Sangita Kumar is a results-based organizational development consultant and facilitator dedicated to the empowerment of individuals and our communities. Sangita’s experience over the past 15 years ranges from coaching, professional development, strategic planning, program design, and curriculum development. Sangita holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development, is a Certified Life Coach, and completed a two-year certification in Somatics and Trauma.
Be The Change Consulting Staff

As the former Director of Capacity Building at San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth and their Families, Tanya draws from her vast experience in training, non-profit systems, and youth development to develop capacity-building pathways for the non-profit sector. She has a rich background in multicultural education and art with over ten years of teaching experience, deep-rooted work with diverse populations, and knowledge in organizational capacity-building including strategic planning, program development, staff development, board retention and fundraising. Tanya is also a certified Life Coach.

Fong’s expertise resides in program design, staff development, youth development, and specializes in creating interactive visual frameworks for group collaboration and strategic visioning. Fong has over 10 years of working in the non-profit sector, where she served as a direct line staff, Site Coordinator, Program Director, and Curriculum Developer. Fong uses her graphic facilitation skills to lead participants in their process design using creativity to achieve fruitful outcomes. She studied Global Affairs at the University of San Francisco.

In her 20 years working with young people, Aminta has been a Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership Instructor and Program Director. Aminta majored in Community Studies, has studied Recreational Program Design and is a Certified Self Defense Instructor. Her areas of expertise as a capacity builder include Cultural Competency, Health and Safety Awareness and Community Building. Aminta is an enthusiastic cheerleader for her coaching clients, listens attentively, pays attention to details and acts as a compassionate guide through even the most difficult transitions. Aminta has a black belt in Kung Fu, and when not working you can usually find her kicking and punching her way to a more peaceful world.

Amelia Lopez-Helm is the Production and Communications Manager for Be The Change Consulting. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy (2011) and Master’s Degree in Public Policy (2012) from Mills College, Oakland. Amelia previously worked in local and state government offices and non-profit organizations developing and using her skills in project management, outreach and communications, and analysis. In her role at BTCC she brings her wealth of experience and knowledge to life, supporting both the organization and the needs of its clients.

Lauren Martinez has worn many hats in the field of education and youth development. They have specifically coached basketball for over five years for UCLA recreation department, taught chess in an after-school capacity, and now are currently working for Be the Change Consulting as their event manager for large conferences and as a facilitation assistant for weekly YD trainings and workshops. They hold a BS in Psychology and Biology and are currently pursuing two master’s degrees, a Master of Social Change and Master of Divinity at “the most progressive seminary in the United States,” Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Their intentions are to specifically remind youth of color through spiritual embodiment practices that center a social justice healing lens of their internal power and expanding youth understanding of ways to counter oppression and live an authentic life.

Shelley Kuang is a multigenre artist and organizer. Before joining Be the Change Consulting as a Production Assistant, Shelley has worked as an educator enacting student-led college access programming, advising a youth-led dance team, and facilitating behavioral and mental health education. Later, she honed her mixed-methods data collection, analytic and production skills while working with an evaluations research firm. She received her BA in Human Development from UC San Diego. Shelley is the Alumni-in-Residence with Emerging Arts Professionals SFBA and volunteers with the Asian Prisoner Support Committee.
Be The Change Consulting Associates

Viridiana uses her exceptional skills in writing, time management, and communication to support staff and special projects at Be The Change Consultant. She is a student at Sacramento State studying Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Multicultural Studies. In addition to her work with BTCC, she provides educational planning and support to young students and their families, and is involved with Student California Teachers Association at the statewide level. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors.

Sarah supports BTCC with Strategic and Project Management. For over 18 years she has been an educator in SFUSD in various roles: After School Coordinator, a National Board Certified Classroom Teacher, Instructional Coach, and most recently, a PK8 Assistant Principal. Teaching and leading for equity and social justice through trauma-informed practices have been her education pillars. Sarah has been part of an anti-racist peer listening organization (Advanced Constructivist Listening) for 25 years, rooted in the the belief that change and healing start from within, which sustains her work in the world. Sarah lives with her husband and their rescue dog in San Francisco.

Makaena joins Be The Change Consulting as a part time specialist in technology platforms like ZOOM and Google Apps. In her role, she ensures BTCC client’s have a positive user experience during a training session and supports the needs of clients pre and post session. Her past experiences working at the Kindergarten Readiness Study at Oregon State and with Portland Parks & Recreation have influenced her commitment to working to improve the lives and educational opportunities of youth and individuals in underserved communities. She earned her Bachelor in Spanish and Philosophy from Oregon State University and currently lives in Corvallis, Oregon. She is also an avid writer and singer.

