BOARD MEMBERS | blackhawk-women

2024-2025 Board Members

President

Janinne Franke

Janinne's journey through life is marked by a series

of adventures and challenges, beginning with her

upbringing in Harare during its days as Salisbury,

Rhodesia. Her education in South Africa, where she

studied Computer Science and Accounting amid the

era of floppy disks, reflects a time when technology

was rapidly evolving. Her career in Cybersecurity at

Abbott Laboratories has been both demanding and

rewarding, requiring her to stay on top of technolog-

ical advancements in a field she describes as akin to

daily battles.

Family plays a central role in Janinne's life, with her

husband Peter supporting her through multiple

transcontinental moves that required him to retake

medical exams. Their two children, Margaux and Pe-

ter, have pursued careers in New York and San

Francisco, respectively, adding to the family's cos-

mopolitan lifestyle.

The move to Blackhawk from Cape Town 16 years

ago was a significant transition for Janinne and her

family. Initially feeling like a "deer in the head-

lights," she navigated the challenges of adapting to a

new country, from finding new healthcare providers

and schools to adjusting to driving on the right side

of the road. The Blackhawk Women's Association

played a pivotal role in her integration, as she was

encouraged to join by Ruth Swedlow during a new

member's reception. This community not only pro-

vided Janinne with friendships but also invaluable

support and advice on various aspects of life, from

medical recommendations to navigating the educa-

tional system and discovering hidden gems like the

best restaurants and wine estates.

Janinne's love for her three cats underscores her

affectionate nature, earning her the endearing title

of a "crazy cat person." Her passion for activities like

playing cards, Mah Jongg, and pickleball reflects her

vibrant personality and zest for life.

Vice President

Programs

Annette Costello

I am thrilled to co-chair the Program VP position for Blackhawk Women. A native of the Bay

Area, I completed my education at Saint Mary's

College in Moraga. From there, I embarked on

a successful career in high tech in Silicon Val-

ley, where I was actively involved in various

affiliations, such as Women in Technology.

Now retired and residing in Blackhawk, I am

an active member of several organizations, in-

cluding Saint Mary's Guild, and serve as the

"Make Your Own Tee Time" committee chair

for the Blackhawk Niners. It is a great honor to

take on the role of Program VP for Blackhawk

Women.

I am excited to cultivate new friendships and

am committed to providing enriching and en-

joyable experiences for the women attending

the events we cultivate for the new year. I look

forward to collaborating with the talented

women on our board to create a year of memo-

rable events for Blackhawk Women.

Vice President

Programs

Shelby Short

I'm a California native, having grown up just over the hill in Castro Valley. I attended Cal Poly University in beautiful San Luis Obispo. Early in my career, I ventured out of California and lived in several states, including South Carolina, Nevada, and Illinois. While those were incredible experiences, California always called me back home. I am currently the Global Director of Quality for Simpson Strong-Tie, and I’m celebrating my 20th anniversary with the company this year. I'm also celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this year. Jon and I met while wine tasting in Napa Valley about 12 years ago, and we continue to explore and savor amazing wines together. I'm a self proclaimed champagne enthusiast, always ready to pop a bottle to toast even the smallest wins! I’m also passionate about traveling to new places, hitting the golf course, indulging in my love for cats, and sharing unforgettable moments with fabulous friends. The Blackhawk community is truly special and filled with incredible people. I’m honored to be on the board of Blackhawk Women and thrilled to partner with my co-VP for Programs. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead with this wonderful group of women!

Vice President

Socials

Joy Tashjian-Castrilli

We moved to Blackhawk in 2004 and I joined Blackhawk Women at that time. Over the past 20 years, I have had

the privilege of serving on the board of directors several times and always have found it to be a wonderful experience. The power of women working together

and creating fabulous events, is a great combination.

I am a native San Franciscan. I have lived in many parts of the world from New York, Bel Air, Hong Kong, Germany, and France - there is nowhere like Blackhawk!

I have worked in the fashion, television and film business. I have had the opportunity to work with designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Jason Wu, Bill Blass, Betsy Johnson and Laura Ashley. I have worked on many film and television projects. I have been married to my wonder-

ful husband, Joe Castrilli for 20 years. He is an expert in the wine and spirit industry. Known by many in the industry

to be funny and smart. We feel fortunate to have many wonderful friends that we have made in Blackhawk. We are grateful for all of the fabulous experiences we’ve had and hope to have more. Please make sure you join us

at our upcoming socials. I look forward to seeing you.

