Senior Leadership
Luis Granados
Chief Executive Officer
lgranados@medasf.org
Luis Granados
Chief Executive Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Resilient
Empathetic
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission because it has a strong presence of Latino families and I love MEDA staff’s commitment to our constituents, which they show through their intent, intelligence and actions. MEDA is home."
Luis Granados proudly served as the Executive Director for the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) since 1999, becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2018. During his tenure, Luis has worked to create asset-development opportunities for San Francisco Bay Area low- to moderate-income Latino families. Luis has a master’s in City and Regional Planning from University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s of Science from University of California, Davis. Luis also sits on the following boards: Board Chair, UnidosUS; Board Member, California Reinvestment Coalition; Community Advisory Board Member, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Board Member, National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders; Board Member, Raza Development Fund; Member, PNC Bank Community Advisory Council.
Luis' work is driven by his experience as an immigrant from Juarez, Mexico, his family heading to Southern California when he was a teenager.
Read Blogs featuring Luis.
Jillian Spindle
Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer
jspindle@medasf.org
Jillian Spindle
Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Innovation
Strategy
Solutions
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that everyone working at MEDA is 100 percent committed to the community, and making sure the Mission remains a neighborhood of opportunity."
Jillian Spindle has worked at MEDA since 2009, serving as Director of Development for seven years before becoming MEDA's Chief Operating Officer in 2016. In her role as Director of Development, she led several large collaborative funding projects such as the national Latino Tech Net, and the Mission Promise Neighborhood initiative.
Prior to MEDA, she fundraised and developed programming for community technology centers throughout Chicago, created computer training programs in partnership with community organizations in Jamaica and Honduras, and taught a class on community technology at DePaul University. She has a M.A. and B.A. in Social Sciences/Sociology from the University of Chicago. Jillian serves on the Board of Directors for Refugee Transitions.
Read Blogs featuring Jillian.
Karoleen Feng
Chief Community Real Estate Officer
kfeng@medasf.org
Karoleen Feng
Chief Community Real Estate Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Leader
Achiever
Doer
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love living and working in my own neighborhood and getting to say hello to people on the street."
Karoleen Feng established MEDA's Community Real Estate program to reverse cultural displacement and gentrification in the highest-cost neighborhood in the nation. She has changed the narrative of the future of the neighborhood and achieved the rebuilding of community assets in the Mission District after a decade-long absence of affordable-housing production in the neighborhood. Against the odds of the low-income, primarily Latino family’s neighborhood being decimated, she has been instrumental in jumpstarting MEDA being joint-venture partners for the Mission-Castro cluster of the San Francisco Housing Authority Rental Assistance Demonstration program, new construction of almost 500 apartments and preservation of dozens of small apartments off the private market.
Karoleen has also led the Mission Action Plan 2020 initiative to shape policies and planning regulations for land use in the neighborhood. She has built affordable housing for over a decade – rental and for-sale, family and senior, mixed-use developments and affordable commercial real estate at East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation and Little Tokyo Service Center.
Read Blogs featuring Karoleen.
Berlina Ceguerra
Chief Operating Officer
bceguerra@medasf.org
Berlina Ceguerra
Chief Operating Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Enthusiasm
Balance
Empathy
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission District has always had a special place in my heart, as it was the first neighborhood I lived in when my family moved to the U.S. when I was a young child and I have so many fond memories of that experience. I am so excited to help MEDA support and continue to maintain the thriving, eclectic and bustling community that is the Mission."
Berlina O. Ceguerra brings over 20 years of experience in Human Resources focusing on organizational effectiveness, engagement/retention and transformational organizational change working in a variety of industries, including technology. As an immigrant starting her U.S. life in the Mission District, Berlina understands the challenges, opportunities and dreams families bring with them to this nation, and she is excited to support MEDA’s vision and honorable mission.
Berlina earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, with a double major in Psychology and Economics. Berlina also serves on the Board of Directors for Street Child – U.S. Berlina loves to travel to experience different cultures and cuisines.
Read Blogs featuring Berlina.
Carlos Ramirez
Chief Financial Officer
cramirez@medasf.org
Carlos Ramirez
Chief Financial Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Reliable
Integrity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"As a Bay Area native, I have many special memories of spending time with family and friends in the Mission. I love that MEDA is able to provide support for future generations to enjoy the community."
Carlos Ramirez has over 20 years of accounting and finance experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining MEDA, he worked at financial technology startups focused on providing affordable credit and helping consumers improve their financial health.
Carlos holds a bachelor's in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. He lives in the East Bay with his family. He enjoys traveling and experiencing new restaurants.
Read Blogs featuring Carlos.
Pamela Benoit
Senior Advisor to Chief Financial Officer
pbenoit@medasf.org
Pamela Benoit
Senior Advisor to Chief Financial Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathy
Humility
Service
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that MEDA works to strengthen the Mission District with programs that prevent displacement and provide opportunities to build wealth."
Pamela’s passion for the work she has done in community development grew from her observing homelessness in Washington D.C. when she moved there during college. Her professional milestones align with some of her proudest accomplishments. While volunteering as a board member at AHC, Inc. in Arlington, VA, Pamela received NDC’s “Housing Development Finance Professional” certification. Pamela took her training to MHP, Inc in Montgomery County, Maryland where as Finance Director, she served as project manager for the organization's first LIHTC project, Great Hope Homes, in Silver Spring, MD. Moving on from MHP, Pamela became a licensed CPA while working as CFO at AHC, Inc. in Arlington, VA. Pamela moved to Portland Oregon, became a licensed property manager and the agent of record for REACH CDC in her role as COO. Prior to joining REACH, Pamela worked at Our Just Future, formerly known as Human Solutions, where she had the opportunity to strengthen the fiscal team and apply her knowledge of not-for-profit accounting to an organization with a multitude of grant funding.
Pamela is an adventurous spirit. She has many fond memories of traveling with her 2 daughters, friends and extended family. Earlier in 2023, Pamela traveled to Australia accompanying her younger daughter on a business trip. Pamela’s next great adventure is a trip to Dubai planned for February 2024. Pamela’s favorite place to relax is the beach. Pamela’s older daughter lives in Delaware where Pamela visits often to enjoy the beach with her 2 grandsons.
Administration & HR
Amina Abid
Director of Human Resources and Operations
aabid@medasf.org
Amina Abid
Director of Human Resources and Operations
Three qualities you bring to work:
Compassion
Audacity
Respect
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love MEDA because it caters life-altering resources to the Latino community, which has historical roots in the Mission. MEDA helps to protect the right for marginalized communities to exist and thrive, fosters power-building and provides economic strength to create generational wealth. MEDA is a vital part of maintaining the cultural vibrancy that defines the Mission."
Amina Abid's formal education focused on the construction of civil structures, but her passions have always leaned toward building communities. In both her professional and personal capacities she has worked to empower historically underserved POC communities by facilitating educational opportunities, driving policy change, mentoring youth and developing resources fostering structural change. A first-generation child of Pakistani/Kashmiri immigrants, raised in the Bay Area, Amina learned how to be resilient through adversity during a post-9/11 America in which islamophobia was endemic. From raising her voice against the occupation in Kashmir or Palestine, to countering the "Muslim Ban" at home in the U.S., Amina has been determined to fight against bias and hate faced by marginalized groups and is recognized as an activist for multiple organizations in her community.
Amina is focused on strengthening the strategic planning and infrastructure needed to support short and long-term growth for grassroots organizations. While serving Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities as the Operations Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) office, Amina amassed over a decade of nonprofit management experience by co-chairing the growth of CAIR-SFBA to become the fourth largest office of the largest civil rights organization for Muslims in America. Now, Amina brings her human resources and operations experience to assist MEDA with growing their stellar talent, managing payroll, and continuing to foster a culture of wellness and inclusion.
