West Center Team

Paula McDonell

Originally from Australia, Paula has worked and lived in six countries over her 35+ years’ career in Market and Social Research, Marketing and academia. In addition to her professional knowledge and skills, her global experiences have broadened her understanding of both business and consumer behaviors and she brings these insights to her strategic work with clients.

Paula has a MPH and a M. Bus. (Marketing) and is a co-author of several journal articles. She is a graduate of the Leadership Mendocino program and is a Board member of the Redwood Coast Seniors’ Center, Fort Bragg.

Baqi Kopelman

Baqi Kopelman began his career in Hollywood as a Director of Photography for commercials and films. He went on to become a Creative Director and Producer, before turning his attention to helping brands and businesses market their services and products. He has worked with thousands of clients, from major brands to small businesses and individuals, creating content, marketing and communication strategies to boost their businesses and raise capital.

Lisa McCormack

Lisa McCormack has over 30 years as an HR practitioner and leader.  She works with small businesses to make HR “manageable” by providing practical solutions to everyday and complex people challenges. Lisa’s strength lies in forging strong relationships with clients.  Working for highly successful organizations such as Intel Corporation and numerous venture-backed start-ups has resulted in a pragmatic approach to problem solving and conflict resolution, which produces practical solutions and effective results. Prior to co-founding Affogato HR Consulting, LLC, Lisa spent fourteen years at the Melita Group, where she built and led the HR Consulting practice.  Lisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from San Jose State University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

Anni Minuzzo

As a dedicated food industry specialist, Anni has worked with multiple Northern CaliforniaSBDCs since 2005 during which time she has assisted hundreds of food and beverage entrepreneurs, taught insightful workshops, and created dozens of success stories.

After spending two years in Italy studying cultural cuisine, Anni worked with Williams-Sonoma to launch Il Fornaio, designed commercial kitchens, managed catered events, and was on the launch team of a unique food emporium in San Francisco before starting her own wholesale baking company which grew to an international business. During this time she developed a broad network of professional associations and a wide lens on the pulse of the industry’s constantly evolving trends.

Anni is devoted to assisting SBDC clients with the fundamentals of getting started in thespecialty food business, helping them expand, and fulfilling their business dreams.

Sandra Beaton

Sandra is a visionary, bi-lingual (Spanish English) leader who understands entrepreneurship and small business. She founded a value- based consulting business, Beaton Global Connections, and was raised working in a small family business near Chicago now celebrating 47 years in business. She excels with all types of businesses offering new approaches and an innovative mindset to achieve growth. Her expertise includes marketing/branding, business development/sales, strategic partnerships, new channels/ markets, sustainability, and business social responsibility. “” ON” the Beaton path”, we walk together, with a deep passion and dedication to help others achieve their dreams and goals.

Joe Rodola

Joe Rodola comes to the SBDC with over 47 years experience in the credit field: 25 years in lending, 13 years as Director of CCCS Redding, a debt consulting agency, 20 years teaching various financial classes, 10 year owner of his own service business (Joe Rodola’s Debt Consulting) and eight years helping small business startups and helping them gain access to capital for both SCED and the SBDC.

Al Gohary

Al brings 16 years of SBDC experience to his new position with the Norcal SBDC Network. Prior to starting with the SBDC system, Al started his career in the Hospitality Industry and in few years became an assistant manager for a Marriott Hotel. Al then was a part of starting and growing two Inland Empire small business companies; one of which went public in 2000.

Al Joined the OC/IE SBDC Network as a Business Advisor in 2003, spent over 16 years guiding businesses to success. Al achieved yearly awards for helping his clients with business starts, capital injection, jobs created & retained, along with the ASBDC State Star Award in 2016. He is an expert in Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Starting and Growing a business, Hotels & Motels Management, Residential Real Estate Investing, Financing, QuickBooks, and Accounting.

As a Real Estate and Small Business entrepreneur, AI understands the business owners’ day-in and day-out challenges.

Al is passionate about working with teams to help and support the small business community and providing valuable resources & guidance to help businesses start, grow, and stay in business.

Kira Wojack

PR and brand strategist Kira Wojack grew up on the Mendocino Coast. She has worked with clients from Los Angeles to London, ranging from tech startups to filmmakers to lifestyle brands. Her clients have been featured in top media outlets, including Motherboard, SC Media, VentureBeat, and USA Today. At the West Business Development Center, she helps local businesses develop their messaging, brand identities, and marketing strategies. She previously served as the Communications Director at the Mendocino Film Festival. She graduated with a BA in history from Yale University, where she wrote her thesis on dissident communication.

Mariana Almaraz

Mariana was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. In 1997 she graduated from the University of Guadalajara with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In the same year, she came to the U.S to study English, Math and QuickBooks.

From 2009 to 2015, Mariana worked in the management department of a large company, and, in 2015, she decided to open her own business. Mariana is also a NxLeveL graduate. In 2016, Mariana joined the Sonoma SBDC to work with the Hispanic business community and share her passion for entrepreneurship. She teaches classes in Spanish in Sonoma and Napa counties.

George Verástegui

Born and raised in Perú, with a Master Executive in Consulting and Advising Enterprises, finished in Madrid Spain. Owner of a consulting firm in Lima, Perú providing consulting services on quality improvements and health services plans and access to care. George works with West Business Development Center providing business advising to entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their business.

Marinela Miclea

Marinela Miclea, owner / founder of Mendo Digital, assists businesses and start-ups with websites, search engine optimization (SEO), eCommerce, content writing, and social media marketing. Certified in digital marketing, social marketing, and SEO, she has 20+ years of experience in high tech and marketing. Marinela earned a Marketing Strategy certificate from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, a Fiction Writing certificate from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UCLA.

Sydney Grange

Sydney, originally from the Bay Area, now resides in Mendocino where she has been farming for five seasons. Before Mendocino, Sydney farmed in North Carolina and Connecticut, where she worked on a 10 acre vegetable farm and developed an urban community garden.  Recently Sydney created a market garden program for a local nonprofit, Meadow Farm, to grow and sell their own herbs, vegetables and seeds. In 2022, Sydney launched a small business called Syds Tempeh Co., which sources ingredients from local farmers.