Staff & Board of Directors

Lesley Santos Dierks
Chief Executive Officer

Lesley comes to Spokes with a hands-on understanding of the unique perspectives and challenges facing both nonprofit and funding organizations. Lesley began her career as a development officer and grant writer for the California ScienCenter, California’s only free-admission, state-sponsored science and technology museum located in Los Angeles, and Menlo College, a private business college located in Menlo Park. She continued her work with the nonprofit sector as the Community Relations Manager for Adobe Systems, Inc., a software company located in San Jose, where she was responsible for the company’s corporate philanthropy and community relations programs including their cash, in-kind and employee volunteer grants programs. After moving to San Luis Obispo and taking a career hiatus to focus on her young daughters, Lesley joined Spokes’ predecessor organization, the Nonprofit Support Center (NSC), as Regional Manager and was responsible for NSC’s training programs in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo. Lesley earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Southern California.

Jenna Espinosa
Vision Weaver

Jenna has been in the nonprofit sector for several years, beginning in graduate school where she received a dual masters in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University in Washington, D.C. and the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. While abroad, she looked closely at how communities with limited resources develop in a meaningful way. She knew she wanted to bring her international experience back to her local community and focus on sustainable community development in the United States. For three years, that meant serving as the Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo-based 501c(3) Central Coast Grown. Jenna brings that first-hand experience with her as she supports a multitude of nonprofits in our Central Coast Community through her role at Spokes.

Jody Kocsis
Services Coordinator

Jody brings a dash of creative flair to Spokes. She hails from the Midwest, where she earned a BFA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has built a diverse career in art, nonprofit administration, and customer service. Most recently, Jody served as the Public Relations Manager and Capital Campaign Administrator at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. She enjoys a good challenge, and views laughter an excellent remedy for life’s unsolvable problems.

Joshua King
Storyteller

Joshua moved to San Luis Obispo in 2008 to attend Cal Poly; 9 years later, Joshua has come to call San Luis Obispo home. Having completed his Bachelors of Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Environments, studied for a year abroad in Italy, and worked for Apple Higuera Street for the last 5 years, Joshua now joins Spokes to complete his final 8-units of internship credit for his Masters of Business Administration. Joshua brings academic knowledge, customer-focus, and attention-to-detail and seeks to apply them in Spokes’ outreach and communications efforts.

Taylor Shershenovich
Special Events

Taylor is a fourth year sociology major, concentrating in organizations, at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. To supplement her bachelor’s degree in sociology, she is also working towards obtaining a minor in integrated marketing communications and a minor in psychology. In her free time she enjoys crafting, cooking/baking and swimming. She looks forward to being a part of Spokes’ annual fundraiser this year.

Maylene Shanbrom
Spokes Fund Master

Maylene is a Central Coast native currently pursuing a degree in International Studies at Vassar College. She hopes to work for an international NGO after completing her education, and is excited about the future of the nonprofit sector. Her passions include learning languages, exploring Manhattan’s food scene, and hanging out with her dog Lily.