The H.A.R.D. Foundation is pleased to announce a slate of new directors. The H.A.R.D. Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the slate of new directors at their March Board Meeting. Voted in at the Foundation’s last meeting, the new Directors were welcomed by their colleagues on the Board and immediately joined the meeting.

Please join us in welcoming the H.A.R.D. Foundation’s new Board Members:

Gene Anderson, Sr. Director, Commercial Underwriting, Fremont Bank.

A lifelong resident of the East Bay, Gene is a veteran of the US Army and has worked in the financial industry for 20 years. He has significant familiarity with nonprofit finances. Gene is excited to join the board and feels “it is important to help those in need participate in all the activities H.A.R.D. has to offer.” Gene golfs at Mission Hills and was a regular at the Plunge as a child.

Sabrina Aranda, Director II, Student and Parent Support Programs, Hayward Unified School District.

Sabrina lives in Hayward where she was born and raised. She has experience working for Jumpstart, a national nonprofit organization that provides resources to pre-school children from low-income areas. She is a current member of the Community Advisory Committee for H.A.R.D. and is a Board member of the Hayward Education Foundation. She “enjoys bridging the gap for students in Hayward and the surrounding area.”

Michael Croghan, Grateful Bread Company.

Michael is the former VP of Partnerships for the Canary Foundation where he led efforts to raise over $25 million for an Indy Car Race in downtown San Jose. Michael’s father was the first Aquatic Supervisor for H.A.R.D. and established the Flying Fins swim team. According to Michael, “I literally grew up at the H.A.R.D. pools.” Michael has lived in unincorporated Hayward and Castro Valley his entire life. He looks forward to becoming involved and helping the H.A.R.D. Foundation make a difference.

Lori Taylor, Consultant.

Lori served as a Consultant for the H.A.R.D. Foundation during the search for a full time Executive Director. At end of her Consulting contract, Lori continued to volunteer for the Foundation and is there to help whenever asked. Lori has extensive experience working with nonprofits both as a consultant and as a board member. According to Lori, “As a long-time resident of the Eden Area, my family and I have long benefitted from H.A.R.D. programing and facilities and would be honored to participate in helping the Foundation expand H.A.R.D.’s impact in the community.

Board President, Linda Cliff shared, “Joining the H.A.R.D. Foundation’s Board of Directors is both a privilege and a responsibility. As we welcome Gene Anderson, Sabrina Aranda, Michael Croghan, and Lori Taylor to our team, we embrace their diverse expertise and shared passion for serving our community. Together, we look forward to harnessing our collective strengths to further the Foundation’s mission of ensuring equitable access to recreational programs and facilities for all residents. Let us embark on this journey with enthusiasm and dedication, knowing that our collaborative efforts will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”