Dr. Michele Darchuck, President

Gabby Rocha, Finance Vice President

Sarah Papazian, Recording Secretary

Emily Erwin, Nominating & Placement Chair

• Dr. Michele Darchuck- President

  Michele was born and raised in Fresno and has been an active member of the Junior League of Fresno since 2022. Michele previously served as the Community Impact Chair. In her professional career, Michele is a Global Technical Writer at Palo Alto Networks where she develops the documentation, training, and operational frameworks that support safety, clarity, and continuity across global sites.

  As a teen-mother, Michele saw early on the challenges that mothers face not only in their personal lives, but in their academic and career journeys. This experience urged her to reimagine outcomes for mother-scholars using a Feminist Leadership approach and has served as the inspiration for her doctoral research at the University of San Francisco, School of Education. Michele holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of San Francisco.

  When she is not supporting school systems, Michele enjoys engaging actively in her community, and is committed to the betterment of women and children in the Central Valley. Michele enjoys spending any free time with her partner Eli and daughter Emily, where they love to travel, discover new restaurants, and can typically be found appreciating the arts.

  Contact: president@jlfresno.org

   

• Gabby Rocha – Finance Vice President

  Gabby joined Junior League in 2021 after leaving the workforce to be a stay at home mom. Seeking opportunities to serve those in need, she joined JLF because the mission and focus areas aligned with her passion to serve the most underprivileged in her community.

  Prior to serving as the Finance Vice President, Gabby has served as the Fund Development Chair, and the co-Chair of the Senior Girl Athlete Scholarship Program.

  When she is not dedicating time to JLF, Gabby loves to be outdoors with her husband, son, and two dogs. Gabby also enjoys coaching her son’s soccer team, reading, and hiking.

  Contact: vpfinance@jlfresno.org

• Sarah Papazian – Recording Secretary

  Sarah has been an active member of the Junior League of Fresno since 2019. Currently, Sarah is serving as the Finance Vice President. Prior to that, Sarah has served as the Finance Vice President, on the Community Impact committee, and the Senior Girl Athlete committee. Sarah received her Bachelors of Science Degree from University of the Pacific. Sarah also attended McGeorge School of Law to earn her Juris Doctor Degree. Sarah works as an Attorney for the City of Fresno’s Attorney’s Office.

  Sarah loves spending time with her family, her niece, her friends and her cat. When Sarah isn’t serving with JLF or working, she enjoys sewing Christmas stockings and trying to unlock and get out of escape rooms.

  Contact: secretary@jlfresno.org

• Emily Erwin – Nominating & Placement Chair

  Emily Erwin has been a proud Junior League member since 2019. She joined the league in Bakersfield and transferred to Fresno at the end of 2020.

  Emily was born in Ventura but couldn’t get to the Central Valley soon enough! She moved to Clovis with her family in 1994. Emily attended Clovis East High School, where she was actively involved in various school activities and sports, developing a strong sense of community spirit.

  Searching for a way to give back after college, Emily’s dedication to service and community involvement led her to join the Junior League. Her passion for volunteering and leadership has driven her to take on numerous projects and roles within the organization, striving to make a positive and lasting impact on the greater Fresno area.

  Emily is an avid golfer, a self-described foodie and a die-hard Dodgers fan.

  Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and a master’s degree in broadcasting and electronic communication from San Francisco State University. She is the evening news anchor for KSEE24 and a lecturer at Fresno State.

  Contact: nominating@jlfresno.org