Marianne Bunce

VOENA Board, Chair

Marianne Bunce has worked as an RN and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology in both public and non-profit hospital systems, working on the front lines as well as holding local and national leadership roles. Currently, she is a Hematology/Oncology RN at the Veterans Administration. She has been involved in music since an early age, and both of her children learned musical instruments and were members of VOENA. Ms. Bunce is active in the community, holding board positions on the California East Bay Oncology Nursing Society and VOENA, and is an active member of the Benicia Lions Club.

Irene Eraklidis

Chief Operating Officer, VOENA Board, Treasurer (Interim)

Irene attributes her acumen for business, leadership, and complex project management to the combination of a 20+ year corporate career that took her to more than 30 domestic installations and 20 countries, augmented by her transition to the entrepreneurial world where she has worked with hundreds of companies across a broad range of industries to create business and action plans that improve financial performance, culture, growth, operational capabilities, and critical leadership skills. Irene’s educational background includes an MS and BS in Linguistics.

Nestor Verder Aliga, Jr.

VOENA Board, Secretary (Interim)

Nestor is a VOENA Alumni and was in the choir from 1999 to 2007. He sang melody, tenor, and bass, created parts for the guys on many occasions, and also beatboxed. Professionally, he works in Public Education Human Resources; musically, he is a drummer, vocalist, songwriter, and the music director for island reggae band, Mango Kingz, which has played at major festivals all over California. VOENA laid the foundation for his musical ear and creativity and taught him the discipline that is needed to create and perform at a high level. As a part of the Board, he hopes to bring the opportunity to build that same foundation to more young people.

Cherise White

Board Member, Marketing Committee Chair

Cherise White is a VOENA alumni and professional Creative Marketer. Cherise has spent the last seven years of her career at Williams Sonoma, Inc. where she holds the position of Internet Creative Manager for Williams Sonoma Kitchen and Home. Prior to joining Williams Sonoma in 2015, Cherise held several positions in Graphic Marketing including two years at a national nonprofit, United Way of the Bay Area. Cherise attributes a great deal of her success to the lessons and values she learned while being a member of VOENA and is now passionate about contributing to the growth of VOENA’s future generations.

Shiva Garshasbi

Board Member

Shiva Garshasbi (she/her) has been working for non-profit companies for the last 10 years of her career. Focusing on providing for the underserved communities in the Bay Area, she has worked on projects that have brought affordable healthcare to those that would otherwise go without it. This VOENA alumna is here to give back to the community that taught her the beauty of arts and culture. When Shiva isn’t being a project manager, she can be found singing in the car or trying new recipes in the kitchen with her husband and 2 dogs.

DR. CELESTE SPILLANE

Board Member

Dr. Celeste Spillane developed a passion for music by studying piano and violin in her childhood. In her junior year of high school, Celeste had the opportunity to tour Japan with her school orchestra. Upon graduating, Celeste attended Stanford University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of California at Irvine and completed her residency at Kaiser Santa Clara. She then pursued a fellowship in cardiology at the Martinez Veteran’s Hospital. She practiced cardiology for more than thirty years and retired from Kaiser Vallejo in 2019.

Since retirement Celeste has resumed her piano lessons. She believes that being exposed to music early in life has helped her develop and explore her creativity. By joining VOENA’s Board, Celeste is looking forward to working with young people who are cultivating their love of music.  

JENNIFER CASTANEDA

Board Member

As a member of the Solano Association of Realtors (SAOR), Jenny has sat on the Board as a Director and is now President-Elect for 2024. She is also a trustee on the SAOR Foundation which grants money to non-profit entities that serve for the betterment of children and elderly in our community. Jenny also served on the Benicia Bocce League Board from 2020 – 2024.

Jenny brings excellent organizational leadership and fundraising skills to VOENA to help the choir’s growth and sustainability. She is committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity to enrich VOENA’s culture and nurturing environment for all.