Amina studied Structural Engineering at UC San Diego, but enjoys being an ever-enrolled student of life. She enjoys learning from others' experiences, supporting local and global humanitarian causes, values time with her family and is rooted in her spirituality.
Read Blogs featuring Amina.
Miguel Velasco
Associate Director, HR & OPS
mvelasco@medasf.org
Miguel Velasco
Associate Director, HR & OPS
Three qualities you bring to work:
Commitment
Work Ethic
Accountability
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission District not only represents the vibrancy and customs of our Latino community but also, the place where residents embrace their roots and support the sometimes hard transition our immigrant community has when moving to this country."
Miguel Velasco was born in El Salvador and emigrated to the US almost 20 years ago. As an immigrant himself, he understands the issues of the Latino community in San Francisco, workforce and housing for example, as well as how difficult is to adapt to the new life in this country.
His recent professional experience includes the City and County of San Francisco as a Senior Workforce Development Officer, Associate Director of Workforce Development at MEDA, as well as roles in the private sector, specifically in the healthcare industry.
Being a first-generation university student, he holds a Computer Engineering degree from Skyline College and a business Administration Information Systems degree from San Francisco State University.
During his personal time, he enjoys being with his wife and two daughters, gardening, and cooking.
Laura Ornelas
Senior Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager
lornelas@medasf.org
Laura Ornelas
Senior Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Diligence
Empathy
Curiosity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I am constantly humbled by the vibrant energy of the Mission District and MEDA’s dedication to maintaining this energy in its truest form while supporting the community’s economic development."
Laura Ornelas is a first-generation immigrant and lifelong learner, with a passion for giving back and disrupting spaces not meant for her. She enjoys empowering her communities through numerous volunteering events, as well as information sharing. Laura is a philanthropist and proud Leadership Council Member of the Latino Community Foundation. She is a first-generation triple major from Santa Clara University and holds the following bachelor’s degrees: Ethnic Studies, Sociology and Spanish Language.
Prior to joining MEDA, Laura was Executive Assistant at Paradigm, a consulting firm focused on diversity and inclusion. She began her journey in the administrative world as Executive Administrative Assistant at Beneficial State Bank, a triple-bottom-line bank dedicated to building prosperity in local communities with a focus on social justice, environmental resilience and economic sustainability.
Read Blogs featuring Laura.
Vinny Oliveira
Associate Director, IT
voliveira@medasf.org
Vinny Oliveira
Associate Director, IT
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Collaborative
Strategic
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission because it feels like home, with all the great people and food. MEDA is providing the community with resources for a better and stronger generation."
Vinicius Oliveira was born in Brazil and raised in the U.S. from age 12. His biggest passion has been in the IT field since he was a kid, leading him to obtain a degree in Information Technology. Vinicius was the first IT Manager for Riaz Capital, a property management and development company helping create quality workforce housing in the Bay Area. Over the years, Vinicius has built a strong background in managing IT and systems operations. Vinicius cut expenses by restructuring the IT department and eliminating reliance on third-party providers, saving the company $141,297.00+ annually.
Vinicius is excited to be the first in the IT department and to continue contributing to the community, but evaluating and implementing processes and tools to help each team member continue to be successful. Outside of his professional life, Vinicius loves to explore scenic sites, meet new friends and play soccer.
Read Blogs featuring Vinny.
Risk Management and Compliance
Dolores Terrazas
Vice-President, Risk Management & Compliance
dterrazas@medasf.org
Dolores Terrazas
Vice-President, Risk Management & Compliance
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Strategy
Innovated Solutions
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"As a native San Franciscan having been raised in San Francisco’s Mission, I am in awe of the next generation of socially minded individuals who are committed to supporting the immigrant contributions to the neighborhood and City of San Francisco for everyone."
Dolores G. Terrazas has primarily worked in leadership positions directly impacting early education systems by way of supporting children, their families and staff working in these communities. She has led organizations by expanding the breadth of staff ability to deliver best practices along with systems development and accountability in delivering an intentional approach of supporting the wellness of those directly involved in delivering services to high-need communities. She has worked at the local, regional and national levels, bringing her commitment, expertise and voice in support of the bilingual community in early education.
In her experience, Dolores holds a deep commitment to volunteerism. Dolores has lent her time to work on several Boards of Directors in the Mission. She has served on the Boards of Mission Cultural Center, La Raza Information Center (Resource and Referral), Children’s Book Press and MEDA.
Dolores holds a bachelor's from San Francisco State University in Liberal Studies with a minor in History and a master's from New Mexico State University on Curriculum and Instruction.
Read Blogs featuring Dolores.
Leonor Cordon
Sr. Compliance & Grant Analyst
leonor.cordon@medasf.org
Leonor Cordon
Sr. Compliance & Grant Analyst
Three qualities you bring to work:
Collaboration
Passion
Dedication
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I was lucky to be selected for an internship as a Data Analyst, at MEDA. The amazing team here was easy to relate to and I wanted to participate and join forces to accomplish MEDASF's mission: to strengthen the Latino families by promoting economic equity and social justice."
Leonor immigrated to San Francisco from Mexico City for love, getting married, moving to the USA, and giving birth to a baby girl. She was born and raised in the south of Mexico City, “Tlalpan”. She holds a BA from ITAM and has more than 15 years of professional experience in the stock market.
Food was an important part of Leonor’s family, leading her to a catering business featuring high-quality nutritious lunches for kids in school. Leonor helped with the challenges of developing the start-up, taking care of the finances, procedures and implementations, and helping to grow the sales of the business.
Leonor loves cuisines from diverse cultures, enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. Mexico is a multi-faceted, and multi-cultural society, with expressions of many different traditions that she likes to keep alive, bringing her closer to her roots.
Read Blogs featuring Leonor.
Juan Ávila
Sr. Grants & Compliance Analyst
javila@medasf.org
(415) 295-6111
Juan Ávila
Sr. Grants & Compliance Analyst
javila@medasf.org
(415) 295-6111
Three qualities you bring to work:
Calm
Friendly
Reflective
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The sense of community is what I love the most about the Mission. My neighbors and the local organizations are what keeps the Mission feeling like home."
Juan Avila is a San Francisco native who grew up in the Mission. He obtained his bachelor’s from Kalamazoo College, where he studied Economics and Spanish. Juan is thrilled to join the team at MEDA and support their workforce development/financial coaching initiatives.
Outside of work hours, Juan enjoys spending time at farmers’ markets, parks and his local taquerias.
Read Blogs featuring Juan.
Brad Caftel
Compliance Attorney
brad.caftel@medasf.org
Brad Caftel
Compliance Attorney
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedication
Integrity
Experience
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"MEDA is a dynamic, growing organization that is having a meaningful impact in the Mission District and the City. Few organizations last for 50 years, as has MEDA, and MEDA seems poised to do great things in its next 50 years."
Brad J. Caftel is an attorney with nearly 50 years of experience counseling nonprofit, community-based organizations engaged in business, real estate, and other community development activities on the corporate, tax, and other legal requirements associated with their efforts. He has trained board and staff members on the duties and responsibilities of their position, taught courses in community development law at law schools and courses in nonprofit law for nonprofit executives, and has written articles on community development law for both lawyers and community practitioners.
Brad holds a B.A. in Economics from Michigan State University and a J.D. from the University of California-Berkeley. He is a member of the California State Bar.
Read Blogs featuring Brad.
EQUITABLE RECOVERY INSTITUTE
Juan Diego Castro
National Partnerships Director
jdcastro@medasf.org
Juan Diego Castro
National Partnerships Director
Three qualities you bring to work:
Service
Collaboration
Audacity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the culture at MEDA, because it embodies the culture, love and resilience that makes the Mission District such a beautiful place to be. I am continuously learning about community's culture through food, good conversation and a collaborative effort towards a more equitable society."
