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Meet Our Staff
Xóchitl Cortez
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Xóchitl is the Executive Director helping champion frontline youth, most impacted by social and environmental racism, to be the pioneers of sustainable development in their own communities.
Prior, Xóchitl served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Vision Capital and Consulting advancing equity in the community development sector. She also served as the National Director of Operations at the National Nurses United/California Nurses Association, a labor union representing 100,000 healthcare workers, where she supported building the nurse’s movement for Medical-for-All.
When she is not advancing justice in marginalized communities, Xochitl likes to spend time with her beautiful four children, husband, and friends in nature or traveling to a new part of the world.
Raised in East Oakland since the age of five, Xochitl is active with several East Bay nonprofits and community partners that advocate for positive change in schools, healthcare, affordable housing, community safety, and fair immigration policies.
Xóchitl holds a BA in American Studies with an emphasis in Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MBA from the Lorry I. Lokey School of Business at Mills College.
Xóchitl is the Executive Director helping champion frontline youth, most impacted by social and environmental racism, to be the pioneers of sustainable development in their own communities.
Prior, Xóchitl served as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Vision Capital and Consulting advancing equity in the community development sector. She also served as the National Director of Operations at the National Nurses United/California Nurses Association, a labor union representing 100,000 healthcare workers, where she supported building the nurse’s movement for Medical-for-All.
When she is not advancing justice in marginalized communities, Xochitl likes to spend time with her beautiful four children, husband, and friends in nature or traveling to a new part of the world.
Raised in East Oakland since the age of five, Xochitl is active with several East Bay nonprofits and community partners that advocate for positive change in schools, healthcare, affordable housing, community safety, and fair immigration policies.
Xóchitl holds a BA in American Studies with an emphasis in Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MBA from the Lorry I. Lokey School of Business at Mills College.
Cece Alter
Program Associate
Cece Alter (they/them) is an educator from the Bay Area. Their teaching emphasizes hands-on learning, centering student voices, and equipping young people with the tools to critique and transform the world around them. As an OUSD teacher, they founded Highland Community School’s Rainbow Club, a space for LGBTQ+ youth to build community and engage in action projects that promote inclusivity. They also partnered with local parks and nonprofits to expand students’ science learning.
Outside the classroom, Cece has organized around issues like equitable learning conditions, school closures, and electing progressive leadership. They are also experienced in project management and curriculum development.
In their free time, Cece enjoys walking through East Bay parks, keeping up with their neighborhood book club, trying new sports, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Cece is thrilled to be part of Frontline Catalysts as a Program Associate and to collaborate with the team to strengthen the curriculum and empower youth leaders.
Cece Alter (they/them) is an educator from the Bay Area. Their teaching emphasizes hands-on learning, centering student voices, and equipping young people with the tools to critique and transform the world around them. As an OUSD teacher, they founded Highland Community School’s Rainbow Club, a space for LGBTQ+ youth to build community and engage in action projects that promote inclusivity. They also partnered with local parks and nonprofits to expand students’ science learning.
Outside the classroom, Cece has organized around issues like equitable learning conditions, school closures, and electing progressive leadership. They are also experienced in project management and curriculum development.
In their free time, Cece enjoys walking through East Bay parks, keeping up with their neighborhood book club, trying new sports, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Cece is thrilled to be part of Frontline Catalysts as a Program Associate and to collaborate with the team to strengthen the curriculum and empower youth leaders.
Karina Lopez
Program Associate
Karina is a dedicated advocate passionate about amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities. Her personal experience growing up undocumented has shaped her commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Despite being told to live in the shadows, Karina discovered the transformative power of youth activism, which became the cornerstone of her professional journey.
As a Program Associate, Karina designs and implements initiatives that engage youth in meaningful activism, empowering them to become agents of change within their communities. Her work focuses on creating platforms where young people can participate in advocacy efforts and develop equitable solutions to the challenges they face. Karina’s approach is rooted in the belief that youth voices are essential in shaping a more equitable and transformative future.
With a diverse background in grassroots organizing, Karina has collaborated with prominent youth-led organizations such as United We Dream and the Sunrise Movement. These experiences have honed her skills in community mobilization, leadership development, and policy advocacy. Her early involvement in youth-driven movements has provided her with invaluable insights into effective strategies for empowering young activists. Her work is characterized by a deep understanding of intersectionality, particularly how factors such as immigration status, race, and socioeconomic background impact youth experiences and opportunities.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Karina is an avid outdoor enthusiast who finds inspiration in nature through hiking. She is passionate about music and tries to attend concerts as much as possible. She is also a huge soccer fan!
