MARKETING EXECUTIVE
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
[coming soon]
WHY THE BEO?
[coming soon]
PIERRE JAMBON
ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING +
IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Worked over 35 years at large multi-national companies in the Aerospace, Defense, and Automotive industries. Started my professional life in the finance function and transitioned into business leadership roles in the second half of my career. Lived in seven states across the U.S. and traveled to dozens of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas on work-related assignments. Served on the boards of two privately held corporations focused on the automotive parts supply chain in both Tier 1 and the Aftermarket.
WHY THE BEO?
The quality and thoughtfulness of the events that BEO brings to life convinced me that this is an organization worth supporting! Our shared Basque culture is a gem, and the more we understand its history and its many facets, the better we can share this legacy we have been gifted.
ROSEMARY ARRIADA-KEIPER
GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Rosemary Arriada-Keiper is Vice President of Global Rewards at Adobe, where she leads the strategy, delivery, and communication of compensation, wellbeing, and benefits for over 30,000 employees across nearly 40 countries. With more than 30 years of experience in total rewards, Rosemary sees her team as architects of programs that support diverse employee life journeys. Since joining Adobe in 1998, she has held several key roles and holds a degree in Economics from UCLA along with professional certifications in compensation and benefits. She also serves on the board of First Graduate, a nonprofit helping San Francisco students become first-generation college graduates. Outside of work, Rosemary enjoys family time, hiking, traveling, and reading.
WHY THE BEO?
I love my Basque heritage and what better way to honor it then by supporting an organization whose purpose is to preserve its history. The power of storytelling is not only how we keep the conversation alive but also how we change the world.
JOSH MELANDER
Fundraising
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
[coming soon]
WHY THE BEO?
[coming soon]
PETER FAWZI
Financial Planning & Analysis
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Peter is a seasoned leader of global finance and business operations for public companies. Specializing in business transformation, he enjoys developing, planning, and executing on strategic initiatives. Peter holds an MS in Financial Planning, an MBA, and a B.S. in Accounting.
WHY THE BEO?
Though not born Basque, I consider marrying into the Bay Area Basque community one of my luckiest breaks. I am very excited to support the BEO and our commitment to advancing Basque culture and history.
STEVEN GAMBOA PH.D.
Interim Associate Dean and Professor
School of Arts & Humanities
Director of the CSUB Institute for Basque Studies
Cal State Bakersfield
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m a philosophy professor at California State University, Bakersfield, and also the Director of the CSUB Institute for Basque Studies. We created the Institute four years ago, but I’ve been hosting Basque academic, cultural, and artistic events since I joined CSUB twenty years ago. I am a lifelong member of the Chino Basque Club, and I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Kern County Basque Club.
WHY THE BEO?
I am very excited to work with the Basque Educational Organization since I deeply share its purpose and mission: to preserve Basque history and cultivate awareness of Basque identity.
AMAYA F. / Finalist
The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture
Connecting Around the Table
“My first interactions with my Basque culture were through the Basque dinners my mother and grandmother threw when we lived in a community with a very low Basque population. I grew up seeing how these Basque dinners brought the community together and shared our Basque culture with others. When I went to the Basque Country this summer, I discovered that the strong community aspect of food is the center of Basque culture, and it is here that people come together. That’s the power of food. It remains timeless; even as everything around it changes, we still have the table to sit around and connect.”
Saioa S. / Finalist
The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture
To Others it Is Just Food, For Me, It Is My Everything
“The impact of food on the Basque Culture has impacted me as I have grown up in the world. Food has been a source of comfort as I always think about my amazing family when surrounded by food as it is connected to years of memories that the life I live has given me!” (You can read her submission by clicking here, too)
ENARA I. / Finalist
The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture
Gâteau Basque
“When I first learned that the topic was “The Impact of Food on Basque Culture”, I was immediately reminded of my grandmother’s cooking and the rich traditions of Basque cuisine. It was my mother who suggested that I write about the story behind grandmother’s Gâteau Basque recipe and the meaningful experience of her finally sharing it with me. I wanted to capture not only my emotions and thoughts while making the cake
for the first time but also the deeper significance of this moment. After a few first rough drafts on this essay, it became clear that this recipe was important not just to me but also to my mother. My grandmother sharing it marked a pivotal moment for her, as it symbolized her deeper connection with the Basque community and reinforced the bond and trust between her and my grandmother.” ((You can read her submission by clicking here, too)
HEMENDIK
a coffee table book
“There are a thousand ways we can learn about a culture, but we don’t often consider stories behind those ‘things’ we take for granted. Highlighting 50 iconic objects from the Basque Country, this book uses stunning photography and fascinating stories to describe a world of innovation and creativity. Not only that but it’s compiled in a way that allows me to learn something new every time I open the book. I didn’t know I needed this.”
HEMENDIK (“from here” in Basque) is available in Basque/English, Basque/French, and Basque/Spanish.
*Here’s something else you need to know: The BEO is working with the organization that created this book to host a discussion about some of the stories behind the highlighted objects. It will be virtual, which means anyone from anywhere can join. Stay tuned as we iron out the details. In the meantime…
sample images:
English 
Euskara 
Français 
Español