The SparkleBIZ Team

 Samantha Tradelius

Founder & Executive Director, Sparkle Foundation, Inc.

With 25+ years in commercial insurance, Samantha is known for her sharp expertise, strategic vision, and deep commitment to helping business and property owners protect what they’re building and scale with confidence. She also serves as a Curriculum Board Member for the California Department of Insurance, helping shape education and professional standards for the next generation of insurance leaders.

Samantha began teaching insurance in 1998 through her family’s business Lytespeed Learning, grounding her career in real-world experience long before “thought leadership” became a buzzword. She blends strategy with storytelling and soul—bringing a human, practical approach to everything she touches. In 2021, she launched S. by Samantha Consulting, a purpose-driven firm focused on operations, brand building, and impact strategy. Through this platform, she hosts the InspiHER’d Podcast and authored Impact: Stories of Change Makers, Creators, and Everyday Women Doing Extraordinary Work, amplifying the voices of women boldly rewriting the rules.

She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Sparkle Foundation, a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit supporting single mothers through enrichment scholarships, microloans, and community programming across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Phoenix. Since its official founding in 2016, Sparkle has raised and reinvested $3.5+ million directly into the community, touching thousands of lives. Through SparkleBiz, Samantha extends that mission by providing funding, mentorship, and access to networks for women-owned small businesses. Her leadership has earned numerous community honors, including the coveted Jefferson Award in 2023.

In 2024, Samantha expanded her vision with S. | Consulting, an initiative designed to connect the dots—helping individuals and organizations align their brand, business, and impact in a way that feels whole, intentional, and sustainable.

At the core of everything she does is legacy. Samantha is a devoted mother to two incredible daughters and a living example of what it means to live loud and shine bright. Whether she’s in a boardroom, on a stage, behind a microphone, or in the community, Samantha shows up as all the Sams proving that your power multiplies when you stop separating who you are.

Emily Perez

Emily Perez is the owner of Al Di La Salon in downtown Novato, where she's built more than a successful salon—she's created a welcoming community centered on confidence, creativity, and connection. Growing up in her grandfather's beauty shop in San Francisco's North Beach, Emily discovered early that beauty is about far more than hair; it's about making people feel seen.

After years of building a loyal clientele as an independent stylist, Emily took the leap into entrepreneurship and opened Al Di La Salon following the pandemic. Today, she leads a talented team of artists dedicated to exceptional service while fostering an inclusive environment where every client feels at home.

Known for her authenticity, work ethic, and heart for small business, Emily is passionate about empowering women to bet on themselves, embrace entrepreneurship, and create lives they love. Her story is one of resilience, community, and proving that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with simply saying "yes" to yourself.

Stacey Fleece

Board of Directors, Sparkle Foundation, Inc.

Stacey C. Fleece, CFA, is a Regional Manager with Pinnacle Home Loans. Stacey proudly has 15 years’ experience in residential finance with expertise in territory management, business development, strategic planning, and business mentoring.

Prior to her tenure in lending, Stacey was also a recognized leader in the investment industry where she worked at several Bay Area based hedge funds in both trading and research, ultimately opening her own fund as General Partner. She is co-founder of the women’s networking group, SKIRT, co-authored SKIRTWorking, How To Network Using SKIRT, and is an expert on coaching professionals on building their business through relationship networking.

Stacey earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. In addition to her work as a board member at Sparkle Foundation, she is a 25+ year member and past president of The Junior League of San Francisco, former board member for the San Francisco Symphony League, and has served as chair for various non-profit fundraisers throughout the Bay Area. She currently resides in Mill Valley (Marin County) with her two children.

Tracy Teale

Board of Directors, Sparkle Foundation, Inc.

Tracy Teale, CPA, is an Audit Partner with RINA/APRIO and is the head of the Firm’s San Francisco office. Tracy joined RINA in 1999 and serves as the Managing Director of RINA/APRIO’s Not-For-Profit Practice Group. Prior to joining the Firm, Tracy was the CFO of a not-for-profit organization, and the CFO of a personnel firm. With more than 20 years of public accounting experience, and over 10 years of private industry experience, Tracy is very knowledgeable in accounting issues facing small to medium sized companies. Tracy specializes in providing tax, audit, and attest services to not-for-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, partnerships, S corporations, private foundations, and colleges. She also has extensive experience designing and implementing processes and systems.

By applying a customized approach to each engagement, Tracy helps business owners grow their businesses, and reach the next level of success. She works closely with clients to help them adjust their processes during high growth periods and to establish or modify their accounting systems. Tracy is passionate about working with not-for-profit organizations, and she is adept at implementing and updating online accounting systems. She also has significant experience working with real estate partnerships and REITS in connection with the audits of real estate properties and developments. Tracy works with companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, information services, and technology.

Tracy serves as Treasurer of the Financial Women of San Francisco, Director of Finance for Sparkle Foundation, Vice President for Contra Costa Child Care Council, Board member and audit committee chair of Girls Scouts of Northern California and Audit Committee Member for the Diablo Regional Arts Association. In addition to being involved in several nonprofit organizations, Tracy works with youth through the Contra Costa County 4H program.

