The 2026 It Takes All of Us Expanded Learning Workforce Summit is a two-day convening designed for district and community-based organization leaders, institutions of higher education, workforce development practitioners, and funders.

The Workforce Summit is the only statewide event solely dedicated to addressing expanded learning workforce issues and offers inspiring keynotes, practitioner-led sessions, and action planning activities designed to strengthen our field.

Join us for the third statewide Workforce Summit, presented by CalSAC, ExpandLA, and PCY.

Learn through panels and workshops highlighting innovative workforce strategies

Participate in collective action planning sessions to further your workforce efforts

Connect with field leaders, experts, and like-minded practitioners

MAKE A CIRCLE Film Screening & Welcome Reception

When: Thursday, Nov 5 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Where:  New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612

Join us at the New Parkway Theater for a networking reception, MAKE A CIRCLE film screening, and Q&A. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. 

About MAKE A CIRCLE

From an award-winning filmmaking team, MAKE A CIRCLE follows a group of child care providers who are determined to change how society values the education of its youngest citizens. The Workforce Summit is screening the film to explore the shared challenges facing the early care and education and expanded learning workforces, including the need for fair compensation, greater recognition, and sustained investment.

8:00-9:00am

1st Floor Foyer

9:00 - 9:30 AM

Grand Ballroom

(1st floor)

9:40 - 10:55 AM

Breakout Rooms

(2nd and 3rd floors)

10:55 - 11:15 PM

1st Floor Foyer

11:25 - 12:40 PM

Breakout Rooms

(2nd and 3rd floors)

12:40 - 1:40 PM

Grand Ballroom

1:50 - 2:35 PM

Breakouts & Ballroom

2:45 - 4:00 PM

Grand Ballroom

Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Strategy, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency

Closing Panel: From Priorities to Progress: Advancing the Expanded Learning Workforce

Abby Snay is deputy secretary for Workforce Strategy at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. She has worked to increase economic mobility for immigrants and refugees, to create a new healthcare workforce initiative in partnership with the California Health and Human Service Agency, to expand apprenticeships in California, and to develop training and workforce opportunities through the state’s climate strategies. Previously, she served as CEO of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) in San Francisco for over 35 years. Under her leadership, JVS built training and employment programs to help workers with employment challenges develop competitive skills and earn wages that will sustain their families. JVS programs in health care, water utilities, financial services, and youth employment have received national recognition for their innovation and impact. She recently completed an 11-year term on the board of directors of the National Skills Coalition, during which she served as board chair for 4 years, and she currently serves on the PPIC Economic Policy Center Advisory Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in counseling from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

AJ Frigillana, Workforce Development Program Manager, San Francisco Beacon Initiative

Workshop: A Future Worth Building

AJ activates mission-driven vision into practice, working to support the staff of vital youth development programming through her commitment to job quality, coaching field leaders, facilitating professional learning communities, leading San Francisco's first expanded learning registered apprenticeship program, and collaborating with workforce development practitioners state-wide. One piece of her work that brings her joy is facilitating intentional spaces where staff at all levels can continue to hone their skills and cultivate their leadership. AJ earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Communications Studies from the University of San Francisco.

Aleah Rosario, Co-CEO, Partnership for Children and Youth

Moderator Closing Panel: From Priorities to Progress: Advancing the Expanded Learning Workforce

Aleah Rosario brings over 15 years of dedication to advancing equity in youth development and nonprofit sectors, spearheading statewide advocacy and capacity-building efforts. As a champion for policies that uplift, advance and bring dignity to the youth worker workforce, Aleah's work is deeply personal. Born and raised in rural central California, Aleah is descended from five generations of women of color activists in the Central Valley. She is an alum of CalSAC’s Leadership Development Institute and the White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship. She serves as a Board Member of the California School-Age Consortium and an Advisory Board member of Prosperity Initiative and Scaling Student Success. 

Alexandra Chan, Senior Director, Nonprofit Finance Fund

Workshop: Thriving Nonprofits = Thriving Communities: Uncovering Full Cost & Investing in Worker Well-Being

Alex is a Senior Director with NFF’s consulting team. She partners with nonprofit leaders and funders to strengthen the financial capacity of social sector organizations through planning and analysis, research, strategic thought partnership and training. Prior to joining NFF in 2013, Alex supported the implementation and growth of health and nutrition education programs at the Food Bank for New York City, where she worked with teachers and school administrators at over 200 public elementary schools and after-school centers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College, and a Masters of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. A Bay Area native, she lives in the East Bay with her husband and daughter.

