CEN Leaders Institute Class XVIII
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Jeff BrownExecutive Director, Center for Nonviolent CommunicationAbout Jeff (he/him):
Jeff Brown has been a Certified Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication since 2005 and has been on the staff of CNVC since September 2020, including since 2021 as Executive Director. Jeff was introduced to NVC in 1999 and led more than 800 days of training in 12 countries, working both independently and in cooperation with more than 30 Certified Trainers throughout the world. For six years (2009-2015), Jeff was the Executive Director of the Compassionate Communication Center of Ohio and has worked for six nonprofit organizations (NGOs) in his professional career. Born and raised in the United States (Ohio), Jeff has a B.A. in Technical Communication from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) and an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica (Santa Monica, CA). LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/culturalarchitect/ About the organization: The Center for Nonviolent Communication is an international nonprofit peacemaking organization that helps people peacefully and effectively resolve conflicts in personal, organizational, and political settings. |
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Nakachi Clark-KasimuCo-Director-Auntie of Development, Embodiment ProjectAbout Nakachi (she/her):
coming soon! About the organization: coming soon! |
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Melody DanielInterim Executive Director, Hunters Point FamilyAbout Melody (she/her):
Melody Daniel is the Interim Executive Director of Hunters Point Family (HPF), a non-profit organization focused on workforce development and youth services. In her previous role, Ms. Daniel overseen all HPF programs, working closely with funders, negotiating with program officers, and preparing program monitoring reports and supervising program staff. Her portfolio includes contracts funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the America Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Human Services Agency (HSA) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) In her capacity as Executive Director, Ms. Daniel provides strategic leadership and vision for HPF, ensures fiscal responsibility and sustainability, and facilitates board development and governance. She is responsible for fostering a collaborative organizational culture, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and representing the organization at community and public events to enhance its visibility and impact. Ms. Daniel holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has over ten years of professional experience. Before her tenure at HPF, she dedicated her efforts to supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them overcome barriers to success by connecting them with permanent housing and employment opportunities. A San Francisco native, Ms. Daniel has been with the HPF agency for over 20 years. Raised in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood the primary focus of HPF's programs and services brings a unique combination of skills, experiences, and a deep understanding of the community. Her background and dedication significantly benefit both the agency and the population it serves. About the organization: Hunters Point Family prepares young people in San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods to become adults who thrive. |
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David HernandezChief Programs Officer, Sunnyvale Community ServicesAbout David (he/him):
coming soon! About the organization: coming soon! |
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Torian Jackson-MackeyExecutive Director, 100 Black Men of SavannahAbout Torian (she/her):
Torian started her path to serve at an early age. Choosing to work with young people as a teenager and continuing to help people throughout the years whenever the need arrived. After relocating to Savannah, GA to complete her education. After several years of working in various financial positions eventually led to her working for a private company as an Payroll & Benefits Administrator. She also has served on various Executive Leadership boards and has worked for, as well as volunteered for a few local non-profit organizations over the years. It was through this work she was given the opportunities to see firsthand the resources and funds that were needed to manage successful organizations. Nine years ago, she was recommended for the position of Executive Director of the 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc. were she is currently serving in this position. She is involved with fundraising, volunteer coordination and management, operations management, event planning, project management, program development and a host of other duties. In 2020, she decided that she wanted to open her own human resources and business management consulting firm to continue to support small to midsize business owners and local nonprofits. In 2021, during the midst of the pandemic Nspire Advisory Services was born. Torian is married to her wonderful husband, and they have a 18-year old son and two Labrador retrievers. About the organization: The mission of the 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc. is to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create an environment in which Savannah youth are motivated to achieve and are empowered to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of their communities. |
