Stephanie Goldman joined FACCC as the External Affairs Director in March 2018 and was promoted to Associate Director in July 2019. As a registered lobbyist, she successfully worked on legislation impacting part-time faculty, undocumented students, retirement, and funding. From late 2022 to early 2025, she expanded her expertise in faculty and student advocacy while working with the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC).

On February 21, 2025, Stephanie returned to FACCC as Interim Executive Director and was officially appointed Executive Director by March 14.

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Prior to joining FACCC, she worked in telecommunications, where she negotiated contracts and represented clients before local regulatory boards. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Humboldt State University and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

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In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, snowboarding, and golfing.

Gaelin Elmore is a dynamic and nationally sought-after keynote speaker, trainer, and thought leader. He collaborates with organizations and individuals to foster belonging-informed environments, helping children overcome trauma and unleash their potential. Gaelin's passion and energy for his work stem from his heart for justice and his own lived experience.

 

His own journey of self-discovery has led Gaelin to the National Football League, and now stages, boardrooms, and organizations, all across the country, aiming to inspire, encourage, and equip others to think differently about their work and its long-term impact on others. Gaelin now lives in Burnsville, MN, where he gets to experience the purest form of belonging as a husband to his wife, Micaela, and dad to their three children, Laniah, Tatum, and Gideon.

Ruben E. Canedo (He/They) was born and raised along the borderlands of Coachella, Imperial, and Mexicali. For nearly two decades, Ruben has supported community-based organizations, institutions, and foundations across the country in advancing healing, disability justice, and transformative justice. His work spans facilitation, strategy, training, and keynotes—with notable partners including Emerson Collective, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund.

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In public higher education, Ruben serves as Director of Strategic Equity Initiatives at UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity & Inclusion, where he leads cross-campus research, policy, and budget strategies. In 2023, he co-founded the Center for Economic Justice & Action (CEJA), home to the UC Essential Needs Consortium (UCENC)—a hub for research, training, and movement alignment across public higher ed. Ruben also co-founded the California Higher Education Basic Needs Alliance (CHEBNA), uniting the CCC, CSU, and UC systems. He is now co-leading the formation of a national coalition with over 150 institutional and community leaders focused on college students' essential needs.

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Over the past 15 years, Ruben has helped shape institutional, state, and federal policy—including securing ongoing annual state funding to support basic needs services across California’s 149 public colleges and universities. His legacy includes co-founding the UC Systemwide EOP Summit, Undocumented Student Programs & Services, and College Student Basic Needs Centers. His leadership is rooted in coalition-building and movement alignment across education, advocacy, philanthropy, and government—including partnerships with state departments, elected officials, the California Governor, and the White House.

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Ruben was honored in 2023 as a National TRIO Achiever by the Council for Opportunity in Education—celebrating his commitment to first-generation and low-income students.

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Fun fact: Ruben began traditional Okinawan Karate at age 4 and is a 4th-degree black belt.