Board of Directors

Heather Tabery

President

Heather graduated from the Brandeis Univeristy program in 2010 and has been in the clinical setting for the majority of her career. Her clinical practice has had a particular focus on perinatal health and education of patients and providers. Heather is passionate about providing the best possible service to every person every time through kindness, clear communication, and empathy. Professionally, Heather enjoys public speaking, leading dynamic teams, and designing thoughtful visuals and handouts. Heather spends her personal time with her partner and their four children. Her hobbies include photography and puzzles.

Sharon Chan

Vice President

Sharon Chan, MS, MPH, CGC has more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical practice, public health, healthcare leadership, and education. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Genetics and Pharmacy Services at Sutter Health, where she leads a team of providers and administrators dedicated to advancing access to precision medicine.

Throughout her career, Sharon has expanded genetic services across diverse specialties including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and pharmacy, while championing sustainable care models and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Her teaching experience includes adjunct faculty roles at Keck Graduate Institute and Samuel Merritt University, where she developed curricula to bridge genetics and public health.

Samantha Melnick

Secretary

Samantha Melnick is a prenatal genetic counselor at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (CPMC) in San Francisco. She received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Genetic Counseling from Long Island University. When not in clinic, she enjoys baking and exploring the Bay Area and beyond with her husband and two young children.

Austin Chua

Treasurer

Austin graduated from the CSU Stanislaus Genetic Counseling program in 2019, and has been with Sutter Health since 2021. He currently practices within their genetic oncology group, and has more recently grown their cardiology genetics program to better serve the Sutter popluation. His primary professional interest of growing access to genetics services stems from his time working at Color Health from 2016-2021, learning directly from Lauren Ryan. He hopes to continue contributing to broader genetic access while serving on the NCCGC board.

Christy Hartshorne

Board Member

Christy has been a genetic counselor since graduating from the Brandeis University program in 2009. She began her career providing clinical care to patients with hemoglobinopathies and pediatric cancer before transitioning to a startup commercial genetic testing company. Christy brings over a decade of experience in the commercial laboratory industry, where she has built and grown high-performing teams and helped drive innovation across the genetic testing landscape.

Her professional passions include leading dynamic teams and mentoring emerging leaders in the field. Outside of work, Christy enjoys being a mom to her two daughters and dog and planning elaborate bakes for special occasions. She is excited to bring her experience, leadership, and commitment to the profession to the NCCGC Board.

Prior Boards of Directors

Roles and Responsibilities

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.

General Requirements for Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

No prior leadership experience required; 3-5 years of experience as a practicing genetic counselor preferred but not required.
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.

President

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: Two years

Vice President

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: Two years

Secretary

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: Two years

Treasurer

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: Two years

Board Members

Act as assigned Liaison to Committee Chairs
Participate in Board meetings, discussions, decisions and voting
Term: Two years

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