Callista Galliher, Youth Workforce Initiative Coordinator, The Center (SCCSC)

Workshop: Building Pathways Together: Youth Workforce Development in Expanded Learning

Callista began her career in Expanded Learning as a high school intern at her local elementary school, an experience that sparked her passion for youth development and leadership. After joining The Center in 2018, she advanced from frontline staff to Site Coordinator, where she helped pioneer the Youth Workforce (YWF) Initiative. Today, as Youth Workforce Coordinator, she leads program development, participant training, and initiatives that create meaningful career-connected opportunities for high school youth. Her work connects young leaders to statewide advocacy, civic engagement, and professional learning opportunities throughout the field of Expanded Learning.

Chèri Fortin, Dean, Workforce and Economic Development, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and Commission on Teacher Credentialing Member

Closing Panel: From Priorities to Progress: Advancing the Expanded Learning Workforce

Chèri Fortin is a lifelong educator, equity advocate, and higher education leader with more than 30 years of experience across the PK–16 educational continuum. She serves as Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

In her current role, Commissioner Fortin leads statewide initiatives focused on strengthening educational and workforce pathways that meet California’s evolving economic and community needs. Her portfolio includes Educator Preparation Programs, California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Degree Programs Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives, Nursing and Allied Health Programs, and Special Projects. She works collaboratively with educational, workforce, industry, and governmental partners to expand access, strengthen talent pipelines, and advance student success across the state.

Throughout her career, Commissioner Fortin has been committed to fostering collaboration across educational systems and sectors to expand opportunity for all learners. She is particularly passionate about strengthening educator preparation pathways across California and believes that developing a diverse, well-prepared educator workforce is fundamental to California’s educational excellence, economic vitality, and future success.

Cori Ove, Project Specialist I, Expanded Learning, Sacramento County Office of Education

Workshop: Empowering Tomorrow: Supporting Our Young Workforce

Cori has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting youth and building environments where young people can thrive. Her experience in expanded learning, education, and youth development has shaped her belief that strong, relationship-centered programs can help address some of our communities’ most pressing challenges. A particularly meaningful part of her work has been developing youth workforce opportunities, including launching the YouthHub Summer Day Camp during the pandemic, which provided employment opportunities for local high school and college students, including youth who faced significant barriers to success. This experience deepened her commitment to supporting the next generation of youth workers and ensuring they have the coaching, relationships, and tools they need to succeed. Cori is a certified Clifton Strengths Coach, a graduate of the ASAPconnect School of Leadership and Facilitation and Coaching Cohort, and a Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner. In her current role, she provides technical assistance and support to expanded learning programs throughout Region 3 while advocating for high-quality opportunities for both youth and the staff who serve them. She holds a Master of Science in Child Development from the University of La Verne and was honored in 2022 with the CA Expanded Learning Emerging Leadership Award.

Dinan Guan, Director Student Impact, GPSN

Workshop: Building the Expanded Learning Workforce Pipeline: From Early Career Exposure to Leadership

Dinan Guan is Director of Student Impact at GPSN, leading the creation, coordination, and evaluation of pilot projects aimed at increasing the access and quality of learning opportunities in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Dinan previously served as a researcher at the UCLA Labor Center, conducting industry analyses and analyzing labor market trends to support California's High Road Training Partnerships initiative, a multi-million dollar investment to advance the state's vision for job quality, economic equity, and climate resilience. As a graduate of LAUSD, the second largest public school district in the nation, she is passionate about using data and research to ensure that students of color from low-income communities are prepared to succeed in school and lead thriving adult lives. Dinan began her career as a member of the Research & Evaluation team at UNITE-LA, designing and executing surveys, interviews, and focus groups to assess the impact of education and workforce development initiatives. Since 2018, Dinan has been a mentor to students who attend her high school alma mater, guiding them in academics, college preparation, and personal development. Dinan holds a Master of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and a BA in Political Science from UCLA.

