Meet the YCS
Staff and Board

Our Staff

KAREN CASTILLO

Community Outreach Associate

  • Karen was born in Mexico City and raised in the Bay Area. She is a Woodside High School alumna and received her B.A in Sociology, Social Services from CSUEB. She is passionate about helping underrepresented youth receive opportunities and resources that are not readily available to them. She hopes to be a resource for youth to find their passions and their talents and through service make a positive impact in their communities.

ISAAC BRAUNSTEIN

Service Learning Coordinator

  • A product of local 4H and city youth commissions, Isaac was inspired to join the YCS team from working with youth intern political education groups on elections. Born into a family of public educators on the Peninsula, Isaac studied Political Science at local community colleges before transferring to UC Davis. Isaac hopes to connect experiences in both education and politics to provide support and connection focused around on youth insights.

EVANGELINE ESTRADA

Elementary/Middle School Programs Manager

  • Growing up in an area that has been incredibly impacted by substance abuse, gangs, violence, poverty, and young people who have been neglected, Eva has made it her life’s mission to empower youth. Eva was born and raised in the East Side of San Jose and aspires to one day have her own organization that helps her community prosper and flourish.

PERSIA FAKHR

Service Outreach Coordinator

  • Persia is a resident of East Palo Alto and recently graduated with a BA in Psychological Sciences, a minor in Writing Studies and English from the University of California- Merced. She is passionate about changing the life trajectories of local youth and families through academic support. She is committed to making a positive contribution in the areas of child and family counseling. 

KAELA FINE

Bookkeeper

  • Kaela began working at YCS in March 2007 and has been a bookkeeper since 1986 working in several offices including a CPA firm where she still prepares tax returns and keeps books for its clients. She was raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and lived there for her first 21 years. She became a US citizen in 2008 along with her British born husband, Paul. She attended McGill University in Montreal where she majored in mathematics and took bookkeeping classes at Santa Rosa Junior College. She spent 23 years in Sonoma County and has been a resident of Palo Alto since 1999. Her hobbies include International folk dancing, hiking, biking and playing cards with friends.

MORA OOMMEN

Executive Director

  • Mora joined the YCS team as executive director in 2020, following the long tenure of widely respected Leif Erickson. She previously served as executive director of Blossom Birth and Family in Palo Alto. Mora cares deeply about social justice and community service, and she has served on the boards of the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, Mothers Symposium, California Avenue Area Business Association, and Castilleja School Association. Most recently, Mora was a co-chair of the beloved Palo Alto Black & White Ball. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and University College of London’s Institute of Education, Mora was raised in the United States and India. Since 2007, she has lived in Palo Alto with her husband, daughter, and sprightly dog!

LOLA OGUNRINOLA

Service Learning Associate

  • Lola has worked within the education industry for about a decade. As an educator, she incorporated project learning- including financial literacy, class jobs, and more- to develop skills that support youth into adulthood. She saw students grow beyond their own expectations by believing in them and creative thinking. Lola advocates for bolstering youth voices for youth to build confidence in themselves and to create a better future. Lola believes practice makes progress, so we must engage youth in innovative ideas that expand their world of possibilities early and often. Outside of her work at YCS, Lola can be found taking care of her energetic pup and hosting free activities to keep people creative.

AUBREY PARKE

High School Programs Manager

  • Aubrey is a writer and oral historian who is passionate about using creative practices to build equitable communities. As the High School Programs Manager at YCS, she hopes to use her background in community engagement and public history to cultivate strong ties between YCS staff, students, and community partners. She is originally from San Antonio, Texas but has also lived in Detroit and Pittsburgh before moving to the Bay Area.

MONICA PONCE

Donor Relationships and Community Engagement Manager

  • Monica grew up in Santa Clara and worked at a local startup company and a corporate semiconductor company before entering the non-profit arena.  A summer at Public Allies, an AmeriCorps Program, gave Monica her first introduction to Youth Community Service (YCS).  In January 2011 she joined YCS and she has dedicated herself to the organization ever since.  In 2021 Monica transitioned from Administrative Assistant to the Donor Relations & Community Engagement Manager. Monica is a people person who loves animals, fishing and everything creative arts.  In 2022 Monica relocated to North Central Illinois and continues to support the mission of YCS.

