Board of Directors Interest Form
The IMPACT Bay Area Board of Directors is responsible for providing oversight, governance, and strategic direction. Our small and mighty Board is made up of diverse and like-hearted community members who are passionate about IMPACT's mission to create safer communities.
- Board Member.We are actively seeking qualified individuals to join our Board who share a deep passion for our mission and possess diverse skills and perspectives. If you are committed to making a meaningful impact and contributing your unique expertise, we invite you to view the Board Member role description and application process here.
- Associate Board Member. ASBs are young professionals, usually 18-30 years of age, who build the capacity of our organization while participating in leadership development and growth opportunities through meaningful involvement within our organization. View Associate Board Member role description and application process here.
Jessica Pocalyko, Board Chair
Jessica Pocalyko has served on the IMPACT Bay Area Board since 2017 and currently leads as Board Chair. A longtime advocate for safe, empowered communities, Jessica brings a deep commitment to IMPACT’s mission and values. She is an Organizational Development expert with a background in strategic planning, change leadership, team development, and inclusive culture building. With experience across both nonprofit and corporate sectors, Jessica helps organizations align people, processes, and purpose—especially during times of transformation. Based in the Bay Area, she is proud to support IMPACT’s continued growth and sustainability through values-driven leadership and community partnership.
Kristin Stout, Vice Chair
After studying gender issues in college and taking a transformative IMPACT class in 1998, Kristin Stout became a passionate advocate for personal safety and empowerment. She brings over 30 years of experience in education, having taught history and gender studies, mentored new teachers, and served in leadership at a large high school. Currently, she works in human resources at the San Mateo County Office of Education. Since joining the IMPACT Bay Area board in 2024, Kristin now serves as Vice-Chair. She is excited to contribute her expertise in youth development and HR to support IMPACT’s mission and is committed to expanding access to self-defense so that everyone can feel safe in their communities.
Jinqiao Lin, Treasurer
Jinqiao Lin (she/her) is focused on strengthening how IMPACT works to continue showing up for students and the community. She brings a profound personal connection to the mission and extensive board experience to her role as Interim Director. Her journey with the organization started with the Women of Color's Basics course, a transformative experience that connected her with other women sharing similar backgrounds and reinforced her conviction that safety is a fundamental right. Jinqiao joined the IMPACT board in 2022, most recently serving as Treasurer. She is dedicated to leading the organization with deep passion, operational clarity, and a heart-centered leadership style. She believes deeply in IMPACT's mission and the dedicated people working to achieve it. She holds a BA in Geology from Macalester College and a Master's in Physical Sciences from the University of Chicago. Jinqiao is also a dancer, cat lover, and plant parent.
C Thomas, At-Large Board Member
C is curious about everything. They currently lead a team of machine learning engineers at Apple, translating research advances to applications in manufacturing. Previously they've worked in the startup space, in women's health and quantum computing. C completed their PhD in atomic, molecular and optical physics at Berkeley in 2017, where they built lasers and vacuum chambers to study emergent behavior in ultracold atoms.
Grant Wei, At-Large Board Member
Grant Wei is an investor at Parnassus Investments. Inspired by IMPACT Bay Area’s mission of empowering individuals through personal safety education, he joined the Board to assist with auditing and planning functions. Based in San Francisco, Grant leverages his financial expertise to strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability and expand access to self-defense training throughout the Bay Area. He holds a BA in Economics and English from the University of Pennsylvania and is a CFA charterholder.
Becca Xiao, At-Large Board Member
Becca works as a Strategy and Business Operations Analyst in media and entertainment, where she leads initiatives that drive business performance and organizational growth. Having trained in boxing for several years, she understands firsthand how learning personal safety can be both mentally and physically transformative. She joined the board to help others in the Bay Area access that same sense of empowerment and self-assurance. Becca holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and is currently based in San Francisco.
