Who We Are
The Team
JACQUELINE BASTIDAS, PROGRAM ASSISTANT (SHE/HER/HERS)
Jacqueline was born and raised in Mexico until the age of 13 under the care of her grandparents. She holds a certificate in medical assisting and is currently pursuing a degree in Child Psychology in college. Her objective at CEP is to help children reach their appropriate grade levels in a nurturing, enjoyable learning atmosphere, providing each child with a secure space to express concerns and seek assistance. Outside of her commitments, Jacqueline enjoys quality time with her family, exploring her passion for cooking and baking, indulging in reading, and hiking.
MARTHA ENCARNACION, PROGRAM MANAGER, (THEY/THEM)
Martha graduated with a BA in Public Health from UC Irvine where they learned how health affects low income BIPOC. Learning the details of how this can happen, and education being one of the factors to health risks, made them realize that providing the best education for these communities is a way to potentially support students and communities in how to better protect their health. In addition, Martha has a Masters in Education. They were an AmeriCorps member in the Teach For America Bay Area where they got experience teaching 5th grade DLI students. As well as learn how to be an active, culturally aware and anti-racist educator. Afterwards, Martha wanted to work in the education field, but working more directly with communities. That is why, they joined the CEP team as the Children Learning Center Program Coordinator. Their goal at CEP is to create a safe learning environment for students and build community. Martha on their free time likes to exercise, try new food places, watch anime, and spend time with their cats!
HALLE HOMICH, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Halle has been supporting students for nearly 10 years as a student leader, tutor, camp counselor, and, most recently, as a special education paraeducator for Oakland Unified School District. During her time at OUSD, she discovered a demonstrated greater need for organizations like CEP that give students and families equitable access to the full breadth of resources available to them. Halle strives to provide safe, comfortable, and joyful learning environments for CEP's amazing students. After work, you can find her trying new recipes, singing karaoke with her closest friends and family, or somewhere watching live music.
KATIANA HUTCHINSON, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ANY PRONOUNS)
Katiana is an educator, a naturalist, a land steward, and an athlete. She prides herself on being creative with curriculum development, being an active listener, and fostering safe spaces for families in her community. She is well-versed in outdoor, school-based programming, specifically outdoor STEM education, food access, and community building. In her free time, she is an ultimate frisbee player. Over the last 10 years, she has been traveling the country with my nationally ranked team from CO. And this summer, she was selected to be captain for a team composed of only black frisbee players from across North America called “Con10ent.” She is excited to join the team at CEP, and to bring interactive programming to students and families.
LAILA KENT, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/THEY)
Laila was raised in the Okanogan Valley in Washington State. She graduated from Scripps College with a BA in Organizational Studies. Her movement in the world is driven by bringing people together, defining and living out value systems, and leaning into curiosity and tension. They bring experience in youth leadership development, community organizing, outdoor education, and medical advocacy. Laila is eager to support authentic relationship building, creative curriculum development at CEP. On the weekends you will most likely find them zooming around Oakland by bike or on the dance floor.
EVAN LEWIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (HE/HIM/HIS)
Evan Lewis is a visionary and strategic leader committed to educational equality, social activism, and empowering marginalized communities. His work has been featured by national and international media outlets including CNN, National Public Radio, and PBS. His work was chronicled in the award winning PBS documentary, All the Difference, which was heralded by the U.S. Department of Education, The White House under President Barack Obama, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Evan has spent nearly two decades working at the forefront of national movements to eradicate the achievement gap, provide high-quality educational opportunities to marginalized communities, and reframe the national dialogue concerning the fates and futures of communities of color. Evan was a founding leader of Urban Prep Academies, where he worked tirelessly to build and sustain the nonprofit organization which operates a network of tuition-free, college preparatory schools serving low-income communities in Chicago. Subsequently, Evan maintained a passion for community centered work, first serving as Chief Development Officer at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Cambridge, Massachusetts before taking on the role of Asst. Dean of the School of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst.
Evan’s extensive track-record of professional achievement includes considerable experience as a fundraiser and development officer. Further, Evan has led successful initiatives that leveraged both traditional media outlets and new-media platforms to strengthen brand awareness and kick-start ambitious fundraising campaigns.