Dorothy Gray, Senior Partnership Lead, Rivet School

Workshop: Grow Your Own: How Rivet School Helps Expanded Learning Staff Earn a Degree While Working

Dorothy Gray is the Senior Partnerships Lead at Rivet School, a nonprofit that helps working adults, especially those who are parenting or first in their family to attend college, earn an accredited associate's or bachelor's degree through Southern New Hampshire University. In her five years with Rivet School, Dorothy has built and sustained partnerships with school districts, community based organizations, and healthcare partners across California, connecting frontline staff to the coaching and support they need to finish their AA and BA degrees. Dorothy has dedicated her career to advancing educational equity, from her first job as a teacher's aide at LAUSD to her work today building pathways to college degrees and sustaining careers. As a working mom, she knows what it takes to balance a career with family responsibilities, and she designs every partnership with that reality in mind, so staff never have to choose between their job, their family, and their degree.

Erin Gutierrez, Founder, Calli Consulting

Workshop: Building the Story Together: Turning Worker Voice into Collective Power

Dr. Erin Gutiérrez is a nonprofit leader, facilitator, educator, and co-founder of Calli Consulting, with more than two decades of experience supporting young people, communities, and mission-driven organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area. Previously Vice President of Programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Erin now partners with nonprofits, public agencies, schools, and community leaders to strengthen organizations, develop leaders, and create meaningful learning and engagement experiences.

Dr. Gutiérrez serves on the Board of Directors of Mental Health Connections in Contra Costa County and the Advisory Board of Prosperity Initiative, supporting efforts to strengthen San Francisco’s youth-serving nonprofit workforce. She is also CFO of the Land Garcia Foundation and Vice President of the Burton High School PTSA. Dr. Gutiérrez earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco, with a focus on Organization and Leadership, and holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration.

Heather Speers, Program Manager, BACR

Workshop: Inspiring Quality Programs through Staff Capacity Building

Heather believes learning should spark curiosity, build connections, and inspire action. With a foundation in education and community service, she brings energy, authenticity, and a strengths-based approach to every training, empowering youth development professionals to create experiences where young people truly thrive. She knows the best learning happens when people are laughing, collaborating, asking questions, and feeling inspired. Outside of work, Heather is a wife and the proud mother of two amazing kiddos who keep life full of adventure. When she's not working, Heather is making memories with her family, exploring the outdoors, or finding a little Disney magic. Heather brings contagious enthusiasm, a collaborative spirit, and an unwavering belief that learning should be engaging, empowering, and most importantly.....FUN.

Irania Cespedes, Director of People Operations & Implementation, Woodcraft Rangers / 3LN

Workshop: Empowering Line Staff with Meaningful Skills

Irania Cespedes is the Director of People Operations & Implementation at Woodcraft Rangers. Since joining the organization in 2023, she has been committed to building consistent, equitable, and people-centered practices that support both employees and managers across the organization.

Throughout her time at Woodcraft Rangers, Irania has partnered with leaders and colleagues across the People Team to strengthen processes, improve the employee experience, and help create systems that make People support more accessible, responsive, and effective. She believes that strong relationships, clear communication, and thoughtful processes are essential to helping employees do their best work and feel supported along the way.

Irania holds a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Southern California. She is passionate about developing people, fostering collaboration, and creating environments where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Jessica Baker, Director, Expanded Learning Programs, Saratoga Union School District

Workshop: Out-of-School Time Job Quality Standards

Jessica Baker began her role as the Director of Learning and Extended Day Programs at the Saratoga Union School District in 2019. Previously, she served as a Quality Assurance Coach and Site Supervisor at Think Together and as an AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow with Citizen Schools. Additionally, Jessica is a CalSAC-certified trainer and served in the founding cohort of 3LN, the Linking, Learning, Leading workforce development network. She holds a Master's degree in Leadership from Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Psychology from Scripps College.

Jimmy Le, Beacon Director at Francisco Middle School, Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center / 3LN

Workshop: Empowering Line Staff with Meaningful Skills

Jimmy Le has worked in youth development for more than a decade, mostly at a middle school that serves several special education pathways and English Language Learners. In his early years, he taught STEAM classes, coached basketball, and led team-building activities. Since 2020, he has led the TEL HI Beacon team at Francisco Middle School. The team's work is grounded in the Community Schools model. It focuses on helping young people build their social-emotional and academic skills and on supporting families as they overcome systemic barriers.