Jae Maldonado is a people centric, strategic thinker, with over 15 years of demonstrated success in developing cross-sector programs that advance racial and gender equity. His unique experience as a transmasculine identified Latinx activist has enabled him to lead from the intersections of movements that center the experiences of those most impacted by institutional violence. In his role with Be The Change, Jae continues to draw from his extensive field experience to create spaces for self-care that support change agents with the physical, emotional, and mental strength to realize racial justice. Jae is a recipient of the 2017 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity and has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Seton Hall University. In his free time Jae enjoys walking his dog snoopy and contemplating the revolution.

Naima Porter is an art student from Los Angeles, California, who has been studying photography at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City for the past two years. After deciding to take a leave of absence from school due to COVID-19, Naima joined with BeThe Change Consulting as a Zoom Host to provide a successful and comfortable learning environment during training sessions. Naima spends most days utilizing her creativity through different art forms, tending to her garden, and spending time with loved ones.
Be The Change Consulting Consultants

Ed Center is passionate about ending poverty through education and equity. From running a student support center in the basement of Balboa High School, to leading philanthropic initiatives in education, his career has always focused on helping low-income students thrive. Ed excels in partnership development, guiding teams through change and growth, and supporting multi-faceted groups to focus on equity. He is an expert at helping organizations move from planning to action, and facilitating difficult conversations. Ed is in the current class of the Annie E Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship. Ed brings innovation, thoughtfulness and play to all who work with him. He plays and coaches soccer, is obsessive about watching raptor birds in the wild, and hosts an annual Spam cookoff competition. He lives with his husband and two sons in San Francisco.

Rhea has worked as an advocate for underrepresented communities since she began her career in public health twenty years ago. As the Founder and Principal of Radical Joy Consulting, she works to advance healing and transformation amongst leaders, systems, and movements. She provides coaching, training, and strategy development that promotes engagement, alignment, innovation, and collective well-being. Rhea Bailey received her B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the University of Southern California. She earned a Masters of Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles with an emphasis in community health services and policy.

Franklin Hysten is committed to creating transformative experiences that strengthen youth and their communities. Drawing on 18 years of experience developing leaders in youth development, philanthropy and government -based organizations, he supports Be the Change Consulting’s organizational consulting portfolio, which includes program design, logic modeling, and strategic planning for organizations state-wide. He also manages the youth development portfolio for high-school aged-youth, with a focus on restorative practices. His strong background in youth development has afforded him the opportunity to train and coach emerging non-profit professionals and share best practices with staff, managers and funders.

Jenjii is an advocate, teacher, student, facilitator and a voice for the voiceless. In her 15+ years Jenjii has served as a Program Director, Executive Director, Dean of Students, Curriculum Designer. Jenjii holds a BA in Interdisciplinary-Studies-Urban Economic Development (UCB), is an Ordained Reverend, holds a Compass point ED certificate and is currently perusing Certified Life Coach certificate. As a coach Jenjii can quickly assess complex organizational issues and develop creative solutions to problems. She utilizes the power of metaphors and storytelling to connect program challenges to theoretical frameworks. Jenjii is a great cook and enjoys biking, reading and exploring new places with her husband and two sons.

Lynn Johnson is an award-winning speaker, coach, producer, and organizational development consultant based in Oakland, CA. A lifelong theater artist and transformational facilitator, her work lies at the intersection of arts, culture, and social change. Together with her wife, Allison Kenny, Lynn co-founded Go Girls! ™, a popular summer camp and afterschool program based in Oakland that teaches social/emotional skills to girls and gender non-conforming kids through the arts. Lynn is also the co-founder and Executive Producer of Oakland Freedom Theater - a first-of-its kind ensemble of actors, musicians and expert facilitators utilizing art and empathy to dismantle systems of oppression. Learn More about Lynn at https://www.spotlightgirls.com/pages/lynn-johnson

Lyn-Tise Jones is a proud third-generation resident of San Francisco, California’s Bayview Hunters Point district where she serves her community as the Director of Oceanview, Merced Heights, Ingleside Family Resource Center. She is a seasoned program director and exceptional community leader who is dedicated to the advancement of access and equality of underserved communities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Mass Communications and Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Fisk University. Lyn-Tise specializes in building partnerships, supporting communities through learning and engagement, and advocating for others. Her creativity, passion and ability to lead, motivate, and engage both small and large groups sets her apart from others. We are excited to have her be a part of the BTCC team working with many of our youth-focused and community-based organizations.