In 2022, Evan became the inaugural Community Activist Fellow at Northeastern University Law School’s Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Center. He has since partnered with the Law School to launch The Legacy Coalition, a national organization designed to advocate on behalf of descendants of racial violence during the Jim Crow era. As the Founding Executive Director of The Legacy Coalition, Evan has planned, executed and moderated national conferences featuring renowned thought leaders in the field including celebrated writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and educator and activist Dr. Angela Davis.
Evan’s extensive track-record of professional achievement includes considerable experience as a fundraiser and development officer. Further, Evan has led successful initiatives that leveraged both traditional media outlets and new-media platforms to strengthen brand awareness and kick-start ambitious fundraising campaigns.
In 2022, Evan became the inaugural Community Activist Fellow at Northeastern University Law School’s Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Center. He has since partnered with the Law School to launch The Legacy Coalition, a national organization designed to advocate on behalf of descendants of racial violence during the Jim Crow era. As the Founding Executive Director of The Legacy Coalition, Evan has planned, executed and moderated national conferences featuring renowned thought leaders in the field including celebrated writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and educator and activist Dr. Angela Davis.
JANA LEE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ANY PRONOUNS)
Jana is currently in a graduate program for their teaching credentials and a Masters in Education through Berkeley's School of Education! He graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology, and is dedicated to becoming an educator for early elementary school students. As an educator, Jana will work to center accessibility and culturally-sustaining pedagogies in the classroom space. Since joining CEP in the summer of 2022, Jana has supported CEP at their Children's Learning Center in North Oakland and with volunteer administrative tasks.
JAHMILLAH MALIK, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Jahmillah was born and raised in Hawaii with her mother and six sisters. Her goal at CEP is to help assist children with their education and provide them with academic skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey. She is understanding, easy to talk to, and open hearted. Jahmillah plays six instruments, she loves to cook, and creates graphic designs and 3D Art in her free time.
TSING MILLER, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (THEY/THEM)
Tsing earned their B.A. in Social Welfare with minors in Creative Writing and Global Public Health from UC Berkeley. They spent three years in the Youth & Queer Clinic of the Suitcase Clinic where they worked with their unhoused neighbors to ensure access to resources, cocreate supportive services, and build community together. Tsing brings their enthusiasm and curiosity into all aspects of their work and believes whole-heartedly in the strengths and value of every person. They love exploring new music and will ask you about your favorite local punk bands!
MIKAH SANCHEZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (THEY/THEM)
Mikah (ME-kah) is originally from unceded Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan land (South Texas) and also has roots in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They graduated from Stanford University in 2023 with a BA in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Mikah is an active member of the Bay Area Two-Spirit community and is eager to use anti-racist and decolonial frameworks to advocate for CEP’s students and families. They are excited to be supporting CEP’s expansion to San Francisco and furthering community-led efforts towards liberated futures.
CELINE WONG, PROGRAM ASSISTANT (SHE/HER)
Celine is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work, inspired by her passion for helping others. During her undergraduate studies in Sociology at UC Santa Barbara, Celine developed a strong commitment to making a positive difference in people's lives. Her dedication to this cause was further solidified through her work at her campus' food bank, where she actively worked to address food insecurity. Her experience with unhoused youth through the Elks Lodge's Antlers Program has deepened her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, and she is excited to continue this work in the future.
Board of Directors
SARAH CHAVEZ-YOELL, PG&E
Sarah Chavez-Yoell serves as Government Relations Representative for Pacific Gas & Electricity’s Bay Area Division. Most recently, Sarah served as a Community Outreach, Government Relations and Communications consultant, where she provided support to local businesses and non-profit organizations. Prior to those roles, Sarah served as Executive Director of the Oakland Builders Alliance, a non-profit advocacy group that seeks to address the economic and environmental need for responsible development in Oakland. She also served as Executive Director of the East Oakland Boxing Association, a non-profit, community-based organization that provides education, enrichment, and health programs for children and youth. Sarah also previously worked as a constituent liaison for Oakland City Council Member Larry Reid. Sarah is an Oakland native and serves on the board of directors of Youth Alive!, CEP, and Oakland Food Works. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Hayward and Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay.
LEAH FALLON, ELEVEN ELEVEN CREATIVE
Leah G. Fallon is the founder and chief creative officer of Eleven Eleven, an Oakland-based provider of Creative and Strategy for Experience Design. Leah’s job is to design an experience that shares vital information and makes a lasting impression, whether it’s a digital training module or live, large-scale conferences. She provides best-in-class “big ideas” and insights to experiential marketing agencies from the East Bay to the East Coast, in activations that take place across the globe.
