FOUNDER & PIERCE’S MOM

Lesley is Pierce's heartbroken mother and the unwilling founder of Pierce's Pledge. She has the privilege of laughing and playing with Pierce through all his years he was able to be on this earth. She started Pierce's Pledge so she can continue to write Pierce's name everyday with a clear purpose and drive behind that action: building an incredible legacy for an incredible kid.

Her mission and passion is to push the message to keep kids safe through risk management and voluntary separation with weapons during contentious times. She encourages parents to think about custody from the child’s point of view as well as the parent.

DIRECTOR
CFO, ULTRA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PUBLISHING

Bernadette Cruz is the CFO at Ultra International Music Publishing, a music publishing entertainment company that she owns with her husband, Patrick Moxey. Prior to joining Ultra Records, she served as a diplomatic adviser on African issues to the United Nations Security Council for several years and was a research analyst for the Blackstone Group.

Bernadette is a member of the board of the New York City based non-profit Search and Care and is benefactor of Medicins sans Frontier foundation in France. She is an active supporter of Lycée Français de New York, Every Mother Counts, Innovation Africa, Giffords.org and NYC Public Hospitals. She is the proud mother of two daughters and has been a best friend of Pierce's Pledge founder, Lesley Baden since childhood.

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Justin Gates has a diverse work experience spanning several industries. Justin is currently serving as the Director of Procurement at BeaverFit North America since August 2020.

Justin Gates attended the University of California, Berkeley from 2007 to 2011. Justin earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Political Science and Government. Justin also obtained a second Bachelor's degree in Political Science during the same period.

DIRECTOR

Laura Oswell is a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell’s Litigation Group and a co-head of the Firm’s FCPA and Anti-Corruption Group. Ms. Oswell represents companies and individuals in a wide variety of matters, including transaction-related, securities class, derivative, commercial, contract, product liability, antitrust and employment disputes. She also represents companies and individuals in matters before the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Within the past six years, Ms. Oswell has tried three cases to verdict, achieving wins for all clients.

DIRECTOR

Marianne met Lesley in elementary school and they have been dear friends ever since. Marianne graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Communications. After graduation Marianne lived in Southern California for years and worked in the advertising industry. Marianne returned to the Bay Area in 2017 and lives in Marin County with her husband and three sons. Marianne is honored to be serving as a board member of Pierce’s Pledge.

DIRECTOR

Nika Robani Shirani is a dedicated advocate, activist, and proud mother who is passionate about ensuring the safety of children from gun violence. A close friend of Lesley Hu, Nika strongly believes in the importance of responsible gun storage and the vital work that Lesley and the Pierce’s Pledge team are doing to create safer communities.

With a focus on fundraising and outreach, Nika leverages her extensive network in the Bay Area and beyond to amplify the mission of Pierce’s Pledge. She has been a steadfast supporter of local politics and civic engagement, reflecting her love for her country and her commitment to public service—a value she strives to instill in her two sons.

Nika resides in Marin County with her husband and children. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from San Francisco State University and an MFA in Film and Television Production from Loyola Marymount University, combining her educational background with her passion for impactful storytelling and community engagement.

DIRECTOR
FAMILY LAW CHAIR, BUCHALTER

Monica Mazzei is the inspiration for the pledge of Pierce’s Pledge. Monica took action after Pierce’s murder – safeguarding all the families she comes into contact with. She is a shareholder at Buchalter’s San Francisco office and the chair of the Firm’s Family Law group.

Monica is a frequent lecturer and speaker on family law matters to financial advisors and other professional groups. She is a staunch advocate against domestic abuse in her pro bono work.

