Tom Hersant, President
Past member Carlsbad Sister City Committee, Founding Director and chair of CSCA. Retired from career as public administrator with State of California, Regional Manager for Child Care Licensing for San Diego and Imperial counties, similar position of residential care facilities for dependent adults and children, and State Personnel Board. He is a KPBS reader and recorder of books; and actor with several local theater groups including the CSCA plays at Schulman.
Chris Kristiansen, Vice President Diversity & Inclusion
Chris is the newest board member of the Carlsbad Sister City Ambassadors. As a Carlsbad resident since 2019, she aims to be a bridge between cultures in the global landscape and contribute to the city of Carlsbad by bringing her wide range of corporate experience over the years. She is passionate about working for Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainability in everyday life for future generations. Her primary responsibilities at CSCA include protocol assessment and strategy integration for the sister city relations.
Polly Yu, Director
Born and raised in a multicultural, metropolitan community of Hong Kong where the best of the East-West cultures meet. It had a great impact on her upbringings in the importance of History, Language, Arts, Music and how it plays out in the global business environment.
Polly has over 20 years experience in organizing Education, Government & Business exchange between US and Asia. She led the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Youth Symphony, Timken Museum Asian Arts Study, City of San Antonio Sister Cities exchanges to Asia. Currently, she is on the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International & Carlsbad Sister Cities. She devoted her time & effort in developing Global Exchanges for the youth in Carlsbad.
Laurenn Barker, Secretary, Public Relations
Laurenn Barker is a graphic artist and former PR Director for an international consulting firm. She is also a commercial sculptor and an award winning author and illustrator of eight children’s books.
She has served as Co-President of the Fallbrook branch of the American Association of University Women and is currently Chair of the Carlsbad Arts Commission. She is also a founding auxiliary member of Miracle Babies dedicated to supporting premature at-risk babies and their families.
In addition to her books, Laurenn blogs about children, animals and the environment. Her email is . Her websites for her children’s books and sculpture are www.laelae.com and www.expressionsstudio.net.
Jacquie Thye, Founder-Emeritus (October 4, 1940 – October 14, 2021)
Past chair Carlsbad Sister City Committee, Founding Director and past chair CSCA, served on SoCal Board of SCI, graduated U Oregon in Far Eastern Studies. Assistant. Director Japan-America Society, assistant to San Diego-Baja California Consular Corps (40 countries), Hon. Consul of New Zealand and San Diego-New Zealand Business Association. Traveled in Japan, China, Macao, Europe, Africa, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and Central America;. Began Japan-in-a-Suitcase program, curated Carlsbad-Karlovy Vary high school photography exhibition, hosted students from Japan, Germany and France. Award-winning photographer, served in League of Women Voters, Welcome Wagon and AAUW, Toastmasters, real estate broker in Oregon, member of Portland Homebuilders Association.
Carlsbad native. Graduate of CHS, CSULB with degrees in Marketing and Finance. Small business owner. Professional experience in semiconductor microelectronics industry. Extensive experience with high-tech and community oriented non-profits. Serving and served on various professional societies’ board positions focused on domestic and international activities related to semiconductor microelectronics industry. 
Scott is a long time resident of Carlsbad spending over 31 years as an investment advisor.
CSCA webmaster, creator of promotional materials, graduate of CSULA in Math. Technologist at Avery Dennison, process engineer at Ricoh Electronics, graphic artist with PennySaver and freelance graphic artist.