Our Team

Is What Liberation Looks Like

Our Story

Be the Change Consulting is a woman of color-owned and operated company. We specialize in equity & inclusion, youth development, organizational capacity building, and strategic planning. Rooted in Oakland, CA since 2012, Be the Change Consulting was sparked by the question- who ARE these systems working for?! And we got to work.

Sangita Kumar, principal & founder had experience working in social services, government agencies , a huge pharmacy corporation, nonprofits and even a financial company. Every environment she stepped in had something in common- folx were not feeling appreciated or being set up for success. Sangita was curious about the invisible rules that seemed to be in place and how to dismantle them. She studied organizational development to understand the design thinking process, trauma & somatics to discover how oppression shapes people, and professional coaching to learn what motivates behavioral change. These modalities fueled by social justice ideology are how Be the Change was born.

But without the brilliant minds and hearts of our exceptional team, our mission could not have gotten very far. Tanya Mayo, Owner & Operations has lived deeply in the world of art & activism with young people. She traveled with them internationally, mentored their entrepreneurship, and led them to believe in their highest expression of self through artistic rigor. Working with young people in this way was nothing less than life-changing.

When Tanya and Sangita decided to start a business together, they wanted to be women of color working in alignment with their dreams, earning their money, and supporting themselves financially. They wanted to build an organizational culture that didn’t replicate dominant culture but lived into the change they wanted to be.

Finding the right team members has been key to the success of Be the Change Consulting. Our consultants and full-time crew bring lived experiences across race, gender, ability, body size, and immigration status. We know these diverse perspectives make us stronger, more flexible, more capable, and better able to serve our clients.

Be the Change Consulting, LLC is a woman-owned and people of color-operated, racial justice-centered, full-service organizational development firm. We specialize in curriculum design, capacity building, strategic planning, and community engagement. Rooted in Oakland, CA since 2012, Be the Change Consulting was sparked by the question- who are these systems working for?!

and we got to work

How We Work

Be the Change Consulting is the real deal. We create brave learning spaces and catalyze change.

Here’s how:

  • Our process is intentional
  • We solve problems together
  • We teach by being and doing
  • We encourage cascading leadership
  • We combine theory with practice
  • We experiment and refine ideas

Finding the right team members has been key to the success of Be the Change Consulting.

Our consultants and full-time crew bring their diverse identities to support clients in operationalizing a culture of inclusion and belonging. We know these perspectives make us stronger, more flexible, more capable, and better able to serve our partners.

Staff

Alex Miller

Alex Miller

[she/her]

Project Coordinator

Alex Miller is a passionate advocate, youth development coordinator, and facilitator dedicated to centering the voices and experiences of Black Queer communities. With over five years of experience in youth development and early childhood education, Alex has specialized in curriculum development, mentorship, and facilitation for after-school programs and parent support groups. Her work reflects a deep commitment to justice and equity, with a focus on identifying and addressing gaps in systems, literature, and programming that contribute to the erasure of Black Queer perspectives.

Currently pursuing her M.A. in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University, Alex is also an active researcher and writer. Her academic work and professional practice are rooted in a racial equity lens that prioritizes the lived experiences of marginalized communities, particularly those at the intersection of Black and Queer identities. Alex’s approach to youth development is grounded in collaboration and leadership, challenging conventional systems to create more inclusive, empowering environments.

When not working, Alex enjoys spending time with her daughter, whom she proudly cheers on as a future Olympian gymnast. She also loves puzzling, expanding her vinyl collection, and hosting mini dance parties at home, bringing joy and movement into her everyday life.

Fong Marcolongo

Fong Marcolongo

[she/her]

Vice President

Fong Marcolongo is a passionate facilitator and curriculum designer known for her ability to listen deeply, connect authentically, and bring her clients’ stories to life through thoughtful, collaborative design processes. With over a decade-plus of experience in social-emotional learning (SEL), youth leadership development, and community engagement, Fong specializes in crafting curricula that are not just informative, but transformative.