Vice President

Luncheon

Priscilla Moyer

After 20 years of living in Blackhawk but with a demanding career that involved a lot of travel, I knew very few people. On retiring in the summer of 2019, I joined Blackhawk Women, even though I was skeptical it would be ‘for me’. At

the kickoff event that August, after repeatedly asserting that I had not just moved into Blackhawk, I was befriended by some ladies who invited me to sit with them and gave me some advice about BW and the activities. I started attending Book Buzz, Movie Divas, and ultimately went to Monday Mahjongg begin to learn the game when the pandemic hit. Going through the pandemic while dealing with a personal health issue, the Zoom sessions of Mahjongg and Book Buzz were godsends (as was my new puppy, Nala)! There is such a diverse community within

Blackhawk Women and so many activities – it is a really special organization and group of ladies. After three years as Book Buzz co-chair, I am moving to my new Co-VP Luncheons role, and I look forward to meeting more of you soon at the check-in desk!

Vice President

Luncheon

Lisa Ruderman

My husband, Steve, and I have been happily married for 45 years. After raising our two wonderful children, I decided to return to school and earned my license as a marriage therapist. I then joined Steve in his practice as an Internal Medicine physician, where we worked side by side, combining our skills to help our patients. We both retired in 2022 and made the move to Danville to be closer to our son, Mike, who is a psychiatrist in San Francisco. We frequently travel to Los Angeles to visit our daughter, Danielle, who is a professional photographer. Upon joining Blackhawk Country Club, I became an active member of the Blackhawk Women’s Club on the very day I joined the club. My first event was the delightful Charles Dickens social at the Falls, which marked the beginning of my involvement in the club. I have had the pleasure of leading the Movie Divas and currently serve as the Co-VP of Luncheons. Additionally, I am involved in Canasta and Mahjong, and I play pickleball regularly. Through the Blackhawk Women’s Club, I have made many wonderful

friends and have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the club's vibrant community. I am excited to continue my journey with the Blackhawk Women’s Club as a new board member, and I look forward to contributing to our

community's ongoing success and camaraderie.

Vice President

Membership

Kelly Brandmeier

community's ongoing success and camaraderie.

Treseruer

Julie Moore

I was born and raised in Auburn, California. My love of California runs deep. My college years were spent at University of Pacific, and career years were spent in various Bay Area locations. After receiving my CPA license, I worked a few years in Public Accounting followed by many years spent as Controller of our family business, Pacific Rim Recycling. My energy and interests now focus on spending wonderful times with family, friends, and with my 4-legged sidekick, Jack. Most mornings find me attending a local Jazzercise class followed by taking Jack on a walk

through our beautiful Blackhawk neighborhood. And afternoon time usually finds me spending time with my cutie-pie grandkids, Brody and Brielle.

Secretary

Suzanne Fletcher

After being born, raised, and educated in Syracuse, New York, I moved with my young family to Orange County. We all fell in love with the California weather and lifestyle. In 2015 I moved to Walnut Creek to be near my son, Brian, and his family in Diablo, and my daughter, Amy,

and her family in Davis. This was the perfect decision for me, as now I see my children and grandchildren regularly.

Recently retired, and newly married to Bob, I joined Blackhawk Women in 2021. The activities offered are

varied, fun, and educational. Becoming involved with Blackhawk Women has changed my life here, as I have made many wonderful friends I would not have met other-

wise. For the past two years I held the position of C0-VP Luncheon Reservations, and now I am pleased to serve

as Secretary.

Webmaster

Mary Plissey

I am so honored to serve on the Board as Webmaster this year. I really am passionate about supporting this organization and while I’m supposed to be on hiatus this year, I am glad I can be of assistance. I seem to have a lot of talent with technology and computer functionality. I enjoy volunteering my time helping others in our community with at home technology as it keeps me young and I love a good challenge. Just a little of my geographic history, I’ve lived in many places, grew up in Maine, 7 years in Texas, over 20 in Georgia, 3 years in South Carolina, and now 6 years in California. I am truly blessed and it is a great gift to see this area of our beautiful United States. What has made my experience most special in Blackhawk, is being closer to my other family. I am thankful to Sandy Cosgrove for introducing me to Blackhawk Women. I have been introduced to so many amazing women and we DO have a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing you all at our events this year.

