Meet our team

An experienced leader, Kate has worked with Bay Area community-based nonprofits, philanthropy and local government for 30 years. Kate launched her career at Hospitality House’s program for runaway and homeless youth based in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, where she went on to become Executive Director.  She then worked at San Francisco's Human Services Agency in Housing and Homeless Programs, where she worked to engage the community around a proposed drop-in center serving the homeless community in the Mission District. Most recently, Kate served as Executive Director for Beyond Emancipation, a multi-service organization serving transition age current and former foster youth in Alameda County. One of her significant achievements at BE was leading the development and integration of a strength-based, trauma-informed, direct services coaching model, created to deliberately reconnect young people with their innate capacities, voice and choice.

Paul joined SFCASA in 2013 and currently leads the development and communications, operations, and data teams. He has raised more than $45 million in his 32 years of development and marketing work, including positions at Project Open Hand, American Conservatory Theater, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the San Francisco Education Fund. An avid traveler, Paul has lived in Barcelona, Madrid, and Tokyo. He is always planning his next trip. Paul has a BA in mathematics from Williams College and a Masters of International Marketing from ESMA Escola Universitaria in Barcelona.

Prior to her appointment as Program Director in 2011, Erika served for three years as a Case Supervisor, focusing her work on supporting volunteers working with adolescents. Erika is particularly interested in supporting older youth in foster care and is a founder of the San Francisco AB12 Local Workgroup. Additional interests include resiliency in foster youth, access to public benefits, and improvements to the bridge between services for juveniles and adults. Outside of SFCASA, Erika is a member of the Program Quality and Compliance Committee at the Lincoln Child Center in Oakland. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds doctoral candidacy status in the history of social sciences. Erika is also a committed bike-commuting mom who loves to be outdoors. 

Item Thomas joined SFCASA as Director of Finance in 2024, bringing over 25 years of financial leadership across diverse sectors. His extensive experience includes serving as Comptroller for a Northern California Harbor District, providing financial guidance to startups, and early advocacy for HIV/AIDS services and education in the 1990s. Thomas serves on the Board of Directors of the California Marine Affairs & Navigation Consortium as a volunteer, demonstrating his deep commitment to community service. Known for his collaborative style and dedication to Tikkun Olam—the Jewish principle of repairing the world—Thomas is extremely proud to be able to help SFCASA make a lasting impact on the lives of youth in foster care. Thomas is a long-time resident of San Francisco, living with his partner and their rambunctious Border Collie/Dachshund mix, Henri.description

Shiko is a global citizen and a fierce advocate for children’s rights. She believes in a child’s right to a fulfilling, opportunity and fun filled life. She has worked with various special populations: Commercially Sexually Exploited Minors (CSEC), children diagnosed with Autism, and Foster Youth. She has found tranquility in a child’s ability to imagine a better world. Shiko has adapted that childlike quality of embracing the impossible to continue to advocate for equity and systemic change. She has a passion for compassion, a love for service based leadership and dogs. She is the proud mom of a stubborn but cute Shih Tzu named Sebastian.

Sue is a Bay Area native and joined SFCASA in 2019 as a Case Supervisor, after receiving her master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Communication Studies. During her graduate program, she focused all of her research in  human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable populations. For many years Sue has volunteered serving homeless and exploited women in a safehouse setting, and currently volunteers on the San Francisco Human Trafficking hotline. Understanding the large overlap between systems-involvement and exploitation, Sue is passionate about supporting youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system to reduce vulnerability. She is inspired by CASAs as they selflessly support and advocate for the young people they serve. For fun she hikes, plays with her grumpy dogs, hangs out with her kids, and decorates fabulous cookies.

Esperanza joined SFCASA in 2022 as a Program Manager. A 1st generation Mexican American college graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. For the last 12 years, she has been honored to work with young adults and youth with unique circumstances, including youth in foster care and probation-involved youth. In 2012, she received a Certificate of Honor from the Board of Supervisors in the City and County of San Francisco for her commitment, dedication, and time spent tutoring incarcerated youth in San Francisco, ensuring they have the educational opportunities needed to succeed. She has worked with ILSP, Youth Guidance Center, and other community-based youth organizations. Esperanza is also a certified Life Coach and is passionate about supporting others to meet their goals.