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Janel KingExecutive Director, Urban Restoration Counseling CenterAbout Janel (she/her):
Janel King is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 11 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. As the co-founder of Urban Restoration Counseling Center, a nonprofit focused on serving the BIPOC community, Ms. King is dedicated to eliminating the barriers that often prevent people of color from accessing mental health services. These barriers include finding therapists with shared cultural backgrounds, affordability, and the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health. Through the nonprofit, Ms. King not only provides much-needed therapeutic services but also plays a crucial role in shaping the future of therapy by training graduate students and preparing them to serve diverse communities with cultural competence and compassion. Passionate about creating a safe and welcoming space for all, Ms. King is committed to making therapy more accessible and reshaping the narrative around mental health in BIPOC communities. About the organization: URCC’s mission is to reduce the trauma that is passed down through family generations by changing the BIPOC community’s understanding of mental health. |
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Amanda McAllister-WallnerInterim Executive Director, Health Access CaliforniaAbout Amanda (she/her):
Amanda McAllister-Wallner is a public policy and nonprofit management professional with over a decade of experience working to create more just and equitable institutions. Amanda currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of Health Access, California’s health consumer advocacy coalition. Amanda joined Health Access as the Director of the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network. In her role as Director of the Network, she grew the staff from one to six and raised over $5 million to support LGBTQ health equity. She was instrumental in developing a statewide LGBTQ health policy agenda and successfully advocated for policies that strengthened collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data and improved access to LGBTQ-affirming services. She was also instrumental in securing the initial $17.5 million investment to create the Gender Health Equity Unit (GHEU) within the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity, as well as funding for subsequent GHEU programs. Amanda was named Health Access’s first Deputy Director in 2021, providing oversight for Health Access’ policy, organizing, communications, and LGBTQ HHS Network teams and supporting organizational fundraising efforts, new program initiatives, staff professional development, and the organization’s various advocacy campaigns. Before joining Health Access, Amanda worked as Health Policy Fellow and later the Policy and Operations Manager at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, coordinating research, advocacy on coalition work on a variety of policy issues affecting the LGBTQ community, including immigration, women’s health, youth homelessness, and regulating the “troubled teen industry.” Prior to graduate school, Amanda worked for Sierra Club California as a legislative aide and organizer. Amanda also worked on a number of electoral campaigns ranging from county supervisor to Congress, and volunteered on marriage equality ballot initiatives in Maine and North Carolina. Amanda has a Master of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she headed the nationally recognized Campus Democrats organization and served as chair of the California Young Democrats’ LGBTQ Caucus. She currently lives in Sacramento with her wife Morgan. About the organization: Health Access fights for quality, affordable, equitable health care for ALL Californians. |
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Marco PalaciosPresident & Co-Founder, Pacific Hackers AssociationAbout Marco (he/him):
Marco Palacios is the President of the Pacific Hackers Association and MDR Customer Success Manager at Fortinet. He started his career in IT and spent over a decade in IT operations before transitioning to Cybersecurity. A Blue teamer by heart, Marco has spent the last eight years specializing in defending organizations and building and implementing modern Security Operations. Marco is also a co-founder of the non-profit Pacific Hackers Association (PHA). Through the PHA, he mentors and advocates for veterans and underrepresented communities to help them find non-traditional paths in the cybersecurity industry. He served in the United States Air Force and deployed as part of “Operation Enduring Freedom.” He holds a Master’s in Cybersecurity, a bachelor’s in information systems, and different industry cybersecurity certifications such as GCIH, GMON, GNFA, GISF, GSEC, GCED, SSCP, CySA+, Net+, and A+. About the organization: We're a community of hackers and cybersecurity enthusiasts focused on practical skills, digital rights, and fostering a welcoming environment for everyone. We're building a strong cybersecurity community focused on practical skills, digital rights, and inclusivity. Our mission is to empower and connect cybersecurity professionals through accessible training, community building, and job placement. Together, we're creating a more secure digital future for everyone. |
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Stephanie RickardExecutive Director, Peninsula Youth OrchestraAbout Stephanie (she/her):