Juan Diego Castro has been passionately working in the affordable housing realm for almost two decades with experience in community organizing, homeownership/rental readiness coaching and project manangement for real estate development. Juan Diego grew up in New York City where he completed a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Puerto Rican & Latin American Studies from CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Juan Diego is a co-founder of Students for Social Justice, a volunteer/education cohort within John Jay that focused an equity lens on our schoold mission of "Educating for Justice."
Juan Diego was born in Ecuador and his family immigrated here in the early 90's in search of a better education and better lives for their children. His family's journey towards the American Dream of homeownership mirrors those of many of MEDA's clients. It is this personal connection that fuels Juan Diego's passion for building capacity in non-profit organizations that are serving our historically underserved communities. In his personal time, Juan Diego enjoys spending time with his family, in his garden or biking around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Santiago Martinez
National Partnerships Program Manager
smartinez@medasf.org
Santiago Martinez
National Partnerships Program Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Respectful
Empathetic
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District for its humble beginnings, attitude to move forward and support from neighbors. The community has allowed me to appreciate my roots as a Mexican immigrant and the diverse culture that is alive on each street as I walk around."
Santiago Martinez Xonthe has called the Mission District home for 20+ years. His journey to be part of MEDA can date back to 2012 during his time at Mission SF Community Financial Center. Over the years, Santiago has dedicated his career to serving low-income and otherwise underserved communities to thrive with their respected financial goals. From his own experience, he understands the roadblocks and the uphill battle immigrants have to overcome to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Santiago obtained his education at St. James, De Marillac Academy, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, and San Francisco State University with a Marketing/Communication degree. During his time in school and after, Santiago obtained a firm background in the financial world by working/interning at Bank of the West. With his bilingual skills, he was able to help clients in Spanish at the 24th and Mission branch. Being part of MEDA is a privilege for Santiago to give back to the community he calls home.
Read Blogs featuring Santiago.
Policy & Advocacy
Jessica Rubio Rincón
Policy Director
jrubio@medasf.org
Jessica Rubio Rincón
Policy Director
Three qualities you bring to work:
Strategic
Resilient
Collaborative
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the commitment that MEDA has to serve the community and how invested each of the employees are in making sure that all of our clients thrive."
Jessica was born and raised in Querétaro, México and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona when she was 14 years old. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and Business Administration from Grand Canyon University and her Master in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jessica is a lifelong organizer and strategic thinker. She is committed to eradicating racial disparities by expanding access to higher education and critical resources, and increasing the number of people civically engaged. Prior to MEDA, Jessica founded The Academic and Leadership Accelerator for Service (ALAS), an organization that taught immigrant students life and leadership skills and prepared them for post-secondary education. Over the last 12 years, she has also worked in national and local campaigns, as well as nonprofit organizations focused on creating a more just and equitable society.
Peter Papadopoulos
Senior Land Use Policy Analyst
ppapadopoulos@medasf.org
Peter Papadopoulos
Senior Land Use Policy Analyst
Three qualities you bring to work:
Creative
Collaborative
Persistent
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission is a strong community and a vibrant immigrant gateway district full of arts and cultural events, great family restaurants and friendly faces on the street. MEDA has the vision and commitment to protect and grow that community."
Peter is focused on creating structural equity outcomes that assist in stabilizing the Mission’s low- to moderate- income Latino families, small businesses, and nonprofits through a variety of cultural placekeeping and prosperity strategies. Peter’s past experience with working in community includes Project Manager for the Redstone Labor Temple Association and as a Land Use Project Manager for United to Save the Mission.
Peter is an active member of the Mission community and co-founded Mission’s Mojo Theatre in 2010 where he served as co-Artistic Director until 2020.
Read Blogs featuring Peter.
Crista Alarcón Luna
Community Organizer
crista.alarconluna@medasf.org
(415) 579-3715
Crista Alarcón Luna
Community Organizer
crista.alarconluna@medasf.org
(415) 579-3715
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Empathy
Audacity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission because it is the heart of my people and where I grew up. It is resilient and beautiful and I love that I get to be a part of MEDA working to preserve what has been built over generations."
Crista is a dedicated advocate for social justice and community empowerment, with a strong commitment to creating positive change for her people. Born and raised in San Francisco, her journey towards making a difference in her community began at an early age. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Social Justice, which laid the foundation for her passion for addressing systemic inequalities. Her personal experiences growing up in the city, where her family was impacted by gentrification, ignited her drive to fight for justice.
At age of eleven, she found herself assisting her mother through the challenging eviction process, an experience that deeply impacted her. This early encounter with housing injustice pushed her to question systems of power and motivated her to become a tool for her community.
As a first-generation student, Crista engaged in various programs in the Mission district that equipped her with the tools needed to pursue higher education. She is determined to give hope to individuals facing similar circumstances, demonstrating that change is possible when a community comes together and providing them with the resources and support they need. Her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and families is unwavering. She has been an active participant in programs that empower students and foster community growth, embodying her belief that positive change begins with connection, empowerment, and collective action.
Susana Gil Duran
Family & Youth Engagement Specialist
sgilduran@medasf.org
(415) 469-1770
Susana Gil Duran
Family & Youth Engagement Specialist
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dependability
Passion
Empathy
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"As a Mission native, I take so much pride in my community’s resilient attitude and cultural preservation. MEDA has been the pillar of this community and continues to uphold the beauty of La Misión with an open heart and drive for Latin@ advancement."
Susana Gil-Duran was born in San Francisco. She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Jalisco and Mexico City, Mexico. Her roots stem here in the Mission District. In 2009, Susana attended San Jose State University, where she received a bachelor's in Sociology with a concentration in Community Change and a minor in Mexican- American Studies. Susana’s passion for Latino success and community service led her to join a Latina-based sorority known as Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. As she returned to the Mission District, she saw the drastic changes that her community had experienced and decided to support the youth and families in need. As a high school student, Susana attended an after-school program in the Mission known as Seven Tepees Youth Program, where in 2016 she became their Middle School and Family Engagement coordinator for four years. As an alumnus from the program, Susana understood the importance of family engagement and youth empowerment; therefore, in 2017 she established a parent support group called Padres Unidos. She knew that for young people to thrive, they would need parental support and guidance. Through her work as a case manager, Susana managed a cohort of 17 youth for three consecutive years, which included facilitating communication among schools, parents and teachers to ensure the youth’s academic success and holistic well-being.
Susana later gained an opportunity to intern for three months with Instituto Familiar de La Raza Inc. as a clinician for their Early Intervention & School-Based Program. As an intern, Susana was able to advocate for youth and families to receive the appropriate clinical services within the school system and through community organizations.
Susana has made it a priority to give back to the community that has given her so much. It brings her great pride and joy to continue her work within the Mission Promise Neighborhood partnerships.
Read Blogs featuring Susana.
FINANCE
Ferdie Ostrow
Controller
fostrow@medasf.org
Ferdie Ostrow
Controller
Three qualities you bring to work:
Curiosity
Collaboration
Optimism
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District's vibrancy, diversity and food to boot. I love that MEDA is engaged in the day-to-day mission of social justice, advocating for those who have lack access to good education, housing and jobs."
Ferdie Ostrow brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience with community-based organizations that provide social services, housing and health care, as well as with philanthropic foundations. He immigrated from the Philippines at age 11 and has learned the value of an education and hard work early on. After graduating from college in Hawaii, he moved to California and after a few stints in the corporate world, he dedicated his career to working in the nonprofit sector. Ferdie holds a bachelor's of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a Certified Public Accountant in California.
As part of his commitment to giving back to the community, he volunteered with Tax-Aid, a nonprofit organization helping prepare tax returns for low-income people. He also has visited nursing homes to sing to residents and served meals to the homeless. He is an avid runner, completing 13 marathons over five years. He is a choral singer who performed with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and Resound Ensemble. He is currently learning to play the piano and is studying Spanish. Ferdie and his husband's other interests include cooking, traveling and enjoying the rich cultural tapestry that their beloved City by the Bay has to offer.
