Jill Klinge - Board Chair

Jill Klinge began her prosecutorial career in 1987 as a Deputy District Attorney for Alameda County, where she has served for 22 years, and is currently head of the Parole Revocation Unit. During her tenure with the Alameda County DAs office, Ms. Klinge worked on cases involving sexual assault, homicides, career criminals, drug prosecutions and all other felony and misdemeanor crimes. She has also been a charging deputy and has handled felony arraignment and probation revocation assignments. In addition, Ms. Klinge is a seasoned educator, providing trainings on a variety of topics.  Most recently she developed and presented seminars on conducting Life Parole Hearings and the implementation of Marsy’s Law in the life hearing process to members of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA).

Dan Felizzatto - Treasurer

Michael Saragosa - Secretary

Michael Saragosa has over 13 years of increased responsibility in the State Legislature and Executive Branch, government relations industry and political management of campaigns.  Prior to Quintana-Saragosa Public Affairs, Michael was Coalitions Director for the Meg Whitman for Governor Campaign and oversaw the campaign’s ethnic, gender, youth, trade association, and Central Valley outreach programs, staff and consultants. 

A veteran of state government, Michael served in a variety of high-level positions within the Schwarzenegger Administration. He was Undersecretary at State and Consumer Services ensuring that the programs and activities of Agency’s 17 departments and 17,000 thousand employees are properly planned, operated and coordinated. Prior to his appointment as Undersecretary, he was appointed as Executive Director of the Employment Training Panel (ETP). ETP is a joint business and labor program that allocates over $100 million annually in workforce training dollars.

Michael served as the main liaison between the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Governor’s Office. Prior to his position in Cabinet, he served as Chief Deputy Appointments Secretary and was responsible for the daily operations of the Appointments Unit managing the recruitment, interviews and recommendation of candidates to the Appointments Secretary, Chief of Staff and Governor.

Michael has been a Chief of Staff and has served several State Legislators. Michael is widely recognized for his expertise navigating government entities and being able to deliver results in complex situations.  Michael is the unique consultant who can traverse the halls of government and provide political management and coalition building expertise for his clients. 

Todd Riebe - Executive Board Member

Todd grew up in rural Minnesota.  He attended Mankato State University in southern Minnesota and later transferred to the University of Southern California, earning a B.A. in Political Science in 1983 and a M.A. in American Politics in 1985. From 1985 to 1987, Todd taught 7th grade World History and Geography and 8th grade U.S. History at Horace Mann Junior High School in South Central Los Angeles.  After school he organized a boys and girls sports program designed to give inner-city children an alternative to the rough streets of Los Angeles. Todd traveled north to Sacramento and attended McGeorge School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1990.  During his law school career, he worked as an intern at the California Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office. In 1991, Todd went to work for John A. Barker & Associates, a law firm based in Madera, California, which operated as the county public defender.  He was later assigned as the Chief Defense Attorney of John A. Barker & Associates managing the Amador County office. In November 1998, Todd ran for Amador County District Attorney and was elected by the people of Amador County.  He was re-elected in June 2002, June 2006, and again in June 2010, running unopposed. Todd is active in the community coaching youth soccer, serving as a past president of the Jackson Lions Club, member of the Amador County Domestic Violence Council, member of the Mother Lode Youth Soccer League Board, Chair of the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team, and member of the California District Attorneys Association board of directors. Todd has been married to his wife Teresa for 25 years and they have four children, Matt, 17, Rachael, 15, Joshua, 12, and Elizabeth, 10.

Christine Ward  - Executive Director

Christine Ward has been assisting victims of crime and advocating for victims' rights for over two decades.  She began her career in victim assistance/advocacy answering the crisis hotline at her local domestic violence center and providing accompaniment to sexual assault victims.  Ms. Ward has since worked for centers across the country, developing and managing programs that assist victims of violent crimes. Ms. Ward is an accomplished trainer and speaker and presents on a variety of topics including victim support/assistance, victim advocacy, and professional and personal development.  Ms. Ward has created outreach tools to improve awareness, and encourage activism, around issues pertaining to victims of crime, crime prevention and victims' rights.  She is the co-creator of the internationally recognized Watch Your Drink - Watch Your Friends drug facilitated sexual assault educational program and has presented on this program across the US and Canada. Ms. Ward has also worked extensively with various law enforcement agencies to improve communication with and assistance to victims of crime. Ms. Ward has received several awards and recognition for her work assisting victims and in advancing victims' rights.  In 2006 Ms. Ward was honored with a special recognition award from the Trenton, New Jersey Police Department for her service and dedication to victims of domestic violence and for her commitment to the training of the Trenton Police Officers.  In 2008 she was honored with the California Governor's Crime Victim Advocacy Award for her dedication to serving victims of violent crime.  In 2009 she was appointed by the Governor to the Domestic Violence Program Advisory Council under the California Emergency Management Agency. Ms.Ward holds a BA is psychology and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on non-profit management.  Ms. Ward is a survivor of violent crime and has been active with the Alliance since its inception in 1992.

Advisory Board Members

Joe Baumann

Cliff Costa

Ryan Sherman

Bradley Weinreb, Deputy Attorney General, San Diego County