Stephanie Rickard has cultivated a versatile career that intersects music performance, music education, and arts administration. She is deeply passionate about the importance of the arts in building community and connection. Her passion for the arts and their role in fostering community and connection has been a constant driver in her professional journey. A seasoned French Horn performer, Stephanie regularly performs with numerous Bay Area groups including the San Francisco Symphony, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Marin Symphony, California Symphony, and many others. She is the co-founder, co-director, and Horn player of the wind octet Nomad Session which is the first wind octet of its kind. Since its inception in 2016, Nomad Session has commissioned and arranged over 30 works, recorded an album, and been Artists in Residence with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Stephanie is equally passionate about music education and fostering a love of music in students. She has maintained private studios and taught lessons to a diverse range of students, from ages 7 to 65. Additionally, she spent seven years teaching beginning trumpet in the San Mateo-Foster City School District, impacting thousands of students during her tenure. Currently, Stephanie serves as the Executive Director of Peninsula Youth Orchestra. Her passion for arts administration was sparked by her desire to support arts educators and performers in their vital work. In her administrative work Stephanie has focused on building strong, engaging, and inclusive communities. Her emphasis on clear communication and robust organizational systems fosters creativity, reduces burnout, and enhances team collaboration, driving innovation and growth within the organizations she serves. Stephanie holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance from the University of Wyoming and a Master's degree in Horn Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. About the organization: PYO reflects and enhances the cultural diversity of its community by bringing together student musicians to rehearse and perform symphonic music in an educational setting. PYO strives for high musical standards within a supportive environment that encourages enthusiasm, knowledge, and love of music. The organization enriches the lives of its students as they progress through a challenging course of repertoire which prepares them with the skills needed to enjoy and pursue music the rest of their lives, either as professional or amateur players. |
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Melinda SnavelyChief Executive Officer, The Healthier Kids Foundation
About Melinda (she/her):
Melinda Snavely joined Healthier Kids Foundation from the Santa Clara Office of Education, where she served as Director of Early Care and Education Initiatives and held several leadership roles. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Early Learning at Franklin-McKinley School District and as educator and principal in the San Jose Unified School District. Although Melinda transitioned from the educational leadership field into nonprofit work recently, she has extensive experience navigating children's health supports on behalf of school districts and the county office of education through extensive experience designing and leading the implementation of health policies in the educational sector. Snavely's commitment to interrupting inequity and supporting early learning is reflected in her strong collaboration with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. She is passionate about improving the health outcomes of children, particularly those from low-income families, and is committed to advancing Healthier Kids Foundation's mission of reducing health disparities among children in Silicon Valley. About the organization: The mission of the Healthier Kids Foundation is to remove health barriers impacting the learning and life success of Silicon Valley youth. |
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Ewell SternerChief Executive Officer, Hunger at HomeAbout Ewell (he/him):
William (Ewell) Sterner, Founder and CEO. Ewell founded Hunger at Home in 2008 in San Diego and reactivated the nonprofit in 2015 after moving to San Jose. As a 30-year hospitality executive, Ewell was moved to start Hunger at Home when his son Cassidy volunteered and saw the devastating effects of hunger and Ewell knew of the extensive food waste in the hospitality industry. Ewell’s background makes him ideally suited to partner with hotels, convention centers and entertainment venues to channel excess food to those in need. Prior to joining Hunger at Home, Ewell served as Team San Jose’s general manager of operations at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Ewell also served as director of food and beverage at the Sundance Resort in Utah and area director for 26 Hilton Hotel properties in the San Diego area. While at the Hilton, Ewell was awarded the Gold Key Food and Beverage Person of the Year Award for launching the “Go Green” committee aimed at food sustainability. He was also awarded the Food and Beverage Person of the Year in Management from the City of San Diego for his work launching the first Hunger at Home Gala. Ewell strongly believes that as a community we will end hunger when we, “Make what has become acceptable, unacceptable. Make those who have become invisible, visible. If not now, when? If not us, then who?” About the organization: Hunger at Home delivers leading edge solutions that build food security and self-sufficiency for a healthier and more equitable Silicon Valley. |
