Networking + A 20-Minute Expert Presentation

Sheldon Singleton

Financial Advisor, Van Clef Financial Group
Chamber Board Member and Commodore

Sheldon Singleton is a Financial Advisor with Vanclef Financial Group, Newport Beach Chamber Board, Membership Committee, and Commodores Club member.

Sheldon holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, was an Engineer and has held various leadership positions throughout his career in various companies where he has lead groups made up of many different ethnicities.

Sheldon brings a perspective of being born in the south, growing up, going to school, and college in the Midwest, being in careers and positions of leadership where he was a minority, sometimes the only black person.

Samantha Theard

Student, Loyola Law School

Samantha Theard graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach, and will be attending Loyola Law School in the fall. Although race isn’t usually a component of introduction, she is a half black half white 25-year-old who has a unique experience in race. Sam has experienced both racism and privilege because of the color of her skin.

She is motivated by the fact that her dark-skin black brothers and sisters face burdens and risks she will never experience due to the systemic and implicit nature of racism in America. Her aspiration to become a lawyer started young and only increased as her desire to bring social justice to minority communities developed over time.

Samantha Theard is a new member of Black Lives Matter activism.  She does most of her activism on her Instagram account and looks for any opportunity to educate others, have meaningful conversations, and create change.”

Jim Perez

Masters Graduate, Chapman University in Criminal Justice and Sociology

Certified in Conflict and Harm Restorative Justice, Joven Noble Healing Circle Facilitator, Treat Assessment/Active Shooter Certified, Circle one Foundation Restorative Justice

Jim Perez in an accomplished organizational development professional with a strong background in group process and building organizational capacity.

As a masters graduate from Chapman University in Criminal Justice and Sociology, Jim is an expert in helping Leaders, Administrators and Educators build stronger, more effective Restorative Justice teams and communication.

Jim is a valued leader for helping teams think strategically and engage in meaningful conversations that allow for reflection and inquiry that leads to change. He is an exceptional national facilitator and trainer and skilled at designing interactive processes that gain buy-in and commitment to action plans. He has facilitated partnerships among juvenile justice agencies, governmental entities, and community organizations.

In addition, Jim has coordinated gang intervention efforts with the probation department, law enforcement, and District Attorney. As well as, trained teachers on diversity and sensitivity of diverse cultures and ethnic groups in collaboration with the probation department and law enforcement personnel. He is certified in:  Conflict and Harm Restorative Justice, Joven Noble Healing Circle Facilitator, Treat Assessment/Active Shooter Certified, Circle one Foundation Restorative Justice.