Jennifer is from Bogota, Colombia. She graduated as a psychologist from University Manuela Beltran in Bogota and got a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She has experience in developing and managing projects involving community outreach, and mental health in the workplace. Jennifer is a Certified mediator for civil disputes and a major advocate and contributor for Diversity and Inclusion. She loves growing her indoor plant collection and reading as often as she can.

Maria is a Bay Area native who joined SFCASA in 2016, bringing over a decade of grant writing experience and a passion for social justice advocacy to her role. Previously, she served as Grants Manager at Canal Alliance, a multiservice community agency in San Rafael serving low-income immigrants, and at The Marine Mammal Center, a marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and research center in Sausalito. Maria graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Sociology and a graduate certificate in Technical and Professional Writing. Maria is an avid reader and animal lover who enjoys exploring hiking trails with her dog in her free time.

Stephanie Brown joined SFCASA’s Development team in 2025. Driven by a deep commitment to strengthening her community, she is passionate about uplifting youth voices and working to ensure each child has the opportunity to thrive. Beyond foster youth advocacy, Stephanie is also connected to the work of gun violence prevention, tenant rights and economic mobility. Originally from Buffalo, NY, she holds a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Pittsburgh and brings a rich background in account management and business development. Stephanie loves living in San Francisco’s Mission District, and in her free time she enjoys international travel, hiking, yoga, reading a good book and exploring big cities. 

Eduardo joined the SFCASA team in September 2022 as the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. After obtaining their B.A. in Sociology from the University of San Francisco in 2018, he spent his time working with youth in various aspects – from CSEC youth, to youth that have experienced abuse/neglect, to restorative justice work with youth. He has a passion for social justice, creating art, and taking care of plants. In his free time, he can be found skateboarding downtown San Francisco or sketching up his next tattoo.

Diane joined the SFCASA team in June 2019 as the Training Specialist. Diane brings her background and passion as a Literacy Specialist for the states of California and Hawaii, as well as international nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering educators, inspiring students and encouraging leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all. She is excited to support the CASA volunteers and foster youth in her role as Training Specialist. Diane holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Languages from UC Berkeley and a Master of Science in Education from CSU Eastbay. One of Diane’s favorite opportunities has been her role as a primate caregiver, communicating with and cooking for Koko the Gorilla and her gorilla pal, Ndume.

Janey has worked with SFCASA for thirteen years. They earned their B.A. in Sociology at Loyola University-New Orleans and their M.A. in International Studies at the University of San Francisco. They take pride in their two rescue Yorkies, who annoy everyone but them. 

As a seasoned leader in the non-profit work sector, she has dedicated her life to helping others. She has over a decade of experience working for non-profit organizations that work on making a difference in the lives of underprivileged communities. Some of her work includes working with various organizations that helped girls rescued from sex trafficking. Growing up in the Bay Area, Mel has always had a strong desire to give back to her community, and her work with non-profits has allowed her to do just that. You can find her outside when she’s not at work, on a hike, at the beach, or hanging with friends. She loves traveling, good food, coffee, and the San Fransico Giants!

Leticia joined SFCASA in December 2019 as a Case Supervisor. Originally from San Francisco, Leticia holds a B.A from University of California, Santa Barbara in Sociology and Feminist Studies. Leticia’s line of work has focused on Child Development and Early Education services for children 0-5 years. She is eager to support the CASAs and foster youth, while continuing to learn about the impacts of trauma on a child’s development. In her free time, she likes to read, listen to music, watch movies and explore.

Siera is a Bay Area native. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Sacramento State University. She was able to intern with 2 different members of the California State Senate which landed her a job with Senator Glazer’s district office. Working in the district exposed her to a passion for non-profit work in the community. She started working for Aspiranet which is an organization dedicated to providing transitional housing for foster youth. This gave her a perspective on how the foster youth community desperately needs people who want to support and advocate for them. Outside of work, she enjoys any outdoor activities, watching football and her rescue kitties.

Sasha joined SFCASA as a Case Supervisor in April 2024. Prior to her current position, Sasha worked as a visit supervisor with foster care youth in Santa Cruz County, and then as a Regional Supervisor for an AmeriCorps education program. Sasha has a BA from Santa Clara University in Ethnic studies, with a concentration in writing, as well as a certification in Conflict Resolution Training from the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz. Sasha lives in the East Bay, and enjoys gardening, playing with animals, and reality TV.

