Meet The 2024 WSA-OC Board of Director Candidates
At our General Membership Meeting on November 8, 2023, the Women's Sailing Association of Orange County (WSA-OC) will elect four current WSA-OC members to fill the following positions on our Board of Directors, with terms beginning in 2024: Rear Commodore, Philanthropy Director, Membership Director, and Secretary.
We are pleased to introduce the following candidates running for election for these positions. However, if you are interested in adding yourself as a candidate (or would like to nominate another member) there is still time! Please contact a flag officer if you would like to throw your name in the ring.
Karen de Peralta
Running for Rear Commodore
Karen has been involved in sailing off and on for the past 25 years in San Diego, where she earned her ASA 101 & 103 certifications. Karen enjoyed crewing in the Beer Can races for 5 years, as well as the Yachting Cup, Hot Rum, and NOOD races. She was also a crew member on the San Salvador tall ship for 1.5 years until the pandemic hit. Professionally, Karen was previously the President in an investment club, a high school gymnastics coach for 3 years, and physical therapist for 35 years, mostly working in outpatient orthopedics. Since retiring, she now enjoys not only sailing, but playing pickleball, being involved in Film Festivals, and volunteering at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Colleen Weeks
Running for Secretary
Colleen is currently completing her 2-year term as WSA-OC’s Philanthropy Director for 2022 and 2023. She brought passion and energy to the position and would like to continue serving our organization in the role of Secretary in 2024/2025. She has been a sailor for 40 years and an active member of WSA-OC. In addition to serving on the board of WSA-OC, Colleen previously served on the board of the International Childbirth Education Association, Childbirth Education Association of OC, and Alternative Childbirth Educators, including as president. Prior to retiring, she was a manager in women's health for 25+ years at Kaiser Permanente Orange County Medical Centers in Anaheim and Irvine and at Los Alamitos Medical Center.
Debby J Platt
Running for Membership Director
Debby comes to WSA-OC as an experienced boat owner, skipper, sailboat racer, instructor, and bareboat charter cruising skipper with a passion for sailing and water sports. In the sailing community for 20 years, her first boat was a J/80. She was most recently a Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club member. She has extensive leadership experience serving on the boards of professional organizations and many non-profit organizations. She served as the initial Executive Director for the Lowry Community Land Trust, one of several non-profit organizations she helped to initiate. She also served for over 12 years in the Junior League of Denver, culminating in serving as President of the 2,200-member organization and then President of the Junior League of Denver’s Foundation. Professionally, for the past 25 years, Debby has worked in real estate development, redeveloping closed military bases. She worked most recently at the Orange County Great Park. She is excited to become a more active member of WSA-OC this year and for the opportunity to serve the membership if elected as Membership Director.
Sylvia Stevenson
Running for Philanthropy Director
Sylvia has been involved with many non-profit organizations in Orange County, including for 20+ years with the Sierra Sage Chapter of the Sierra Cub as a hike and mountain bike leader, and 4 years as the Executive Committee Vice President, scheduling speakers for bi-monthly Chapter Meetings. She has also served as Vice President of American Association of University Women, scheduling speakers for meetings, and has volunteered as a Crystal Cove tidepool educator and docent for Cottage 13 Film History Museum; as a specially trained land steward, farm steward, and docent for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy; as an art gallery host for Casa Romantica; and as a volunteer for San Clemente Village, where she has helped senior citizens remain residents in their homes with various services. She enjoys sailing, was a member of Women’s Ocean Racing Sailing Association (WORSA), and has experience racing and cruising with fellow WSA-OC members. She looks forward to participating in the wonderful philanthropic program here at WSA-OC.