SBS School Board
Meet the School Board
Nicky-Ann Lopez-Leon- PresidentGreetings, my name is Nicky-Ann Lopez-Leon, and I am a proud St. Benedict Alumni 87' and parent of St. Benedict School. I have served our St. Benedict community for several years as school board member and president (8 years), Festival Board member (15 years), Bingo Committee (10 years), Casino Committee (13 year), Altar Society (11 years) and started our 1st St. Benedict Alumni Association and Friends in 2016. I attended East Los Angeles College where I received a Registered Nursing degree and have worked for Garth Fisher as Nursing Director of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery for 21 years.
Jeff Gonzalez- Vice PresidentMy name is Jeff Gonzalez, and this is my tenth school year as a parent board member and first as the Vice President. I have been in the St Benedict community for 26 years which includes Casino
Night Committee since 2009, St. Benedict Festival Board Member since 2005, St. Benedict Knights of Columbus Member since 2023, St. Benedict Bingo Committee since 2014, St. Benedict Alumni Association Vice President since 2021 and San Gabriel Mission Fiesta Board Member/Director since 2011. In addition, I am a member of San Gabriel Mission High School Principal’s Consultative Board since 2019, San Gabriel Mission High School Advancement Committee Chair 2019-2023 and San Gabriel Mission High School Strategic Planning Committee Chair since 2023 I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical & Electronics Engineering and am working as a Senior Manager for a biomedical device company for 32 years.
Diane Ruiz-SecretaryHello, my name is Diane Ruiz. I have been the secretary on the St Benedict school board for 6 years. I am a parent and alumni of the school. I am a St Benedict Alumni, and my children
currently attend here.
Sarah Perez – Board MemberHi. My name is Sarah Perez and this is my 4th school year as board member. I have been in the
St Benedict community for 8 years. I received my bachelor’s from Loyola Marymount University and Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law. I am licensed to practice law by the State Bar of California, and I have my own private practice, focusing on immigration law (family-based and removal defense), criminal law, family law and probate law for Special Immigrant Juveniles. I am not an alumnus of SBS, but a parent to a 6th and 3rd grader.
Rafael Santoya- Board MemberHi. My name is Rafael Santoya, and this is my first school year as board member. I have been in the St Benedict community for 3 years as a parent. I received my bachelor’s from San Diego State University and master’s from the University of Southern California. I work in Quality Assurance as a Director of Auditing and Monitoring.
Elisa González-Board Member
Hi. My name is Elisa González, a St Benedict parent. I have been a board member at St. Benedict school for the last 4 years. I have an Associates of Art degree with an emphasis in Science from East Los Angeles College. I am a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist as well as a Certified Histology Technician. I have worked for OneLegacy, the donate life organization for Southern California, and I currently work for Keck Medicine of USC.
Carlos Carrasco- Board MemberHello - My name is Carlos Carrasco. This is my third year serving on the St. Benedict school board. I have two children who attend St. Benedict, in grades 4 and 3. I am a St. Benedict alum. I hold two bachelor’s degrees in (1) Accounting and (2)Management Information Systems from Cal State University Long Beach and am an active licensed CPA. I work at a software company as the Senior Director of Implementation, responsible for direction and oversight of our global implementation department.
Melanie Ramos- Board MemberHello, my name is Melanie Ramos, and this is my first year as a member of St. Benedict School’s Parent Board. I have enjoyed being part of the school’s community for seven years. I am the parent of two Bruin students. I received my bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach and master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton. I work in management for the Los Angeles Superior Court as a Criminal Courts Coordinator.
Amalia Orozco- Board MemberMy name is Amelia Orozco. I have been a school board member for at least 4 years and am St Benedict alumni parent. I work for The Auditor Controller of Los Angeles County. I am a management secretary and provide assistance to our internal investigation’s unit.
Claudia Renteria-Board MemberHello, my name is Claudia Renteria. I am a St. Benedict parent to a Kindergartner and a 5th grader. I have been at St. Benedict for 8 years to date and have another 8 to go. I am going on 3 years as a stay-at-home mom. Prior to this great opportunity, I worked at a paper company for 26 years. While employed at Papercutters, my former employer, I was hired as a file clerk and worked my way up as the purchasing manager. Since being a stay-at-home mom, I have had some of the most amazing and memorable experiences here at St. Benedict School. I have had the opportunity to be a room parent, volunteer at bake sales, holiday events, field trips, and for the past 3 years, I have been cheer team mom. Joining the school parent board has been one of my goals. I am excited to share my ideas, learn from other members, and continue to give back to our St. Benedict community.
Anita Sapp-Board Member
I have volunteered my time in various organizations from church groups and non-profit organizations. I have led several small groups from young adults to elder adults with clothing drives to pass out to the homeless youth living on the streets of Hollywood, CA. During my volunteer duties I did obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology to offer counseling to youth on the streets that were looking for advice. Presently, I am employed at St. Benedict School as a lunch supervision aide, as well as being an active parent of St. Benedict school as my daughter finishes out her Jr. high school years. As an active member of the school, I joined the Alumni Association board and was placed in the position of secretary. The last 3 years serving as a school board member, has allowed me to be an intricate part of the planning process of school events for the entire student body.
I have volunteered my time in various organizations from church groups and non-profit organizations. I have led several small groups from young adults to elder adults with clothing drives to pass out to the homeless youth living on the streets of Hollywood, CA. During my volunteer duties I did obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology to offer counseling to youth on the streets that were looking for advice. Presently, I am employed at St. Benedict School as a lunch supervision aide, as well as being an active parent of St. Benedict school as my daughter finishes out her Jr. high school years. As an active member of the school, I joined the Alumni Association board and was placed in the position of secretary. The last 3 years serving as a school board member, has allowed me to be an intricate part of the planning process of school events for the entire student body.
Cynthia Leyva Contreras- Board Member
Hello, my name is Cynthia Leyva Contreras and I have been with the St. Benedict’s community for eleven years. I have two graduates (class of 2021 and class of 2023) and have continued their education at Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School. Currently, I have a 5th grade student at SBS. I have been with the school board for four years. My current role is a school board member. During my time with SBS, I have been a devoted Catholic, Room Parent and supporter for all our fundraising needs. I have a bachelor’s in science from California State University Long Beach and currently working full time at Live Nation Entertainment as a Risk Manager.
Hello, my name is Cynthia Leyva Contreras and I have been with the St. Benedict’s community for eleven years. I have two graduates (class of 2021 and class of 2023) and have continued their education at Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School. Currently, I have a 5th grade student at SBS. I have been with the school board for four years. My current role is a school board member. During my time with SBS, I have been a devoted Catholic, Room Parent and supporter for all our fundraising needs. I have a bachelor’s in science from California State University Long Beach and currently working full time at Live Nation Entertainment as a Risk Manager.
Roylyn Gonzalez- Board MemberMy name is Roylyn Gonzalez, and this is my second school year as a parent board member. I have been in the St Benedict community for 26 years which includes Casino Night Committee since 2009, St. Benedict Festival Board Member since 2005, Room Parent/Head of Room Parents since 1998, St. Benedict Altar Society Member since 2013, St. Benedict Bingo Committee since 2014, St. Benedict Alumni Association Member since 2021 and San Gabriel Mission Fiesta Board Member since 2011. I own a catering business and a financial services business.