Karina is a dedicated advocate passionate about amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities. Her personal experience growing up undocumented has shaped her commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Despite being told to live in the shadows, Karina discovered the transformative power of youth activism, which became the cornerstone of her professional journey.
As a Program Associate, Karina designs and implements initiatives that engage youth in meaningful activism, empowering them to become agents of change within their communities. Her work focuses on creating platforms where young people can participate in advocacy efforts and develop equitable solutions to the challenges they face. Karina’s approach is rooted in the belief that youth voices are essential in shaping a more equitable and transformative future.
With a diverse background in grassroots organizing, Karina has collaborated with prominent youth-led organizations such as United We Dream and the Sunrise Movement. These experiences have honed her skills in community mobilization, leadership development, and policy advocacy. Her early involvement in youth-driven movements has provided her with invaluable insights into effective strategies for empowering young activists. Her work is characterized by a deep understanding of intersectionality, particularly how factors such as immigration status, race, and socioeconomic background impact youth experiences and opportunities.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Karina is an avid outdoor enthusiast who finds inspiration in nature through hiking. She is passionate about music and tries to attend concerts as much as possible. She is also a huge soccer fan!
Angelia Vang
Program Coordinator
Angelia Vang proudly serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Frontline Catalysts. She is currently an undergrad at San Francisco State University studying psychology and in a college organization called Resist US-Led War which is an anti-war, anti-imperialist organization that exposes US led wars and fights for the liberation of all oppressed peoples around the world.
Angelia was first politicized in 5th grade after being shown the grave effects of climate disruption around the world. Environmental justice then became the spark that drove her to move beyond feelings of helplessness and take action for revolutionary change.
She joined her first organization in 2023 when the CSU system announced plans to increase tuition by 6% annually for the next five years. She saw this as a grave injustice, disproportionately affecting working-class students striving for an affordable education. Through her passion for fighting against this tuition hike, she joined the League of Filipino Students at SFSU. And from that, her organizing efforts only grew.
Now Angelia aims to organize for communities that are under-represented, exploited, and underserved in a society that prioritizes profits over people. She believes that building a socially and politically conscious future depends on empowering the youth and the working class, as they are the driving forces behind this envisioned generation. This is why she continues to organize and believes in the great works of Frontline Catalysts.
In her free time, Angelia enjoys bike rides in the city and taking part in various art forms such as music making and rug making.
Angelia Vang proudly serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Frontline Catalysts. She is currently an undergrad at San Francisco State University studying psychology and in a college organization called Resist US-Led War which is an anti-war, anti-imperialist organization that exposes US led wars and fights for the liberation of all oppressed peoples around the world.
Angelia was first politicized in 5th grade after being shown the grave effects of climate disruption around the world. Environmental justice then became the spark that drove her to move beyond feelings of helplessness and take action for revolutionary change.
She joined her first organization in 2023 when the CSU system announced plans to increase tuition by 6% annually for the next five years. She saw this as a grave injustice, disproportionately affecting working-class students striving for an affordable education. Through her passion for fighting against this tuition hike, she joined the League of Filipino Students at SFSU. And from that, her organizing efforts only grew.
Now Angelia aims to organize for communities that are under-represented, exploited, and underserved in a society that prioritizes profits over people. She believes that building a socially and politically conscious future depends on empowering the youth and the working class, as they are the driving forces behind this envisioned generation. This is why she continues to organize and believes in the great works of Frontline Catalysts.
In her free time, Angelia enjoys bike rides in the city and taking part in various art forms such as music making and rug making.
Edward Chao
Program Coordinator
Edward Chao is pursuing a Masters in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. The research he’s focused on is exploring the intersections between environmentalism and ethnic studies. Growing up and returning to the Fruitvale District, he found himself wanting to give back to the community that raised him. To him, this takes shape by working with the new generation of people and community based organizations. As a Program Coordinator, he supports facilitation and relationship building with students. In the future, he hopes to become a faculty member at a 4 year university. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, making art, biking and hiking.
