red Cross Disaster Lead.

After successfully selling two telecommunications businesses, Tod shifted his focus towards his property and private investment venture, ADRv LLC. Additionally, he has undertaken an exciting new project by establishing a farm, Honey Hill Tahoe Farm LLC in the serene Lake Tahoe area, where he now calls home.

Tod's unwavering dedication to recreation has had a profound impact on the community. Notably, his instrumental role in introducing the Oakland Running Festival highlights his commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for the city's residents.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Tod takes great delight in sharing his passion for volunteering, running, and entrepreneurship with his two beloved daughters. He firmly believes in instilling these values in the younger generation, ensuring a legacy of community engagement and fostering a strong work ethic that will endure for years to come.

Justin Williams

Justin has been a member of RBO since 2022. He believes running and sports can build self confidence, resiliency and teamwork. Which are all skills that can translate into all phases of life.

Justin has recently moved to the Bay Area from Los Angeles, CA. Justin has been running for the past 8 years after playing four years of collegiate football at Langston University, completing several marathons including LA and Chicago.

Aside from running Justin enjoys attending live sporting events, finding new local food spots and enjoys a good movie. Back in Los Angeles Justin also worked as a coach for a non profit organization “Compete Forever” which was a weekly children’s football skill development camp. When not working with RBO Justin works in Sales for a start up tech company.

Shelly Wong

Shelly has donated to RBO for years, but recently started mentoring and volunteering in person in the 2021-2022 season.  She believes running teaches everyone to set goals, train, and accomplish whether in running or in life.  She is inspired by the little kids and the big kids, who are so excited to run every Saturday around the lake with big smiles on their faces.  

Running brought to Shelly the ability and stamina to learn new sports including biking, swimming, skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kite foiling and winging.  Shelly is excited to bring her lifetime love of running to new learners.  She first started running when a friend was training for a marathon.  Shelly started running one block at a time, and ended up running the SF Marathon.  Today, Shelly loves local trail and hill races.  

Outside of RBO, Shelly is an entrepreneur in the design field with experience in the manufacturing, distribution and property management areas.  She is also focused on giving back to the community by founding a non-profit It-Takes-A-Village during the pandemic, and working with various non-profits in the bay area bringing solar/electric opportunities to disadvantaged communities and robotics education to public schools.

Shannon Yavorsky

Shannon has been a running enthusiast for over 30 years. While she is not the fastest on the track, she always finishes the race. She is the mom of two energetic boys and enjoys running, hiking, yoga, and playing pick-up soccer every Sunday. Shannon has completed a marathon (Stockholm) and a variety of half-marathons in record slow times. She loves running slow enough to have long talks with running buddies. In her spare time, Shannon is a data lawyer at a law firm. She is excited to actively contribute to the RBO Board and looks forward to helping RBO grow and expand.

Paul Yee - Treasurer

A longtime Oakland resident, Paul is passionate about helping people achieve their goals. He discovered running relatively late in life and now dedicates his time coaching others and building community. An RRCA-certified coach and avid marathoner, he is a lead coach for the Piedmont Junior Runners Club and a pacer for the LMJS marathon training program. He is a co-organizer of the Lake Merritt Donut Runners and an advisor to TNT Strength, a personal-training studio in Oakland.

Paul is a retired CFO, having spent 25 years helping grow consumer brands such as Stitch Fix, Method, Peet’s, and Gap. He is passionate about helping Asian professionals navigate the business world while remaining true to their authentic selves. He is on the leadership team for the Stanford Graduate School of Business Asian Alumni Chapter and is an executive mentor for the MJAA Mentorship Program. Besides traveling and solving crossword puzzles, Paul loves playing board and video games with his wife and two sons.

Joe Zarrehparvar

Joe joined RBO as a volunteer in the summer of 2020 and joined the RBO board in December 2020. He lives in Oakland and is a first generation immigrant who grew up on soccer; he played regularly until 2010 when the idea of not getting hit while running became very attractive. Now, Joe is an avid runner and not a sprinter, which drew him to long distance running and 1-2 races per year.

Joe also volunteers with Alameda County Community Food Bank and Berkeley Food Pantry. He has not experienced the pre-COVID fun of running with RBO kids but is very much looking forward to it soon and being an active member of the running community.