Activities Chair

Anca Strassman Kustu

I was born in Romania to a Greek mother and an Austrian father and immigrated to US with my family, after a stop in Athens, Greece. I studied at the Beaux Arts School while in Athens. I landed in Chicago, where I went to the University of Illinois and studied architecture and structural engineering. Upon graduation, I was offered a job in San Francisco. I was so happy to live in such a beautiful city! I met the love of my life, my husband Onder, while taking MBA courses at UC Berkeley. We lived and worked in the San Francisco Peninsula for over 30 years. Eight years ago, we moved to this paradise called Blackhawk and began the process of finishing our projects and retiring from engineering. Our daughter is an attorney, Boalt Hall graduate, and she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two sons, a seven-year-old and a three-year-old. Photography is my hobby; my husband thinks that I pick our travel destinations based on the good photo opportunities they present! I am an avid bridge player and swimmer; I enjoy a game of canasta and I recently picked up golf. I was part of the Blackhawk Women Board of Directors as Communications Chair and V.P. Luncheon for five years. After a break of one year, I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors again as Activities Chair. I will work towards providing the membership with fun and interesting activities for every age and taste.

Communications Chair

Julie Larrabee

I am so happy to be serving on this year's Board alongside the other members and wonderful women. I have lived in the Bay area most of my life, went to college here and enjoyed a 30-year career in the technology sector.

Danville has always felt like home, and when I moved to Blackhawk almost four years ago, I have felt even more at home.

My dog, River, and II enjoy our quiet, beautiful community and don't plan to leave any time soon!

I look forward to the coming year with Blackhawk Women, there is a lot of fun to be had.

Parliamentarian

Deborah Lazar

I was born in the East End of London within earshot of the Bow Bells from the Church of St Mary Le Bow. And that makes me a “true” Cockney.... yes just like Eliza Doolittle!

After graduating in Mathematics from Bristol University I took a year off to travel around “The Colonies” before starting my career in London. At the end of the years’ adventure I didn’t want to return to England so accepted a job with a com- puter company, Burroughs, in Orlando Florida. It was a big decision settling in a new country with my family across the “Big Pond” living in the Cotswolds in the West Country and also the East End of London (which is very different and much classier now than it was 60+ years ago).

A few years later I met Rich at work while living in Detroit. He was a notorious flirt so I decided to ignore his adorable sense of humour and irresistible charm. Finally I broke down and we had our first date on a Monday. On our fourth date (Thursday the same week) he proposed and I accepted. And the rest is history!

Rich had two teenage sons living at home so I had an immediate family We’ve now been married for 38 years and have lived in Jacksonville, Atlanta twice, Philadelphia, Austin and Blackhawk twice.

Obviously Blackhawk is our favorite place as we returned here in 2007 when I retired from an Austin based software company.

The Blackhawk community, more importantly our wonderful friends, drew us back here. We cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Past President-

Bronwyn Cosgrove

I was born in Baton Rouge, LA and lived in New Jersey and Michigan before returning to my home state to attend LSU, where I published the first of its kind “The Women of LSU” calendar. My senior year I wrote the book “A Women’s Guide to Single Men in Chicago,” which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Graduating with a degree in Journalism/Advertising I accepted a job with Procter & Gamble in Chicago, where my Mom and Dad were living at the time. After P&G I worked for Young & Rubicam and Champion Spark Plug Company. In 1986 I had fun as a contestant on The Wheel of Fortune, almost spinning out of turn on national tv until Pat Sayjak saved me! Later, in 1989 I started my own business and decided it was time to get back to my Southern roots and warm weather, moving to Atlanta, GA. While running my core business, I ventured into Commercial Development and Residential Home Building until moving to California in 2017. Now, I’m renovating homes in both Georgia and Blackhawk. So much for retirement! For fun, I enjoy golf, wine tasting in Napa, hosting at home parties with Mary, spending time with my folks, getting together with friends and taking Coco Marie Cosgrove, shih tzu extraordinaire, to the dog park! I am honored and excited to be a part of Blackhawk Women and look forward to many fun years with an amazing group of smart, talented and giving women!