Edward Chao is pursuing a Masters in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. The research he’s focused on is exploring the intersections between environmentalism and ethnic studies. Growing up and returning to the Fruitvale District, he found himself wanting to give back to the community that raised him. To him, this takes shape by working with the new generation of people and community based organizations. As a Program Coordinator, he supports facilitation and relationship building with students. In the future, he hopes to become a faculty member at a 4 year university. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, making art, biking and hiking.
Climate Action Fellows
Jamaica Girtman
Rising Sun Extern
I’m a person that enjoys giving back to the community I grew up in. Just being able to share and learn from those around me is encouraging. My values are rooted in supporting others. I find my work important because it allows me to stand up for others. With the support I give I hope to reach those impacted and leaders. I’m currently an energy specialist with Rising Sun doing an externship with Frontline Catalyst. My goals are aligned with finding solutions on daily environmental impacts in our communities
I’m a person that enjoys giving back to the community I grew up in. Just being able to share and learn from those around me is encouraging. My values are rooted in supporting others. I find my work important because it allows me to stand up for others. With the support I give I hope to reach those impacted and leaders. I’m currently an energy specialist with Rising Sun doing an externship with Frontline Catalyst. My goals are aligned with finding solutions on daily environmental impacts in our communities
Khepera Lyons-Clark
Climate Action Fellow
Iliana Jaiteh
Climate Action Fellow
Jadyn Nune de Leon
Climate Action Fellow
Catalina Garzón-Galvis
Switzer Fellow
Catalina Garzón-Galvis coordinates the Resilient Roots Project, a digital storytelling collaboration with Frontline Catalysts and
StoryCenter, with support from a Switzer Foundation Leadership
Grant. This project engages youth from Frontline Catalysts programs
in sharing their lived experiences with local climate change impacts to
advance their visions for solutions that strengthen climate resiliency in
their communities. Catalina also serves as Project Manager for
Oakland Youth Advancing Climate Action (OYACA), a community
climate science and youth action research collaboration between
Frontline Catalysts, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice,
East Bay Academy for Young Scientists, San Francisco State
University and CSU East Bay. Catalina brings over twenty years of
experience with planning and facilitating leadership development,
popular education, participatory research, and participatory media
partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions that
center the lived experiences and thought leadership of those directly
impacted by environmental and health disparities. Her past digital
storytelling work includes co-facilitating partnerships and workshops
with Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, Líderes
Campesinas, Central California Environmental Justice Network, and
StoryCenter to develop short videos and digital media that amplify the
diversity of languages and voices of Indigenous and women
farmworker leaders affected by heat-related illness and exposure to
wildfire smoke. Catalina is a recipient of the 2010 Yamashita
“Foundations for Change” Prize which honors scholar-activists whose
work bridges academia and community.
Catalina Garzón-Galvis coordinates the Resilient Roots Project, a digital storytelling collaboration with Frontline Catalysts and
StoryCenter, with support from a Switzer Foundation Leadership
Grant. This project engages youth from Frontline Catalysts programs
in sharing their lived experiences with local climate change impacts to
advance their visions for solutions that strengthen climate resiliency in
their communities. Catalina also serves as Project Manager for
Oakland Youth Advancing Climate Action (OYACA), a community
climate science and youth action research collaboration between
Frontline Catalysts, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice,
East Bay Academy for Young Scientists, San Francisco State
University and CSU East Bay. Catalina brings over twenty years of
experience with planning and facilitating leadership development,
popular education, participatory research, and participatory media
partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions that
center the lived experiences and thought leadership of those directly
impacted by environmental and health disparities. Her past digital
storytelling work includes co-facilitating partnerships and workshops
with Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, Líderes
Campesinas, Central California Environmental Justice Network, and
StoryCenter to develop short videos and digital media that amplify the
diversity of languages and voices of Indigenous and women
farmworker leaders affected by heat-related illness and exposure to
wildfire smoke. Catalina is a recipient of the 2010 Yamashita
“Foundations for Change” Prize which honors scholar-activists whose
work bridges academia and community.
Board of Directors
Ifeoma Adams
Board Member
Ifeoma M. Adams, CPA, SPHR, is a compassionate financial leader with over 20 years of experience supporting nonprofits, social service organizations, and small businesses. Originally from Nigeria, she has made her home in the Bay Area, where she uses her expertise to strengthen community-based initiatives through strategic financial guidance and tax services.
