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Our Team

  • AddieRose Mayer
    AddieRose Mayer Adjunct Faculty

    AddieRose Mayer

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  • Angel Lau
    Angel Lau Recruitment & Revenue Manager

    Angel Lau

    As Recruitment and Revenue Manager, Angel is the primary recruiter for Coro’s esteemed civic leadership programs, including the Fellows Program in Public Affairs, Women in Leadership, Lead Bay Area, Exploring Leadership, and the San Francisco District Youth Leadership Academies. She is the liaison to Coro’s key community partners and supports the External Affairs team in meeting revenue targets and connecting the Coro network.

    Angel has a background in community organizing and nonprofit work. She is a founding member of the Tri-Valley chapter of YIMBY Action, led a peaceful anti-hate protest in her community, and continues to work on political campaigns to elect diverse voices. She previously worked at Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) on the Economic Justice Team. Angel is a proud Oakland native, a graduate of Coro’s Exploring Leadership Program, and holds a B.A. in Urban Studies and a minor in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    My own lived experiences. Growing up in a low-income household and being a first generation high school/college graduate required me to be proactive and learn from others around me. Leadership development allows people to reach their full potential and create lasting ripple effects in their own lives and communities. 

    What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

    “When you help someone, you help everyone.” – Aunt May in Spider-Man No Way Home 

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    You’ll find me eating at my favorite restaurants with family and friends (I’m a huge foodie), weightlifting at the gym, and volunteering in my community. 

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  • Angela Pang
    Angela Pang Director, Program Management

    Angela Pang

    As Coro’s Director of Program Management, Angela Pang works with the program team to deliver innovative leadership development programs, including Women in Leadership and Water Solutions Network. Angela has deep experience as a media, community relations, and event planning expert. She most recently served as the Director of Operations for the Asian Business League of San Francisco, managing the nonprofit’s efforts to engage, inspire, and connect leaders within the Asian American/Pacific Islander business community. During her time with the AsianWeek Foundation, Angela also helped organize the largest Pan-Asian celebration nationwide, the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, and coordinated the street fair’s publicity, media sponsorships, social media, and more. She is formerly a member of the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign, a citywide effort to raise awareness about the importance of screening and vaccinating all Asian and Pacific Islanders for hepatitis B. She volunteers on the Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Committee, which organizes San Francisco’s official celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month each May. She’s a Bay Area native and holds a B.A. in English and Communication from the University of California, Davis.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I am passionate about doing work that makes a positive impact in our community.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie.

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    I love making my friends and family smile with personalized artwork and handknit scarves, homebrewing beer, hiking, traveling, playing board games, and spending time with my loved ones. I also have a passion for dim sum, boba, and sriracha!

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  • Angelica Dowell
    Angelica Dowell Network Manager

    Angelica Dowell

    As Network Manager, Angelica helps cultivate and maintain high quality relationships and opportunities to advance the vision and mission of the Water Solutions Network. Raised in the rural Sierra Nevadas and the daughter of two wildland firefighters, she grew up with a deep love for the outdoors, forestry, and natural resources. During her relatively young career, she has amassed a dynamic background that spans education, program management, event coordination, curriculum development, and group facilitation. She has worked in various roles as a Conference Facilitator for the California FFA Association and the National FFA Organization, developing and delivering leadership curricula to students across California, Washington D.C., and multiple states throughout the U.S. She recently served as the Program and Membership Coordinator for the Sacramento County Farm Bureau, working to protect and improve the ability of farmers and ranchers engaged in production agriculture to provide a reliable supply of food and fiber through responsible stewardship of resources. In her role, she managed membership recruitment, retention and engagement activities, and oversaw programing and fundraising efforts. Angelica holds a B.S of Agricultural Education from California State University, Fresno.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I have always had a heart for people and building human connections. Working in leadership development provides an avenue to encourage, empower, and inspire others to become the best versions of themselves. I seek to provide a space where others feel seen and heard, and always know that they have someone in their corner rooting for them.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

    “We are all rough drafts of the people we’re still becoming.” – Bob Goff: Everybody, Always

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    You will most likely find me baking chocolate chip cookies while listening to Taylor Swift, cheering on the SJ Sharks during hockey season, finding a new sushi place in town to try, or training for a Spartan Race.

