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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

Rooben Morgan is a seasoned after-school educator, trainer, and coach with a home, jobs, and friends in the Bay Area. He has worked on curriculum building, namely for afterschool spaces to focus on SEL and individualized learning. He is also a fervent advocate of collective bargaining for afterschool staff, so they can rightfully receive appropriate wages, proper training, and fair representation. When not trying to impress no one with his non-existent dancing skills, he can be seen wandering amongst the woods, wearing a contemplative look, just breathing.

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.