EVELIN ROMERO

Associate

  • Evelin was raised in East Palo Alto and graduated from Menlo Atherton High School. She has worked at a number of nonprofit organizations in East Palo Alto. Most recently, she oversaw the YCS contract with the City of East Palo Alto COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program and Clinic wrap-around services. Evelin currently oversees the service recognition and award program at YCS and supports service learning through our high school programs. 

JEANNIE STIVERS

Web Designer/Developer

  • As the founder of Jeannie Stivers Web Design, Jeannie specializes in creating custom website designs that reflect the unique personality and needs of each client. She believes that no two businesses are the same, and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions that perfectly fit your industry and goals.

    From author websites to fully functional e-commerce platforms, Jeannie works on a wide range of projects. When needed, Jeannie collaborates closely with a team of programmers to ensure your project meets all technical requirements.

    Jeannie launched JSWD in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue serving clients with innovative web solutions from the comfort of home.

JACOB VIRGES

Service Learning Associate

  • Jacob Virges is a dedicated Community Leader and Organizer from East Palo Alto, committed to uplifting his community through his vision, voice, and action. Born in San Jose and raised in East Palo Alto, Jacob’s purpose is to galvanize both his peers and the next generation to become engaged, informed leaders who make meaningful change where they live.

    A gifted writer and Spoken Word Poet, Jacob uses his performances to illuminate important—and often challenging—topics related to social justice and advocacy for underrepresented communities. His work blends creativity and activism, using storytelling as a tool for empowerment, healing, and awareness.

    With over seven years of experience working alongside local nonprofits such as One East Palo Alto, Live In Peace, Anamatangi Polynesian Voices, and many others, Jacob has been deeply involved in advancing peace, love, and community wellness throughout the Bay Area. His leadership continues to inspire youth and adults alike to pursue a more equitable and connected future.

SARAH VAN NORDEN

PhD, Impact and Evaluation Consultant

  • Sarah Van Norden holds a PhD in Population, Health, and Place from the University of Southern California. Her ethnographic dissertation research combined ideas from social sciences, human geography, and public health to explore understandings of suicide and place in an Intermountain West community dealing with a history of high suicide rates and a recent youth suicide cluster. Sarah previously worked in non-profit research and operations management with the Population Council in New York and Harvard University in Boston.

ASHLEY YEE-MAZAWA

Senior Director

  • Ashley joined the YCS team in 2014 as a Program Director and became YCS Senior Director in the fall of 2022. She earned a BA in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz, where she also minored in teaching and education. She later earned an MA at San Francisco State University in Women’s and Gender Studies. Ashley is passionate about youth empowerment and has spent her career working with young people at a variety of levels, from kindergarten through college.

Our Board

SALLY BEMUS

Board Chair

  • Sally is YCS board vice president. She combines an extensive community network as a longtime youth advocate with experience as a seasoned financial controller and business manager.

JENN DOOLIN

Board Treasurer

  • Jenn Doolin, owner of Jennifer Doolin Bookkeeping and Administrative Services established in April of 2003, specializes in bookkeeping and administrative services for small business, nonprofits, and churches primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jenn has served as treasurer on the board of four nonprofits, with a wide range of missions.

STACEY KERTSMAN

Board Member

  • Stacey Kertsman’s life-long commitment to social justice has global roots and has evolved in depth and understanding as she taught, learned, and worked around the world. In 2020 she launched the consulting firm, P-Cubed.  As an independent consultant she focuses on cultivating diverse cultures for learning, development, equity, activated personal belonging, and leadership growth.

KAYLA HARPER-ALVAREZ

Board Member

  • Kayla Harper-Alvarez is a Scholarship Coordinator for a non-profit that serves the education and career goals of prior or current foster youth. Previously a McKinney-Vento student, Kayla understands that education is a way to break generational cycles of poverty. Kayla earned her M.A. in Counseling and Guidance from SJSU in Spring 2025.

STEVEN LEE

Board Member

  • Steven Lee is a lawyer and a Palo Alto community leader. He is a Bay Area native, who grew up in West San Jose and currently lives on California Avenue in Palo Alto. Steven was a 2020 Democratic Party candidate for Palo Alto City Council. He previously served as a Palo Alto Human Relations Commissioner, where he worked on issues ranging from teen mental health, teen vaping, homelessness, and gender equality. He also serves on the boards of the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, Palo Alto Asian-American Connection (fka WizChinese), Palo Alto Transportation Management Association, VTA Citizens Advisory Committee & 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog Committee and the Mayfield Neighborhood Association. Steven graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from UC Davis with degrees in political science and communication, and from Duke Law School. Steven works as an Associate General Counsel for Content, Safety & Integrity at Meta. His Board service is in a personal capacity and not on behalf of any other groups or entities.