Over the past five years, Jimmy has built a portfolio of professional development trainings. His modules draw on Culturally Responsive Teaching, the Warm Demander framework, the Weikart Center's Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA), Emergent Strategy, and creative ways to gather feedback and analyze data. He is also a CalSAC-certified trainer and has delivered more than 35 hours of training using CalSAC modules. His areas of strength are youth development, program quality, and leadership and management.

His most recent initiative responds to the growing use of data in education. Through this work, his staff are learning to take a holistic approach to data so they can use it to guide daily operations and show their impact. This focus on skill-building comes from Jimmy's belief in investing deeply in staff and their work environment, so that staff have what they need to do their jobs well and find meaning in their work.

Jonas Mok, Chief Executive Officer, Bay Area Community Resources

Closing Panel: From Priorities to Progress: Advancing the Expanded Learning Workforce

Jonas brings to BACR an extensive background in both non-profit and for-profit Bay Area organizations. He played key roles in scaling, high-growth organizations and companies nationally—including Brilliant Corners, Revolution Foods, Sports4Kids/PlayWorks, and Noah’s Bagels. Jonas also led operations efforts for several international youth development organizations including Global Citizen Year, and as founder of World PULSE, a Bay Area international non-profit for young adults from low-income backgrounds. In addition to his operations expertise, he also brings hands-on experience in program, project and people management, technology and finance. Jonas is married with two grown children, and enjoys the occasional moments of glory and much-more-frequent moments of injury that come with his soccer and mountain biking habits.

Josefina Alvarado Mena, Esq, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Passages

Closing Remarks and Raffle

Josefina Alvarado Mena was awarded an Echoing Green Fellowship in 1996 after finishing her J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Josefina used her Echoing Green Fellowship to create the Educational Empowerment Program to provide free legal education and services to low income students in Oakland, California. In 1999, Josefina was recruited by an incoming Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District to head the Department of Student, Family, and Community Services. She was the youngest member of the Executive Cabinet in the history of the organization. During her tenure she helped expand after-school programs, violence prevention programs, parent engagement and mental health programs throughout the school district. As director of the department, she also led the effort to develop the Safe Passage Middle School Strategy that has resulted in a 72% decrease in suspensions for violence at target high need middle schools in Oakland. Josefina was then recruited to lead Safe Passages, a city-wide initiative designed to reduce violence among the children and youth of Oakland. Josefina was one of only 5 employees when she arrived at Safe Passages. Currently the organization has a staff of 125. As the Chief Executive Officer for Safe Passages, Josefina has grown the organization from a foundation funded initiative to a leading independent 501(c)(3) Multi-service Nonprofit Organization that implements a continuum of programs that serve children and youth, from birth through college and career. A native of Oakland, Josefina grew up in one of the neighborhoods served by Safe Passages. She received her B.A. in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley in 1993, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in May 1996. She is also a recipient of the following honors and awards: Echoing Green Global Fellowship 1996-1998, Education Advocacy Award 2003, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County; Outstanding Education Advocate 1999, People United for a Better Oakland (PUEBLO); Advocacy Award, California Latino Civil Rights Network 1998, and James Irvine Foundation California Leadership Award 2009.

kourtney andrada, Senior Director of School-Based Programs, Girls Inc. of Alameda County

Opening Plenary Session

Workshop: A Future Worth Building

kourtney andrada is a Southern California native, whose early life was shaped by feminism and social justice. At UC Santa Cruz, she developed language for inequities she experienced, fueling her commitment to systemic change. She began her career as a College Advisor, supporting first-generation students in Watsonville’s migrant farmworker community. In 2006, kourtney joined Girls Inc. of Alameda County and now serves as Senior Director of School-Based Programs. After years in direct service, kourtney shifted her focus to developing the youth development workforce, advancing equity across California’s afterschool field, supporting the launch of Girls Inc.'s Expanded Learning Program Leader Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Madison Holland, Executive Director, Prosperity Initiative

Workshop: Building the Story Together: Turning Worker Voice into Collective Power

Closing Panel: From Priorities to Progress: Advancing the Expanded Learning Workforce

Madison has dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Political Science. She holds a Master's degree in Urban and Public Affairs, with her thesis focusing on San Francisco’s legislation to close its Juvenile Hall. Madison has worked with children for over ten years through various positions in schools, community centers, and nonprofits. She has special expertise in program design and management as well as advocacy and government relations. She is passionate about building better support systems for families, investing in prevention programs, and creating more equitable opportunities for all young people.

