Friends of Chabot College Foundation 2023 Honorees

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Rafael Gonzalez, President, LiUNA! Local 304

Rafael Gonzalez was born in Hayward, CA and raised in Union City. He graduated from James Logan High in 1988. He was attending Chabot College when lack of finances forced him to seek full-time employment. Eventually he found his way to LiUNA Local 304, where he has been a member for over 32 years. He worked for several contractors, doing demolition, concrete, traffic control, asphalt paving and other jobs, but for the majority of his career, he worked in underground utilities. Regardless of what his title or responsibilities were, he was always proud to say he was a laborer. He always tried to stay informed and involved with his local, attending every meeting and event he could. Since 2010, he has been serving the membership as the President of LiUNA local 304 and as the Vice President of the Alameda County Building Trades, as well as serving on the board for Cypress Mandela Training Center.

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Dr. Susan Sperling, President Emeritus

Susan Sperling, Ph.D. joined the Chabot College faculty in the Social Sciences Division as an Instructor of Anthropology in 1987 after teaching classes at UC Berkeley, UCSF, San Jose State, and a number of community colleges. She holds a doctorate from the UC Berkeley in evolutionary anthropology and is a published author who has written about primate studies, gender, and the history of anthropology. She served as the President of the Faculty Union, College Curriculum Chair, the Dean of Social Sciences and the 9thPresident of Chabot College.

Her leadership resulted in the development of innovative programs addressing student access, equity, and success, enhancing Chabot’s tradition of social justice initiatives. During her tenure, she supported the establishment of several new programs such as the RISE program for systems-impacted students, the Black Cultural Resource Center, the SparkPoint Center, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Academy and the Movement and Nesians Unite Learning Communities.

Under her leadership, Chabot College doubled its graduation rate and developed key partnerships with the City of Hayward, Hayward Unified School District, California State University East Bay, and a variety of non-profits, increasing opportunities for students facing challenges of economic inequity, racism, and xenophobia. She guided the development of a new Chabot library, science building, and first responders training center in partnership with the City of Hayward as part of Chabot’s Measure A program.

During her tenure, she successfully increased the diversity of Chabot College’s faculty, classified professional and administrative ranks. Dr. Sperling retired in the July 2023 after 36 years of leadership, teaching, and service to Chabot College.

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Julie Moore, Community Outreach Manager, Fremont Bank

Julie Moore’s background in building strong partnerships through her knowledge of corporate and foundation giving is spotlighted in her role as Fremont Bank’s community outreach manager. She spearheads allocating approximately $2.5 million annually in grants and sponsorships to Bay Area nonprofits and organizations. Julie continually works to connect nonprofits toward increased resources that help stimulate the greatest overall impact on our local communities.

Previously, Julie worked in the corporate giving sector at Lam Research, Applied Materials, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Julie also was a high school math teacher in Fremont, her hometown. Julie has been a commissioner on the City of Fremont Human Relations Commission since 2015, and she was on the leadership team for Newark/Tri-City’s Relay For Life Fundraiser for American Cancer Society for five years.

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Julie Zhu, Senior Director, Nonprofit Group, Fremont Bank

Julie Zhu launched her storied Fremont Bank career 35 years ago. In that time, she has experienced being part of various teams – from regional branch manager to private banking manager to residential and commercial loan officer – and she now focuses on the nonprofit group in her role as senior director.

Julie takes a philanthropic approach to life. At Fremont Bank, she supports Fremont Bank’s nonprofit and other clients with their banking needs and participates in the distribution of charitable funds, with an emphasis on supporting local nonprofits that elevate the quality of life in the communities they serve.

Julie, who lives in Hayward, is a founding member of Fremont Bank’s Community Ambassador program, and she sits on multiple boards, including as president of the Ohlone College Foundation, and board member of the New Haven Schools Foundation and Tri-CED Community Recycling. Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Oregon State University.

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