Read Blogs featuring Ferdie.
Mena Huang
Community Real Estate Finance Director
mhuang@medasf.org
Mena Huang
Community Real Estate Finance Director
Three qualities you bring to work:
Positive
Curious
Dependable
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I am inspired by the work that MEDA is doing to preserve the history, culture and people of the Mission District and beyond."
Mena has over 20 years of finance and accounting experience. She graduated from San Francisco State University and started her career at Novogradac, a professional services firm specializing in affordable housing and the low-income housing tax credit.
Mena is an avid traveler. She loves to explore new places and cultures. She has been to 40 countries in the past 20 years.
Gregory Jackson
Grant and Compliance Accounting Manager
gjackson@medasf.org
Gregory Jackson
Grant and Compliance Accounting Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedication
Knowledge
Giving
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the future and growth of the Mission, and I love the support and resources MEDA provides to the Latino Community within the Mission."
Gregory Jackson has been involved in Community and Mix Use Development for over 18 years. Before coming to MEDA Greg worked for the City of Portland and BHCD (Bureau of Housing and Community Development focusing on providing affordable housing and services for Low Income Families in NE Portland. Also worked at Unity Council in the Fruitvale District of Oakland as a Grant Accountant, providing services for the Latino Community in Education and Development services.
Gregory lives in San Leandro and spends time with family doing various activities from playing sports, shooting pool, or just enjoying a cookout in the backyard while listening to jazz.
Julio Ballon
Senior Accountant
jballon@medasf.org
(415) 770-0627
Julio Ballon
Senior Accountant
Three qualities you bring to work:
Honesty
Positivity
Integrity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The variety of food you can find at the Mission District. I feel passionate about MEDA's mission statement. "
As a Senior Accountant at MEDA, Julio contributes a wealth of financial expertise, stemming from his previous roles in the nonprofit sector. His journey in finance began at San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Accounting. This educational background has deepened his comprehension of nonprofit accounting principles.
Outside of the realm of numbers, Julio finds immense joy in the beautiful game of soccer. Whether he's playing on the field or cheering for his favorite team, soccer provides a delightful counterbalance to his professional endeavors.
Jessica Guerrero
Staff Accountant
jguerrero@medasf.org
Jessica Guerrero
Staff Accountant
Three qualities you bring to work:
Compassion
Dedication
Perserverance
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the close-knit community and the rich culture of the Mission District, and there is no other place in the city that makes me feel more at home. MEDA's mission aligns with my own values as a member of the Latino community and I am happy to be a part in helping families prosper."
Jessica Guerrero is a first-generation immigrant born in Mexico City who has established her life in the Bay Area. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor's in Accounting and a minor in Dance. As an immigrant, Jessica struggled to find the resources that would help her accomplish her life goals. That is, until she came across the abundant resources found in the Mission. This discovery ignited a passion in her to give back to the community through her work. She is now proud to work side by side with MEDA staff to serve and give back to the community who once supported her when she needed it most.
Jessica's is married and has two beautiful children and a dog. Her favorite pastimes are going on roadtrips with her family and hiking around the coast. She is a foodie and loves exploring new places to eat and getting to know different cultures through food and dance.
Read Blogs featuring Jessica.
Jacqueline (Lydia) Gomez
Operations Manager
lgomez@medasf.org
Jacqueline (Lydia) Gomez
Operations Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Learner
Strategic
Achiever
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that the Mission District makes me feel connected to my Nicaraguan roots."
Jaqueline (Lydia) Gomez has worked at MEDA for almost two decades. She started as a receptionist and now is responsible for payroll, accounts payable/receivable and general office issues.
Lydia emigrated from Nicaragua as a teenager. She lives in San Francisco's Excelsior District.
Read Blogs featuring Lydia.
Fund Development/Marketing & Communications
Sandra Collins
Vice-President of Development & Communications
scollins@medasf.org
Sandra Collins
Vice-President of Development & Communications
Three qualities you bring to work:
Relational
Curiosity
Strategic Thinking
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission was where I first fell in love with the Bay Area. The passion and commitment of MEDA staff to secure opportunities for the Mission neighborhood to retain its unique identity while building equitable communities is remarkable."
Sandra Collins has over 15 years of broad experience in several roles with non-profits, higher education and community-based advocacy. She is a first-generation university student and earned both her B.A. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations and Ph.D. in History/Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. For a decade she was an active researcher and university professor where she taught at San Francisco State University and California State University-Chico, and her research as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar at the University of Tokyo was published as The Missing 1940 Tokyo Olympic Games. She left academia when she founded an East Bay non-profit serving gender diverse youth and their families. She has served as a volunteer board member for several Bay Area nonprofits.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, to a Japanese mother and American father, her work is guided by being both a first generation immigrant and university student. These intercultural experiences fuel her drive for social justice to ensure that everyone lives to their fullest potential supported by more just and equitable systems.
Read Blogs featuring Sandra.
Tatiana Acosta
Senior Development Operations Manager
tacosta@medasf.org
Tatiana Acosta
Senior Development Operations Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathy
Intentionality
Community
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"What is there not to love about the Mission? As a Latina born and raised in the Mission, I consider the Mission a part of my identity. While I no longer live in this beautiful neighborhood, I am still rooted in this community. From shopping local merchants, to eating all of the diverse cuisines the Mission has to offer, and visiting family still living here, I still call the Mission home. I'm passionate about the work MEDA does for individuals, families, and businesses in the Mission and beyond and I'm proud to be a part of this collective"
Tatiana Acosta grew up in the Mission district of San Francisco in the 90s and 00s, when Latinos made up more than 50% of the neighborhood's population. As the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, she takes pride in her heritage and is an advocate for socio-economic equity for marginalized peoples. She graduated in 2015 from DePaul University in Chicago, IL with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Latino Media & Communications.
This is Tatiana's second tenure with MEDA. She previously worked with our Evaluation team for four years prior to accepting a development operations role at a national nonprofit. She has returned to MEDA as Senior Development Operations Manager helping our fundraising efforts with systems management and data analysis. She looks forward to being more involved within her community through MEDA's efforts.
Sofia Flores
Development Manager-Grants & Strategic Analytics
sflores@medasf.org
(415) 294-0823
Sofia Flores
Development Manager-Grants & Strategic Analytics
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Intentionality
Collaboration
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I gravitate toward the Mission District so much because the artwork that adorns the neighborhood and its strong community ties remind me of home. I love that MEDA offers community members the resources and opportunities necessary to not only survive, but also thrive."
Sofia Flores grew up in Pacoima, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the northeast San Fernando Valley, home to a large community of Latino immigrants. They are the eldest daughter of an immigrant family from Michoacan and Mexico City. Throughout their childhood and adolescence they have acted as a resource for both their family and community. They have assumed roles such as translator/secretary for their father’s small flooring installation business and mentor for other Valley youth pursuing higher education.
Sofia is a first-generation graduate from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor's in Economics. During their time at Cal, Sofia served as the Marketing and Graphic Design Co-Chair of Rising Immigrant Scholars Through Education. Through a career in direct service and public policy, they hope to improve the quality and impact of policies/projects intended to address the needs of undocumented and underserved communities.
Read Blogs featuring Sofia.
Shaina Johnson
Institutional Giving Manager
sjohnson@medasf.org
Shaina Johnson
Institutional Giving Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathy
Curiosity
Humor
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"When I relocated to the Bay Area, the Mission was the first San Francisco neighborhood that completely captured my imagination -- so culturally vibrant, so full of art and commerce, so full of life! I am grateful for the opportunity to support MEDA's programs to preserve this amazing community and advocate for the residents who are its beating heart. Plus, I love MEDA's holistic approach that addresses prosperity in a multi-dimensional and multi-generational way. And that this model can be replicated nationally."
