Leaders – California Dental Assistants Association

Leadership

CDAA Leadership

2025-2026 CDAA Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee, Committee Chairs and one Director from each Local. It is the governing body of the Association. Local Directors are elected by their local organization to serve a term of two years, serving as liaison between the state and local organizations.

2025-2026 CDAA Executive Committee

The Executive Committee conducts and supervises the business of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors. All actions are reported to the Board of Directors for approval.

Christy Burton, CDA, RDA, BA

President

president@cdaaweb.org

Christy received her DA certificate from College of Marin in 1997 and has been an RDA for the past 26 years. She went on to get her AA degree in 2009 and her Bachelor's in 2022. She works as a front/back office assistant in and as an Instructional Specialist at College of Marin DA Program.

Linda Willyerd, RDA

1st Vice-President

vicepresident@cdaaweb.org

Linda became a dental assistant in 1976, and a member of CDAA in 1978 when she received her RDA. She fell in love with orthodontics that summer, and has been in the field for 46 years. Currently semi-retired, working part time and enjoying traveling with friends and family.

WENDY PIO, CDA, RDA, BS

2nd Vice-President

2ndvicepresident@cdaaweb.org

Wendy has been serving as Director for the Santa Clara County DAS for the past 2 years. She has been in dental assisting since 1980 and is currently an instructor in the RDA Program at San Jose City College.

Kelly Thomas, CDA, RDA, CDPMA, MADAA

Secretary

secretary@cdaaweb.org

Kelly has been in dentistry for over 40 years as a dental assistant, office manager and dental consultant. She has her own business focusing on dental consulting and dental insurance billing.

Zeña Delling, CDA, RDA, BA

Immediate Past President

pastpresident@cdaaweb.org

Zeña attended San Diego Mesa College DA Program in 1984 and earned an AA and AS in 2023.. She has been in the field for 35 years and currently practices part-time as an RDA and is completing her bachelor's degree. She has her own business called J and Z Programs for Dentistry.