As a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA, Ifeoma has dedicated her career to advancing social impact. Her leadership as Controller for the California Nurses Association and Business Manager at the Making Waves Foundation reflects her commitment to supporting organizations that uplift communities. She has also worked to ensure financial sustainability for public education institutions as Director of Business Services at West Sonoma County Union High School District and Alameda County Office of Education.
Passionate about economic empowerment and equitable access to resources, Ifeoma’s values align with Frontline Catalysts’ mission to foster frontline leadership and drive social and environmental justice. She believes in the power of financial stewardship to build resilient communities.
Beyond her professional contributions, Ifeoma serves her community as a board member of the Ephesian Children’s Center and has led initiatives with the Obosi Development Association. Her dedication to service and advocacy remains at the heart of her work. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, running, and spending quality time with her granddaughters in Oakland, CA.
Ifeoma M. Adams, CPA, SPHR, is a compassionate financial leader with over 20 years of experience supporting nonprofits, social service organizations, and small businesses. Originally from Nigeria, she has made her home in the Bay Area, where she uses her expertise to strengthen community-based initiatives through strategic financial guidance and tax services.
As a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA, Ifeoma has dedicated her career to advancing social impact. Her leadership as Controller for the California Nurses Association and Business Manager at the Making Waves Foundation reflects her commitment to supporting organizations that uplift communities. She has also worked to ensure financial sustainability for public education institutions as Director of Business Services at West Sonoma County Union High School District and Alameda County Office of Education.
Passionate about economic empowerment and equitable access to resources, Ifeoma’s values align with Frontline Catalysts’ mission to foster frontline leadership and drive social and environmental justice. She believes in the power of financial stewardship to build resilient communities.
Beyond her professional contributions, Ifeoma serves her community as a board member of the Ephesian Children’s Center and has led initiatives with the Obosi Development Association. Her dedication to service and advocacy remains at the heart of her work. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, running, and spending quality time with her granddaughters in Oakland, CA.
Rama Ali Kased
Board Member
Rama Ali Kased is an Assistant Professor in Race and Resistance Studies in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. She also has an extensive background in developing curriculum in K-12 and higher education. Dr. Kased’s teaching focuses on education equity, racial and economic justice, and community engagement. She is a founder of the Metro College Success Program, an award-winning social justice program that serves low-income, underrepresented students at San Francisco State University.
Rama is also a seasoned community organizer. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, and of Palestinian origin, Dr. Kased’s community work spans major cities across the nation. She has served on the multiple boards of community-based organizations. She has also founded numerous organizations, including Arab Woman in Active in Arts in Media (AWAAM) in NYC and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) in SF Bay Area.
Dr. Kased’s scholarship and teaching focus on the ways in which the classroom and formal education can be used as a place of liberation, including building solidarity among students, relevant and responsive curriculum, and facilitating and fostering students into agents of social change.
When she isn’t working, Rama likes to spend time with her two little children 4 and 5. She enjoys the outdoors and likes to explore parts of Northern California.
Rama holds a B.A. in special studies with an emphasis on Philosophy and Political science from St. Francis College, a Master’s in Special Studies with a focus on social justice and equity, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, both from San Francisco State University.
Rama Ali Kased is an Assistant Professor in Race and Resistance Studies in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. She also has an extensive background in developing curriculum in K-12 and higher education. Dr. Kased’s teaching focuses on education equity, racial and economic justice, and community engagement. She is a founder of the Metro College Success Program, an award-winning social justice program that serves low-income, underrepresented students at San Francisco State University.
Rama is also a seasoned community organizer. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, and of Palestinian origin, Dr. Kased’s community work spans major cities across the nation. She has served on the multiple boards of community-based organizations. She has also founded numerous organizations, including Arab Woman in Active in Arts in Media (AWAAM) in NYC and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) in SF Bay Area.
Dr. Kased’s scholarship and teaching focus on the ways in which the classroom and formal education can be used as a place of liberation, including building solidarity among students, relevant and responsive curriculum, and facilitating and fostering students into agents of social change.
When she isn’t working, Rama likes to spend time with her two little children 4 and 5. She enjoys the outdoors and likes to explore parts of Northern California.
Rama holds a B.A. in special studies with an emphasis on Philosophy and Political science from St. Francis College, a Master’s in Special Studies with a focus on social justice and equity, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, both from San Francisco State University.
