Chair: Michael Reynolds
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Representing: District 2
Appointed by: Supervisor Steel
Profession: Attorney
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? More important today than at any time in the past 40 years. As our politics become increasingly divisive, we must continue to prioritize the building of bridges among individuals of different opinions, life experiences and backgrounds.
What does a #HateFreeOC look like to you? A community where people are tolerated, welcomed and valued despite differences of culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation and opinion, and where people of good will can debate one another peacefully and respectfully.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? In these increasingly dangerous times, people are starting to judge one another on matters other than the content of their character. We must thwart the efforts of those who would divide us along racial, religious, political and other grounds by building bonds among individuals, repairing relations among communities and increasing tolerance and understanding.
Who inspires you? God
My favorite quote & author: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." – King Solomon; Proverbs 15:1
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Vice-Chair: M. Fareed Farukhi
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Representing: District 4
Appointed by: City Selection Committee
Profession: CPA
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? The work of the Commission is of greater importance, more so today than before given the level of fear of the other, lack of understanding, intolerance, and care for one another that binds us as people of diversity to build stronger communities.
What does a #HateFreeOC look like to you? A county that embraces the differences of color, languages, ethnicity, and gender as one humanity. Where residents feel safe, are able to respectfully deal with one another, learn to live in harmony and with equity.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? As an immigrant, I know the value of diversity and building relations. HRC is the right platform to promote better understanding, break down barriers and prejudices. An opportunity to educate and bring about awareness of our differences that make us special as people of all backgrounds. I am committed to contributing to this positive change in OC and beyond.
Who inspires you? My faith and the teaching of Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh); “Kindness is a mark of faith.”
My favorite quote & author: “I have decided to stick to love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Martin Luther King Jr. |
Dr. Kerry Reynolds
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Representing: District 2 - At-Large Appointee
Appointed by: Supervisor Steel
Profession: Licensed Therapist
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? The Commission’s work is very significant in terms of affecting the current and future culture (and heart) of Orange County.
What does a #HateFreeOC look like to you? A HateFree OC looks like a “paradise” where all races, religions, socioeconomic levels, political and gender identities, and various competing organizations live and work together in peace and understanding. It’s a place where human souls express their distinct disagreements and differences with integrity, mutual compassion, tolerance and respect.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? I am part of the HRC because one of my life’s commitments has been to “share the blessings.” Because Orange County has been home for over three decades and has provided numerous opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, economic prosperity, business and social connections and more, I desire to give back through SERVICE to the county I love.
Who inspires you? Mother Teresa has always inspired me because of her spiritual strength, her unlimited and unwavering love, and her self-less service to others. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has also been a role model of forgiveness– transcending impeding prejudice and negative circumstance, and not allowing “victimship” to influence her spirit, character, or success.
My favorite quote & author: A favorite leadership quote is from President Abraham Lincoln. “As a leader, you cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
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Jo-Anne Matsuba
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Representing: District 4
Appointed by: Supervisor Chaffee
Biographical information is in the process of updating.
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Chief Mike Hamel
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Representing: District 3
Appointed by: City Selection Committee
Profession: Irvine Police Chief
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? Given our richly diverse community with many passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of others, the work of the HRC is more important now than ever.
What does a #HateFreeOC look like to you? #HateFreeOC looks like a County with diminishing hate crime and a genuine desire to understand and treat with respect others who are different than us.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? To represent the Orange County Law Enforcement community in a manner that breeds mutual trust, understanding and respect, while seeking every opportunity to demonstrate care and compassion for all.
Who inspires you? People who are naturally inclined to place service before self.
My favorite quote & author: “The police are the public and the public are the police.” – Sir Robert Peel
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Jany Lee
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Representing: District 1
Appointed by: City Selection Committee
Biographical information is in the process of updating.
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Jennifer Wang
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Representing: District 1
Appointed by: Supervisor Do
Biographical information is in the process of updating. |
Dr. Adeline Nyamathi
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Representing: District 5
Appointed by: Supervisor Bartlett
Profession: Founding Dean and Distinguished Professor, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? HR is critically important to me personally as I work with very vulnerable groups in my research. Further, as a leader of a School of Nursing, emphasizing the importance of respectful and collaborative communication and community engagement is critical.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? Because of the relevancy of HRC’s mission and values.
Who inspires you? The community in which I engage for research and the students I aspire to motivate.
My favorite quote & author: "The greatest challenge to happiness is self-denigration." (Pema Chodron – True Happiness)
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Rabbi Richard Steinberg
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Representing: District 3
Appointed by: Supervisor Spitzer
How relevant or important is the HRC’s work today? The Commission’s work is essential to creating and maintaining a environment of inclusion, kindness and respect for the diversity of our county.
What does a #HateFreeOC look like to you? Very simply put – with Freedom comes Responsibility. #HatefreeOC is our attempt to encourage people to use their freedom to make good choices that result in people caring for one another, for eradicating hate and for lifting up the marginalized.
Why are you part of the OC Human Relations Commission? It is an honor to serve Orange County in this important work and to create a world God would be proud of.
Who inspires you? Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
My favorite quote & author: Rabbi Heschel said, “…morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”
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Tanya Doby
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Representing: District 2
Appointed by: City Selection Committee
Biographical information is in the process of updating.
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