     

     

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  • Ariana Cervantes
    Ariana Cervantes Development Associate

    Ariana Cervantes

    Ariana (she/her) is a recent alumna from the SoCal Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs and a Bay Area native. As Development Associate, she supports the External Affairs team in donor, campaign, grant and database management. Prior to her fellowship, Ariana completed her master’s in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Oxford and her bachelor’s in Global Health from Queen Mary University of London. After several years living in the UK, she is excited to be back in the Bay! She lives in San Francisco with her partner, their two dogs, and tries to visit the beach as much as possible. 

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I love strengths-based development and seeing people discover their own unique ways of leading and advocating. Being “a leader” has the potential to be intimidating, but I believe leadership is a process of learning the tools, skills, and frameworks that equip a person to have the lightbulb moment of discovering their advocacy calling. 

    What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

    I love the teachings of bell hooks and Dr. Gabor Maté for their compassionate, non-judgemental approaches. A favorite quote comes from Dr. Maté, who said “…meeting people where they are at, and treating them like they are human beings, and not trying to change them, actually opens up the possibility of transformation for them.” I love this approach for its recognition and acceptance of others, regardless of difference or disagreement. 

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Probably on a yoga mat or out walking Penny the Husky!

     

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  • Bella Dickson
    Bella Dickson Program & Administrative Manager

    Bella Dickson

    As Coro’s Program and Administrative Manager, Bella’s responsibilities include managing administrative and operational needs for Coro’s Civic and Institutional Partners, including Women in Leadership, Lead Bay Area, University of California, Generation Thrive/Warriors Community Foundation, and various federal agencies. Bella also manages the administrative support for Coro’s business office and general operations. Previously, she worked as an office manager at her Alma Mater, the University of San Francisco. Bella has a passion for connecting and developing intentional relationships with diverse populations and is excited to bring this focus to Coro.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I believe that we are part of endless communities in our lives that intersect and influence each other. These communities are driven by the diverse individuals and meaningful relationships we develop. I believe that understanding how to better connect and uplift people and our communities can lead to a more equitable and just society.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” ― Angela Y. Davis

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    I’m most likely doing something crochet-related (crocheting, shopping at JoAnne Fabrics, or looking up endless inspiration and patterns) while listening to a podcast.

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  • Claudia Paredes
    Claudia Paredes Managing Director of Civic Leadership

    Claudia Paredes

    Claudia supports others to leverage their wisdom and expertise to make positive impact through daily practices and intentional choices. For over a decade, Claudia has worked as a leadership development practitioner in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors in California and New York City. 

    To honor her Andean ancestry and belief in generational power, Claudia gave her daughter the middle name, Ayni. Ayni is a core principle of reciprocity and mutualism. 

    Claudia holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Public Policy from Pepperdine University.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    Leadership development is a means to liberation. I live with the belief that we are all connected and we enact our leadership through our actions and choices. Our actions have immediate and generational impact. I trust in our human capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn for the purpose of being mutually responsible and sustainable.

    What’s your favorite quote about leadership? 

    “Liberated relationships are one of the ways we actually create abundant justice, the understanding that there is enough attention, care, resource, and connection for all of us to access belonging, to be in our dignity, and to be safe in community.” — adrienne maree brown

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Somewhere fun with people I care about. Sometimes that is at home with my immediate family and sometimes that is a place with good food, wine, music and energy.

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  • Clifford Yee Vice President, Programs

    Clifford Yee

    Born and raised in San Francisco, Cliff has over 20 years of experience in leadership development, community organizing, and nonprofit management. For the past 11 years with Coro, Cliff has provided established and emerging leaders the blueprints to design their own vehicles for change. Cliff has trained high school students, mid-level managers in the federal government, survivor leaders working to prevent human trafficking, C-suite nonprofit leaders, and more.When Cliff is not hanging out with his partner and two kids, he serves on three local boards and was elected as an Assembly 19 District Delegate for the California Democratic Party.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I am inspired by my mentors who have invested in my growth and paved the way for me to grow in my confidence to initiate positive change. My role at Coro gives me a similar platform to support individuals (from a 14-year-old high school student to a mid-level manager in federal government) to discover their full potential and leverage their confidence to impact communities. 