Mario Paz, Executive Director, Good Samaritan Family Resource Center

MAKE A CIRCLE Film Screening Panelist

Mario Paz is a passionate leader whose career has been dedicated to advocating and working to build a just society that leaves no child, youth, family, and community behind. Mario has served as Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center since 2006. His career journey includes leadership roles as an organizer, counselor, director, consultant, government policy advisor and foundation program officer. He has served on numerous boards of directors and currently is an appointed member of San Francisco’s Immigrant Rights Commission and Community Investment Advisory Committee. In 2016, Mario along with other Latino leaders in San Francisco co-founded the Latino Parity and Equity Coalition that addresses structural inequities and systemic failures to address the needs of marginalized Latino communities. In 2018, Mario co-founded the formation of the San Francisco Family Services Alliance to champion support for families in San Francisco and currently serves as its Co-Chair.

Melissa Mendez Ochoa, Executive Director, Oakland Leaf

Opening Plenary Session

Melissa Mendez Ochoa is a proud Latina, daughter of immigrants, and first-generation college graduate whose experiences have shaped her commitment to educational equity and social justice.

Raised in Napa Valley, Melissa moved to the East Bay to attend UC Berkeley, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Education. She later earned her MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business in 2020.

Having called Oakland home for the past 15 years, Melissa has developed deep connections to the community and a strong commitment to its young people and families. She has served in multiple roles at Oakland Leaf before becoming Executive Director in 2019. Her leadership focuses on strengthening organizations, investing in the expanded learning workforce, and creating environments where young people and the adults who support them can thrive.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys weekend getaways with her husband and their dog, Oreo.

Rebecca Goldberg, Impact Group Facilitator and Organization, Grantmakers for Education

Workshop: Building the Future of the Expanded Learning Workforce (invite only)

Rebecca Goldberg is a non-profit and philanthropic advisor. She co-facilitates the OST funder community for Grantmakers for Education, is national coalition manager for Fund IRL, and works with clients on partner engagement and grantmaking strategy.

Prior to consulting, she spent 7 years in philanthropy at the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Rebecca worked with national youth organizations and key intermediaries in the California expanded learning field to bolster social-emotional learning and character development practices with the goal of creating equitable learning environments for youth.

Prior to the foundation, Rebecca led career pathway programs at a local community-based organization in Los Angeles and professional and workforce development initiatives at California School-Age Consortium supporting afterschool professionals in California.

Ruth Obel-Jorgenson, Founder and Consultant, Corazon Catalysts

Workshop: Building the Future of the Expanded Learning Workforce (invite only)

Ruth Obel-Jorgensen (she/her) is a youth development advocate, facilitator, and capacity builder with more than 20 years of experience strengthening the organizations, leaders, and systems that support young people and the workforce. A former Executive Director of CalSAC and longtime leader in California’s expanded learning field, Ruth’s work spans workforce development, leadership pathways, advocacy, and organizational capacity building. Through Corazón Catalysts, she partners with youth-serving organizations and networks to turn shared values and big ideas into collective action. Most recently, Ruth facilitated the It Takes All of Us Workforce Alliance in developing a statewide campaign to build collective power and advance a more equitable, sustainable future for California’s expanded learning workforce.

Samm McCary, Expanded Learning Training Director, BACR

Workshop: Inspiring Quality Programs through Staff Capacity Building

Samantha “Samm” McCary is a proud Oakland native! She is also a Learning & Development leader, facilitator, and certified CliftonStrengths® Coach with more than 20 years of experience in expanded learning. As Training Director with Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) Expanded Learning Programs, Samm designs learning systems and leadership development experiences that strengthen staff practice, build leadership capacity, and improve the quality of experiences provided to young people.