At the core of Fong’s work is a commitment to human-centered learning. She partners with organizations and communities, ensuring that each project reflects the voices, values, and lived experiences of the people involved. Whether facilitating group discussions or designing a program, Fong creates environments where every voice is heard and every story matters.

Her curriculum design process is rooted in cultural humility and liberatory co-design. Fong works alongside clients to explore their vision, build capacity, and translate complex ideas into practical, engaging tools that drive impact. Her portfolio includes more than 15 custom-designed curricula focused on SEL, community engagement, and youth leadership—all tailored to the unique needs of the communities she serves.

Fong’s facilitation style is dynamic and compassionate, creating space for structure and spontaneity. She expertly guides teams through collaborative problem-solving, helping them create equitable, just solutions that center joy and transformation. As a strategic consultant, Fong’s insights help organizations navigate change, enhance capacity, and activate their full potential.

Fong is an avid learner when not working, constantly exploring new cultures and ideas. She dreams of starting an Asian aunties dance crew in her 50s while tending to her growing collection of plants and expanding her work as an emerging podcast producer.

Kelsey Rogoff

Kelsey Rogoff

[she/her/ella]

Manager

Kelsey Rogoff is a passionate youth development mentor, wellness coach, and educational leader who is committed to empowering students of color and driving transformational change through empathetic, trauma-informed practices. With nearly a decade of experience in instructional teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development, Kelsey has dedicated her career to fostering spaces where students feel empowered, supported, and capable of radical liberation both in and outside the classroom.

Kelsey’s career includes work as a credentialed Secondary Social Science teacher, where she served as Grade and Subject Level Chair and guided students through challenging times, including the pandemic. Her extensive portfolio encompasses curriculum development, SEL leadership, and program management, with a focus on developing youth leadership and supporting families as a liaison. As a mentor and pathways counselor, Kelsey’s approach is rooted in empathy, relationship-centered education, and well-being-focused strategies.

With a Master’s of Education and Leadership from Loyola Marymount University, Kelsey is also a proud Teach for America alum and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy from the University of Southern California. Her instructional practices are grounded in a deep commitment to empowering students of color through reflective, emotionally informed decision-making and culturally responsive teaching. Kelsey believes in radical liberation and youth leadership as essential components of education, striving to create inclusive, justice-driven environments that uplift and inspire.

When not working, Kelsey is a certified CrossFit coach, always training for a stronger version of herself. She’s proud to be in her “tia era,” loves cheering for her students and community, and can often be found hyping up others, catching a 49ers or Dodgers game, and living her best life with enthusiasm and heart.

Lauren Martinez

Lauren Martinez

[they/them]

Director and Trainer of Change

Lauren Martinez is a dynamic facilitator, changemaker, and creative guide committed to building spaces where transformation, collaboration, and imagination thrive. As a director of change, they are dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and reimagining frameworks that center intersectionality, pluralism, and human-centered practices. Lauren’s work integrates the power of ritual and embodied indigenous epistemologies with strategic organizational development.

With a portfolio that spans training, facilitation, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) assessment, and event management, Lauren brings a holistic approach to each project. They have co-facilitated and trained over 100 equity-focused conversations across youth and organizational development, and they serve as a graduate instructor specializing in diasporic multicultural evolvement in the United States. Holding both an MA in Social Change and an MDiv. in multireligiosity and indigenous epistemologies, Lauren is a sought-after strategist and consultant who bridges ritual practice with organizational design.

At the core of Lauren’s work is a belief in the power of co-creation, curiosity, and queering established systems of thought and policy. They approach each project with a spirited, grounded enthusiasm that honors liminality and the interconnectedness of all beings. As an advisor, board member, and mentor, Lauren champions cross-cultural community building, strategic planning, and data-driven analysis to empower individuals and organizations toward greater equity and liberation.

When not working, Lauren is a mystic and creative seeker exploring liberatory practices through music, movement, silence, and stillness. They find joy in communing with nature, meditating, writing, and mentoring in trans communities. Whether traveling or spending time with loved ones, Lauren is always deepening their exploration of global ecosystems and the intersections of art, spirituality, and social change.