Before Eleven Eleven, Leah served as the Director of Creative Services at GO! Experience Design in New York City, where she lived for 11 years. Her clients range from non-profits and small businesses to Fortune 500 leaders in the consumer, technology, financial and pharmaceutical industries, and her work has garnered both industry awards and an Emmy nomination.
Leah holds a Highest Honors BA in Comparative Literature from Smith College. She remains active with the college’s alumnae association, serving as President of her class from 2011-2016 and as a guest presenter for continued alunmae education. Her hobbies include foreign languages, DIY and handicraft projects, inventive cooking, and writing in its many forms. In both work and life, Leah is most enthusiastic when she is working with passionate people and learning something new.
Before Eleven Eleven, Leah served as the Director of Creative Services at GO! Experience Design in New York City, where she lived for 11 years. Her clients range from non-profits and small businesses to Fortune 500 leaders in the consumer, technology, financial and pharmaceutical industries, and her work has garnered both industry awards and an Emmy nomination.
Leah holds a Highest Honors BA in Comparative Literature from Smith College. She remains active with the college’s alumnae association, serving as President of her class from 2011-2016 and as a guest presenter for continued alunmae education. Her hobbies include foreign languages, DIY and handicraft projects, inventive cooking, and writing in its many forms. In both work and life, Leah is most enthusiastic when she is working with passionate people and learning something new.
LAKEESHA LEWIS, ABODE SERVICES
LaKeesha L. Lewis comes to CEP as a professional who has invaluable experience in several business sectors. LaKeesha has six years of social service experience. For the past three years, LaKeesha served as an After Care & Housing Specialist with the East Oakland Community Project, a leading non-profit organization that works with homeless individuals and families and helps them transition to permanent housing. During the 2018-2020 period, LaKeesha was instrumental in helping the organization achieve a 95% housing placement rate while attaining a return to homeless rate that was less than 2% for the clients exiting the Matilda Cleveland Transitional Housing Program and Families In Transition Program. LaKeesha was also instrumental in helping to organize college tours and other educational support and awareness services that helped inspire four high school seniors to matriculate to institutions of higher learning directly from the Matilda Cleveland homeless shelter. Her leadership helped countless other students (youth and adults) to focus on educational and training pursuits as a key stepping- stone towards breaking the cycle of poverty.
Prior to her time with the East Oakland Community Project, LaKeesha served as a Recreation Specialist for Crestwood Behavioral Health where she helped support adults with physical and mental health challenges. LaKeesha was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Foothill High school. She received a Dental Assistant Certificate from the Sacramento Regional Occupational Program and worked as a Dental Assistant for over 10 years. LaKeesha enjoys mentoring youth and business planning. She is currently working with two partners to open a Residential Care Facility for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She is currently a Housing Specialist with Abode Services, a non-profit serving the homeless population.
Prior to her time with the East Oakland Community Project, LaKeesha served as a Recreation Specialist for Crestwood Behavioral Health where she helped support adults with physical and mental health challenges. LaKeesha was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Foothill High school. She received a Dental Assistant Certificate from the Sacramento Regional Occupational Program and worked as a Dental Assistant for over 10 years. LaKeesha enjoys mentoring youth and business planning. She is currently working with two partners to open a Residential Care Facility for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She is currently a Housing Specialist with Abode Services, a non-profit serving the homeless population.
ERICA MOHAN, CEP FOUNDER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Erica Mohan is the Founder and former Executive Director of Community Education Partnerships. For three years prior to founding CEP, Erica was a volunteer, and later the Learning Center Coordinator, for School on Wheels, an organization that has been tutoring children facing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Greater Los Angeles Area since 1993. Understanding the critical need to academically support children experiencing housing insecurity and realizing that the San Francisco Bay Area lacked an organization specifically dedicated to providing such support, in 2010 Erica founded CEP. Erica holds an MEd and a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of British Columbia.
