Deborah Pitts, a native San Franciscan, is currently the manager of public affairs for Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in the East Bay. Over the past 13 years, Deborah has represented the medical center throughout the community and has served on several boards and commissions, including the Over 60s, the Center for Independent Living, the Alameda County Economic Development Advisory Board, and the Berkeley and Oakland Chambers of Commerce. She holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor of science in health administration. She is well known and respected throughout the Oakland and Berkeley communities for her work in government affairs and community outreach.
Ms. Pitts is also the founder and director of the medical center's very successful youth development program, Youth Bridge. The program, which is designed for "at-risk" teenagers, has served 430 students over the past 12 years. The goal of Youth Bridge is to allow young people to dream beyond their circumstances and to support them in working toward their goals. Ms. Pitts' dream when starting the program 12 years ago was to make whatever small difference in a youngster's life was possible -- to give them support and nurturing so that they could make the right choices. Youth Bridge has been honored nationally, and Ms. Pitts has received recognition from members of the Senate, Assembly and Congress for her work with youth.
Before returning to college in 1985, Ms. Pitts was a professional dancer with Theatre Ballet of San Francisco, Dance Theatre of Harlem and as a soloist with the Oakland Ballet for many years. She still teaches ballet and is a single mother.
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