Sangita Kumar

Sangita Kumar

[she/her]

Principal & Founder

Sangita Kumar is a multifaceted strategist, facilitator, and change agent committed to advancing social justice and community empowerment. With a rich background as an organizer, educator, coach, public speaker, and storyteller, Sangita thrives on collaboration and advocacy. Her work is rooted in analysis and visionary thinking, allowing her to engage diverse communities effectively.

Sangita’s skills encompass a wide range of areas, including training and facilitation, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and diversity and inclusion training. She excels in needs assessment, leadership development, and coaching and mentorship, employing systems thinking and change management to drive collaborative problem-solving and community engagement. Her expertise also extends to curriculum development, data-driven decision-making, and cross-cultural communication.

Her values and goals reflect a commitment to radical reimagination and equity-centered design thinking, focusing on the upliftment of community wisdom and inclusivity. Sangita believes in fostering community resilience through collaboration, authenticity, and intersectionality while continuously striving for innovation and improvement with a strengths-based approach.

Notable achievements in her career include developing and self-publishing over 20 unique pieces of social-justice curriculum for youth and adult learners, founding Be the Change Consulting, and emerging as a podcast producer and writer.

When not working, Sangita seeks balance between her adrenaline junkie spirit and her passion for journaling and meditation. She enjoys doodling, interior design, and performing Playback Theater shows with her side hustle, the Belonging Resident Company.

Shelley Kuang

Shelley Kuang

[she/they]

Director

Shelley Kuang (she/they) is a dedicated SEL champion and youth development practitioner known for their ability to foster inclusive, transformative spaces through collaborative design and engagement. With a deep commitment to social justice, community care, and liberation, Shelley has built a professional journey that centers on creating meaningful, systemic change through capacity building and systems thinking.

At the heart of Shelley’s work is a vision for abolition and liberation, rooted in community-driven solutions. They partner with organizations and communities to ensure that each initiative reflects the values, stories, and lived experiences of those most impacted. Whether co-stewarding projects like APSC’s 2nd anthology of writings from currently and formerly incarcerated APIs and their families or facilitating community dialogue, Shelley ensures that every voice is honored and heard.

Shelley’s curriculum implementation and organizational development approach is grounded in cultural humility and a liberation-focused mindset. They collaborate closely with clients to co-create processes that build capacity, promote intersectionality, and drive long-term impact. Shelley’s portfolio includes contributions across curriculum design, event planning, and arts administration—all designed to address the unique challenges and strengths of the communities they serve.

With a facilitation style that is compassionate, process-oriented, and adaptable, Shelley expertly guides teams through collaborative problem-solving and data-driven evaluation to develop solutions rooted in joy, equity, and justice. As a solution-seeker and strategic collaborator, Shelley’s insights empower organizations to navigate complexity and amplify their impact.

When not working, Shelley enjoys embracing resilience practices, reconnecting with their body through movement, and basking in nature’s beauty. They find joy in crafting, indulging in sweet treats, and cherishing time with their nibblings, always seeking moments of play and connection in the everyday.

Consultants

Alicia Montgomery, LCSW

Alicia Montgomery, LCSW

[she/her]

Trainer

Aminta Steinbach

Aminta Steinbach

[she/her]

Trainer & Coach

David Sayas

David Sayas

[he/him]

Marketing & Social Media Consultant

Ed Center

Ed Center

[he/him]

Trainer & Coach

Franklin Hysten

Franklin Hysten

[he/him]

Trainer & Coach

Jae Maldonado

Jae Maldonado

[he/him/el]

Trainer, Coach & Strategic Consultant

Jenjii Hysten

Jenjii Hysten

[she/her]

Trainer

Lyn-Tise Jones

Lyn-Tise Jones

[she/her]

Trainer

Sarah Lee

Sarah Lee

[she/her]

Graphic Designer Consultant

Serian Strauss

Serian Strauss

[they/them]

Trainer and Coach

Zimbabwe Davies

Zimbabwe Davies

[he/him]

Trainer

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410 12th St. Ste. 200
Oakland, CA 94607

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