Our Team

Dr. Brenda Bachechi, is excited to lead the collaboration of families in Portola Valley, to form Branch Services. She is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide adults with IDD and Autism, the community based services needed to support an individual’s self-determination goals. Prior to launching Branch Services, Dr. Bachechi was an educator on the Peninsula.

Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, her Master’s from University of Arizona, and her Doctorate from San Francisco State/UC Berkeley. 

Sarah was elected to the Portola Valley Town Council in 2020 and has over 20 years’ experience as a community service leader and non-profit trustee, including serving as Chair for several national organizations that serve the Down syndrome community. Earlier in her career, Sarah worked for Williams-Sonoma, where she led several of their ecommerce channels; she also worked in consulting. Sarah and her husband have 3 children including their daughter who has Down syndrome. She earned a BA from Miami University, and an MBA from George Washington University.

Elizabeth is a Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Oracle, and previously worked at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco. Before attending law school, Elizabeth worked in the Mayor’s Office for the Disabled in Los Angeles, coordinating the city’s response to a mandated survey under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and providing job placement services for persons with disabilities. Elizabeth previously served on the board of a nonprofit organization focused on Down syndrome. Her younger brother has Down syndrome and lives in Palo Alto.

Dana serves as Executive Director of Life Services Alternatives (LSA) which provides exceptional community living and programs for adults with disabilities. Prior to joining LSA Dana was a technology industry veteran with extensive sales and marketing experience. Mr. Hooper holds an MBA from the University of Rochester. Dana also serves on the Board of the Lighthouse for the Blind. He is a member of the State of California Developmental Services (DDS) Task Force and the Coalition for Dementia Care Services. Dana’s son, Brent, is developmentally disabled and receives services through the SARC.

Patrick was appointed Head of School at Woodside Priory in 2020 after serving as Principal at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco for 11 years. He has been an educator for 30 years, teaching and coaching at four different schools, including Loyola High School in Los Angeles and Boston College High School in Boston. Patrick and his wife, Kerry, have two boys, and he earned his BS from Georgetown University and master’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University and Boston College.

Laurel Miranda has been a San Mateo County resident and nonprofit board member supporting education and people with disabilities for over 20 years. Earlier in her career, Laurel worked for Schwab, Wells Fargo and Oracle. She has two adult children, one of whom has epilepsy and autism. She earned a BA from Stanford University and a JD/MBA from UC Berkeley.

Mike has been a finance leader for the past 20+ years, serving as CFO for 5 cleantech and fintech businesses in Silicon Valley. For the past 14 years, Mike has been active in the Portola Valley community, serving on the Board and as Board President of the Alpine Hills Club. Together with his wife, Aimee, and 4 children, education and personal development are priorities in their volunteer and charitable support.

Dr. Brenda Bachechi, is excited to lead the collaboration of families in Portola Valley, to form Branch Services. She is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide adults with IDD and Autism, the community based services needed to support an individual’s self-determination goals. Prior to launching Branch Services, Dr. Bachechi was an educator on the Peninsula.

Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, her Master’s from University of Arizona, and her Doctorate from San Francisco State/UC Berkeley.