Having grown from frontline Instructor through progressive program and people leadership roles, Samm brings a practitioner-centered perspective shaped by firsthand experience at every level of expanded learning. Her work focuses on connecting professional learning, leadership development, coaching, competencies, program quality, and continuous improvement so that learning translates into meaningful changes in practice.

Samm’s expertise spans program quality, SEL, strengths-based development, compassionate systems, and adult learning, allowing her to connect the dots between how we develop people, strengthen practice, and create meaningful impact. Known for bringing energy, connection, and real-world practice into the room, Samm believes professional development should never be something people just sit through. People should experience the learning. Her sessions create space to practice, reflect, connect, build confidence, and walk away ready to actually do something with what they learned.

Sandra Moore, Executive Director, Early Care & Education Pathways to Success

MAKE A CIRCLE Film Screening Moderator and Panelist

Sandra Moore is Executive Director of Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS). She brings years of direct service and field-based experience to her leadership, having worked as a preschool teacher, social worker, and case manager for children with special needs. During her 16-year tenure at Contra Costa College, Sandra served as full-time faculty, Department Chair of the Early Childhood Education Department, and Division Dean of Allied Health, Athletics, and Career Education. She joined ECEPTS as Chief Program Officer in 2022, leading the expansion of ECEPTS’ California network of sponsored apprenticeship programs and playing a central role in the organization’s training, technical assistance, and field-building work. Sandra holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mills College and a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge. As Executive Director, she reflects a deep commitment to equity, a practitioner’s understanding of the ECE workforce, and a conviction that Registered Apprenticeship can transform the lives of early educators and the children and families they serve.

Sara Hicks-Kilday, Director, Early Care Educators of San Francisco

MAKE A CIRCLE Film Screening Panelist

With more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Sara Hicks-Kilday is an early care educator, mentor, researcher, and advocate committed to advancing the well-being of educators, children, and families. Since 2014, she has served as Director and now Senior Strategic Advisor to Early Care Educators of San Francisco (ECESF), an organization that creates space for early care educators to come together to advocate for excellent working conditions, advance the understanding that these conditions are foundational to high-quality early care and education for San Francisco’s diverse young children and families, and build unity with families and community allies to shape programs and policies and expand access to needed resources.

One defining milestone in Sara’s work at ECESF was the successful passage of San Francisco’s 2018 Proposition C, widely known as Baby Prop C. This victory marked a turning point in her advocacy, shifting the work from continually seeking funding to protecting the measure, shaping the programs it supports, and making the case for continued investments. It also reinforced a central conviction in her work: even significant public investments must be accompanied by an ongoing commitment to meeting the full spectrum of children’s, families’, educators’ and human needs.

Shamonica Clark, Expanded Learning Program Manager, West Contra Costa Unified School District

Workshop: Grow Your Own: How Rivet School Helps Expanded Learning Staff Earn a Degree While Working

Shamonica Clark is the Expanded Learning Program Manager for Network 2 at West Contra Costa Unified School District, with more than 15 years of experience in expanded learning and youth development. She began as a parent volunteer and went on to serve as an afterschool instructor, paraeducator, site coordinator, and nonprofit agency director. As an Oakland/Berkeley native, she is committed to expanding equitable opportunities for public school students and leads with empathy, integrity, and purpose. Shamonica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management with a concentration in Public Administration and certifications in Transformational Coaching and Leadership and Facilitation. Her dedication has been recognized through several awards, including the Jason Guinto Award from Oakland Unified School District and the AAMA Parent of the Year Award, which remains especially meaningful to her. She is a proud mother of four and grandmother of four who brings encouragement and positive energy to the people around her.

Sienna Stevenson, Senior Administrative Analyst, Strong Workforce Program, City College of San Francisco

Workshop: A Future Worth Building

Sienna Stevenson is the Senior Administrative Analyst and Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Strong Workforce Program at City College of San Francisco.

Tamiece Bennett, Youth Workforce Initiative Admin Assistant, The Center (SCCSC)

Workshop: Building Pathways Together: Youth Workforce Development in Expanded Learning

As a Youth Workforce Initiative alum, Tamiece spoke at the initiative's first Banquet, led fundraising efforts, supported the planning and facilitation of legislative site visits, and participated in the Summer and Afterschool Challenge, where she rallied and met with legislative teams regarding the importance of Out of School Time services. Her work in advocacy has been highlighted in news outlets such as the Sacramento Observer, KCRA3, and CBS. She is excited to support the initiative in this role as she dives into workforce development, and helps shape and build our communities.