A multidisciplinary visual and performing artist and educator, she serves as the Department Head of Fire & Performance at The Crucible in Oakland, CA, volunteers for the San Francisco Opera's youth program, and sings with the Oakland Interfaith Community Choir and a local dream pop band (as well as very off-key to her cats some mornings in the kitchen). She also loves cooking, gardening, and tango dancing.
Akemi Chan-Imai
Philanthropic Engagement Manager
akemi@medasf.org
Akemi Chan-Imai
Philanthropic Engagement Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Care
Connection
Optimism
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"As an immigrant myself, I find it very fulfilling to work in service to neighborhoods like the Mission that have welcomed and provided a home for generations of immigrant families. MEDA's commitment to not only help our local communities thrive, but also share its model nationwide is deeply inspiring to me as a prime example of how we can effectively address systemic inequities on a broad scale and make impactful change."
Akemi Chan-Imai began her career in the nonprofit sector as a performing artist and administrator with Makoto Taiko in 2011. With over 10 years of experience in grassroots nonprofits, she is committed to helping creative, cultural organizations and individuals build capacity and serve their communities more effectively. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2018, Akemi has worked at community-based organizations including the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and the Just Cities Institute before joining MEDA in 2023.
Born in Japan and raised in Pasadena, CA, Akemi obtained a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations in 2010 from the University of Southern California and a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University Los Angeles. She has industry credentials as a Project Management Professional (PMP®) and is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP). When she is not working or volunteering for a nonprofit, Akemi enjoys salsa classes and playing video games with her partner.
Marco Guillen
Development & Communications Officer
mguillen@medasf.org
(415) 326-8857
Marco Guillen
Development & Communications Officer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Reliability
Empathy
Respect
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"From the local food spots to the beautiful art murals to the community culture of perseverance and fighting for a better future, I feel at home when I'm in the Mission District. MEDA, an institution in the Mission, is always looking to empower the community for better economic outcomes and increase community political power."
Marco graduated from San Jose State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Communication Studies. After graduating, Marco began his career as a field organizer for political campaigns that looked to uplift underserved communities. Then, Marco entered the nonprofit sector to work towards better health equity outcomes for the San Francisco Latino community. He worked with nonprofit partners, City agencies, and other stakeholders to address and find policy solutions for health concerns expressed by the community. After several years of working in the public health policy space, Marco is beyond excited to start a new chapter in his career and join the Development and Communications team at MEDA.
Marco was born in Peru, raised in the East Bay, and has always had a passion for serving the Latino community–his community. In his personal life, Marco enjoys trying new coffee spots, going on walks around the City, and talking all things soccer.
Juan Mesa
Director of Marketing & Communications
jmesa@medasf.org
(415) 463-7196
Juan Mesa
Director of Marketing & Communications
Three qualities you bring to work:
Creative
Amicable
Compassionate
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission represents the quintessential Latino neighborhood, embodying the spirit of our community and cultures. It's essential that we continue to champion its preservation as a Latino hub. I admire MEDA's active role in this endeavor, working not only to safeguard the Latino presence in the Mission but also to advance equity and prosperity for everyone"
Juan Mesa is originally from Colombia. He has worked as a journalist and content creator for the last 20 years, with most of his work focusing on Latino communities in the United States. He moved to the Bay Area in 2015 after living for 13 years in New York City.
Juan has a bachelor's in communications and journalism from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. He enjoys learning and telling stories of immigrants in the United States. He welcomes conversations about soccer.
Read Blogs featuring Juan.
Evaluation
Rajni Banthia
Vice-President of Evaluation
rbanthia@medasf.org
ext. 137
Rajni Banthia
Vice-President of Evaluation
rbanthia@medasf.org
ext. 137
Three qualities you bring to work:
Organizer
Developer
Thinker
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the diversity of San Francisco and the Mission, and appreciate all of MEDA’s efforts to preserve that diversity."
Rajni Banthia's role as Director of Evaluation is to tell the story about the impact MEDA’s programs are having on the local community. She is a multidisciplinary social scientist and has dedicated her career to leading evaluation, research and assessment studies on a range of issues facing lower-income communities of color, with the overarching aim of reducing disparities, using data to foster meaningful change and promoting social equity. This work is rooted in her passion for making data accessible, engaging and relevant for practitioners and policymakers, as well as lay audiences. Being the daughter of immigrants has fueled her pursuit for social justice and commitment to working with diverse and underserved groups.
Rajni earned a bachelor's in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley with a minor in South Asian Studies, and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Medicine from the University of California San Diego. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Public Health policy research at the University of California, San Francisco with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Scholars in Health Disparities program. Previously, Rajni worked at: Resource Development Associates, a mission-driven social services consultancy; Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, a public health research and evaluation firm; and PolicyLink, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization promoting social justice and equity.
Read Blogs featuring Rajni.
Michelle Reiss-Top
Director, Digital Integration
mreisstop@medasf.org
Michelle Reiss-Top
Director, Digital Integration
Three qualities you bring to work:
Innovation
Questioning
Humor
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"Grit. In both senses of the word."
Over the past six years, Michelle Reiss-Top has helped MEDA go from counting heads to tracking client's financial profiles over time, to migrating databases and rolling out our case management and referral system to over 15 different Mission Promise partners. Michelle sees MEDA's direct service staff are her clients.
Michelle's goal is to provide staff with user-friendly tools they deserve so they can get down to the business of working with Mission District families. It is her ongoing endeavor to build tools that reflect the quality of thestaff's work, the successes and challenges of MEDA/MPN families and a way to learn from what we collect.
Read Blogs featuring Michelle.
Ann Jillian Adona
Senior Analyst
ajadona@medasf.org
Ann Jillian Adona
Senior Analyst
Three qualities you bring to work:
Rigor
Passion
Resilience
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I cherish the vibrant adventure that the Mission District presents, where the array of food, retail, and unique experiences invites endless exploration. Every visit offers an opportunity to immerse myself in diverse cultures, all showcased beautifully through its eclectic restaurants and shops."
"I admire MEDA for its dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals in the Mission and fostering meaningful positive change. MEDA's commitment to evidence-based practices not only demonstrates its effectiveness but also ensures that its initiatives are grounded in research and real-world impact, allowing it to make a lasting difference in the community."
Jill brings over nine years of experience in international development research, focusing on health, education, labor, poverty, trade, economic uncertainty, infrastructure, and information technologies. Before relocating to San Francisco, she specialized in nutrition and human development at the World Bank. Her prior experience includes consultancy for the Asian Development Bank and serving as an analyst at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, which is the think tank of the Philippine government. Her research interests encompass econometrics and development policy. Jill earned dual master’s degrees in Development Economics from the University of the Philippines and Applied Economics from the University of San Francisco.
Oswaldo Solorzano Jr
Salesforce Administrator
osolorzanojr@medasf.org
Oswaldo Solorzano Jr
Salesforce Administrator
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedication
Curiosity
Stability
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District’s passion, unity, and resiliency of the Latino community expressed through the arts, food, music, family businesses, and the people themselves. I love that MEDA reflects these same qualities to help the community thrive."
Oswaldo, Ozzy for short, is a native San Franciscan with Mexican and Nicaraguan roots. He brings his experiences ranging from service, facility management, and information technology to support and grow MEDA’s efforts to help the Mission District thrive.
Ozzy received his Bachelors in Kinesiology from San Jose State University and continued his education through City College of San Francisco for Information Technology. He enjoys playing sports, cheering passionately for his City’s professional teams, attending concerts, gardening, and traveling.
Community Real Estate
Elaine Yee
Vice-President of Community Real Estate
eyee@medasf.org
ext. 138
Elaine Yee
Vice-President of Community Real Estate
eyee@medasf.org
ext. 138
Three qualities you bring to work:
Responsible
Dedicated
Personable
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"San Francisco is lucky to have a strong Latino community in the Mission District. MEDA works to keep it that way."