Melissa joined the SFCASA team in October 2024 as a Case Supervisor. She holds a M.S. in Management and Leadership, and a B.S. in Sociology, with an Emphasis in Criminology and Corrections, and a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Melissa is committed to raising the voices of those often unheard, particularly children, women, and underrepresented communities who have experienced abuse, and in understanding the critical role male-identifying individuals play in a child’s development. She has extensive experience managing youth, adults, and volunteers in nonprofits, as well as working with rural and urban youth in various professional and volunteer roles. Originally from Utah, Melissa is beyond grateful to have made her way to San Francisco. Outside of work, she loves playing with her puppy, Pepper.

Serra is a Bay Area native who joined SFCASA in May 2025 as a Case Supervisor. Prior to this role, she served as a rehabilitation specialist supporting probation-involved youth in a short-term residential treatment program, where she focused on improving daily living skills, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Serra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from San Francisco State University in 2022, and later completed her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco in 2024. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city for the best coffee and matcha spots, relaxing at the beach, and getting lost in a good book.

Safat is a Palestinian woman raised in the Bay Area with a B.A. in Psychology and six years of experience in youth advocacy. She managed housing programs supporting Transitional Age Youth, helping them secure safe, stable housing for up to five years. Safat also launched a youth advisory board to ensure participants' voices were heard. Safat is passionate about trauma-informed, culturally responsive support for system-impacted youth and works to ensure these principles are upheld in all aspects of her work. She believes in creating environments where young people are met with compassion and respect, empowering them to thrive. She recently began pursuing holistic culinary arts, focusing on food as healing and cultural expression. She is a dedicated tea drinker and enjoys traveling for service work, as well as caring for her growing collection of plants.

Angelia is a proud Bay Area Native. She is the mother of two children and is of African American and Filipino heritage. Her professional background consists of working for non-profit organizations in Oakland for 15 years, predominately in the Expanded Learning realm, on contracts with the Oakland Unified School District. Angelia has worked with a range of age groups from TK-8th grade students, and she has held positions as a mentor, program assistant, site coordinator, and program manager for multiple school sites. She is passionate about youth advocacy and greatly enjoys working hands-on and behind the scenes with youth. Angelia strives to embody the values of Family, Strength, Courage, and Humility. She finds fulfillment in giving back to her community, which has also become her life's mission. Every child and youth deserves to be happy and loved. In her free time, Angelia enjoys spending time with her kids and family.

Nia Johnson is a passionate advocate for foster youth and accessibility. A former foster youth herself, she holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from San Francisco State University and has a background in customer success, wellness management, and community outreach. Nia is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces that empower others. Nia studied anthropology in Kenya and African literature in South Africa, gaining a deeper understanding of culture, identity, and storytelling with hopes to contribute to honoring the stories and lives of foster youth. 

Elisabeth joined SFCASA in November 2024 as Youth Empowerment Coach and Case Supervisor. A proud Bay Area native and Latina, Elisabeth's work is deeply rooted in empowerment, equity, and social justice. Before joining SFCASA, Elisabeth was the Program Director at Oasis for Girls, where she developed youth-led programs supporting BIPOC young women and gender-expansive youth. She previously led RISE, a city-wide program focused on leadership, identity, and advocacy, and piloted Oasis' first Youth Advisory Board to amplify youth voices in community change. Elisabeth has designed innovative curricula, strengthened alumni engagement, and built lasting partnerships with schools and community organizations. With expertise in program development, crisis management, and restorative practices, she is committed to fostering inclusive spaces where young people can thrive and drive meaningful change.

Sarah joined SFCASA in May 2025 as a CASA Connections Lead. Sarah supported a youth in foster care as a CASA for two years and continues to advocate for the youth as a Natural Support. Prior to SFCASA, Sarah spent nearly 20 years implementing, evaluating, and growing employee benefits software. Originally from Maine, Sarah is a close follower and loyal fan of New England sports. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Saint Michael’s College in Burlington, VT. Sarah lives in San Francisco, where she often trails her son on his bike, plays fetch with her ball-obsessed dog in the parks, socializes shelter dogs, drinks coffee, and listens to jazz. 

Nathaniel became part of the SFCASA team in April 2024. With a degree in Cinema and Digital Media from UC Davis, he’s passionate about video editing, music production, and DJing. Nathaniel’s easygoing nature shines through especially when he’s chatting about sports and dogs.

Stephen joined SFCASA in May 2024. Prior to joining SFCASA, he supported a Fortune 500 company's Operations team. Stephen holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Merced. He enjoys traveling and experiencing new places, eating good food, and taking photos of the places he has been to.