Who We Are
KHANH NGUYEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (HE/SHE/THEY)
Khanh brings to CEP 15 years of professional experience working in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on education and youth development, and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Doctorate in Education. An equally important complement to Khanh's professional and academic background is his unwavering commitment to CEP’s mission and his deep understanding of the challenges our students face. Since 2006, Khanh has worked with various youth development nonprofit organizations. As a nonprofit practitioner, Khanh believes in the power of community and collaborations and recognizes the importance of being community-oriented, staff-centric, and mission-aligned in all that he does.
BETH MILLER, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS (SHE/HER/HERS)
Beth comes to CEP with over a decade of nonprofit and education experience. Most recently she led a daytime literacy intervention and after school literacy and social emotional learning program at several Title I schools in East Oakland. Before joining CEP as Program Director, Beth served as the Lead Volunteer for the Homework and Summer Reading Clubs at CEP’s partner site in Richmond, a position she continues to hold.
A passionate advocate for equity in education, Beth believes that all children deserve the support and love they need to flourish. She is looking forward to growing CEP’s presence in Contra Costa County and ensuring students facing housing insecurity are able to thrive academically.
A passionate advocate for equity in education, Beth believes that all children deserve the support and love they need to flourish. She is looking forward to growing CEP’s presence in Contra Costa County and ensuring students facing housing insecurity are able to thrive academically.
EMILY CARTY, CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Emily brings to CEP her experience working with Oakland and greater East Bay communities in the education and health sectors. Before joining CEP, Emily worked as a Literacy Intervention Tutor, Garden and Nutrition Program Coordinator, and volunteer Education Policy Analyst. Her passion for working directly with youth, coordinating projects, and thinking about how policy meets practice draws her to youth empowerment movements. Emily believes education comes in many forms and strives to support all students’ unique endeavors as well as academic outcomes.
Emily is thrilled to support CEP as the Children’s Learning Center Coordinator at the Family Matters Shelter Site. In addition to coordinating academic focused programs, she hopes to share her gardening and life science experience through hands-on projects, and to support youth-led projects and ideas through an environment which cultivates empowerment. She will use her training in restorative justice and equitable classroom management techniques to ensure all students are comfortable, safe, and supported.
Emily is thrilled to support CEP as the Children’s Learning Center Coordinator at the Family Matters Shelter Site. In addition to coordinating academic focused programs, she hopes to share her gardening and life science experience through hands-on projects, and to support youth-led projects and ideas through an environment which cultivates empowerment. She will use her training in restorative justice and equitable classroom management techniques to ensure all students are comfortable, safe, and supported.
JEREMY SIMON, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (HE/HIM/HIS)
Jeremy has worked in youth education in many different capacities, from tutoring students during an afterschool program to guiding teenagers on culturally immersive trips in Southeast Asia. Most recently, he worked with students in a wilderness therapy setting, supporting individual growth and creating a positive community.
Excited to be part of the CEP team, Jeremy brings his varied experiences working with youth and coordinating programming to his work both supporting and learning from CEP students. Working at the newly created Kennedy High School Learning Hub, Jeremy is excited to help create a space where students can feel both comfortable and empowered to further their learning. When not at work, Jeremy enjoys biking, attempting to play tennis, and cooking new dishes.
Excited to be part of the CEP team, Jeremy brings his varied experiences working with youth and coordinating programming to his work both supporting and learning from CEP students. Working at the newly created Kennedy High School Learning Hub, Jeremy is excited to help create a space where students can feel both comfortable and empowered to further their learning. When not at work, Jeremy enjoys biking, attempting to play tennis, and cooking new dishes.
SAFAT MUBARAK, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Throughout her career, Safat Mubarak has worked closely with the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Oakland and the greater Bay Area. Prior to joining CEP as a Program Coordinator, Safat worked with transitional age foster youth in residential settings. She draws on this work experience and compassion as she helps to coordinate CEP programs. When working directly with students, Safat uses positive reinforcement and strength-based approaches to ensure that students feel empowered and supported as they pursue their educational goals. Safat enjoys reading, long walks on the beach, and cooking Mediterranean food .
AYANA LIGGINS, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Throughout her career, Ayana Liggins has worked in positions that helped served and raised her community within the Bay Area. Ayana believes in the power of education! She is passionate about helping her community, and it is her goal to see an end to the cycle of poverty. Ayana is dedicated to create a world where everyone has equal opportunity. Her intention is to be a great contributor to our future. She is compassionate and eager to learn, and grow along within her community.
CHRISTIAN HERNANDEZ (HE/HIM/THEY/THEM)
Christian developed his passion for serving his community through his roles as a Case Manager and Housing Navigator for a non-profit organization in Santa Cruz. In his previous organization, he assisted families experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing while navigating the complex housing market of Santa Cruz County. Through these roles he discovered a recurring issue that most families faced when trying to access resources --- the language barrier. Motivated to make an impact, he returned to school to gain a certificate in Spanish Translation and Interpretation with plans to continue developing his linguistic abilities to serve as a bridge for families seeking resources.
Christian is motivated to use his experience to continue the growth of the CEP and connect students experiencing housing instability with educational resources throughout the Bay Area. During his free time he enjoys developing recipes to upload to his blog, filming & editing videos, reading and spending time with his family exploring menus of restaurants.
