Ashlee Jemmott has dedicated over 11 years of her work to youth development, social justice, and creating positive behavioral health strategies, as well as public affairs offering crucial resources, assistance, and guidance to young individuals navigating multiple systems. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business at Mills College in Oakland, California. Ashlee is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and has the honor of serving on the Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board and the Budgetary Stakeholders Advisory Committee. In her new role as the District 1 Community Liaison, Ashlee is eager to utilize her extensive professional experience and academic background to support Councilman Dan Kalb on the Educational Partnership, Public Safety, and Life Enrichment Committees. She is committed to serving the communities of Adams Point, Temescal, Bushrod, Mosswood, and all constituents of District 1.

Barbara Lin is proud to be a wife, queer daughter of Chinese immigrants, friend and auntie. She comes with over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in San Francisco. She first developed her strong programmatic skills and community organizing at the SF-Marin Food Bank. Since then, Barbara has applied this skillset to a larger audience and transitioned to HR to focus on various organizational development and equity initiatives. As GLIDE’s Director of Learning and Development, she has created an innovative internal workforce program to help move their staff to stability and resilience. She is currently a workforce strategy consultant for various nonprofits.

Daniela Ogden has over 15 years of experience and knowledge in fundraising and social impact communications. With a passion for supporting nonprofit organizations, Daniela has held various roles aimed at achieving fundraising and communications goals. Prior to joining Fred Finch, she served as the Director of Communications for The Sobrato Organization. Before this role, Daniela worked as a consultant for Bay Area nonprofits and served as the Vice President of Communications, Advocacy, and Fund Development for Eden Housing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied Creative Writing and Studio Art.

Emily, a Bay Area native, moved to Canada to attend the University of British Columbia and spent a year in South Africa studying equality. She worked with various organizations in Canada and Australia, focusing on numerous levels of community support services. Emily has experience in supportive and mental health housing, overdose prevention clinics, shelters, and transitional housing across diverse environments. 

Returning to the Bay area, Emily joined Hope Solutions, a non-profit in Contra Costa County, where she has worked for four years. She started in a program that supported displaced victims of domestic violence, then led the McKinney Vento support program for unhoused families and unaccompanied youth in the West Contra Costa School District. Emily is currently the co-chair of the DEIB Committee and is dedicated to furthering this work. With her project management and supportive housing background, she is now the Housing Development manager, driving efforts to create more permanent affordable housing coupled with support services in Contra Costa, which are built from the ground up. Hope Solutions is building a model by partnering with faith institutions to develop cottage communities on faith-owned land. Emily is tackling California’s housing crisis with passion and commitment and her daily motivation is driven by supporting unhoused populations and the success of clients.

Emma Falley has focused her career in nonprofits from fundraising to communications, marketing, and branding. She currently leads communications at Merritt, an affordable housing nonprofit. In her work, Emma focuses on brand strength, creative communications, impact reporting, and strategic initiative work. She has led internal communications including staff training and facilitation. Emma believes cross-organizational and multi-sector collaboration is what makes truly impactful communications a reality. Emma obtained her MA in International Development and Social Anthropology from SOAS University London and her B.A. in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Grinnell. Outside of work she spends time with her partner and dog (Pearl) in Oakland, crocheting, and has recently started making natural wine with her brother.

Glenda Monterroza is a public health and philanthropy professional in the Bay Area having over a decade of experience working in Foundations and health care organizations. Her work is at the intersection of data, public health, and partnerships. In her current role in Community Health for Kaiser Permanente Northern California she oversees grantmaking in the healthcare safety net and economic opportunity. Her experience working across various Foundations has included executing grants and contracts, communications including writing blogs and op-eds, and core grant operations functions. In her prior role at Blue Shield of California Foundation she was responsible for executing the grant making process across the Foundation’s initiatives as well as providing programmatic support. In addition, Glenda worked on learning & evaluation at the California Endowment, where she contributed to various evaluation projects and provided analytical and grantmaking support for the Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative. She has worked on various health equity issues such as healthy eating/active living, access to health care and mental health services, education systems transformation, and building community power. Glenda holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and Spanish from UC Santa Barbara.

Jennie Mathur is passionate about equity in K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.  She has spent the last 16 years managing projects and program portfolios focused on breaking down educational barriers for girls and gender-expansive youth in STEM.  Her proudest accomplishment is growing a high-impact STEM workforce readiness and college achievement program for first-generation college students and youth in under-resourced schools.  When not working, she spends her time with her family, exploring the parks around the Bay Area, or trying out a new craft project.

