AMAIA CABALLERO

Posted on by beobasque in Brainstormers Board 2025-2026

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Hi, I’m Amaia Caballero! I’m an elementary school teacher with a passion for education and community. I’ve also had the joy of teaching Basque dancing, which has allowed me to connect with others through a shared culture. I’ve always been deeply involved in my Basque culture, and I want to share that with others, especially kids. Based on my experience at festivals, camps, and other cultural opportunities sparked my interest in being involved with the BEO.

WHY THE BEO?
I’m excited to bring new ideas to help expand the BEO to younger audiences and give them a chance to experience the same cultural richness I’ve enjoyed.

ZOE BRAY

Posted on by beobasque in Brainstormers Board 2025-2026

ARTIST

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Zoe Bray is an artist, teacher and researcher based in Reno, Nevada. Her interests focus on identity, representation and ecology in today’s fast-changing world. Zoe’s Basque roots lie in Izura, BaxeNaforroa, where her parents live.

I look forward to helping brainstorming on future BEO initiatives, especially in the area of youth education and sustainability.

WHY THE BEO?
I said “Yes!” because I have been very impressed and inspired by the dynamic, diverse, and intergenerational programming of the BEO, and am excited by the opportunity to help make it even more successful.

PIERRE JAMBON

Posted on by beobasque in Advisory Board 2025-26

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

Posted on by beobasque in Advisory Board 2025-26

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.

PETER FAWZI

Posted on by beobasque in Advisory Board 2025-26

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.

MARIELLE SORHONDO

Posted on by beobasque in Brainstormers Board 2025-2026

PUBLIC RELATIONS

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Born and raised in San Francisco, I grew up immersed in the local Basque community, participating in the dance group from a young age. My passion for storytelling led me to Chicago for school, where I studied Public Relations. Now, I work with clients across diverse industries, helping them make headlines and connect with people at events. Outside of work, you’ll find me at live music and comedy shows or FaceTiming my family!

WHY THE BEO?
The BEO is an important organization—it’s taught me much about my own culture, heritage, and all the contributions the Basque community has made (just look at the talent in this group!). Its mission reflects what our ancestors came to this country to do, and I love how it brings people together through virtual programs. That’s been a great way for me to stay connected now that I’m living far away from my beloved San Francisco community. I’m excited to join the BEO and support their upcoming endeavors!

WHAT WE TRIED TO BURY GROWS HERE

Posted on by beobasque in BEOpicks, Purchase Today

a book by Julian Zabalbeascoa

“Zabalbeascoa brings together family lore and mountains of research to paint a kaleidoscopic portrait of the Spanish Civil War, particularly its impact on the people of Spain’s Basque region.” —Kate Tuttle, The Boston Globe

Julian Zabalbeascoa is the real deal, a major talent, and the story he’s telling here is both riveting and terrifying.” —Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls

This book, published in November 2024, has come out of the gates HOT! Author Julian Zabalbeascoa, hailing originally from Los Banos, California, is getting accolades all across the board, including being named as a finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize. 

Here’s the quick and dirty: “Through a chorus of voices—a female soldier in an all-male battalion, a reluctant conscript recently emigrated from Cuba, a young girl whose parents have abandoned her in order to fight against the fascists, among others—we follow Isidro and Mariana as they struggle to maintain their humanity in a country determined to tear itself apart.”

LEARN MORE AND BUY YOUR COPY HERE

STEVEN GAMBOA PH.D.

Posted on by beobasque in Advisory Board 2025-26

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.