Zandile Christian
Zandile has been a resident of the Dimond for 30 years and has served on the DIA board for thirteen years. She has participated in many efforts and on many committees, including Executive, Finance, Database, Membership, Newsletter, Keep Dimond Clean, Oaktoberfest, Crime & Safety, Dimond Public Art and Art in the Street, Community Engagement and Volunteer Outreach, Dimond Shine and Beautification.
Zandile’s vision is to have the Dimond be clean and safe for all and to maintain the district’s charming characteristics.
David Gross
David has been a resident of Dimond since 2006. Both of his children attend neighborhood public schools, where he is active as a volunteer parent. Professionally, David is a practicing attorney specializing in commercial real estate transactions in California and throughout the United States. He is active on the Beautification Committee and a regular volunteer in the Keep Dimond Clean program. He enjoys the outdoors, and loves to spend time hiking in Joaquin Miller Park with his dog Greta.
David’s vision for the Dimond is to support and grow a thriving business district, maintain clean and safe parks and public spaces, and to encourage the involvement of all residents in making the Dimond a safe and welcoming neighborhood for everyone.
Kidan Hull
Dr. Kidan Hull is a lifelong resident of Oakland’s Dimond District, born and raised. She holds an MBA and a Doctorate in Business Marketing and has experience supporting nonprofits and community-based initiatives. She is currently launching a marketing agency focused on helping small to mid-sized businesses strengthen their brand presence and grow, with a commitment to serving her hometown of Oakland. She is passionate about community engagement, economic development, and building meaningful connections between local businesses and residents. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys singing, exploring DIY crafts, and traveling with friends.
Kidan’s vision is to support a vibrant, connected, and walkable Dimond District where businesses and residents thrive together.
John Jacobs
John has been an Oakland resident for the past decade and recently moved to the Dimond neighborhood with his wife in late 2023. He is a Product Manager at Google Maps and also holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. His professional background includes Product roles at Aurora, Uber, Workday, and GE. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, cooking, traveling, and rooting for Chicago sports teams. He is excited to contribute his skills and experience to the DIA and help strengthen the community he now calls home.ent:
John’s vision for the Dimond is a vibrant and thriving neighborhood that attracts families and the next generation of proud Oaklanders. He wants to see an active, safe, and diverse commercial district with a robust merchant community and minimal retail vacancies. John envisions the Dimond becoming a key destination within Oakland, where people visit to shop, play, eat, and socialize.
Craig Johnson
Craig made the Dimond area his home in 2020 and loves supporting local businesses and enjoying everything the neighborhood has to offer. By joining the board, he aims to strengthen his ties to the community and leverage his expertise in urban planning and commercial real estate for positive local impact.
Craig envisions a Dimond district that is vibrant, safe, and flourishing—one that actively celebrates and embraces the character of the surrounding community.
Marjorie Jones
Marjorie has been a resident of the Dimond for 30 years. She was active in various parent groups at both Sequoia Elementary and Bret Harte Middle schools, where her three daughters attended. Her small business, MarjTax, provides tax preparation and bookkeeping services for non-profits. She feels fortunate to work with a variety of amazing agencies with a diversity of missions, including: at-risk youth, scientific research, animal rescue, environmental education, human trafficking rescue, and municipal improvement districts. She also serves as treasurer for the Dimond Merchants Association. Marjorie previously served on the DIA board for two years.
Marjorie’s vision for the Dimond is a place that continues to have amazing grocery options and a variety of affordable diners. Going forward, she envisions fun and appealing places for young folks to safely gather and regular entertainment events for families.
Maria Rincón
Maria was born and raised in Oakland and her love for our city runs deep! She’s lived in the Dimond for the past 22 years and has been spending time here since her days as a student at St. Jarlath’s School, where she studied from kindergarten to 8th grade. Maria has spent countless hours in Dimond Park and Dimond Library, both as a child and with her own two children. She loves to read and be in nature. Maria has worked as an elementary school teacher since graduating from college in 1994. She recently took on the role of Dean of Community Wellness at St. Paul’s Episcopal School, where she’s taught for the past 20 years.
Maria’s vision for the Dimond is that it be a thriving neighborhood that welcomes everyone. She’d love for it to be a place where all people feel safe, connected to their community, and cared for.
May Seto Wasem
Along with her husband, May owns and operates Grand Lake Kitchen. Soon after the first location of GLK opened in Adams Point in 2012, she started looking for a second location and quickly fell in love with the Dimond because of its authentic community energy and central location. GLK Dimond will be celebrating its 7th anniversary this spring. May also serves on the board of the Dimond Merchants Association and believes strongly that both associations do their best work when doing it together.
May’s vision and greatest hope for the Dimond is to be a vibrant, safe, and prosperous neighborhood where local business owners, big and small, can come together to help each other help themselves through networking and the use of existing resources.
Victoria Wake
Victoria is an East Bay native and Dimond resident since 2002. She is retired from AC Transit, where she managed service information, marketing, and outreach programs. Her long-time interests include the environment, public transportation, and history. She joined the DIA board in 2006, and currently serves on the Beautification, Public Safety, and Economic & Business Development committees, including overseeing the Keep Dimond Clean program.
Victoria’s vision for the Dimond includes people walking and taking the bus more, driving less, and generally knowing each other and local businesses better. She would like to see greater environmental stewardship, particularly more and healthier street trees. She hopes more of the community will get engaged in local projects, because it’s gratifying and fun!