Gopal Dayaneni
Board Member
Gopal is an educator, organizer and activist focused on racial, economic and ecological justice who currently teaches at San Francisco State University and Antioch University. Gopal also supports social movements through various organizing projects. Gopal believes that grassroots, bottom-up, inter-generational social movements on the frontlines of the interconnected crises of social inequity and ecological erosion are the key to deep, transformative change-making.
Gopal co-founded Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project, a collective committed to realigning movement strategy with the healing powers of living systems. MG has helped launch The Climate Justice Alliance and developed a Just Transition Framework widely used across US-based Climate Justice movements.
Gopal has an MA in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University in Los Angeles and a lifetime achievement award in the form of two amazing young adult children.
Gopal is an educator, organizer and activist focused on racial, economic and ecological justice who currently teaches at San Francisco State University and Antioch University. Gopal also supports social movements through various organizing projects. Gopal believes that grassroots, bottom-up, inter-generational social movements on the frontlines of the interconnected crises of social inequity and ecological erosion are the key to deep, transformative change-making.
Gopal co-founded Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project, a collective committed to realigning movement strategy with the healing powers of living systems. MG has helped launch The Climate Justice Alliance and developed a Just Transition Framework widely used across US-based Climate Justice movements.
Gopal has an MA in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University in Los Angeles and a lifetime achievement award in the form of two amazing young adult children.
Lisa Dinh
Board Member
Lisa Dinh is a Program Associate at the Skyline Foundation supporting climate and education grantmaking. Her work focuses on trust-based support in grantee relationships and grants management within an operationally lean, yet financially robust private foundation.
Her background informs her love for and motivation in science communication, the arts, culture, and education. She believes in interdisciplinary education (arts+sciences) and peace building through support of intersectional communities. In addition to her work in philanthropy, Lisa serves as a DEI chair of the co-op, Cal Sailing Club where she hopes to celebrate community and culture through self-confidence building in the sport of sailing.
Lisa holds a BA in Human Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University where she was awarded Multi-Cultural Affairs Honors for students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to diversity, social justice and multiculturalism during their undergraduate careers. Additionally, Lisa has been a selected fellow in University Innovation — Design Thinking through Stanford’s Hasso Plattner d. School, a Philanthropy Fellow with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and a Northern California Grantmakers Rising Leader in the 2025 Cohort.
Lisa Dinh is a Program Associate at the Skyline Foundation supporting climate and education grantmaking. Her work focuses on trust-based support in grantee relationships and grants management within an operationally lean, yet financially robust private foundation.
Her background informs her love for and motivation in science communication, the arts, culture, and education. She believes in interdisciplinary education (arts+sciences) and peace building through support of intersectional communities. In addition to her work in philanthropy, Lisa serves as a DEI chair of the co-op, Cal Sailing Club where she hopes to celebrate community and culture through self-confidence building in the sport of sailing.
Lisa holds a BA in Human Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University where she was awarded Multi-Cultural Affairs Honors for students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to diversity, social justice and multiculturalism during their undergraduate careers. Additionally, Lisa has been a selected fellow in University Innovation — Design Thinking through Stanford’s Hasso Plattner d. School, a Philanthropy Fellow with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and a Northern California Grantmakers Rising Leader in the 2025 Cohort.
Jason Ferreira
Board Member
Jason Ferreira is Associate Professor Department of Race & Resistance Studies located within the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. He has been a recipient of the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, and in 2019-20, he served as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University in the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History.
Jason sits on several boards including the Board of Directors of the Kendra Alexander Foundation. He also co-founded the Center for Political Education, a vibrant community institution located in the Bay Area whose ongoing mission has been to provide a space dedicated to building strong movements and the Left through education, analysis, theory, dialogue, and activism. He is also the Project Director of the Eyes on Arizona Project, an initiative dedicated to providing political education, encouraging civic engagement, and developing leadership skills in youth in pursuit of immigrant justice.
Jason is a life-long student of social and radical movements for freedom, enjoys exploring and listening to global music (who can be found DJing as a side gig), and finds his greatest joy in spending time with his beautiful twin girls.
Jason has a BA in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and both an MA and Ph.D. in Comparative Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley.
Jason Ferreira is Associate Professor Department of Race & Resistance Studies located within the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. He has been a recipient of the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, and in 2019-20, he served as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University in the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History.
