Dr. Wheeler is the Director of Learner Committees at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine. He recently retired as the  KP Northern California Regional Medical Director of Undergraduate and Graduate medical education, having served in that role for seven years  Prior to that he was the physician-in-chief of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fremont and the Greater Southern Alameda Area for 18 years. During those 18 years, he was a member of the Board of Directors and the Operations Management Group for The Permanente Medical Group, Inc.  Dr. Wheeler joined Kaiser Permanente in 1984 as a staff pediatrician and neurologist in Hayward. He then moved on to various posts in both the Hayward and Fremont medical centers, including sub-chief, Pediatric Neurology, Hayward and Fremont as well as regional chief and assistant physician-in-chief, Fremont.   Dr. Wheeler attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR to study Pre-Med and Pre-Pharmacy.  He then matriculated at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.  After graduation, he obtained his California Pharmacy License and attended the University of California - Irvine College of Medicine.  He then did residency training in Pediatrics at Boston City Hospital and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.  His residency was followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at Boston City Hospital and the Boston University Combined Neurology Program.  He then completed a fellowship in Seizures / EEG and the Houston Merritt Fellowship in Cerebral Palsy at the Children's Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School.   A founding member of the Kaiser Permanente African American Professionals Association (KPAAPA) in Northern California, Dr. Wheeler served as president of the association in 1990 & 1993. He completed the KP Advanced Leadership Program at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in 1997. He completed the California Healthcare Foundation Leadership Fellowship between 2003 and 2005.  He served on the Northern California Regional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and the National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council representing The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG). He serves on the Board of Trustees of the California College of the Arts, the BOD of the National Medical Fellowships, Inc. (NMF), the BOD of Health Career Connection (HCC) and the UC Irvine Alumni Association BOD. Calvin enjoys reading, walking, running, tennis, skiing, traveling and spending time with his wife, Sarajane, with whom he owns an art gallery and design studio.

Sanaz Farhangi, PhD, is a learning scientist and codesign researcher interested in social change through education. She is trained as an engineer and has worked as a science teacher, and these experiences have led her to wonder about how people engage with science and engineering and why the opportunity for this engagement is not as accessible for all learners. Her research interests are in theoretical foundations of learning sciences, developing teaching methods for promoting theoretical-systematic thinking in science learners, and exploring the underrepresentation of underserved communities in STEM.

Lulit Bezuayehu is a technology consultant, educator, and UX research leader with over 25 years of experience advancing human-centered innovation across enterprise software, AI, and education. As Principal and Founder of LULABS, she leads consulting and training programs in UX research, design strategy, AI integration, and STEM learning. Lulit has been a strong advocate for STEM education and youth engagement, teaching in Oracle’s Java4Kids and DTech High School programs on Design Thinking, IoT for Girls, and 3D Printing, and supporting Google.org’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) and CS Education Week. She has also dedicated over 15 years to teaching Ethiopian language and culture through Amharic Press, her publishing and educational venture. Lulit holds multiple U.S. patents in user interface design and is passionate about making technology learning accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for the next generation of innovators.

Mikayla is an accomplished professional in project management. She began her career at Unilever in supply chain management and now works as a Project Manager at Meta, supporting GenAI projects within the Product Data Operations organization. Mikayla holds an MBA in Supply Chain Management and Sustainability from Northeastern University and a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is passionate about community engagement and STEM education, actively promoting these areas through various initiatives. As a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mikayla exemplifies the values of service and leadership, striving to make a positive impact in her community.

Edda is public servant, community leader, and longtime advocate to empowering the underprivileged, driven by a passion to expand opportunities in our communities. As a Community Leader, I strive to provide relevant education, outreach, and support, often acting as a bridge between Latino communities, specifically those facing language, cultural, and systematic barriers. Edda is the Bay Area Coordinator for Vision y Compromiso, a nonprofit network; a Board Member for the Newark Rotary Club; a member of the Washington Health Community Advisory Board; and an AVANZANDO Member. She brings a strong commitment and proven expertise in advancing health in underrepresented families in the Tri-City area. Edda is grateful to work in a community where she can dedicate her time and talent to uplifting the community's priorities as we work together for a future where every Latino community rises with unity and possibility.

Debra is a certified grant writer with deep expertise in researching funding opportunities and developing targeted, strategic grant reports. Her commitment to child advocacy began at home: as the eldest of ten siblings, Debra served as a primary caregiver for three younger brothers and one sister. This early responsibility shaped her lifelong passion for supporting and educating children. Volunteerism has been central to Debra’s journey. While preparing for a career in education, she volunteered at the Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, where she provided enriched play activities for siblings of children involved in sexual abuse. These experiences strengthened her understanding of the unique needs of vulnerable and underserved families. Debra brings proven results to her work. She secured a $167,000 grant from the California Department of Rehabilitation for a medical wig business, demonstrating her ability to turn complex needs into successful, mission-aligned funding opportunities. With professional experience in policy analysis, needs assessment, and client services, Debra offers a comprehensive skill set that enhances every stage of the grant development process. Core Services • Grant research • Funding strategy • Proposal development

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