Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, Community Coordinator

Board Term: 2016-2019, External Committee

Bryan Anderson grew up in San Jose, CA attending several after school programs. These early experiences helped him see the impact after school mentors and programs could have on the development of youth. For 8 years Bryan managed after school programs with the Los Gatos – Saratoga Recreation Department. His programs focused on the core principal that all children have within them an infinite potential and that it is the responsibility of the program to create an environment that allows this potential to take shape. In 2015, Bryan earned a certificate in the Fundamental Management of Nonprofits through San Francisco State University. He currently works for the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California as the Community Coordinator. His primary objectives there are supporting the organization’s volunteer run programs and major fundraising activities.

YMCA of San Diego, Program Director

Board Term: 2018-2021, External Committee

Jennifer Best has worked with the YMCA since 2009. She prides herself on being a cause driven leader who continually advocates for youth development and social responsibility. She currently is the Camp Director overseeing the Toby Wells YMCA, in this position, she is able to directly serve the community. She is currently enrolled at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego; obtaining her degree in Organizational Management and Child Development. She sees herself as a lifelong learner who wants to initiate positive change in youth and the world.

Pacific Housing Inc., Director, Program Development

Board Term: 2015-2018, Governance Committee, VP

For over 10 years, Cynthia Dees has provided Pacific Housing, Inc. with program oversight and direct supervision of over 15 staff that provide youth and adult education services and social service referrals for residents at over 15 apartment housing communities in Northern California.  With almost 20 years’ experience in community organizing, Cynthia is armed with an insight to work with groups from various diversities and economic backgrounds while assessing the greatest needs in their community. Her ability to assess the community needs, design and implement programs has had a positive impact on her team of Resident Service Specialists. Having provided direct services for youth and adults as an AmeriCorps member, teen summer job counselor, afterschool program leader, and high school career center technician gives her a strong foundation for providing support and guidance for OST professionals with her creative management style and a sincere concern for their personal and professional development as they continue their work in the community.

City of Daly City, Department of Library and Recreation Services, Recreation Supervisor

Board Term: 2015-2018, External Committee, Secretary

Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in the field of recreation beginning as a youth worker and volunteer for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and currently as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Daly City’s Department of Library and Recreation Services. Jennifer also serves as a lecturer at San Francisco State University under the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and is a Lifeguard Instructor and Water Safety Instructor Trainer for the City of Daly City through the American Red Cross. Jennifer has also served as a member of the Ways and Means, Mentoring and/or Education and Training committees for District 4 of the California Parks and Recreation Society and is presently, the Region II Representative for the Supervisor’s Section. Locally, she serves on the School Site Council for Junipero Serra Elementary School and assists with the PTA. Jennifer also has 6 years of experience as a CalSAC project leader and is an NPASS STEM trainer. In addition, Jennifer is also a fellow in the first cohort of the CalSAC Leadership Development Institute for leaders of color in the field and is a trainer for the English Learners Training & Professional Development project. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration Management, with a minor in Asian American Studies and a Master’s of Science in Recreation Administration.

Google Inc, Facilities Manager

Board Term: 2018-2021, Governance Committee

As an attorney, professor, and diplomat, Nadine Farid Johnson has worked on education and youth issues around the globe. The product of working immigrant parents and a parent of two young children herself, Nadine is keenly aware of the critical role played by before-and after-school care and the impact of mentors with whom parents entrust their children. She is the Facilities Manager at Google in Los Angeles, where she focuses on site strategic planning, providing strategic direction and leadership to her large and dynamic operations team, and building strong partnerships to enhance employee experience and maintain positive community relationships.

Ellevation, Training Consultant

Board Term: 2018-2021, Internal Committee

Erin Grenier comes to CalSAC with over 15 years of experience in youth & workforce development. Her experience leading regional start ups for City Year Los Angeles and BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) California led her to pursue her MBA at Mills College where she focused on finance and management consulting. Erin is the Director of Human Resources for Youth Radio and a Training Consultant for Ellevation an ed-tech company focused on supporting English Language Learners. She is passionate about building equitable workforces; positive, collaborative, organizational cultures; and coaching managers to unlock their team's full potential.

Google Inc, Sales Manager

Board Term: 2017-2020, External Committee

Melissa Llorente Hewko has nearly 15 years experience working in the Technology Sector. For 10+ years, she led sales and operations teams at Google, engaging with all types of businesses ranging from small and medium to Fortune 500s. She cares deeply for her teams and became an expert in onboarding entry-level talent by helping to launch 100s of careers. Known for running one of the highest performing and ‘happiest’ teams in her segment, Melissa is focused on creating an environment where her team members can develop and excel. She also helps lead business related diversity and inclusion efforts, aimed at improving awareness and building a stronger, more inclusive, community. Currently, Melissa designs and facilitates global programs aimed to keep Google’s talent fresh, engaged and cutting-edge.

Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, Beacon Director

Board Term: 2018-2021, External Committee

Annie Ma has worked in the out-of-school-time field with the Sunset Neighborhood Center for over ten years. She is currently the Beacon Director at A.P. Giannini Middle School in San Francisco, where she also attended school.  She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development. Annie currently resides in the Sunset District of San Francisco, in the same community she serves and where she grew up. She was born in Saigon,Vietnam. At the age of 2, her family immigrated to the U.S. to chase the “American Dream”.  Annie is passionate about working with youth and their families in all capacities, especially helping them navigate systems. She recognizes the importance of a shared community and providing opportunities and resources to families for them to thrive. As an alum of CalSAC’s Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders of Color (2017 Fellow), Annie has gained valuable insights into her role as a women of color. This newfound insight has influenced her mission to carry forth this work to help empower and build capacity for future leaders.

University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Program Integration Coordinator

Board Term: 2018-2021, Governance Committee

Megan Marotta currently serves as the Program Integration Coordinator for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. As such, she is responsible for assessing county needs and current collaborations while seeking opportunities to integrate programs across five statewide programs (Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, 4-H Youth Development, UC CalFresh, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)) with the goal of expanding programs, as well as increasing capacity and collaboration. Previously, Megan was the Program Director for after-school and summer programs in the Bay Area at a community non-profit and became a Senior Certified Trainer for California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC). Megan is extremely passionate about building partnerships within communities that center on equity, opportunity and compassion, which is reflected in her career in the education and non-profit fields. Outside of work, Megan enjoys volunteering with a non-profit that provides equine therapy for people with disabilities.

Oakland LEAF, Program Director

Board Term: 2018-2021, External Committee

Johanna Masis majored in Religious Studies at UC Santa Barbara and did her graduate work at Holy Names University in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). She started her career as a high school teacher and later joined AmeriCorps. She taught abroad in Japan and has, since then, dedicated herself to promoting creative ways for youth to learn in different capacities. Johanna first joined Oakland Leaf in 2013 and is currently the Program Director. She completed the CalSAC LDI 360/365 fellowship in March 2016, and she has since been an advocate for the powerful, learning experiences and network opportunities the fellowship provided.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Director of the Children, Youth and Families Division

Board Term: 2017-2020, Internal Committee, VP

Sara Reyes is the Director of the Children, Youth, and Family Development Division at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC). Ms. Reyes has been with CCSCC for 11 years and manages over 25 contracts with the Division budget exceeding 4 million dollars. Ms. Reyes holds a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from The National Hispanic University and a Masters in Public Administration from San Jose State University. Some of her active memberships include the Franklin-McKinley Children's Initiative Governance Board, and Los Padrinos Board for the Washington United Youth Center. Ms. Reyes volunteers at St. John Vianney School, Alum Rock Little League, and the Police Athletic League’s Berryessa Cougars Football.

Educational Consultant

Board Term: 2017-2020, External Committee

Logan Robertson is active in local, regional, and statewide efforts to support expanded learning opportunities for youth. She has worked with programs in California, Guatemala, and Honduras. Logan earned a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Spanish and Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has served on the faculty of the Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program, and has been a CalSAC trainer and mentor since 2010. Her current work focuses on program evaluation and grant writing. She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Expanded Learning Opportunities (JELO) and consults for Central Valley Afterschool Foundation on a variety of projects.

Community Leader

Board Term: 2015-2018, Governance Committee President

Esther Rosario, joined THINK Together as the Director of Regional Operations for the Elk Grove and Sacramento Region in March of 2013.  Formerly, Esther was the Director of Health and Social Services for Riverbank Unified School District in Stanislaus County where she oversaw a myriad of support programs from early childhood education to adult education.  Esther lead a number of initiatives that brought resources to children and families and was responsible for extended learning program and operations for over 1,100 students daily across five K-12 sites.   Esther joined the California School-Age Care Consortium (CalSAC) board in 2012, is a co-chair of the California Afterschool Network Leadership Team and remains active in many community, county and state initiatives that are responsive to the needs of children and families.

First 5 California, Information Officer I, External Affairs Division

Board Term: 2015-2018, External Committee, VP

Whitney Staniford has worked in California state policy and politics for the last 7 years serving on State Superintendent Tom Torlakson's team in various roles in the state Senate and Assembly, on campaigns for Assembly and State Superintendent elections, atnd at the California Department of Education. Whitney is a former Legislative Representative at the California Department of Education, representing Superintendent Torlakson in the Legislature on education policy issues related to the whole child and community schools, including the comprehensive system of education and care outside the traditional K-12 school-day, spanning the early childhood education continuum to expanded learning programs for school-aged children and youth. Whitney graduated from UC Davis with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Sociology. She is the proud auntie of a three-year-old and a five-year-old.

American Institutes for Research, Researcher

Board Term: 2016-2019, Governance Committee, President-Elect

Dr. Femi Vance has nearly 15 years of experience in the youth development field. She has worked with foster youth, military children and teens, and English Language Learners. Femi holds a Master of Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy from UC Irvine. Her research focuses on positive youth development, skill building in youth programs, and professional development for informal educators. Femi also evaluates and provides technical assistance to school and community-based programs. In her spare time, Femi enjoys getting active! Her favorite activities are yoga and salsa and bachata dancing.