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Samantha ThompsonWoman That Makes Things Happen, HomeFirst ServicesAbout Samantha (she/her):
Samantha C. Thompson, MBA is a curious, strategic, enthusiastic leader and never one to shy away from the hard issues for the benefit of children and families. Samantha’s professional career began in the legal system and her transition to education began in 2002. She spent almost 15 years at Merced County Office of Education/Early Education Department overseeing a variety of countywide programs shaping system implementation across the mixed delivery system. She was particularly honored to author and administer the “Caring for Our Black Children” grant, funded by Merced County First 5. She served as the Associate Director of Early Learning Policy at the Education Trust West. Currently, she is a co-founder of Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE) and serves as the ‘Woman Who Makes Things Happen’ (Deputy Director.) Samantha has participated in many of California’s established early learning and care associations, also serving on their public policy committees. She was the Co-Chair of the California Child Care Coordinators Association and member of their Executive Committee for several years. She has participated in California’s Education Policy Fellowship Program and Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Fellowship for Prenatal-To-Three Leaders. She served as a contributor for CDE’s Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color, a member of the California Universal PreKindergarten Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup and currently, the Equity-Centered QRIS Advisory Panel. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies from Merced College. And, proud to have served as adjunct faculty for ten years in one of the very classes she sat as a student. She earned her Bachelors of Sciences degree in Human Services and Masters of Business Administration, both from University of Phoenix. She and her husband, Herschel have been married for 27 years and have two adult children, Alexis who is a School Counselor and Desmond who is a graduate student in Sports Management. Samantha is a lifelong, devoted Dallas Cowboys fan and if the Golden State Warriors are playing guaranteed she is watching! She enjoys reading biographies about strong women leaders. Samantha is also a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County. About the organization: Founded in 2022, Black Californians United for Early Care and Education (BlackECE) works exclusively for Black children, families and child care workers. Frustrated with an early education system based on racial hierarchies and social constructs that under-serve and under-represent Black people, we are committed to disrupting and abolishing over 400 years of intentionally designed institutional and systemic racism. Guided by a 10-point policy framework developed in response to deficit-based narratives of Black children and their families, we work to ensure California’s ECE system is culturally affirming for Black children, their families and the Black early educators who care and nurture for them. Black ECE demands a Black “whole child,” “whole family,” “whole ECE workforce,” and “whole community” approach that when implemented appropriately will result in policies and resources responsive in addressing anti-Black practices which currently exist broadly throughout society, but also in early learning and care systems detrimentally impacting the youngest in the Black community. |
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Sierra Van ZandtExecutive Director, Living ClassroomAbout Sierra (she/her):
Sierra Van Zandt began her Executive Director career with Living Classroom in August of 2024. Prior to joining the Living Classroom team, Sierra spent the past decade fostering meaningful, lifelong learning opportunities in the outdoors for youth. Since graduating with a BS in Environmental Science and Spanish from the University of Oregon, Sierra has been a Naturalist Intern at San Mateo County Outdoor Education in La Honda, an Instructor and Event Coordinator at Vida Verde Nature Education in San Gregorio, and Site Manager at the Edible Schoolyard Kern County in Bakersfield. Sierra believes that all children should have access to environmental education, and is thrilled to continue to support this effort through Living Classroom. Sierra grew up in Redwood City, CA, where she currently lives with her husband and two year old son. She is excited to be back in her hometown and working to spread garden education programming across the Mid-Peninsula and South Bay. About the organization: Living Classroom's mission is to inspire children to learn about and value the natural world through garden-based education. Our TK-Middle School lessons teach environmental literacy through hands-on garden based lessons in edible and native gardens cultivated at each school. Living Classroom is a full service program--we create and maintain school gardens, provide top notch curriculum and instruction, and all lesson and garden materials. All lessons are aligned with California Next Generation and/or Common Core Standards. |
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Katora Yellow Horse-RuizDirector & Owner, Growth Development AllianceAbout Katora (she/her):
coming soon! About the organization: coming soon! |
