Peralta District PTA officers
President – Vinita Verma
Vinita (she/her) is a mother of two wonderful children and a loving dog. She has a master’s degree in history and believes understanding history can guide us to make better decisions for the future. Vinita has over 170 flights flying tug glider aircraft and many hours of flying power aircraft. She has flown aircraft for many hours over the Ganges river in India, doing all sorts of loops. Flying continues to be her passion. It is her dream to get back to flying someday. Vinita loves to garden. She grows her own food at home to feed her family, as well as her friends and neighbors. She believes every small action can be a big step in reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the environment. Vinita cares deeply for children everywhere and is exceedingly enthusiastic about advocacy.
Vinita has led her city, many other cities, Alameda County, and the state to adopt stronger ordinances/laws against flavored tobacco and vaping. She was the spokesperson for Prop 31 and 28. She has advocated to save theater and theater programs at schools. She is a vocal advocate for people without permanent housing, especially children and families with children. She continues to advocate for equity, inclusion, and diversity in PTA as well as schools.
Vinita has served in many roles, including Fremont Council PTA President, Unit President, and Unit Vice President. She also served as a legislative health advocate, art advocate, and resolution committee member and has mentored many resolutions at California State PTA. Vinita continues to serve as a legislative action committee member for the third year at California State PTA. She is one of the four Resolutions Committee members (part of the legislative committee) at the National PTA; she also serves and leads many other non-profit boards and committees.
Vinita believes that PTA speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves. According to Vinita, all PTA volunteers are supporting pillars of this amazing organization. Vinita believes it is essential to be inclusive, whether it is in the shape of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, or any other identity people might have. When people of various backgrounds and identities come together to create a better world, everyone involved grows and benefits. Advocacy is the foundation of PTA, and Vinita wants to prioritize it in her community.
Contact Information: president@pdpta.org
Vice President of Leadership- Linda Dewlaney
Information coming soon
Contact information: Vp_leadership@pdpta.org
Vice President of Membership- Ujjwala Gadgil
Information coming soon
Contact information: Vp_membership@pdpta.org
Treasurer- Kristin Hergert
I’m Kristin Hergert and the incoming treasurer for Peralta District PTA. I live in Fremont and have volunteered at Cabrillo Elementary for six years at various board levels, including president, secretary, treasurer, and auditor. I have been treasurer at Centerville Jr. High for the past two years and the District auditor at Peralta for the past two years.
My aspirations for PTA are to bring back the vision of why PTA was formed; to bring together students, parents, teachers, and the community, and continue the advocacy to support our children. PTA as a whole can move mountains in our own communities and also bring power when we combine nationally.
Something interesting about myself is that after my first year on the Elementary school PTA board, I decided to go back to school and get my Associate and then followed through to receive my Bachelor’s in Accounting. I now work at a CPA firm as a Consultant helping nonprofits and schools with their monthly accounting needs.
Contact information: treasurer@pdpta.org
Secretary- Jonathan Mates-Muchin
Coming soon
Contact information: Secretary@pdpta.org
Parliamentarian- Arpana Achinchan
Coming soon
Contact information: parliamentarian@pdpta.org
Reflections Chair- Michelle Hertel
I have over 13 years of experience with the National PTA’s Reflections Program. I served 8 years as the Reflections Chair with John Gomes Elementary PTA in Fremont, 2010-2018. Another 4 years with Fremont Council PTA, 2014-2018 and I’m currently serving my 6th year as the Peralta District PTA Reflections Chair, 2018-current. As the Peralta Chair I strive to make sure all Councils and Units are prepared to run a successful Reflections Program so that this wonderful art program can be offered to as many students in Alameda County as possible.
I’m also serving my 3rd year as the Leadership Support Manager for Coyote Hills Service Unit with Girl Scouts of Northern California. We support over 600 Girl Scouts across 70 troops in Fremont, Newark and Union City. Previously I was the Program Support Manager at Coyote Hills SU for 2 years and I’ve also had the pleasure of being a Co-Leader of my daughter’s troop for the last 13 years. Glad to say that my daughter has just bridged to adult with Girl Scouts.
While my children attended John Gomes Elementary I wore many hats in the school’s PTA. I was the FAME Program Chair for 10 years. I also was a Music for Minors II Docent for 10 years and the Liaison for the program for 7 of those years. I’ve always kept the arts alive and strong within the school, so the students could experience their creativity and imagination. This has always been my goal to provide an arts education for my children and the community.
Contact information: Reflections@pdpta.org
Hospitality Chair- Devi Gireesh
Information Coming soon
Contact information: Hospitality@pdpta.org
Advocacy Chair- Yogs Janarthanan
Information Coming soon
Contact information: Advocacy@pdpta.org
Advocacy Committee members
Lindsay Jean Nofelt
JuNelle Harris
Ginny Makol
Vikki Pummer
Kristin Hergert,
Contact information: Advocacycommittee@pdpta.org
Student Advisory Committee Members
Coming soon
President