Christian is motivated to use his experience to continue the growth of the CEP and connect students experiencing housing instability with educational resources throughout the Bay Area. During his free time he enjoys developing recipes to upload to his blog, filming & editing videos, reading and spending time with his family exploring menus of restaurants.
JANA LEE, PROGRAM ASSISTANT (SHE/HER/HERS)
Jana is a third-year at UC Berkeley, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. She joined CEP as a Summer Intern during the summer of 2022 and is excited to be starting as a Program Assistant, where she will be primarily helping out at the Children's Learning Center. Aside from this, Jana also works during the school year as a BUILD Director, supporting K-5th grade students in building their literacy skills to bridge opportunity gaps. She gained interest in CEP due to her belief in helping support underserved students and the fight against educational inequities. When she has free time, Jana enjoys crocheting, reading, and listening to music.
ERICA MOHAN, FOUNDER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Erica Mohan is the Founder and 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. When not working, Erica enjoys spending time with her partner and three kids, hiking, and growing the stack of books she looks forward to reading…eventually.
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.
NATALIA KERMODE, KALTURA INC.
Natalia is the VP of Enterprise Sales for Kaltura, an online video platform that enables organizations to deploy applications that involve video communication, creation, publishing, management, and analysis. Natalia has been with Kaltura for over ten years and has managed strategic initiatives, channel relationships and sales in the US, Asia, and South America during her tenure.
Before joining Kaltura, Natalia worked at several large corporations including Morgan Stanley Co., Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the New York Times Company in business development and sales roles. Natalia was previously a board member of Planned Parenthood Northern California and the Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund. She served on those boards from 2008-2015 and served as Board Development Chair and Board Secretary for the 501(c)3 organization during her tenure. Additionally, during her spare time, she volunteers for the NorCal Boxer Rescue Organization.
Natalia holds a dual B.A. in Social Welfare and Mass Communications from U.C. Berkeley where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta women’s sorority, the women’s Division 1 lacrosse team and women’s Division 1 crew team. She resides in Martinez with her husband, Gavin, daughters, Reese and Cora, son, Hunter, and their two boxers.
Before joining Kaltura, Natalia worked at several large corporations including Morgan Stanley Co., Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the New York Times Company in business development and sales roles. Natalia was previously a board member of Planned Parenthood Northern California and the Planned Parenthood Northern California Action Fund. She served on those boards from 2008-2015 and served as Board Development Chair and Board Secretary for the 501(c)3 organization during her tenure. Additionally, during her spare time, she volunteers for the NorCal Boxer Rescue Organization.
Natalia holds a dual B.A. in Social Welfare and Mass Communications from U.C. Berkeley where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta women’s sorority, the women’s Division 1 lacrosse team and women’s Division 1 crew team. She resides in Martinez with her husband, Gavin, daughters, Reese and Cora, son, Hunter, and their two boxers.
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.
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.
RANDALL SAKAMOTO, ROSEN CONSULTING GROUP
Randall Sakamoto is President and Director of Research for Rosen Consulting Group, a leading real estate economics consulting firm located in Berkeley. Randall oversees the firm’s operations, and provides leadership for the delivery of strategic services to clients and business development. He is the team lead for real estate capital fundraising consulting, and has been involved with several of the largest successful public and private real estate capital raises in recent years. His fields of expertise include economic analysis, evaluation of strategic market opportunities, investment strategy and real estate market research.
Previously, Randall was Assistant Director at Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc. and held several leadership and management positions at firms in the real estate industry. Since relocating to the East Bay, Randall has been activity involved in mentoring and fundraising programs for several youth-oriented organizations. Randall received a dual B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Claremont McKenna College. He resides in Oakland with his wife, Lindsey, and their dog.
Previously, Randall was Assistant Director at Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc. and held several leadership and management positions at firms in the real estate industry. Since relocating to the East Bay, Randall has been activity involved in mentoring and fundraising programs for several youth-oriented organizations. Randall received a dual B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Claremont McKenna College. He resides in Oakland with his wife, Lindsey, and their dog.
SARAH SANDFORD-SMITH
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, OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
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.
MICK STORM, ADOBE
Mick Storm is a Senior Design Engineer at Adobe. He currently works on the Adobe Design team building the Spectrum design system, which provides components and tools to help product teams work more efficiently and make Adobe's applications more cohesive. Prior to Adobe, Mick held leadership roles in design, prototyping, engineering and user research at a variety of companies, including Intuit and Medallia.
Mick developed a deep commitment to increasing access to learning opportunities for historically marginalized youth early on in his career through roles he held at government and educational institutions. At College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University, Mick created multimedia for online courseware. Mick brought this passion for educational equity to his role at NASA Ames Research Center, where he built online experiences for education outreach programs for Astrobiology and other space science programs.
Mick lives in Oakland with his wife Sarah, their two dogs, and two cats. His hobbies include painting, creating 3D visual art, music, and gardening.
Mick developed a deep commitment to increasing access to learning opportunities for historically marginalized youth early on in his career through roles he held at government and educational institutions. At College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University, Mick created multimedia for online courseware. Mick brought this passion for educational equity to his role at NASA Ames Research Center, where he built online experiences for education outreach programs for Astrobiology and other space science programs.
Mick lives in Oakland with his wife Sarah, their two dogs, and two cats. His hobbies include painting, creating 3D visual art, music, and gardening.
EMILY WEIGAND, TIVO
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.