ZHEN ZHEN LI

Board Member

  • Zhen Zhen Li received her master’s in Child Development from Mills College. Zhen Zhen has over two decades of experience in early childhood education as a builder, operator, owner, and founder. In 2018, Zhen Zhen co-founded L’Academy, which nurtures cognitive development, cultural awareness, and whole-child growth—from infancy through preschool—through playful, meaningful experiences coupled with language immersion at 20 different locations nationwide.

PEDRO RIVAS LOPEZ

Board Member

  • Pedro Rivas Lopez is an artist and cultural creator. He uses art, education, and creative expression to stand up against injustice. His goal is to amplify the voices of those most oppressed and assist with the beginning of their healing through art, community, and expression. Pedro recognizes the importance of youth based service and looks forward to bringing his experience and passion for the arts and social justice to serve his community.

EVAN LURIE

Board Member

  • Evan Lurie leverages his educator, business analysis, legal, and financial

    experience to enhance YCS fundraising, program evaluation, and community engagement.

    Evan chairs the YCS board committee on Governance and is completing his J.D. at University of San Francisco in Spring, 2025.

LORI PATTON-JOHNSON

Board Member

  • Lori Patton was raised in East Palo Alto, California, in a family of seven. She was educated by the Ravenswood School and Sequoia Union High School Districts and later pursued higher education at Foothill College. She transferred to Georgia State University and earned a psychology degree. She returned to California in 2015 and has held several positions within the Palo Alto Unified School District. Recently, she earned a graduate degree in elementary education. She is also a proud member of the University AME Zion Church in Palo Alto. She is currently pursuing becoming an ordained Reverend.

LIANE MA

Board Member

  • Liane Ma is currently an Employee Engagement Lead at Luminous Computing, an AI company backed by Bill Gates and other Silicon Valley investors. Throughout her career, she delivered hands-on coaching to individuals, teams, and executives in all aspects of career and personal development. Liane has worked through various roles in marketing, corporate social responsibility, and counseling at non-profit, government, and for-profit settings like Safe Horizon, New York City Department for the Aging, Selina, and Sesame Workshop.

    Brought up as a third-culture kid, Liane prioritizes cultural humility and brings extensive language skills and a familiarity with Korea, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the U.S. to every project. 

ELLEN RUDY

Board Member

  • Ellen shares her marketing expertise and nonprofit network resources to help YCS better communicate our impact. Ellen brings deep branding experience working with business as well as the non-profit organizations.

ROMY SALONER

Board Member

  • Romy Saloner is an executive, operating at the intersection of healthcare and technology. She has brought her passion for increasing access to high-quality care to roles across the industry, most recently as the COO for Brightline, a virtual mental health solution for kids, teens, and their families. She lives in San Francisco, with her energetic puppy.

SUE ELDREDGE

Board Member

  • Sue brings years of youth development experience, having founded and led the Community Network for Youth Development, a capacity-building organization working with youth-serving organizations and schools throughout the Bay Area.

KIRAN GAIND

Board Member

  • Kiran is a former high school history teacher who taught for a decade in the Mission district of SF and East Oakland. She now coaches and consults in her own private practice, Raising Resilience: Creating Cultures of CARE.

Our Stewards

LEIF ERICKSON

  • Leif served as YCS executive director from 2004-2020. Before that, he worked for over 20 years in corporate marketing in Silicon Valley with biotech and technology firms. Leif began volunteering with YCS in 1995 as a parent supporter.

KIRAN GAIND

  • Kiran is a former high school history teacher who taught for a decade in the Mission district of SF and East Oakland. She now coaches and consults in her own private practice, Raising Resilience: Creating Cultures of CARE.

LINDA LENOIR

  • Linda is a retired district nurse for the Palo Alto Unified School District. She has served as a member of the YCS board of directors for over a decade.

BARBARA HARRIMAN SPRENG

  • Barbara has served on the YCS board since 2006, as well as the board for Habitat for Humanity (SF) from 2009-2015. She was also a member of the Bay Area Regional Board of Advisors for Facing History and Ourselves from 1999-2011.