Jason sits on several boards including the Board of Directors of the Kendra Alexander Foundation. He also co-founded the Center for Political Education, a vibrant community institution located in the Bay Area whose ongoing mission has been to provide a space dedicated to building strong movements and the Left through education, analysis, theory, dialogue, and activism. He is also the Project Director of the Eyes on Arizona Project, an initiative dedicated to providing political education, encouraging civic engagement, and developing leadership skills in youth in pursuit of immigrant justice.
Jason is a life-long student of social and radical movements for freedom, enjoys exploring and listening to global music (who can be found DJing as a side gig), and finds his greatest joy in spending time with his beautiful twin girls.
Jason has a BA in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and both an MA and Ph.D. in Comparative Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley.
Akachi Kalem
Board Member
Akachi Kalem is an educator at San Francisco State University. His lived experience from 1st generation immigrant in Brooklyn, NY, and his military service across Asia and the Middle East inform his understanding that a successful student’s experience nurtures successful adulthood.
Akachi graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies, USC with a master’s in teaching, and currently writing his dissertation in psychology with an emphasis on instruction and cognition.
Akachi taught across the education system, k-12, community college, and universities giving him an in-depth understanding of the different ideas driving education in the United States. His acumen expands beyond resource allocation and poor teacher preparation to grapple with inherent racialization and anti-liberation narratives of people of color identities and experiences.
His dissertation focuses on the influence social studies curriculum narrative has on educators’ pedagogy, self-agency, and self-efficacy concerning student intersectional identity development needs.
Akachi is excited to begin 2022 as a member of a progressive team of educators and thinkers.
Akachi Kalem is an educator at San Francisco State University. His lived experience from 1st generation immigrant in Brooklyn, NY, and his military service across Asia and the Middle East inform his understanding that a successful student’s experience nurtures successful adulthood.
Akachi graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies, USC with a master’s in teaching, and currently writing his dissertation in psychology with an emphasis on instruction and cognition.
Akachi taught across the education system, k-12, community college, and universities giving him an in-depth understanding of the different ideas driving education in the United States. His acumen expands beyond resource allocation and poor teacher preparation to grapple with inherent racialization and anti-liberation narratives of people of color identities and experiences.
His dissertation focuses on the influence social studies curriculum narrative has on educators’ pedagogy, self-agency, and self-efficacy concerning student intersectional identity development needs.
Akachi is excited to begin 2022 as a member of a progressive team of educators and thinkers.
Cristy Johnston Limon
Board Chair
Cristy is the Executive Director at the Haas School of Business’ Center for Social Sector Leadership, which trains and supports social impact leaders and organizations across sector and industry to advance social change. She is also the former Director of Youth Speaks, a national youth spoken word and literary arts organization.
Growing up in San Francisco’s Mission district, Cristy received a bilingual public-school education, infused with dance, music, and theater that ignited her passion to create spaces where all young people have access to the arts. She describes her work of building communities through multi-sector partnerships and collaboration as being centered in the arts, culture, business, and philanthropy.
Cristy is excited to be on the board of Frontline Catalysts to give voice to our community most affected by climate change and to advance climate justice.
When she is not working, Cristy likes to cook and spend time with her husband and two daughters ages 2 and 7.
Cristy earned her undergraduate degree in political science at UC Berkeley and an Executive MBA from the Haas School of Business.
Cristy is the Executive Director at the Haas School of Business’ Center for Social Sector Leadership, which trains and supports social impact leaders and organizations across sector and industry to advance social change. She is also the former Director of Youth Speaks, a national youth spoken word and literary arts organization.
Growing up in San Francisco’s Mission district, Cristy received a bilingual public-school education, infused with dance, music, and theater that ignited her passion to create spaces where all young people have access to the arts. She describes her work of building communities through multi-sector partnerships and collaboration as being centered in the arts, culture, business, and philanthropy.
Cristy is excited to be on the board of Frontline Catalysts to give voice to our community most affected by climate change and to advance climate justice.
When she is not working, Cristy likes to cook and spend time with her husband and two daughters ages 2 and 7.
Cristy earned her undergraduate degree in political science at UC Berkeley and an Executive MBA from the Haas School of Business.
Youth Advisory Council
Kuba Brown
Youth Advisory Board Member
Mary Brown
Youth Advisory Board Member
Alicia Pablo
Youth Advisory Board Member
Jia Cheng Ouyang
Youth Advisory Board Member
Nathan Alejandro Tovar-Montano
Youth Advisory Board Member
Abigail Vasquez
Youth Advisory Board Member
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