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.” – Grace Lee Boggs

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work? 

    Spending time with my family or trying out new restaurants.

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  • Courtney Young-Law Adjunct Faculty

    Courtney Young-Law

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I’m inspired by the capacity for growth and change that is within all of us. I am privileged to witness people engage in this growth in Coro programs as they take time to reflect on themselves, to make meaning of their work and goals in a community, and to harness the energy of that community for positive change.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Anais Nin

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    At my kitchen table eating dinner with my family, playing a board game, or creating some crafty seasonal decorations for our home (#nailedit).

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  • Debbie Franco
    Debbie Franco Managing Director, Water Solutions Network

    Debbie Franco

    As Managing Director of the Water Solutions Network, Debbie coordinates and leads collaboration among WSN participants, the Advisory Council, and partners to expand the network and its impact. Before joining Coro, she worked for almost ten years in the California Governor’s Office, most recently as the Senior Advisor for Water and Rural Affairs. She brings 15 years of experience in the water sector, including collaborating on the Human Right to Water, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and drought response. Debbie got her start in the water sector at the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, where she ultimately served as the Policy Director. She holds a Master’s degree in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine, and a BA from the University of California, Davis.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    The earth is changing faster than humans are changing. Innovative leadership is essential to our survival.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote or book? 

    “There is always light, / if only we’re brave enough to see it / If only we’re brave enough to be it.” — Amanda Gorman

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    During the pandemic, I am most often home with my husband, two dogs, and two cats enjoying the garden and doing home improvement projects.

     

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  • Erika Carlsen Adjunct Faculty

    Erika Carlsen

    Erika is passionate about leadership training and development to serve the public good.  Prior to joining Coro she worked at the Harvard Kennedy School, where she oversaw nine leadership development fellowship programs and the launch of the U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship and the Lisa Garcia Quiroz Fellowship. She previously held positions at Rockwood Leadership Institute and has served on the Board of Directors of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance and the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Vesper Society, a private operating foundation. She is an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs and the Institute for International Public Policy fellowship.

    Erika holds a BA from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Divinity with a focus on meditation, mindfulness, and leadership from Harvard Divinity School.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    We spend so much of our time and energy at work. Sometimes the work that we do professionally has meaning, and other times we may struggle to find that meaning. I work in leadership development to walk alongside leaders as they seek to find a deeper meaning in the work they do, and do that work more skillfully.

    What’s your favorite book about leadership?

    The Practice of Adaptive Leadership by Ronald A. Heifetz, Marty Linsky, and Alexander Grashow (Grashow is an alum of the New York Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs).

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Spending time in nature, remaining active, enjoying time with my loved ones, and hanging out with my two black cats, Yuri and Kahlo.

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  • Grace Turkis
    Grace Turkis Managing Director of Institutions

    Grace Turkis

    As Managing Director of Institutions, Grace (she/her) oversees Coro’s programs
    designed to strengthen institutions and foster cultures of collaboration, including
    partnerships with higher education institutions and the federal government. Grace
    brings over two decades of experience designing and facilitating leadership training
    programs, primarily in the health and education sectors. With fifteen years spent
    specializing in leadership development at UCSF and UC Berkeley, as well as her role
    as a certified professional coach, she has honed her expertise in cultivating effective
    leaders across diverse industries. Additionally, Grace is an active member of the
    Advisory Council for Home for a Home, a 501(c) organization dedicated to building
    homes for historically underserved families in Guatemala.

    Grace holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado
    Denver and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from The
    Pennsylvania State University.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?
    I am deeply passionate about empowering individuals with the essential tools and
    knowledge to lead positive change within their organizations and communities.
    Witnessing leaders align their passions and skills with the pressing needs of their
    surroundings is a uniquely rewarding experience, one that continually inspires me to
    support others on this transformative journey.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote or book?
    “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go
    out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being
    directed from behind.” – Nelson Mandela

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?
    When I’m not at work, I’m likely cooking at home, going on a run, journaling, or on
    the soccer pitch with my kids.