Elaine joined MEDA's Community Real Estate Team as Senior Project Manager since 2014. She has been working on MEDA's new construction 100% affordable housing projects: 2060 Folsom Family Housing (126 homes for families and Transition Age Youth, with over 10,000 ground floor community serving space and cafe, adjacent to the new neighborhood park) and 1296 Shotwell Senior Housing (94 homes for seniors and homeless seniors age 62 and up), which plan to breakground in 2018.
Prior to MEDA, Elaine has worked for various community development groups in California, such as EBALDC, Chinatown CDC, and Little Tokyo Service Center. Her experience in affordable housing is extensive, ranging from planning, community organizing and real estate development. She has worked on new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation projects, and is familiar with tax credit financing (low-income housing, and historic), AHP, and local and state subsidies. Elaine holds a master's in Planning from University of Southern California.
Read Blogs featuring Elaine.
Warren Ritter
Associate Director, Production
writter@medasf.org
Warren Ritter
Associate Director, Production
Warren has been developing affordable housing in California’s Bay Area for a decade and is currently the Associate Director of Production at Mission Economic Development Agency. Warren holds a Juris Doctorate from the City University of New York, is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Product Council and a member of the Pacheco Municipal Advisory Council.
Leslie Molina
Associate Director Asset Management
lmolina@medasf.org
Leslie Molina
Associate Director Asset Management
Three qualities you bring to work:
Integrity
Honesty
Diligence
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"MEDA has strengthened the presence of the Latinx community in the Mission and San Francisco."
Leslie Molina is responsible for the overall physical and financial health of MEDA’s residential and commercial property portfolio. Leslie is a passionate real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in the affordable-housing sector and the San Francisco conventional market. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the operations and portfolio management of nonprofit residential and commercial properties.
Leslie has been a licensed real estate agent for 16 years. She has successfully managed and executed real estate strategies that exceed organizational objectives.
Read Blogs featuring Leslie.
Jose Garcia
Associate Director, Preservation
jgarcia@medasf.org
ext. 176
Jose Garcia
Associate Director, Preservation
jgarcia@medasf.org
ext. 176
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathetic
Determined
Learner
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission is the heart of San Francisco, and MEDA works to keep it that way."
Jose Garcia is determined to keep a strong Latino Community in the Mission District. Prior to joining MEDA, Jose was a Relocation Consultant for Overland, Pacific, and Cutler LLC, where he even worked alongside MEDA during the rehabbing of five former public housing developments under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program (a total of 439 units for seniors and disabled San Franciscans).
Jose attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, receiving a bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business.
Read Blogs featuring Jose.
Seth Furman
Senior Project Manager, Production
sfurman@medasf.org
415-376-8896
Seth Furman
Senior Project Manager, Production
Three qualities you bring to work:
Optimism
Personable
Goal-Oriented
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission is California and California is the Mission. MEDA has an exceptional responsibility to help the neighborhood continue to flourish and to allow those who have lived here their entire lives to be a part of the neighborhood’s future."
Seth, Senior Project Manager for the Mission Economic Development Agency’s Production team, provides over 7 years of national real estate development experience spanning product types, industries, and development stages. Previously, he served as the Real Estate Representative for Albertsons-Safeway’s Northern California and Portland divisions, managing the predevelopment, construction management, and project entitlements for new grocery-anchored developments spanning the West Coast.
Seth holds both a Masters of City and Regional Planning and a Masters of Real Estate Development from the Georgia Institute of Technology, alongside a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami. You’ll find Seth on the weekends exploring the Bay Area’s outdoor wonders through hiking, surfing, skiing, and the occasional run in the Oakland Hills.
Laura Daza-García
Project Manager, Production
ldaza@medasf.org
ext. 114
Laura Daza-García
Project Manager, Production
Three qualities you bring to work:
Community-rooted
Solidarity
Mindfulness
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"MEDA's comprehensive services and programs are a model to improve the quality of life of Latina/o/x families and immigrants. As an urban planner, I appreciate the strategies and commitment to support our community to thrive, while also further increasing opportunities to preserve and expand the cultural and economic wealth of working-class people in the Mission District and beyond."
Laura Daza-García is a first-generation immigrant from Colombia. Laura is passionate about the intersections between climate and housing justice issues, particularly as it pertains to immigrants, refugees and biodiversity. Her interest in housing started after graduating from high school, when she worked in the low-income communities of her home city, building emergency homes for families living in extreme poverty. This experience sparked her interest in urban planning, equity and civic engagement. She recently graduated from UCLA’s master's in Urban and Regional Planning program with a concentration in housing and community development. Prior to graduate school, Laura worked as a tenant counselor, organizer and advocate for the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP) and Causa Justa :: Just Cause. As a graduate student, she held two internships as a Development Associate and Development Intern at a community land trust in South Los Angeles and at Community Corporation of Santa Monica, respectively. Laura's role at MEDA's Community Real Estate team will focus on the production of new 100% affordable housing buildings.
Laura enjoys spending time outdoors while eating paletas, swimming, and learning music and languages.
Read Blogs featuring Laura.
Myrna Ortiz
Project Manager
mortiz@medasf.org
(415) 376-8614
Myrna Ortiz
Project Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Dependability
Curiosity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the diverse community, culture, music, history, art, and delicious food in the Mission District! There is always something new to explore in this neighborhood. And MEDA is at the heart of it all, supporting local businesses, families, and partners to elevate everything that makes the Mission so unique and vibrant."
Myrna Ortiz Villar has over a decade of experience working with diverse immigrant communities to advance community development and civic engagement throughout California. As a community organizer, Myrna recognized that urban planning decisions and policies determine who has access to necessities like employment, transportation, and housing. Her personal immigrant experience has shaped her professional journey, always finding ways to connect people to resources and empower communities to advocate for lasting change.
Myrna is committed to MEDA's mission of advancing equity and building community ownership through affordable housing in San Francisco. She is excited to bring her expertise in city planning, youth and bilingual engagement, capacity building, and consulting to the MEDA’s Community Real Estate team.
Read Blogs featuring Myrna.
Victoria Vera
Assistant Project Manager
vvera@medasf.org
(415) 376-9470
Victoria Vera
Assistant Project Manager
vvera@medasf.org
(415) 376-9470
Three qualities you bring to work:
Integrity
Authenticity
Passion
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?"
"I love the Mission District because of its cultural richness and its long history of community advocacy. The Mission District’s landscape has been shaped by its residents through its small businesses, murals, community advocacy, and much more. I love the neighborly camaraderie!. I love MEDA’s commitment to uplifting and amplifying the community. I resonate with MEDA’s value of 'audacity' to lead with courage and challenge the status quo. I appreciate being surrounded by amazing folks who are compassionate and want to support each other’s growth."
Victoria Vera was born and raised in Sacramento, California, and is the daughter of parents from Jalisco and Zacatecas, Mexico. Inspired by her family and community's resilience, Victoria is passionate about equity, inclusion, and ensuring that individuals have access to resources that allow them to thrive and not just survive. She is early in her career in affordable housing, having completed the Bay Area Affordable Housing Intern Program (BAHIP) focusing on affordable homeownership while at Mission Economic Development Agency. Prior to MEDA, Victoria was a Fellow in the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs where she was able to work within various sectors that include labor, governmental offices, and nonprofits. Victoria graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science.
Victoria loves to listen to music, sing, and read in her free time. Outside of work, Victoria spends time with her friends, family, and community.
Guadalupe Mercado
Project Manager, Preservation
gmercado@medasf.org
(415) 663-6054
Guadalupe Mercado
Project Manager, Preservation
Three qualities you bring to work:
Leadership
Determination
Passion
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love how diverse the Mission is, with so many cultures rooted in one."
Guadalupe Mercado has an associate's degree in Accounting and has ventured into various positions internally with MEDA and externally. Guadalupe started by doing contracted program assistance and advanced to a Financial Capability Coach. She then continued to grow her professional career as Housing Opportunities Coach, where she became a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor and a NeighborWorks-Certified Post-Purchase Education Housing Coach.
