christa steele board biography

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 A strategic and operationally focused leader with extensive experience as a CEO, executive, and board member for public and private companies. Proven ability to drive significant business improvements through a combination of long-term vision and pragmatic execution. Fosters collaborative environments that maximize cross-functional teamwork and achieve tangible results. Deeply passionate about advising, building, and developing successful outcomes for companies, leveraging significant expertise in finance and governance. Offers a broad and valuable perspective gained from diverse industry experience across late stage startups, growth-stage ventures, and established corporations. 

• Distinguished Board Leader: Proven success guiding public, private, ESOP, and family-owned companies, complemented by two tenures as CEO.
• Nationally Recognized Thought Leader: Sought-after speaker on the transformative power of Blockchain, Metaverse, Web 3, ESG, Big Data, and Corporate Governance.
• Strategic Advisor for Cloud Based Transformation and Governance: Trusted counsel to private, small-cap to large-cap companies navigating the complexities of cloud evolution and effective governance frameworks.
• Award-Winning Director: Honored as a 2023 NACD Director 100, a two-time "Most Influential Woman in Bay Area Business" (San Francisco Business Times, 2022 & 2015), and recognized as a "North America Top 50 Private Director to Watch" (Private Company Director Magazine, 2019).

CEO and C-Level Experience

Public company directorship

Chair - Board, Audit and Compensation

Retail

Technology

Cyber Security

Risk Management

Strategic Planning

Scalable Growth

Mergers & Acquisitions

Executive Compensation

Finance

Regulatory

Corporate Governance

Real Estate

Logistics

Demonstrable understanding of Subscription and Monthly Recurring Revenue business models, coupled with deep insight into Service & Logistics (B2C/B2B), cutting-edge Technology (Security & Monitoring, Telecom, Neural Tech, AI, Medical Devices, Semiconductor, Video Surveillance), comprehensive Financial Services (Insurance, Wealth Management, Commercial & Investment Banking), Equipment Leasing & Transportation, Food & Agriculture, multifaceted Commercial & Residential Real Estate (Development, Multi-Family, Mini Storage, Office, Mixed Use, Industrial, Agriculture), and the complexities of Resource Recovery & Waste Collection. 

Current Boards

· THE DOCTORS COMPANY, Napa, CA., Audit Committee Chair, Finance, Risk, Investment and Technology Committees Member (2023 - present)

Largest physician owned medical malpractice insurer in the U.S.   

· Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, CA, Audit Committee Chair, Nominating Committee Member, Former Compensation Committee Chair (2019 - present)

Industry leading grower/packer/global shipper with a passionate commitment to growing premium quality produce with 2200 FTE.

Past Boards

· VELOCITY HOLDCO  LLC owner of Velocity Risk Underwriters LLC, Velocity Specialty Insurance Company, and Velocity Claims LLC is an Oaktree Capital portfolio company sold May 2025.

Underwriter and Insurer of Catastrophic Risks - Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, fire, and similar perils in the U.S.

· LANTRONIX, INC., Irvine, CA. Audit Committee

· NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE DIRECTORS (NACD), Vice Chair, Northern California 

· BALCO HOLDINGS, INC., Concord, CA, Finance and Compensation Committees

Owner of Bay Alarm, Bay Alarm Medical and BALCO Properties.

· BRAINCHIP HOLDINGS (ASX: BRN), New South Wales, Australia, Audit Committee Chair, Compensation Committee  

Worlds first producer of neuromorphic IP and coined the next semiconductor disruptor for AI edge with operations in the U.S. and Australia.

· RECOLOGY, San Francisco, CA, Board Chair, Audit Committee and Committee 

A $1.5 billion, 3200 employees, ESOP company providing resource/waste collection services with operations in California, Oregon, and Washington. 

· OFG BANCORP (NYSE: OFG), San Juan, Puerto Rico, Audit Committee 

$10 billion asset retail and commercial bank with operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands.

· SASSER FAMILY HOLDINGS, Chicago, IL, Audit Committee Chair   

International rail and transportation company.

· FIG PARTNERS, Atlanta, GA, Audit and Nominating/Governance Committees 

Full-service boutique investment bank, which sold to Janney Montgomery Scott in 2019.

· MECHANICS BANK, (OTC) – Walnut Creek, CA, President and CEO 

$3.5 billion asset bank with a market capitalization in excess of $500 million, 630 employees, sold in 2015.

BALCO HOLDINGS, INC, Concord, CA – Interim CEO AND BOARD DIRECTOR   (2020-2022)

BALCO is the holding company for Bay Alarm, Bay Alarm Medical, and Balco Properties companies, with revenues of approximately $300+ million, over 1200 employees and family owned for over 75 years. 

- Led the successful division and dissolution of BALCO Holdings and holding company Assets.

· Financial, regulatory, operational, legal and risk oversight.

MECHANICS BANK, Walnut Creek, CA – PRESIDENT, CEO AND BOARD DIRECTOR   (2013-2015)

$3.5 billion asset bank with a market capitalization in excess of $500 million and 630 employees.

· Led the improvement of core earnings 43% in a single calendar year and doubled the stock price in less than two years. Successfully led its sale for a premium in 2015.

MBA, The Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California

Bachelor of Arts, California State University Sacramento

Carnegie Mellon CERT Certification in Cybersecurity Oversight

Pacific Coast Banking School Graduate

Stanford Directors' College