The Orinda Association Welcomes New Board Co-Presidents

    Two for the price of one – although the positions are unpaid and voluntary. The Orinda Association (OA) welcomes Chris Laszcz-Davis and Kelly Sopak as this year’s board co-presidents.
    With Sally Hogarty stepping down from her term as president, the two busy and community-minded board members are ready to get started.
   
Chris Laszcz-Davis
    “I’ve been engaged with many non-profits in Lamorinda, including The OA. My lens this next year will be focused on The Orinda Association, its community voice and ability to leverage needed initiatives to affect change,” said Laszcz-Davis, an Orinda resident for 34 years. “Since I’m a community networker/collaborator, I hope that leveraging various community groups will enable The OA and others to take on some additional, much-needed community initiatives.”
    Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Laszcz-Davis earned her bachelor’s degree, with a double major in chemistry and biology, at Notre Dame College.
    “I was on my way to medical school when I discovered the new pioneering world of public health,” she said. “So I pivoted with a fellowship to the University of Minnesota.” There she earned a master’s degree in environmental health engineering.
    “Exciting times in this country with the launch of EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, DOE, and companion programs in industry,” she said.
    Laszcz-Davis has traveled the world with her various jobs in government, industry and management consulting. She and her late husband Steve raised two children – Lauren, age 37, and Grant, age 34.
    “Both children have delightful spouses and offspring,” she said. “We are very close and have been blessed over the years with our tight-knit family. My kids went to Glorietta, OIS and Miramonte, where they had great academic and athletic experiences.”
    With The OA infrastructure in solid shape, Laszcz-Davis said her role as co-president will be one of facilitating and enabling “the great staff and volunteers to do what they do best year after year.”
    “I hope to function as the voice of The OA when required, which includes board meetings, town council report-outs, launching new initiatives and running interference for an association staff and board that have incredible vision and purpose,” she added.
    Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, along with other activities.“Hiking, global travel and experiencing new cultures, reading, trying new things – such as snowshoeing and dog sledding – and pioneering new global professional endeavors, keep me energized,” she said.

Kelly Sopak
    Twenty-year resident and State Farm Insurance agent in Orinda for almost 30 years, Kelly Sopak served as vice president of The OA last year.
    “This is my first time as co-president and I wanted to continue to serve in any capacity with The OA, because it does so much for our community,” he said. “It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing group of people, helping this amazing city of Orinda.”
    Born in Puyallup, Washington, Sopak and his wife Beverley have two daughters, Lauren, age 24, and Leah, age 21.
    Sports are a big part of Sopak’s life. He is founder and director of the Cal Stars Basketball Club based out of Orinda with programs in Northern California, Southern California and Arizona.
    He’s the current head coach of the women’s basketball team at Carondelet High School. For 11 years he was the head coach of Miramonte’s girls basketball team where he coached Sabrina Ionescu, who currently plays professionally for the Women’s National Basketball Association’s New York Liberty.
    Sopak is also the wide receivers football coach at Miramonte, where they recently won the section championship. He and Beverley own Power Sports Academy, formerly called NorCal Courts, a five-court, 30,000-square-foot basketball, volleyball and futsal facility in Martinez.
    “I know Chris and I have our work cut out for us replacing Sally, but we have some of the most amazing individuals at The OA and I am personally just excited to be around them and keep building and helping our community,” he said. “Orinda is one of the best communities in California and my wife and I are so fortunate and proud to have raised our family here.”