Guadalupe has had experience with escrow and title companies, where she profoundly learned real estate is her passion. With this experience, she quickly learned she wanted to join the MEDA Community Real Estate and continue to grow toward her goal. Guadalupe is on her path to obtaining her real estate license.
Read Blogs featuring Guadelupe.
Edgar García Solís
Capital Improvement Manager
edgar.garcia@medasf.org
(415) 604-2394
Edgar García Solís
Capital Improvement Manager
edgar.garcia@medasf.org
(415) 604-2394
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Reliable
Personable
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission because I was made in the Mission. I love the passion that MEDA has to provide economic opportunities and preserve the greatness of this beautiful community."
Edgar García was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just two years old. Upon their arrival in the U.S., his family made their home in San Francisco's Mission District. Edgar has been a part of the San Francisco construction industry since the age of 18, spending the last eight years as an assistant project manager in the downtown area, accumulating valuable expertise in tenant improvement construction.
Having a deep-rooted connection to the Mission District, Edgar's passion lies in the preservation and development of affordable housing. He has been extensively involved in various tenant improvement projects within the Financial District and is excited about the prospect of further contributing to the field from the MEDA headquarters building (Plaza Adelante) onward.
Asset Building Programs
Ernesto Martinez
Vice-President of Asset Building Programs
emartinez@medasf.org
(415) 409-9172
Ernesto Martinez
Vice-President of Asset Building Programs
emartinez@medasf.org
(415) 409-9172
Three qualities you bring to work:
Leadership
Impact
Community
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that MEDA’s approach to the Mission’s development is comprehensive and helps build social, human and financial capital."
Ernesto Martinez was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been working in the nonprofit sector for years.
Ernesto holds two bachelor's degrees -- one in Economics and the other in International Relations -- from San Francisco State University. He is also the District 9 representative on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizen's Advisory Committee and enjoys empowering younger Latino and youth of color through activities such as mentoring at John O'Connell High School and volunteering for the Latino/Chicano Leadership Project.
Read Blogs featuring Ernesto.
Aristos Kemiji
Asset Building Programs Director/Housing Rights Counsel
akemiji@medasf.org
Aristos Kemiji
Asset Building Programs Director/Housing Rights Counsel
Three qualities you bring to work:
Conscientiousness
Dependability
Magnanimity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"As a San Francisco native. I’ve always seen the Mission District as a bustling haven of intercultural exchange where I can share and celebrate my Hispanic heritage. I have profound admiration for how MEDA functions as a steadfast champion of the Mission community since 1973, especially throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Aristos Kemiji is a citizen of both the United States and Spain. He was born and raised in San Francisco while keeping strong ties to his Hispanic roots. Following his graduation from UC Hastings College of the Law and admission into the State Bar of California, Aristos has relished the opportunity to serve residents of his hometown with unforeseen challenges they face as real estate interests have been severely impacted throughout the pandemic. In 2022, Aristos joined MEDA as Housing Rights Counsel.
By fostering transparent interactions between tenants and landlords, Aristos has committed himself to actively dispelling misunderstandings caused by language barriers, cultural customs and differing business practices that jeopardize housing security. Aristos believes that advocates have the capacity and responsibility to “re-wire” conflicts in the tenant-landlord dynamic to find mutually beneficial resolutions based on common interests and shared ground.
Read Blogs featuring Aristos.
Dairo Romero
Community Initiatives Manager
dromero@medasf.org
ext. 103
Dairo Romero
Community Initiatives Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathetic
Community-focused
Caring
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission makes me feel right at home, as does MEDA."
Dairo Romero, who emigrated from Colombia, brings 10 years of experience in community planning and organizing. His expertise and passion for his work translates to community members feeling part of the development process, leading to the support of such projects.
Dairo wears many hats in his current role at MEDA, most notably being an integral part of the facilitation team for United to Save the Mission and having been responsible for the facilitation of meetings for the November 2015 Proposition A affordable-housing measure. The latter was a $310 bond, passed by San Francisco voters, with $50 million later earmarked specifically to address the housing crisis in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Read Blogs featuring Dairo.
Carolina Krawiec
Tenant's Rights Attorney
ckrawiec@medasf.org
Carolina Krawiec
Tenant's Rights Attorney
Three qualities you bring to work:
Determination
Integrity
Empathy
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District’s vibrancy and MEDA’s commitment to making measurable and lasting improvements in its client’s lives."
Carolina was born in Argentina and grew up in Los Angeles. She is a passionate advocate who believes that everyone deserves access to justice. She is an attorney with sixteen years of experience in providing direct services to clients, first at a legal services organization, and later as the Director of Constituent Services and District Counsel for a member of the US House of Representatives. Carolina has a law degree, with a concentration in public interest law, from UC San Francisco College of the Law (formerly known as UC Hastings) and a bachelor’s degree in economics from UC Berkeley.
Housing Opportunities Program
Pedro Tuyub
Housing Opportunities Program Manager
ptuyub@medasf.org
(415) 605-6071
Pedro Tuyub
Housing Opportunities Program Manager
ptuyub@medasf.org
(415) 425-7783
Three qualities you bring to work:
Reliable
Analytical
Passionate
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"Since emigrating from my native country of Mexico, the Mission District felt and looked like home. MEDA is committed to preserving the Mission District as a Latino community and I am proud to be part of MEDA’s efforts as a Family Success Coach to help Latino families have access to social services to improve their livelihood leading to economic stability and academic success for their children."
Pedro Tuyub was born in the state of Yucatán, Mexico to a farm-working family. He emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 18 after graduating from high school, settling in the Mission District, where he has lived ever since. He attended City College of San Francisco, where he received an associate’s in arts and went on to attend San Francisco State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s in psychology.
Since 1999, Pedro has been working in the Mission District; first as an editor of El Tecolote -- a 45+ years community bilingual newspaper -- covering neighborhood issues such as housing, education, health and immigration. During his years as a reporter and editor, he began working with the growing Yucatec Mayan community, which led to the foundation in 2004 of Associación Mayab, an indigenous nonprofit. Being aware of the social and economic barriers faced by the Latino community, Pedro joined the dedicated team at MEDA to continue his community work and activism.
Read Blogs featuring Pedro.
Maribel Escalante
Housing Opportunities Coach
mescalante@medasf.org
415-323-0617
Maribel Escalante
Housing Opportunities Coach
mescalante@medasf.org
(415) 323-0617
Three qualities you bring to work:
Collaborative
Empathy
Integrity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the wonderful people and colorful culture that make the Mission District unique and special. MEDA offers activities and free programs to ensure prosperity to those who need to have a quality life in San Francisco."
Maribel Escalante is originally from Venezuela. She immigrated to the U.S., where she had to adapt to a new culture, learn a new language, and acquire the skills necessary to be productive and successful. While attending San Francisco Community College-Mission Center, Maribel got engaged with the Latino community, where she discovered and explored the social and economic status of the Mission District neighborhood. Her ability to learn fast and to enjoy working and collaborating with others opened the doors to work in the nonprofit sector. She started as a volunteer at City College, CCSF, as an Administration support and then as a Tax Preparer at Acorn where, a year later, she gets promoted as a Tax Site Coordinator. Maribel has also worked in other positions in the financial sector as a Resource Specialist and as a core part of MEDA's tax team for three years.
Maribel's dedication when it comes to helping individuals and families with her level of experience in financial services has made her acuity aware and empathetic of the needs and situations of the families MEDA assists. This leads to her drive of making sure every family can build toward a positive future. She is happy and proud to bring her life and professional experience to support the community in reaching their future financial goals while establishing a long-term relationship with the community.
Read Blogs featuring Maribel.