MUJINGA MWAMUFIYA, ELECTRIC HYDROGEN
Mujinga Mwamufiya is an energy executive with extensive experience in oil & gas, power, and renewable energy industries across four continents and in multiple languages. Throughout her career, both formally and informally, she has been a catalyst for change and a connector of people. Mujinga is deeply passionate about supporting diverse young individuals to aim high, surpass expectations, and realize their full potential by forging their own unique career paths. The opportunities are boundless, and it all begins with education. Originally from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Mujinga earned her high school diploma in France, a degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University, and an MBA from Georgetown University. Residing in Oakland, she is a mother of three daughters and enjoys running, swimming, skiing, playing the piano, and scrapbooking.
JON RELYEA, ORACLE
Jon Relyea is a Sales Director at Oracle, working with growing midsize companies to modernize and scale their company software. He currently leads a team of salespeople that work to build deep relationships with business leaders in California and develop strategic plans to generate revenue growth.
Jon is a 'people-person' and takes pride in mentorship and helping others succeed in their professional lives. He has served as a member and Co-Chair at Full Circle Fund, which is a community organization that leverages resources from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to work on joint projects with the goal of building a better Bay Area.
Jon has Midwestern roots and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota before moving to the Bay Area with his wife, Jackie, 7 years ago. Jon and Jackie live in Oakland and are passionate about serving their local community.
Jon is a 'people-person' and takes pride in mentorship and helping others succeed in their professional lives. He has served as a member and Co-Chair at Full Circle Fund, which is a community organization that leverages resources from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to work on joint projects with the goal of building a better Bay Area.
Jon has Midwestern roots and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota before moving to the Bay Area with his wife, Jackie, 7 years ago. Jon and Jackie live in Oakland and are passionate about serving their local community.
SARAH SANDFORD-SMITH, The HONORABLE
Sarah Sandford-Smith was a partner at the law firm Beeson, Tayer & Bodine, where she specialized in representing public school teachers, classified employees, and other public sector unions. Sarah earned her J.D. from UC Hastings in 2005.
Sarah has been involved with public education, in some form or another, since childhood. Sarah comes from a family of public school teachers, and would often spend time in her mom's classroom, helping students in need of academic support. During her undergraduate years at UCLA, Sarah volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school in East Los Angeles. Sarah is excited to serve on the CEP Board, to further its mission of providing resources and support to underserved students in the Bay Area.
Sarah resides in the East Bay with her partner, three kids, one dog and two cats. When she is not working or wrangling children or animals, Sarah enjoys running and spending time outdoors.
Sarah has been involved with public education, in some form or another, since childhood. Sarah comes from a family of public school teachers, and would often spend time in her mom's classroom, helping students in need of academic support. During her undergraduate years at UCLA, Sarah volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school in East Los Angeles. Sarah is excited to serve on the CEP Board, to further its mission of providing resources and support to underserved students in the Bay Area.
Sarah resides in the East Bay with her partner, three kids, one dog and two cats. When she is not working or wrangling children or animals, Sarah enjoys running and spending time outdoors.
SONALI SOI, AVELA
Sonali Soi is the director of the offices of Charter Schools and Student Enrollment with the Oakland Unified School District. Previously, she held several roles with the New York City Department of Education: she led their Enrollment Research and Policy team, which used research and data to promote access to high-quality school choices for all families in NYC, and prior to that role she led the NYC DOE school accountability policy team. Before her time in NYC, she worked on issues related to the economics of education at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and conducted research at the Center for the Advanced Study of India. Sonali received her B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. in Applied Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in the East Bay with her husband and son.
EMILY WEIGAND, PEOPLE.Ai
Emily Weigand is a Finance and Operations Executive in Silicon Valley. Currently, she is Vice President of Sales Operations for Tivo Corporation, a leader in digital home entertainment technology. She is a trusted advisor to the CEO, CRO, CFO and COO, responsible for driving business process improvement, enhancing business performance and supporting top line growth and profitability.
Before joining TiVo, Emily worked at several high tech companies including Anaplan, Rovi Corporation and McAfee where she drove the Finance function of the business including the integration of several large-scale corporate acquisitions. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in California. Emily graduated from Santa Clara University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. She resides in the South Bay with Jon, her husband and two children, Drew and Max.
Before joining TiVo, Emily worked at several high tech companies including Anaplan, Rovi Corporation and McAfee where she drove the Finance function of the business including the integration of several large-scale corporate acquisitions. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in California. Emily graduated from Santa Clara University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. She resides in the South Bay with Jon, her husband and two children, Drew and Max.
