Heather was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has been a practicing genetic counselor for over a decade, and is currently a Lead Genetic Counselor for Maternal Fetal Medicine at Sutter Health. Heather is passionate about providing the best possible care and service to every person, every time, through clear communication, kindness, and empathy. Professionally, Heather enjoys public speaking, leading amazing teams, and designing thoughtful visuals and handouts. Heather spends her personal time with her partner and their four children, and her hobbies include photography and puzzles.
RJ has primary interests in new genetics technologies, genetics education, pharmacogenomics, and innovative service delivery methods. He graduated from Stanford's Masters of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling Program and began his career practicing clinical prenatal, pediatric, and fertility genetic counseling in Fresno, CA and in San Francisco. In 2018 he transitioned to working for commercial genetic laboratories and has experience in a number of roles - most recently as a sales training manager at Myriad Genetics. He has a long-held interest in education. He hopes to continue to support and mentor genetic counseling students in his work on the NCCGC Board.
Kanchi was born in India and moved to the US to start graduate school at the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling program in 2014. After graduation, Kanchi spent over two years working as a genetic counselor at Valley Children’s Hospital Maternal Fetal Center in Madera, CA. In 2019 she began working as a clinical genetic counselor at the UCSF Prenatal Diagnostic Center where she also supports the UCSF Genetic Counseling Program by serving on their admissions committee and providing student supervision. One of the things Kanchi enjoys about working in California is the diverse range of patients. She was instrumental in the establishment of UCSF’s satellite prenatal diagnosis center at Washington Hospital in Fremont. There she is able to utilize her fluency in Hindi and Gujarati to serve the primarily Asian Indian patient population. She is excited about being on the board at the NCCGC so that she can impact the profession in the Bay Area, foster connections locally and expand on her leadership skills. She feels that her international experience brings a unique perspective to the Board.
The Northern California Coalition of Genetic Counselors Board of Directors consists of Officers and Board Members. Additionally, the NCCGC has non-elected Committee Chairs and Committee Members. Officers, Board Members, Committee Chairs and Committee Members will work to uphold and promote the NCCGC Vision and Mission, foster education, networking and community building for member genetic counselors in Northern California, represent the NCCGC at meetings, and assist with NCCGC publications.
Preferred: 3-5 years of experience as a practicing genetic counselor.
Board members must reside in Northern California at the time of election. If they move out of the region during their term, they may remain in office for the duration of their term but not be re-elected.
NCCGC will strive to have board members who represent the diverse group of genetic counselors in Northern California.
Above all else, the primary duty is to lead and care for the organization. This includes using sound judgment, diligence, and prudence in financial matters. The president has a fiduciary responsibility to the corporation to assure the chapter funds are spent within the guidelines of the IRS regulations and the NCCGC directives.
The President will become fully knowledgeable about duties of elected officers and subcommittees and activities deriving from each.
The President will create agendas, chair conference calls and meetings of the NCCGC Officers, Board of Directors, and meetings of the general membership.
The President shall carry out decisions on behalf of the Officers and the Board of Directors and serve as the primary spokesperson and representative for NCCGC members through media, legislative, and other public interactions, with review from the Officers.
Upon assuming office, each newly-elected President shall review the NCCGC Bylaws to determine the need for revision and amendment.
The President shall attend or delegate appropriate NCCGC representation at key professional meetings throughout the state and nation.
The president is the liaison and partners with organizations as needed.
The President will regularly review requirements and regulations to maintain 501c3, tax-exempt status.
The president should have served on the Board or have been an active committee member prior to their nomination
May serve as liaison to committee chairs
Term: 3 years
Perform all the duties of the President in the absence of the President (if no President Elect or in the absence of the President Elect).
Term: 3 years
The Secretary will schedule upcoming meetings/conference calls of the Officers, Board of Directors, and invite appropriate Committee Chairs and/or Officers to these meetings
The Secretary keeps the minutes from meetings and conference calls of the Officers and Board of Directors. These minutes will be posted for membership review on a regular basis.
The Secretary will maintain and organize NCCGC documents and records, and other databases (volunteers, potential officers, etc).
May serve as liaison to committee chairs
Term: 3 years
The Treasurer will maintain and become a co-signer on the NCCGC checking account.
The Treasurer shall work with the President to ensure that all regulatory items are filed, including annual reports, tax forms, state and federal, etc.
The Treasurer will keep accurate and updated records of NCCGC’s current balance as well as anticipated incoming and outgoing transactions.
The Treasurer is responsible for paying all bills incurred by NCCGC as well as documenting and filing appropriate tax documents to maintain 501c3 status.
The Treasurer will plan and implement funding of the NCCGC’s key activities and projects, including budget for AEC.
The Treasurer will maintain the NCCGC operating budget.
Previous experience with Excel, QuickBooks and/or general accounting procedures is helpful.
May serve as liaison to committee chairs
Term: 3 years
Board Members (3)
Act as assigned Liaison to Committee Chairs
Participate in Board meetings, discussions, decisions and voting
Term: 3 years