Monica is regularly recognized by top industry publications for her work. She has been recognized in the Best Lawyers of America, Family Law, in 2024. She has been named a California Super Lawyer from 2015-2023 and Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2011-2014. She was recognized in the International Chambers High Net Worth 2017-2020 guide for Family/Matrimonial Law. In 2008, 2011, and 2015 she received the “Outstanding Volunteer Award for Public Service” from the Justice and Diversity Center of the San Francisco Bar Association. She has been named one of the “10 Best Attorneys in California” by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, in 2016 and 2017. In 2014, she was selected as one of the “Top 40 National Trial Lawyers Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers. From 2013-2017 she was selected as one of the Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40 in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

DIRECTOR
REALTOR, COMPASS | TEAM LOTTE & SARAH

Sarah Kowalczyk boasts a two-decade career across Marin, San Francisco, and Sonoma counties, excelling in the dynamic Bay Area market. Her meticulous approach integrates data science, anticipating property trends with precision. With a family heritage in construction and architecture, Sarah's project acumen is unmatched. She actively supports charitable causes like Meals on Wheels and Children of Shelters, showcasing her community dedication. Beyond real estate, Sarah enjoys family hikes and civic events. Her impactful journey marries real estate mastery with committed philanthropy.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & WYLAND’S MOM

On March 2, 2020, Christy’s sweet child, Wyland, was murdered by his father. Since that terrible day, she has been grieving his loss.

In May 2023, she published her memoir, “Can I Still Be Funny After My Son’s Murder?” The decision to expose the heart-wrenching details of her life was difficult to make, but if just one child can be saved, it will be worth it. No parent should go through the daily pain both Lesley and Christy experience.

Christy is proud to be part of the team at Pierce’s Pledge. Together, they will continue to fight to make changes in honor of both Pierce and Wyland.

TEAM LEAD, GUN STORAGE

Cody Dougherty is a lifelong friend of Lesley and a dedicated force within Pierce's Pledge focusing on firearms storage.

Cody has called San Francisco home for decades, building her life in the heart of the city. She holds a degree in psychology from San Francisco State University, which has provided her with a deep understanding of human behavior and the complexities of our society. Cody and her husband run a successful construction business, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to hard work. Together, they share the joys and responsibilities of raising a teenage son.

In June of 2023, Cody took a pivotal step for Pierce's Pledge by obtaining her Federal Firearms License (FFL). This achievement empowers her to actively address the critical need for responsible firearm storage, not only within our organization but on a broader scale.

Cody's primary focus revolves around in-depth research into firearm storage regulations, both in California and across the United States. Her tireless dedication to understanding the intricate rules and regulations is instrumental in driving our mission forward.

With Cody's unwavering commitment and her newfound expertise in firearm storage, we are forging ahead in our efforts to create safer homes and communities. Her journey is a testament to the profound impact individuals can make when they combine passion with action.

IMPLEMENTATION AND POLICY CONSULTANT

Julia has spent her career developing innovative approaches to solving complex issues facing families, children, and communities. Before focusing on her consulting practice beginning in early 2023, Julia served as the first Implementation Director at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and prior to that, worked with California's judicial branch for over 17 years; she now works nationally on advocating for gun violence prevention policies and regularly speaks and trains on domestic violence, firearms violence prevention policies, child custody, and implementation of promising practices addressing violence prevention and family law. Julia works closely with policymakers and local leaders to effectively and fairly reduce risks associated with firearms, including helping to draft key legislation such as California's SB 320, one of the most comprehensive approaches to reducing risk in domestic violence cases where firearms are an issue; while at Giffords, Julia successfully advocated for $40 million in state funding to support implementation of that and related policies. She is honored to be working with Pierce's Pledge to help reduce risk and increase safety nationally in these areas.

ADVISOR

Vice-President Financial Advisor, part of the Opus Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, Joy focuses on empowering women to become intentional stewards of their wealth. In 2004, she started a women's speaker series called, "Women in the Know: Empowering Women Through Knowledge" to create a forum for women to learn about personal finance. Since then, thousands of women have come to learn about topics such as love and money, charitable giving, mission-based investing, education planning, and raising financially healthy children.

Passionate about philanthropy, investing, and working with people who want to make the world a better place, Joy implements sustainable strategies and impact investments in clients’ portfolios as part of her team’s comprehensive wealth management strategy.