Russell G. Jones is a youth development expert, equity consultant, and an Audelco, Obie and SAG Award winning actor to boot. He is the founder of BLIND SPOT, a campaign that facilitates cross-cultural dialogue and critical thinking so more of us can recognize and resist both internalized and systemic racial oppression. Most recently he was a series regular opposite Edie Falco in CBS' Tommy. In his twenty plus years in the NY Tri-State area, he has also served as a director, facilitator, moderator, and teaching artist creating multiple programs, workshops, and curriculum. He was an active member of LAByrinth Theater Company for over 20 years.

Allison Kenny (she/her) is a Founding Member of Oakland Freedom Theater, a company that uses improvisation and diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks to facilitate listening, resistance and social change. Allison is the Co-Founder of Spotlight: Girls, a "Best for the World" certified B Corp and producer of Go Girls! Camp. This award-winning program activates leadership and empowerment in girls and gender non-conforming kids through social emotional learning and the arts. Allison is a writer and coach, a fost/adopt mom of a biracial tween girl and an advocate for radical self and community care.

Sue comes from a social-context based, trauma-informed and restorative justice-oriented approach to capacity building. As a social worker, clinical therapist, case manager, community organizer and trainer she has worked with youth and families in afterschool and alternative educational setting advocating for the needs of special education student and multi lingual communities. Sue holds a Bachelors in Psychology, Master’s in Social Work is a trained Somatic Coach and will soon hold an LCSW. As a coach Sue’s expertise lies in Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, Program design for ESL integration, Restorative Justice, Behavior Management, Program Coordination and Curriculum. Cross-identity collaboration and trust-building. Sue loves working out, and dancing in the kitchen with her two children.

Anayvette, co-founder and CEO of Programs & Communications of the Radical Monarchs, is a San Francisco native and child of Central American immigrants. Anayvette's varied interests in advocacy, community organizing and empowerment led her to pursue her undergraduate degree at the University of California Los Angeles and later, her Master's degree at San Francisco State University in Ethnic Studies. Over the past 15 years, she has developed and managed education, social justice, and gendered support programs focused on empowerment and safety for youth, families and their adult allies. Anayvette currently lives and loves in East Oakland with her two children.

Dr. Nino Rodriguez received his Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in the social and cultural studies of education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His scholar-practitioner efforts focus on liberating black males of maladaptive notions of what it means to be black man in America. At the center of Nino’s work are adolescent black males (ages 13 to 18), due to his desire to amplify their voices to ensure that their views and experiences will no longer be ignored during the development of “well-intentioned” initiatives created to “serve them” at the community, state, and national levels. Currently, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Excellence and Advancement Foundation – an Austin, Texas based non-profit organization dedicated to transforming how communities combat the school to prison pipeline – where he works with adolescent youth of color to develop their critical consciousness via experiential learning opportunities to empower them to resist the master narratives imposed upon them.

Over the past 20 years, Serian has honed her facilitation skills in multiple industries with a focus on equity, social justice and team building. As a Coach, Facilitator and former classroom teacher, her passion lies in creating sustainable culture shifts within community that ultimately lead to connection and overall joy. Guided by love of experiential learning, she has a unique approach for creating courageous and playful learning spaces where challenging conversations can happen.When she is not brainstorming new ways to engage in difficult dialogue, she trains as a Martial Artist, gardens and tries new recipes. She has a Masters in Education UC Berkeley and is a certified life coach. She is also the co-director of the Self Defense program at Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center.

Oscar's vision as a capacity builder is to listen, understand and help build amazing youth-centered afterschool programs. Over the past 20 years Oscar has been an executive director, curriculum designer, coach and trainer. Oscar holds a BA in History from UC Berkeley. As a coach Oscar’s areas of expertise include project-based learning, disguised learning, literacy, management and supervision, classroom management, and stress reduction. Oscar draws on his experiences as a bi-racial immigrant from Mexico and English language learner to champion social justice values and equitable program design. Oscar has been training in Capoeira for ten years, and wrote a children’s book called Marina’s Capoeira Countdown.