SAN JOSE, CA, March 2, 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley (BGCSV) announced today the addition of Oriana Branon (Camacho) and Sean Heywood as new members of the organization’s Board of Directors.
An experienced communications leader with a deep commitment to community service, Oriana Branon currently leads communications for Bill.com. Formerly, Branon served as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for Alaska Airlines in the Bay Area. As a proud Latina advocate, she is a Board member for the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 Branon was a member of PRweek’s 40 Under 40.
“I am honored to join the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley in their pursuit of expanding education and careers pathways for kids in need,” said Branon. “As a strong believer in the transformative power of expanding opportunity for underserved communities, I am convinced that this work can make a tremendous difference and look forward to helping expand the reach of the BGCSV in our diverse region.”
An alumnus of Boys & Girls Clubs, Sean Heywood is a Principal at Amazon and leads global business development efforts for Alexa. Prior to Amazon, he worked at Facebook where he led strategic partnerships for the Messenger app and grew the community of developers. Heywood also previously served on the Finance Committee for the Yerba Buena Arts Center.
“I want to use my time and resources to help improve the life outcomes of others – particularly those who are being raised in circumstances and in communities similar to the ones where I was raised in Brooklyn, New York,” says Heywood. “My goal is to increase the number of families that are assisted by the organization and materially enhance the quality of experience the organization is able to provide each family.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley Board Chair Kathy Hevland said, “Oriana and Sean epitomize the type of deeply committed community leaders and purpose driven individuals we seek when considering board candidates. The entire board is thrilled to welcome Sean and Oriana and look forward to working together to make an even greater impact in our community in service of our most vulnerable youth.”
“I could not be more grateful and excited for Oriana and Sean to join our esteemed Board of Directors,” added Steve Wymer, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. “The challenges facing the underserved youth in Silicon Valley have never been greater and the tremendous experience and passion for others Sean and Oriana bring to our board will be invaluable. There is much to do and we’re thrilled two of our region’s truly exemplary leaders have joined the movement.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley is seeking volunteers, partnerships and support as the organization seeks to serve kids in need through the global pandemic and beyond. Interested community leaders and residents can learn more about engagement opportunities HERE and support the kids we serve by donating HERE.
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley:
Founded in 1944, BGCSV is a non-profit youth development organization that offers innovative and effective afterschool and summer enrichment programs primarily for low income, at-risk Santa Clara County youth ages 6-18 years. BGCSV serves approximately 3,000 regular members at 14 Clubhouse locations in San Jose, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. A chartered affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BGCSV utilizes a proven youth development strategy that nurtures young people’s self-esteem by instilling in them a sense of belonging, usefulness, competence, and influence.