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  • Laney Whitcanack CEO

    Laney Whitcanack

    Under Laney’s leadership, Coro has created more than 20 new programs and partnerships, increasing our program reach and impact across Northern California. With more than 20 years of experience as a social impact leader in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, Laney has a rich history with Coro. She graduated from the flagship Fellows Program in Public Affairs in the 1990s and was Director of Community Programs in the early 2000s. Before returning to Coro as CEO in 2016, Laney was a founder and executive in the tech sector. She frequently speaks and writes about leadership, social impact, and value visibility. Laney lives in San Francisco with her husband, two children, and one mischievous dog.

    How do you create impact in your role at Coro?

    I support my team and board to do their best, most transformative work — and I strive to get Coro training to more people.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    The possible. Most of us don’t have formalized opportunities to practice and refresh our toolbox for the most essential leadership tools. Coro provides these opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds.

    What’s your favorite leadership book?

    Negotiating at Work by Deborah Kolb. This book transformed my view of negotiation, from something to feel intimidated by to seeing it as creative problem solving. It opened my eyes to the many ways I negotiate every day.

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Playing board games with my family.

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  • Lauren Haworth
    Lauren Haworth Vice President of Finance and Operations

    Lauren Haworth

    As Coro’s Vice President of Finance and Operations, Lauren supports the administrative and financial operations of the organization. Lauren brings a strategic lens to Coro’s finance and operations by identifying opportunities to enhance existing processes and systems. She has worked in the public sector for over 15 years, with a focus on financial and budget management. Her experience includes eight years as the Finance Director for the UCSF School of Dentistry. Other highlights of Lauren’s career include her role as Director of Finance and Operations for Marin Montessori School, Chief of Budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Los Angeles, and Management Analyst for the Department of Justice, Office of Planning, Budget and Evaluation in Washington D.C. 

    Lauren earned her Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University. She is a graduate of Coro’s 2018 UC Women’s Initiative for Professional Development, Northern Cohort.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    Throughout my career, I have always found purpose in promoting professional development opportunities for both myself and others. Through these professional development experiences, I’ve developed a level of personal growth that I believe has not only improved my abilities as a professional, but also as a friend, a mom, a wife, a sister, and more. I am so excited to support the Coro team in providing these opportunities for so many in our community.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

    “Humble inquiry is the fine art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not already know the answer, of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person.”
    — Edgar Schein in Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling  

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Running around with my husband and kids! We love exploring different parks, playgrounds, and museums. 

     

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  • Omar Leal
    Omar Leal Civic Leadership Director

    Omar Leal

    As Civic Leadership Director, Omar works closely with Coro’s Programs Team and leads our Fellows Program in Public Affairs. As an alum of the Fellows Program himself, Omar understands the impact that targeted leadership development and the Coro tools can have. Before joining Coro’s staff, Omar worked across different sectors and organizations, focusing on power building, equity, and organizational leadership.

    Omar holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Macalester College in International Studies and Anthropology, and a Master’s of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I am inspired to build strong and lasting relationships by investing in the potential and aspirations of others. Coro’s leadership development approach allows for this, prioritizing self-awareness and critical thinking, and challenging and supporting leaders to move forward.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “Though we tremble before uncertain futures, may we meet illness, death, and adversity with strength, may we dance in the face of our fears.”
    – Gloria Anzaldúa

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    I love to cook, explore new restaurants, and learn interesting food history facts. On a nice day, I like to get outside to be in nature, preferably around mountains and/or the ocean.

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  • Shaya Kara
    Shaya Kara Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement

    Shaya Kara

    As Director of Alumni and Donor Engagement, Shaya maintains information and stewards relationships to support Coro’s impact, visibility, and financial resources. She most recently served as the Director of Community Development at the Peninsula Family YMCA. As an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, she values the influence that Coro’s tools and networks have had on her own life and strives to expand that impact in her role as a fundraiser and storyteller. Shaya has a passion for connecting people to something larger than themselves, and is excited to continue that work at Coro.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I believe that good leaders make for more equitable societies. Equity is all about meeting people where they are and empowering them to get where they want to go. Without the support of centered and compassionate leaders in my life, I would not be where I am today. I’m inspired to work in leadership development because I’m passionate about lifting barriers and raising consciousness.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

    “Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” ― Rumi

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    On Wednesdays and Sundays, you’ll find me at the Farmers Market by City Hall in San Francisco. Otherwise, I’ll be in a sunny patch of grass, listening to an audiobook or meditating. 

