OUR LEADER CIRCLE  Sharon Dilbeck’s caring heart

Growing up in Salinas, Sharon Dilbeck’s life naturally geared her up to be hands-on. Thus, she joined her husband Wayne in the construction family business.

“I worked for my late father-in-law, Fred Dilbeck, who taught me everything I know,” she said. “He gave me the majority of the ownership over Dilbeck & Sons, becoming one of the first woman-owned companies in the area.”

Established in 1982, Dilbeck & Sons, Inc. is a family-owned and operated construction company with the financial strength, bonding capacity and local resources to manage challenging projects.

Sharon and husband Wayne Dilbeck have three adult sons and one daughter, and are proud grandparents to 12 grandchildren. “I love doing things with my grandkids all the time,” she shared.

Another activity Sharon enjoys is giving back to the community and volunteering. She recalls coaching little league and then joining her son in coaching soccer. They enjoyed taking children from underserved areas all over the state to play soccer. Since parents were seldom available to drive them due to work, Sharon made sure transportation was available to them.

That big heart led her to the Hartnell College Foundation seven years ago. “For me, it was the part about getting to work with the community that attracted me to be a part of this,” she said. “I wanted to be involved in something meaningful.”

The Dilbeck family and business also have a connection to Hartnell that predates involvement with the Foundation. Wayne completed an apprenticeship program in carpentry at Hartnell and Sharon had Tony Teresa, the immortalized baseball coach with a field named after him at Hartnell, as her teacher in high school.

Sharon joined the board as well as the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and the Women’s Education & Leadership Institute (WELI) Committee. She went all in!

“The Foundation provides so much support and cares so much for the students,” she said. “It’s amazing to see what really goes on – there is much love.”

Although her interests were initially uplifting Athletic, she soon learned about WELI and fell in love with the program.

“When we started with WELI, it was a game-changer,” she said. “I enjoy the amazing stories of these women; it touches my heart on how they overcome adversity and rise up to be great people in the community.”

Dilbeck takes her role as a businesswoman and as a leader in the community seriously and hopes others can follow her lead.  Along with Dilbeck & Sons, she has given over $125,000 to the Hartnell College Foundation, landing her in the Leader Circle level of giving.

“It is such a great foundation,” she said. “You see the results of their work and the impact that it makes – your money really goes toward helping the students.”

Sharon graduated in 1969 as one of the first four-year graduates from Alisal High School. She has been a part of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, was in the Builders’ Exchange at Hartnell College, and is currently part of Women in Construction.

Her message for students struggling to get by during challenging times is to continue ahead. “You have to continue with your dreams and do not let Covid or anything stand in the way,” she said. “This too shall pass and you can overcome any obstacle.”

The Power of Caring Foundation Board President leaves a mark

“I was invited to be on the Foundation Board and felt honored to be asked,” she said. “This is a great way to give back and support the college and its students.”

Last month, at the President’s Circle Reception, Sulsona was recognized for her dedication to the Hartnell College community. She was also thanked for taking on the demanding and important role as President of the Board.

“Judith is a talented, committed, and passionate leader and it has been a distinct pleasure to work with her over these past two years during her time as President of the Hartnell College Foundation Board,” said Hartnell’s VP of Institutional Advancement and Foundation’s Executive Director, Jackie Cruz. “Judith is a champion of student success, equity, and community engagement.” 

Sulsona was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Mexico City to complete her graduate studies in the UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México). Her interest has always been in education, the arts, and literacy, which led her to work with libraries here on the Central Coast. She created systems to make it possible for persons with visual and hearing impairments to have access to library resources, as well as to develop programs for youth throughout the county.

After some time, Judith turned to the non-profit world. She worked for Community Foundation for Monterey County and started the Management Assistance Program, now Center for Nonprofit Excellence; she was Executive Vice President for five years. 

The 12 years she dedicated to the Community Foundation developed her passion for serving non-profit organizations – her goal became to support them in building the organizational capacity needed to fulfill their mission. Her consulting work began and continues to this day.

“I have the opportunity to create a plan based on the needs and aspirations of an organization while guiding their boards and staff to adapt to change,” Sulsona said. “Groups learn to work together, utilize their unique skills in the best possible way, and I am happy to support them through the process.”

Her work in the community is respected by others. She is well known due to her work with non-profits and her work at Hartnell College. In addition, Sulsona is on the Advisory Council for the Big Sur Land Trust.

Judith shares her passion for community with husband of 39 years, William Rawson, who is a retired Hartnell College librarian. They love the arts and are longtime supporters of The Western Stage.

“Supporting innovation and direct services to students in really close partnership with the college enables us as a board to have a direct impact,” she said.

Sulsona compliments the strength of the board adding that the wide variety of skills, experiences, and knowledge make for a well-structured organization with processes that are well-defined, committees that work well together, and 350 volunteers who dedicate their time in task forces and committees within the college campus.

Cruz said that Sulsona led the Foundation Board with grace during these last difficult few years and praises her leadership. She added “I am deeply grateful for Judith’s leadership during the pandemic to ensure that we provided essential support for our students in the midst of these challenging times.”

“It has been a real privilege to support the work Hartnell does in the community,” Sulsona said. “Students come from all walks of life and it is my pleasure to support their education, so they in turn may achieve their aspirations.”