Kalee Cummings is a marketing and communications professional from Southern California, now based in the Bay Area. With a strong educational foundation in government and data science, paired with a passion for creativity and fostering connections, she has built her career at the intersection of public policy, marketing, and technology. As a Senior Business Analyst at Tripepi Smith, Kalee supports cities, special districts, nonprofits, and private-sector organizations that collaborate with the public sector, helping them enhance their PR, marketing, communications, and public education efforts. In her current role, she leads strategic communications, media intelligence, and crisis management. Kalee holds a B.A. in Government with a concentration in public policy and organization, as well as a sequence in Data Science from Claremont McKenna College. In her personal time, Kalee enjoys delicious meals, quality time with friends and family, adventures, karaoke, and relaxing at home with a good TV show.

Lisa Coto brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, communications, and governmental relations across both public and private sectors. She is a passionate advocate committed to equity and the advancement of opportunities for BIPOC communities. In her current role as the Internal Communications Manager for Southwest Key Programs, Lisa manages internal communications that support the organization’s mission, particularly its critical Unaccompanied Children’s Program. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies with a focus on Ethnicity and Gender in Media from the University of California, Berkeley. Her career includes managing high-profile projects for General Mills, Nestle, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. She has also led online marketing efforts for iHeartMedia and Bad Boy Entertainment, now a division of Sony Music. At the City of Oakland, Lisa played a key role in developing Equity Programs and managed marketing and outreach efforts for District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo. Lisa Coto is a seasoned Communications and Marketing Research specialist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Known for her strategic vision and innovative approach, Lisa has successfully led numerous high-impact campaigns and research projects that have significantly enhanced brand visibility and market positioning for various organizations. Throughout her career, Lisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership and collaboration skills, working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. She is adept at leveraging digital tools and platforms to optimize marketing efforts and deliver measurable results. Lisa is committed to continuous learning and professional development. She is passionate about staying ahead of industry trends and exploring new ways to connect with audiences.

MarYam Hamedani is Executive Director and Senior Research Scientist at Stanford SPARQ, a behavioral science “do tank” at Stanford University, where academic researchers and public and private sector leaders work together for positive change. Her expertise is in harnessing the power of culture to support organizational and societal change and disrupting cultural defaults that lead to bias and inequality. She was previously the Associate Director of Stanford’s Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and Center for Opportunity Policy in Education. She attended Middlebury College (B.A.s in Psychology and Philosophy) and Stanford University (Ph.D. in Social Psychology).

Melanie Moore is an accomplished Senior Business Analyst specializing in marketing and strategic communication for local governments and jurisdictions. During her tenure at Tripepi Smith, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing complex projects. Known for her innovative strategies and targeted content, Melanie is driven to help communities share their stories, enhance meaningful engagement, and deliver measurable impact. A proud San Mateo native currently living in San Francisco, Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Claremont McKenna College. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring Golden Gate Park, and diving into a good book.

Monica Almendral leads Young Community Developers’ Housing Pillar (Development, Services and Policy) in creating culturally responsive holistic pathways to stable housing for vulnerable populations with a focus on Black households in San Francisco. With a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Spelman College, 15+ years in community serving nonprofits, 6+ years of experience in community development, and a 3rd generation San Franciscan she brings a unique perspective and understanding to San Francisco’s complexities.

Naba is an experienced educator and nonprofit professional with a deep commitment to youth development. She began her career through Teach For America as a corps member and went on to serve as a Diverse Learners teacher and Case Manager for a decade on both the south and west sides of Chicago. Naba holds a Bachelor of Arts in Intensive Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz, graduating Cum Laude with multiple honors, including the Community Service Award. She also earned a Master of Science in Education from Dominican University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Currently, she is the Manager of Foundations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, where she focuses on fundraising and development.

Dr. Ehie is a pediatric anesthesiologist whose interests include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Global Health, as well as Education. As a UCSF Teachers Scholar in 2020, she started an interactive diversity curriculum focused on transformational learning for anesthesia and surgery residents, and she recently completed her Masters of Education at UC Berkeley to further evaluate curricula around inclusivity. Dr. Ehie serves as Vice Chair of DEI for the UCSF Dept. of Anesthesia, the Faculty Director of Student Support for the UCSF School of Medicine, and the Head of Clinical Skills Curriculum for the UC Berkeley / UCSF Joint Medical Program.