     

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  • Silvia Ahn
    Silvia Ahn Emerging Leaders Facilitator

    Silvia Ahn

    As Emerging Leaders Facilitator, Silvia (she/her) leads hands-on leadership development training programs in collaboration with various youth-serving organizations and the Coro Programs Team.

    Before joining Coro, she worked for a faith-based college organization, crafting holistic leadership programs that fostered cultural awareness and nurtured youth’s ethnic and spiritual identity. She holds a fervent dedication to liberate financial information, aiming to foster greater financial equity for women and communities of color. Silvia earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from Mills College and her Masters in Social Entrepreneurship from Pepperdine University.

    What inspires you to work in leadership development?

    I’m passionate about journeying alongside youth, empowering and equipping them to become future leaders of tomorrow. Our world needs more accountable, equity-driven leaders in every field, capable of upholding our collective future and the wellbeing of our planet.

    What’s your favorite leadership quote?

    “True resistance begins with people confronting pain … and wanting to do something to change it.”
    – bell hooks

    Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

    Find me raising two little munchkins and building community with my neighbors, making kimchi on the weekends, or indulging in marathon sessions of K-dramas.

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Board of Directors

  • Abel Guillén
    Abel Guillén Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction CA Department of Education

    Abel Guillén

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  • Aimee Brown
    Aimee Brown Mentor Social Entrepreneurs Miller Center Global Social Benefit Institute of Santa Clara University

    Aimee Brown

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  • Amanda Perrot
    Amanda Perrot Director, Associate General Counsel Adobe Inc.

    Amanda Perrot

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  • Anthony Rodriguez
    Anthony Rodriguez Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Berkeley Friday

    Anthony Rodriguez

    Anthony Rodriguez (he/él/they) is a cross-sector collaborator, published researcher, and data-driven leader. He is passionate about harnessing partnerships, research, and stakeholder engagements to catalyze change, create effective policies, programs, and decisions, and guide strategic planning to scale programmatic delivery for low-income communities of color through education, civic engagement, and poverty alleviation initiatives.

    As Senior Advisor to the Mayor in the City of Berkeley, Anthony leads policy efforts in public safety, energy, the environment, sustainability, public works, parks, infrastructure, health, social equity, K-12 education, and labor. In his prior role as a Senior Strategist for Friday, Anthony advised leading non-profits, foundations, government agencies, and companies working across education, economic opportunity, and community development on developing clear strategic direction. Before joining Friday, Anthony was a Program Analyst for the California Community Foundation, where he advised philanthropic, evaluation, data, communications, government, and community partners on strategies for targeting outreach and education efforts towards hard-to-count populations in the 2020 Census for LA County, the hardest to count region in the nation.

    Born and raised in Los Angeles, Anthony is a proud double bear, having received a Bachelors of Arts in Development Studies and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He is an alumni of Coro Northern California’s Fellowship in Public Affairs Program (Class of 2017)

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  • Ben Hur
    Ben Hur Managing Partner SF Office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

    Ben Hur

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  • Carolyn Wang Kong
    Carolyn Wang Kong President & Executive Director Asian Pacific Fund

    Carolyn Wang Kong

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  • Christina Giguere President Inner Spark Foundation

    Christina Giguere

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  • Derick Brown
    Derick Brown Senior Director of the Leo T. McCarthy Center University of San Francisco

    Derick Brown

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  • Diana Tate Vermeire
    Diana Tate Vermeire Senior VP of Strategy Schott Foundation for Public Education

    Diana Tate Vermeire

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  • Eugene Hillsman
    Eugene Hillsman Deputy Director of Equity & Inclusion Department of Cannabis Control, State of California

    Eugene Hillsman

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  • Hank Dempsey
    Hank Dempsey Head of Public Policy, California Snap, Inc.

