Meet The Board
Jane Thomas - Commodore
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Jane Thomas co-founded CIWSA in 2010, served as Commodore in 2013 and 2017-23, and is continuing in that role in 2024. Jane lives on a cruising sailboat in Channel Islands Harbor and races her 33' sloop WAILANI, usually with an all-female crew.
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Denise joined CIWSA in 2020 (during COVID when CIWSA was sailing and Westlake YC was not). Denise has volunteered for second year as CIWSA Vice Commodore. She will be primarily working on shoreside activities, eg, finding speakers, videos, and field trips.
Denise currently runs the Adult Sailing Program at WYC and has for the last
Denise joined CIWSA in 2020 (during COVID when CIWSA was sailing and Westlake YC was not). Denise has volunteered for second year as CIWSA Vice Commodore. She will be primarily working on shoreside activities, eg, finding speakers, videos, and field trips.
Denise currently runs the Adult Sailing Program at WYC and has for the last 2 years introduced both new inexperienced and experienced sailors to the sport of lake sailing. She often sails with Lauren.
Lauren Copus - Rear Commodore
Denise Braval - Vice Commodore
Michele Ackerman - Director, Treasurer
Lauren joined CIWSA in 2016 and has served on the Board in 2017-18, and 2022-24. Lauren learned to sail as a child and cruised the East coast with her family when she was a teenager. She returns for another year as Rear Commodore and will continue to coordinate on-the-water activities.
Lauren is a teacher, Fairwind YC skipper, and ASA
Lauren joined CIWSA in 2016 and has served on the Board in 2017-18, and 2022-24. Lauren learned to sail as a child and cruised the East coast with her family when she was a teenager. She returns for another year as Rear Commodore and will continue to coordinate on-the-water activities.
Lauren is a teacher, Fairwind YC skipper, and ASA-certified Small Boat Sailing Instructor. In the summer she volunteers her time with kids from the Boys and Girls Club to take them sailing on Fairwind Capri 14s in "The Pond" (behind Vons at Wooley and Victoria). Additionally, Lauren teaches sailing on small boats at Westlake YC.
Michele Ackerman - Director, Treasurer
Michele Ackerman - Director, Treasurer
Michele Ackerman - Director, Treasurer
Michele Ackerman is a lifelong sailor and joined CIWSA in 2017, has been a CIWSA Director and Treasurer since 2020.
Like Lauren, Michele is a teacher, Fairwind YC skipper, and ASA-certified Small Boat Sailing Instructor. She also volunteers her time with kids from the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, Michele mentors the instructors at Pacific Corinthian Youth Foundation's Summer Sailing Camp.
Tina Todd - Director, Port Captain
Michele Ackerman - Director, Treasurer
Tina Todd - Director, Port Captain
Tina Todd joined CIWSA in early 2022 and returns for a second year on the 2024 board as a Director and Webmaster. She will be involved in board activities and supporting the CIWSA website. Tina is a also Fairwind YC skipper..