Jeannie Jarnot

Jeannie Jarnot, Founder and CEO of Beauty Heroes, has made it her mission to deliver beauty you can trust, one Hero product at a time. A former hospitality professional turned healthy beauty expert, Jeannie’s discovery of harmful ingredients in the beauty industry—linked to her own health struggles—ignited her passion to make healthy, effective, and luxurious skincare the norm. Inspired by visionary brands that prioritize both human and environmental health, she founded Beauty Heroes to share their stories through thoughtfully crafted content, design, and events, creating a platform that elevates their values. Drawing from her background in hospitality, Jeannie has created a unique approach to service, ensuring a high-quality experience across all channels—whether through the disruptive beauty subscription service, global online store, or flagship brick-and-mortar location in Northern California. Beauty-Heroes.com As the only retailer in the world screening for non-biodegradable ingredients that include silicones, petroleum derivatives, chemical UV filters, synthetic fragrance, and polyquats, Beauty Heroes upholds an unparalleled standard for both human and environmental health. Under Jeannie’s leadership, the brand stands firm against single-use products and samples that contribute to waste. By leveraging partnerships with PACT Collective, The Good Face Project, Provenance, and rePurpose Global, Beauty Heroes advances sustainability, ethical sourcing, thoughtful packaging, and improved transparency in the beauty industry

Jana Mannina

Board of Directors, Sparkle Foundation, Inc.

Jana Mannina is the Co-Founder of Elite Mortgage Solutions, Speaking of Money, and First Responders & Finance.  Jana and her team are consistently top producing mortgage loan officers, serving families predominantly in Marin and Sonoma Counties. She is an industry leader in personal financial education, writer, and regular contributor to various media outlets.  She believes financial education can lead to personal and generational wealth no matter where one begins their financial journey, and focuses a great deal of time and attention to at risk youth and their families as well as First Responders and their families. 

Jana loves immersing herself in, and talking about all things money, and anything about online marketing, social media strategy, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and leadership. She’s passionate about service to both her clients, and her community, and is actively involved in several local programs such Sparkle Foundation, Save A Warrior, coaching youth sports, and loves bridging the divide between First Responders and the communities they serve through exposure, education and access. This year, Speaking of Money will launch as both a book and a podcast featuring topics on financial literacy and education meant to guide people towards attaining a level of personal wealth that’s comfortable for them. In addition, there are several coaching programs running via Speaking of Money at any given time for couples, teens, and individuals looking to get a better handle on their finances. Jana is also a regular financial educator at police academies throughout the country.

As you may have guessed, Jana is part of a First Responder family and is dedicated to serving that community. She is the wife of a San Francisco Police Captain, and Mama to three awesome children. In her spare time, you will probably find her indulging in her guilty pleasure- frequenting an amazing day spa.  She’s also borderline obsessed with great hotels, travelling, brightly colored and/or strappy heels, yoga, laughing hysterically with her girlfriends, a great dance party, opportunities to karaoke and freestyle rap, sparkly things, the outdoors, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends engaged in any fun shenanigan.

Brittany Maffia

Brittany Maffia is the owner of Urban Organics, a boutique full service catering and event production company based in the Bay Area. Starting out in the restaurant business at an early age she chose to learn every facet of the industry. From there she moved to the private chef world in San Francisco. After years of working for an incredible family she found herself catering their private events, dinner parties, etc. . After that experience she decided to launch a full catering company. With experience in design, menu planning and event production she began her journey. Fast forward to 2020 where Urban Organics produces events for some of the biggest tech companies in the world. There is also an extensive private and wedding division of the company.

Brittany has always loved giving back to her community, especially when it has an emphasis on local and organic food. Urban Organics support local farmers, purveyors and vendors helping to maintain an ecosystem of community. Donating to local nonprofits has been a gift over the years. She plans to be able to increase her contributions each year.

Why Sparkle is important to me :

After being involved with Sparkle for years I have seen the impact on many families. It brings joy to my heart to be a part of this board to make such an impact. When I heard about SparkleBIZ I knew I had to be a part of it. As a young woman entrepreneur I had very little direction or capital to start my business. It was only through the support of my friends and fellow women entrepreneurs that I was able to grow into the successful woman I am today. I am excited to be apart of another’s journey into the world of business. I look forward to helping in any way I can !!

Josh Demers

Board of Directors, Sparkle Foundation, Inc.

Josh Demers is a Sales Operations Program Manager at Microsoft, working with a team focused on Operational Excellence and Sales Enablement. His history is rich in technology and retail, spanning over 15 years, leading highly collaborative, strategic, cross-functional customer centric teams across brands families globally know and love. Josh leads with passion and the end experience is at the center of his work, both personally and professionally.  

A Pacific Northwest Native, Josh and his husband moved to California in 2017 and found the Sparkle Foundation through social media in a personal outreach campaign. Growing up in a single mother household, he quickly saw the positive impact the Sparkle Foundation had on the community and began to volunteer. Over time he became more involved behind the scenes and 2023 has offered an opportunity to step forward into a leadership role within the organization.  Josh will be joining Sparkle as Director of Technology and Infrastructure.

Farimah Erlandson

Farimah F. Erlandson is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, School of Law. While in Law School, Farimah F. Erlandson was a member of the Public Interest Law Foundation. She was a tutor during law school and also participated in the Criminal Clinic where she advocated on behalf of defendants in the criminal justice system. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2003.
Farimah F. Erlandson earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Middle Eastern Studies, from San Jose State University in 1998.

Farimah F. Erlandson was an Associate Attorney at The Law Office of Daniel Jensen in Santa Clara and Hersh Family Law Practice in San Francisco prior to her opening her own family law practice. She has appeared and handled family law and divorce cases in San Francisco County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County family courts and has handled dissolutions, custody, spousal and child support, and domestic partnership issues. She has been practicing law for 17 years.

She is dedicated to helping the next generation of lawyers by volunteering at the University of San Francisco’s School of Law, Moot Court Competition and the Santa Clara and San Mateo County’s High School Mock Trial Programs.