Theo Ossei-Anto, Director, Employer Engagement, GPSN

Workshop: Building the Expanded Learning Workforce Pipeline: From Early Career Exposure to Leadership

Theo Ossei-Anto is the Director of Employer Engagement at GPSN, where he builds the bridge between education and workforce development for students across Los Angeles. Over the past three years, he's forged partnerships with more than 100 employers to create over 2,000 paid internship opportunities for LAUSD high school students. With nearly 20 years of experience across education and nonprofit leadership, Theo has built a career on turning cross-sector partnerships with school districts, employers, city government, and community organizations into scalable programs that get real results for young people. Outside of work, Theo enjoys spending time with his family, especially his wife, children, and two cats. At the heart of it all, he's driven by a deep passion for uplifting communities by creating real access to opportunity for young people.

Vincent Arroyo, Program Manager, CalSAC

Workshop: Out-of-School Time Job Quality Standards

As a San Francisco native, Vincent Arroyo grew up attending out-of-school time programs from ages 5-14. Both of his parents depended on these programs so they could work full-time. Through the programs he attended, he was able to experience many different things, outside of the normal school day, such as the creative arts. Due to the impact those programs had on him, Vincent decided he wanted to work in these same programs. Starting as a Junior Camp Counselor with the YMCA in the summer of 2007, he set an intention to give back the same positive experience he had as a child, to children in his programs. Over the course of 10 years, he worked his way up from Junior Counselor to eventually being a Program Director overseeing multiple programs.

In 2017, Vincent participated in CalSAC’s Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders of Color program. From there, he enrolled in the Trainer Network Institute and became a Senior Certified Trainer in 2018. These CalSAC programs inspired Vincent to explore a different career trajectory, continuing to spark his passion for facilitation, staff/program development, and mentoring which ultimately led him back to CalSAC. In 2020, Vincent was honored as one of the National Afterschool Association’s Next Generation of Leaders. To this day, his driving force is to continue to give back, especially to the out-of-school time field, which has shaped him into the professional he is today.

Virgtrese Mcgee, High School Program Manager, Girls Inc. of Alameda County / 3LN

Workshop: Empowering Line Staff with Meaningful Skills

My Name is Virgtrese McGee I am the High School Program Manager at Girls Inc. of Alameda County, with a deep passion for empowering youth and fostering positive, lasting relationships. I bring over 20 years of experience supporting young people in education and building strong, thriving communities.

My professional journey in youth development began in 2000 with the Oakland Unified School District, where I served high school students as a mentor and academic coach for six years. I continued this work at the Albany YMCA, dedicating twelve years as an Assistant Director of Youth Programs. During this time, I helped create safe, enriching environments where young people could grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

My leadership is rooted in developing programs that nurture physical, mental, and social well-being, with the goal of creating meaningful and lasting impact for youth in Oakland and beyond.

For the past eight years, I have been honored to be part of Girls Inc., an organization that aligns deeply with my values and commitment to youth empowerment. As a Program Manager, I focus on designing and implementing programs that promote leadership, self-confidence, and access to college and career reediness.

Zak McKenzie-Parpia, Director of Programs, CalSAC

Workshop: Cultivating Self-Awareness in Service of Equity-Driven Leadership

Zakir Anand McKenzie Parpia (Zak) began his journey in youth development through coaching kindergarten t-ball and 4th grade lacrosse in college. While teaching preschool sports as a Youth Athletics Coordinator at the JCCSF, he discovered his passion for translating youth development theory into practice. Today, as Director of Programs at the California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC), Zak supports advocacy, training, and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen the OST field. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Zak moved to the Bay Area in 2001 to study sociology, gender and sexuality, and business at the University of San Francisco. His lived experience as a man of trans experience and person of color informs his intersectional approach to leadership and anti-oppression work. A Surge Institute Fellow, Certified Professional Coach, and endorsed trainer with Basic Rights Oregon and TransPonder, Zak lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, two daughters, and cat, enjoying outdoor family adventures, early morning gym visits, and reading himself to sleep.