The Orinda Association (OA) begins 2021 with three new, highly qualified board members as well as its continuing group of dedicated volunteers. Kyle Arteaga, Jacqueline (Jackie) Buettner and Latika Malkani will join the Board.
Kyle Arteaga.
Arteaga brings a wealth of experience in public relations as the CEO of The Bulleit Group, a technology PR firm focusing on “bringing sci-fi to life.” Clients include Google, Linkedin, P&G Ventures and startups working in biotech, energy technologies, robotics and self-driving cars. He believes local journalism has never been more important and hopes to contribute to The Orinda News, which the OA publishes.
“As more and more families move to Orinda from San Francisco and other metropolitan areas, they will be looking for ways to participate,” said Arteaga. “I’m hoping The Orinda News can get our newer residents and the companies they work for involved in the Orinda community.”
Arteaga, who moved to Orinda in March of 2019, lives in Wilder with his husband Andrew and twin 4-year-old daughters Kolby and Kennedy.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Buettner.
No stranger to volunteering, Jackie Buettner looks forward to being involved with the OA. Having moved to Orinda in February of 1993, the busy chiropractor raised two sons in Orinda and volunteered with the Boy Scouts. Both her sons became Eagle Scouts as member of Troop 57. She has also volunteered for numerous political causes and with “Flying Doctors of America,” treating refugees in a variety of countries around the world.
“I’ve had quite the career. From being on Good Morning America to a gubernatorial appointment to the state board,” Buettner said. “I’m also fortunate to have my practice in the iconic 450 Sutter building in the City. I love the art deco and have been practicing there since 1989.”
With COVID-19, Buettner has cut her work schedule to three days a week. With traveling restricted, she felt she now had time to explore new volunteer opportunities.
Latika Malkani.
Fighting for the rights of individual employees and seeking improved working conditions has been Latika Malkani’s passion as a lawyer and owner of her own law firm. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, Malkani and her family moved to Orinda in 2004. She and her husband, Ray Cardozo, raised their three children in Orinda, the youngest a junior at Miramonte High School.
“Ray is also a lawyer and once argued in the U.S. Supreme Court. Yes, two lawyers in the same family; we’re really a fun bunch,” she joked.
Her volunteer work has focused on organizations working with kids and schools. She currently remains active helping Boys Team Charity, a volunteer service organization dedicated to developing an altruistic spirit in young men; Miramonte Parents’ Club and Moms Demand Action. Previously, she volunteered with the Girl Scouts, Orinda Baseball Association and California Academy of Performing Arts. “I so enjoyed my dance mom duties, including many Nutcrackers and June shows,” she added.
Through the OA, the new board members look forward to finding new ways to improve the fabric of life in Orinda. For more information on the OA, or information about joining the Board, call 925.254.0800 or go to www.orindaassociation.org.