    Hank Dempsey

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  • Jonathan Hoyt
    Jonathan Hoyt Partner DHR Leadership Consulting

    Jonathan Hoyt

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  • Marianna Pisano
    Marianna Pisano Managing Director, Healthcare, Higher Education and NFP Group JP Morgan Chase

    Marianna Pisano

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  • Minden Beach
    Minden Beach Vice President, Global Talent Management & Leadership Development Informatica LLC

    Minden Beach

    Minden now serves as the Vice President of Global Talent Management & Leadership Development at Informatica LLC. In her previous role at First Republic Bank, she oversaw bank-wide training, leadership development, on-boarding, and professional development as their Sr. Director of Learning & Development. Previously at PG&E, she directed leadership development, university recruitment strategy, and diversity workforce development programs. Prior to transitioning to the business sector, Minden spent 15 years developing and leading programs for youth and adults in various nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    Minden is also a Certified Executive and Leadership Development Coach. Her focus is on strength-based coaching and she works with clients to build self-awareness, identify their unique leadership style, and align their actions with personal and professional goals.

    Minden has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and her Masters of Public Administration from San Francisco State University.

    Minden has a long history with Coro. She is a graduate of the Community Fellows Program (2003) and served on the Coro training staff for several years. She was the Director of the Coro Fellows Program and then transitioned to Sr. Director of Leadership Development responsible for developing key partnerships with large public-sector organizations and adapting Coro’s curriculum to various audiences.

    Minden lives in Pacifica with her wife and twin boys. She loves camping, dancing, and hanging out at the beach with her family.

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  • Tina Park
    Tina Park Head of Inclusive Research & Design Partnership on AI

    Tina Park

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  • Vera Moore-Shaheen
    Vera Moore-Shaheen Senior Vice President, Community Relations West Leader Citi

    Vera Moore-Shaheen

    Vera Moore has been an advocate for communities of color and low- and moderate- income communities her entire career. With nearly 15 years of experience in the private and public sectors, Vera is a Senior Vice President in Citi’s Community Investing and Development function. In this role, Vera oversees the West Community Relations team and is responsible for building authentic relationships with key stakeholders and connecting Citi’s people, expertise, resources, products and services to help expand equitable opportunities for all.

    Prior to joining Citi, Vera served as the California Community Engagement Market Manager for JPMorgan Chase. Vera had a significant role in the firm’s commitment to invest $75 million in the Bay Area through its AdvancingCities initiative — a five-year, $500 million effort to create greater economic opportunity nationwide. Vera was also responsible for the local implementation of JPMC’s five-year, $30 billion Racial Equity Commitment in California. 

    Vera held several leadership roles at national nonprofit organizations prior to joining the private sector. She served as the Director of the Urban Youth Empowerment Program at the National Urban League where she oversaw a $10 million workforce development, education, and training program for underserved youth living in high-poverty, high-crime communities nationwide. Vera also managed the Consulting and Technical Assistance Division at Seedco, where she provided capacity building services to foundations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on workforce development, asset building and work supports.

    A former Manhattan Borough President’s Office Community Planning Fellow, Vera holds a Master’s of Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2015, Vera completed a competitive fellowship with Coro Leadership New York (LNY26). She also completed the African American Board Leadership Institute’s Board Leadership Program in 2018. Vera is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., sits on the Northern California Grantmakers – Nonprofit Displacement Project Steering Committee, and recently joined the Coro Northern California Board of Directors in 2021.

    For her courageous commitment to nonprofit organizations, Vera has been recognized as Community Reinvestment Visionary of the Year by ASIAN, Inc., a Powerful Woman of the Bay Area by Black Women Organized for Political Action and the Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment, and a Corporate Leader by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Oakland/Bay Area Chapter and the National Urban League. She also joined the San Francisco Business Times – 40 Under 40 Class of 2021.

    A California native, Vera is based in San Francisco and resides in Pittsburg, CA.

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  • Yiaway Yeh
    Yiaway Yeh Head of Social Impact Partnerships (Civics, Economic Opportunity + Health) Google

    Yiaway Yeh

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Coro Centers

Coro Centers bring innovative leadership training to diverse youth and adults across the country. Together, we offer more than 40 leadership programs and are supported by almost 200 institutional funding partners and thousands of generous individual and alumni donors.

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