Hello, my name is Raquel, and I am proudly part of The Richmond Neighborhood Center as the Assistant Director of Elementary Programs. We are a non-profit community-based organization, where we support many families in the Richmond District of San Francisco through many measures, such as by supporting youth through afterschool programs as well youth workforce development to supporting senior citizens through our home delivered groceries program. I have been working in an afterschool setting for the past 12 years and throughout this time I have had many amazing experiences in various positions. Since attending college at SFSU, I knew I wanted to work with youth and so I focused on achieving my BA in Child and Adolescent Development. After graduating I was able to start working in my first job with youth, which was an afterschool aide position. Since then, I have received many opportunities to further my experience by climbing the leadership ladder. It has been a challenging, and yet rewarding experience and I hope to continue to grow within this field and to build up others as future leaders.

Rebekah Espino-Drobner has spent the last decade working in the general nonprofit sector, focusing on the children and youth of the Bay Area. She is currently working as Reading Partners’ San Francisco Bay Area Community Engagement Director, after previously holding the Community Engagement Associate role from 2018-2020. As the Community Engagement Director, she uses quantitative and qualitative data to drive strategy in order to recruit local volunteers, and build strong community partnerships. Rebekah was born and raised in Oakland, and is dedicated to working towards addressing the challenges facing the youth of the Bay Area. She is passionate about social justice, building community coalitions, and spending time outdoors. 

R. Shay Miles, a native of Vallejo, is deeply devoted to empowering disinvested communities and transforming her hometown from a city with great potential to one of great progress. A former award-winning corporate marketer and cancer survivor, Shay transitioned to social entrepreneurship after winning her battle with cancer. As a social entrepreneur and urban innovation strategist — she now leads Miles McNeal & Powell LLC as Chief Visionary Officer — focusing on community regeneration, equitable development, and sustainable communities. Shay holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, a certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Harvard Business School, and is currently studying at Stanford University.

Roxanne is a dynamic leader with a robust background in operations and project management, renowned for steering bi-coastal teams toward enhanced processes and strategic forecasting. Her expertise encompasses leading cross-functional teams, optimizing operations, and driving impactful change. Roxanne excels in effective communication, fostering collaboration, and valuing diversity and rapport-building. With strengths in strategic planning, business analysis, and process improvement, Roxanne is a purposeful catalyst, adept at aligning talents with actionable outcomes to drive organizational success. Roxanne is a San Francisco native and as a past time hosts dog-friendly meetups with her partner and two rescue pups: a Dalmatian named Jolene and a foster failed German shorthaired pointer named Einstein.

A seasoned real estate professional with over 20 years of experience, Sara currently serves as the Director of Housing Development at the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development for the City and County of San Francisco. Passionate about promoting equitable housing opportunities and fostering sustainable communities, Sara specializes in real estate development, policy analysis and underwriting. In her position, she leads a team of six, driving innovative solutions for housing development in San Francisco. Sara holds a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy, with a concentration in Economics, from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor’s in Geography from San Francisco State University.

Sylvia, born and raised in the Bay Area, is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Operations at Excedr. In her role, she draws on her varied professional background in financial tech, fundraising, editorial operations management, and sales to cross-collaboratively scale the business. Sylvia excels in client support management and process optimization and is a natural socializer. In her free time, Sylvia enjoys doing puzzles and admiring flowers on neighborhood walks or hikes with her family.

Bay Area native Teresa Breaux brings 15+ years of experience in operations, program management, and team building to champion positive change. After a decade leading top Bay Area restaurants, Teresa transitioned to facilities, overseeing the Wharton School’s SF campus through a pandemic closure and reopening. Now, at the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a non-profit advocating for sustainable and equitable land use, Teresa leads UrbanPlan. This program empowers Bay Area youth, public agencies, and community leaders to address critical land use issues through a volunteer-led city simulation.

Teresa Y. Lam is a skilled advocate that is dedicated to advancing racial justice and equity through health policy. Born and raised in San Francisco Chinatown, Teresa has been involved in advocacy work in their community from a young age. Teresa has worked on numerous policy campaigns throughout Alameda County. Their present work is in anti-tobacco and smoke-free policy in the government sector. A proud San Francisco public school and community college alumna, Teresa has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of California, Davis. During their free time, Teresa enjoys hiking, reading and listening to live music.

Xiomara is senior program officer of housing affordability for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where she supports CZI’s commitment to ensure everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Her experience includes various roles in community outreach and project management in the land use and commercial real estate industry, both in the nonprofit and private sector.

Prior to joining the CZI, she was director of Bay Area Council’s housing policy initiative. Her experience also includes overseeing the public affairs program and entitlement strategy for some of the largest mixed-use developments in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a graduate of Lorry I. Lokey School of Business at Mills College and of University of California, Los Angeles. As vice chair of Housing the Bay Steering Committee she serves on the ULI Executive Committee, and is Vice President of City of Alameda’s Planning Board.