Who We Are
ERICA MOHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (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.
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.
DANNY HUY, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (HE/HIM/HIS)
Danny found his passion for supporting students after he graduated from university in 2014. Before joining the CEP team, Danny worked as a social studies teacher, cultural ambassador, study abroad advisor, and as an educator in craft chocolates. His many adventures led him to live in various cultural communities: his home state of Maine, a mountainous city outside of Tokyo, and here in the Bay Area. Danny obtained his graduate degree in Multicultural Education, focusing on education equity, critical pedagogy, and linguistics. He has taught students from elementary school to the university level in leadership and cultural competency.
Dedicated to helping others, Danny looks forward to empowering students to achieve their dreams. With his diverse background, he hopes to inspire communities to share cultures and embrace a love of learning, something that we all have inside us. Working closely with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, Danny will create an environment that centers around compassion, equity, and self-discovery.
Dedicated to helping others, Danny looks forward to empowering students to achieve their dreams. With his diverse background, he hopes to inspire communities to share cultures and embrace a love of learning, something that we all have inside us. Working closely with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, Danny will create an environment that centers around compassion, equity, and self-discovery.
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.
NOELIA RAMIREZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Noelia is dedicated to supporting economically disadvantaged students who are too often overlooked by the education system. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020 with a BA in ethnic studies and political science. In her fourth year, she composed a thesis addressing the criminalization of primarily low-income Black and Latinx elementary students, its role in the school-to-prison pipeline, and what restorative justice can do for the future. Noelia came to CEP because she believes that the first step to combating this issue lies in the creation of educational opportunities for all.
Prior to joining CEP, Noelia took on various education and community-centered volunteer positions. She has served as an elementary school mentor, a Spanish translator for LGBTQ+ refugees, and led the Events and Projects Department under the Academic Affairs Vice President of UC Berkeley. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, hiking, video games, and cuddling with her two cats.
Prior to joining CEP, Noelia took on various education and community-centered volunteer positions. She has served as an elementary school mentor, a Spanish translator for LGBTQ+ refugees, and led the Events and Projects Department under the Academic Affairs Vice President of UC Berkeley. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, hiking, video games, and cuddling with her two cats.
SAPHANNIE HIM, INTERN (SHE/HER/HERS)
Saphannie is a fourth year student at the University of California Berkeley, pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in education. This is Saphannie’s first year interning with Community Education Partnerships. Prior to joining CEP, Saphannie mentored and tutored students through Oakland Asian Students Educational Services (OASES) and the Hmong Student Association at Berkeley (HSAB). Currently, Saphannie is working as a research assistant in the Risk, Resilience and Culture Lab on campus. She is committed to discovering new ways to improve the quality of and access to education for marginalized groups of students during her time at CEP and beyond.
BREEANA HARRINGTON, INTERN (SHE/HER/HERS)
Breeana is a fourth year at UC Berkeley studying Psychology, Social Welfare, and Public Policy. For the 2021-22 school year, she is interning with Community Education Partnerships where she spends her time managing CEP's social media, coordinating references for volunteer applications, and supporting the Children’s Learning Center at the Family Matters Shelter. Breeana also serves as a director for BUILD Literacy, where she has helped K-5 students develop literacy skills in Berkeley for the past two years, and has experience working with underserved populations through Suitcase Clinic in her role to connect clients to resources.
Breeana has plans to take a few years off after graduating in Spring 2022 to gain experience in the social work field before going back to school for a MSW in School Social Work. She enjoys taking care of her houseplants, reading, and listening to her growing vinyl record collection in her free time.
Breeana has plans to take a few years off after graduating in Spring 2022 to gain experience in the social work field before going back to school for a MSW in School Social Work. She enjoys taking care of her houseplants, reading, and listening to her growing vinyl record collection in her free time.
Board of Directors
SARAH CHAVEZ, SCHAVEZ CONSULTING
Sarah is the owner of SChavez Consulting, providing Community Outreach, Government Relations & Communications consulting in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sarah most recently served as the 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 was born and raised in Oakland; she is a graduate of Castlemont High School. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in Public Administration, both from California State University, East Bay. Sarah also serves on the board of directors of Youth Alive! and Oakland Food Works.
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.
CATHERINE JARETT, GRIFOLS DIAGNOSTICS SOLUTIONS INC.
Catherine Jarett is an attorney at Grifols Diagnostics Solutions Inc (formerly Novartis Diagnostics). Catherine is educated as a chemical engineer, receiving a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley. She received a J.D. from Concord Law School and was admitted to the California Bar in 2010. She has spent most of her career (other than the Mad Science years) working in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in a variety of roles.
Catherine has been interested in education since establishing Mad Science of Mt. Diablo in 1996. Mad Science sent instructors to schools around the East Bay who offered enrichment science classes and workshops to elementary and preschool children. Catherine was particularly moved by the eagerness to learn, and the lack of educational resources available to, students in the lower income communities around the Bay Area. Working with these students turned out to be one of the most personally rewarding aspects of her Mad Science experience.
Catherine has also served on a variety of non-profit and corporate boards, including the Society of Women Engineers, Diablo Valley Quilters, and Entrust New Direction IRA. She has helped organize national conventions, steered organizations out of financial difficulty, and understands how to start and organize a business. She also volunteers regularly at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery.
Catherine has been interested in education since establishing Mad Science of Mt. Diablo in 1996. Mad Science sent instructors to schools around the East Bay who offered enrichment science classes and workshops to elementary and preschool children. Catherine was particularly moved by the eagerness to learn, and the lack of educational resources available to, students in the lower income communities around the Bay Area. Working with these students turned out to be one of the most personally rewarding aspects of her Mad Science experience.
Catherine has also served on a variety of non-profit and corporate boards, including the Society of Women Engineers, Diablo Valley Quilters, and Entrust New Direction IRA. She has helped organize national conventions, steered organizations out of financial difficulty, and understands how to start and organize a business. She also volunteers regularly at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery.
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, BEESON, TAYER & BODINE
Sarah Sandford-Smith is a partner at the law firm Beeson, Tayer & Bodine, where she specializes in representing public school teachers, classified employees, and other public sector unions. Sarah has been representing educators since she 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 also sits on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute, which provides a teacher preparation program, focusing on building inclusive classrooms and contributing to just and equitable communities. 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 also sits on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute, which provides a teacher preparation program, focusing on building inclusive classrooms and contributing to just and equitable communities. 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.
