Meet the Founding Officers

With diverse and international backgrounds, our founding officers embrace sustainable practices to ensure a tomorrow for future generations.

Peter Kuo

Chief Executive Officer

Peter emigrated from Taiwan to San Jose in 1982 with his parents and sister. He received an Aviation Operations Degree from San Jose State University in 1991.

Business Experience:
DCLC International Group, CEO—Business Consulting, 2003-Present
Venture Capital Roundtable, Managing Director, Venture Cap. 2017-Present
JDX International Group, Inc, Blockchain and NFT Technology, 2018-Present
Peter Kuo Insurance Agency, Agency Owner, 1994-Present

Political Experience:
Vice Chairman of CAGOP-California Republican Party. 2/19-3/23
Asian Pacific Americans for Trump 2020-Board of Director
Donald J. Trump for President--Regional Campaign Captain (4 Counties—San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz), 5/2016-11/2016.
Republican State Senate Nominee SD10, 2014
Congressional Candidate CD17, 2016
Candidate for West Valley Mission College Board of Trustee 2020

Community Service :
Lions Clubs International, San Francisco Keystone Lions Club, President 2022-2023
Rotary International—President, Huaren in Silicon Valley Club, 2016-2017
NAIFA-National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisor-Silicon Valley Chapter, President 2009-2010
American Cancer Society—Chinese Division, Volunteer, 2016

Dave Rice

President

President, United Nations Association, Orange County. Passionate about implementing "Local 2030" for UNA-So Cal (applying the "SDG Model" of setting targets for OC's key issues and collaborating to achieve them, with OC's cities, government agencies, business communities, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

Leader in the SoCal Secular Coalition (SCSC), with a desire to help grow the "Secular Movement" via the "CASE Model" (improved Community, Advocacy, Social Causes, and Education).

Active participant on Congressman Mike Levin's Task Force for proper disposal of Nuclear Waste (from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station).
Founder and Commissioner of West Coast Adult Soccer League, providing weekly organized recreational soccer for 1,000 adult players in Orange County.
OC resident since 1983.

Helene Reola

Chief Financial Officer

Helene is a distinguished healthcare executive with over a decade of experience in the industry. Having worked in renowned hospitals such as Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, and City of Hope, she has garnered a reputation for her executive prowess and commitment to patient care.

Helene holds degrees/certifications from Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law and is a pre-medical professional from Harvard Medical School. Currently, she is completing her J.D in healthcare law and international law expected at Oxford while continuing her lifelong educational journey mentoring, educating and engaging volunteers in her hometown of California.

As the Co-founder of SIA (Sustainable Impact Alliance) a non-profit organization & SIAS (Sustainable Impact Alliance Solutions) International for-profit (Business for Good Corporation) a UN Local 2030 SDG Goals initiative platform, she actively contributes to sustaining the goals and making a positive difference in communities worldwide.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Helene has actively engaged in philanthropy, collaborating with non-profit and for profit organizations (partnering with B corps) to raise funds for various causes, including supporting the homeless, Make-A-Wish Foundation, UNICEF, Harvard Graduate Student Government, USAID, and the American Red Cross. She is a passionate advocate for global health especially in the area of mental health and has worked closely with the United Nations and the Local United Nations Association, leveraging her expertise to incorporate the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into projects aimed at driving positive change and improved outcomes worldwide.

Helene's commitment to making a lasting impact on healthcare extends beyond organizational boundaries. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic growth, she has overseen critical areas such as finance, human resources, legal matters, government affairs, compliance, IT, and facility management. Her unwavering dedication to patient care and experience has shaped her career, and she strives to improve access to care, advocate for human rights, build preventative care cancer clinics in rural areas, enhance resource allocation efficiency, and foster innovation and technology adoption in the pursuit of better health and well-being for all.

Bettina Hausmann

Chief External Affairs

Growing up in East Germany (former GDR), Bettina's early adulthood was shaped by Cold War Era politics and living life behind the Iron Curtain. These personal experiences resulted in her strong sense of community and the understanding of the importance of collective memory, cultural conflict, and peace.

A Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2009, Bettina is a frequent delegate at high-level plenary meetings and, panels worldwide. In 2012, she participated at the historic U.N. Conference, Rio+20 that gave birth to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a subject matter expert on the SDGs Bettina consults various stakeholders across Southern California on localizing these ambitious global goals to achieve truly transformative, inclusive, and sustainable development outcomes.

An innovative and energetic leader with more than 30 years of international work experience across sectors and industries including Renewable Energy, Bio-Tech, Defense and Space, Government and Management Consulting, and UN Agencies, Bettina is a thought partner that lived and worked throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

Ms. Hausmann earned university degrees in Political Science & International Relations. In 2021, Bettina was selected from over 15000 applicants and successfully completed the UN Summer Academy Redesigning for a Sustainable Future, Post-COVID hosted by the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC).

She lives in San Diego, California and works for an International Humanitarian Organization. Bettina is actively engaged as board member of various organizations that champion an understanding of global citizenship and social justice.

Ms. Hausmann is the President Emeritus of the UN Association of San Diego (UNA-USA San Diego), representative to and liaison with the UN ECOSOC, serves on the Executive Committee at the National Council of UNA-USA, and is a board member at the San Diego World Affairs Council.

Steve Bender

Chief Operating Officer

Steve Bender, a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and community development has served as the CEO and consultant to known corporations and non-profit organizations worldwide. His roles as the Global Partnership Ambassador for the United Nations Association-Orange County and CEO of Newport Homes, showcases Steve’s diverse involvement in sustainable projects, green building, affordable housing and tiny homes. Steve recently traveled to Ukraine to engage with the International Chamber of Commerce in discussions about rebuilding the country with green technology for the country’s rebuilding efforts post war. During his visit, he explored initiatives he supports, focused on removing landmines from agricultural areas. Additionally, Steve has been conducting meetings with banks and businesses across four continents, addressing environmental projects and carbon credit trading.

A passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and community development, Steve was the Founding Director of the US Green Chamber and Co-Founder of the Global Climate Pledge program which is now in almost 100 countries! Steve is the current Director of the Environmental and Sustainability Rotary Action Group for Western North America which is comprised of over 1700 Rotary Clubs and the Director on the board for Rotary Climate Action Team. His global outreach includes speaking engagements with business owners, government organizations, and NGOs, where he passionately promotes and educates on environmental and social issues and projects.

As the CEO of Sea 2 Sky Solutions, Steve’s influence extends globally, with strategic partners and offices in Newport Beach, Mexico City, Bangkok, Taiwan and Panama. He is a consultant for various environmental initiatives, including Oceans Week 2024 in Mexico, EarthX, and the 7 Seas Initiative. Steve is also a founder of The Rotary Reef Project, emphasizing his dedication to oceans, island nations, and coastal communities.

Founding Officers