Pedro Jose Tuyub
Housing Opportunites Coach
pjtuyub@medasf.org
(415) 562-7296
Pedro Jose Tuyub
Housing Opportunites Coach
pjtuyub@medasf.org
(415) 562-7296
Three qualities you bring to work:
Analytical
Perseverance
Empathetic
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District, as it is where I was born and raised and saw how amazing the community is growing up. I love that MEDA tailors its services to the Latino community, which can then maximize the help the community receives."
Pedro Jose Tuyub was born and raised in the Mission District. His parents are immigrants from Mexico and as a first-generation Chicano he has experienced the challenges immigrants face in their efforts to improve their livelihoods. This experience led him to volunteer at MEDA while focusing his education on learning how to best work with the immigrant community. He also relies on the experience of his family, which has a history of working with the community.
Pedro attended San Francisco State University and studied Psychology and Computer Science.
Read Blogs featuring Pedro.
Andres Bermudez Serrada
Housing Opportunities Coach
abermudezserrada@medasf.org
Andres Bermudez Serrada
Housing Opportunities Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Reliablility
Dreamer/Optimistic/Happy
Work smarter, not harder
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission because I feel that I am closer to my country, as the people are nice and there are many places to eat or have fun."
Andres Bermudez Serrada has been living in the United States since mid-2016, always in San Francisco. He was originally born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Andres studied Business Administration in his country and has been working in Customer Services/Sales and Real Estate for more than 20 years. Andres has been connected to MEDA since 2017, when he came for help with his taxes. Since that time, MEDA has been a place of support for his life here in the United States. Andres has been involved with various programs and has also volunteered.
His family was blessed with a new baby (Bruno Andres) one day before Christmas 2021. Additionally, Andres is taking classes to earn an associate's in Real Estate at CCSF.
Read Blogs featuring Andres.
Jennifer Ramírez
Housing Opportunities Rental Coach
jramirez@medasf.org
Jennifer Ramírez
Housing Opportunities Rental Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathy
Positivity
Professionalism
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District because it's not only my home but it is full of vibrant people, culture, and diversity. MEDA thrives to build Latino prosperity, which I wholeheartedly stand behind."
Jennifer was raised in the Mission District where she still has deep roots and connections. Jennifer graduated from San Francisco State University with two Bachelor degrees (B.S in International Business and B.A in Latino Studies.) Prior to MEDA, she worked as a Compliance Specialist making sure the company was following city regulations and guidelines while helping families find affordable housing.
In her free time, Jennifer likes to travel the world and learn about different cultures. She is a big foodie and loves to try new restaurants. During her down time she likes to get lost in libros and is always open to new book suggestions.
Read Blogs featuring Jennifer.
Financial Capability & Free Tax Preparation
Claudia Soto
Financial Assets Program Manager
csoto@medasf.org
415-213-2744
Claudia Soto
Financial Assets Program Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Analytical
Empathic
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love walking down Mission Street and seeing the energy, joy and enthusiasm of our Latin community and I and I feel proud to work for this wonderful organization where every day we put our heart into ensuring that our people have a better quality of life."
Claudia joined MEDA's Asset Building Program as Financial Assets Coach in 2017. Since then, she has been working on MEDA Financial Capability and Advanced Tax Preparation for our low- moderate income community. Previous to MEDA, Claudia worked for a decade in the Financial Banking system and Financial Institutions.
Her experience in community service, Financial Coaching, Asset Building, Public Benefits and Housing advice is extensive and ranges from planning, financial education, and empowerment to the community. She hold a Certification in Housing Counselor by the HUD and a Degree in Business Administration.
Read Blogs featuring Claudia.
Tatania Garcia-Llanes
Family Economic Success Coach
tgarcia-llanes@medasf.org
Tatania Garcia-Llanes
Family Economic Success Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Patience
Time management
Kindness
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that the Mission connects me to different cultures and great food. Growing up around the Mission, I enjoyed seeing people who looked like me. I enjoy MEDA's sense of family within the staff and that we can all work together to help out the community."
Tatania Garcia-Llanes was raised in San Francisco and grew up around the Mission all her life. Tatania's academic background is a bachelor’s from San Francisco State University in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Special Education. She has worked in various environments to help children, youth and their family members thrive. Tatania has worked as an ABA therapist and has prior experience in a local nonprofit organization as an after-school program teacher.
Tatania is passionate about helping low-income families of color to be able to succeed in their life and get a chance to do great things. She is proud to serve her community and is looking forward to learning new things.
Read Blogs featuring Tatania.
Felipe Tuyub
Financial Assets Coach
ftuyub@medasf.org
(415) 849-2262
Felipe Tuyub
Financial Assets Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedication
Passionate
Communication
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love how the Mission is home to a vibrant and resilient Latino community. Growing up around
the proud culture that makes up the neighborhood has directly influenced my goals to work
alongside MEDA to continue empowering and aiding the community."
Felipe was born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District. The meaningful personal connections he has made in the city has had a lifelong impact on him and shaped his beliefs and aspirations. He is dedicated to giving back to the community that raised him and intends to do so as a part of MEDA’s financial capabilities team.
He is currently in the process of returning to San Francisco State University to complete a degree in Urban Studies and Planning.
Workforce Development / Digital Opportunity Center
Jose Mariscal
Associate Director of Workforce Development
jmariscal@medasf.org
Jose Mariscal
Associate Director of Workforce Development
Three qualities you bring to work:
Focused
Organized
Attentive
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I have to acknowledge the people in my life that opened doors for me to be successful , and MEDA gives me the chance to open the same doors for other people."
Jose Mariscal lived up in Mexico for four years of his childhood, allowing him to have an understanding of the way of life in that country. Jose later moved back to the Bay Area, where he worked construction and participated in various faith-based youth groups while attending community college. He then transferred to University of California, Santa Cruz, where he obtained his bachelor's in Psychology and Sociology, while also helping create a local school club (Empowering Latino Advancement through Educational Development).
After graduation, Jose continued his engagement with the Latino community through his fraternity: Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Incorporated. Jose started his engagement with the San Francisco community by working with the homeless population through Larkin Street Youth Services in various positions which revolved around workforce development. Jose is now excited to bring all of his life and professional experience to support the Mission neighborhood.
Read Blogs featuring Jose.
Noe Díaz
Adult Workforce Development Program Manager
ndiaz@medasf.org
(415) 340-2648
Noe Díaz
Adult Workforce Development Program Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passionate
Service-Oriented
Resilience
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the diversity of people and cultures in the Mission District, as well as the variety of food that reflects this richness. At MEDA, I value the opportunity to support my community in meaningful ways. I also appreciate the teamwork, collaboration, and strong sense of camaraderie among my coworkers."
Noe grew up in Guatemala and moved to the U.S. after finishing high school. Upon his arrival, he balanced work and education, attending community college where he earned an associate's degree in Business Administration. He then transferred to UC Berkeley, where he completed a degree in Political Economy with a concentration in inequalities.
During his education, Noe became keenly aware of the socioeconomic barriers—often by design—that prevented his community from advancing. This realization fueled his commitment to help others as much as he can. In his free time, Noe loves going on hikes, taking walks, or getting food with friends
Irene Lin
Job Developer
ilin@medasf.org
(415) 429-4124
Irene Lin
Job Developer
Three qualities you bring to work:
Making a difference
Team Work
Commitment
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"There is so much to love about MEDA but definitely being able to serve the latino community that I grew up with is at the top of the list and the ability to provide them with not just services but long term sustainable services gives this job so much meaning. I also love the MEDA team commitment and spirit of teamwork and the mission district food are items I look forward to when I go to work."
Irene Lin was born and raised in the beautiful country of Venezuela but her family is Chinese. She moved to the Bay area in March 2024 and lived in Canada for over 20 years. Irene is fluent in Spanish and English and can speak some Cantonese. Irene has been fortunate to work in the employment services for over 10 years and 7 have been in job development. Irene holds a bachelor degree in International Studies. Irene worked on helping a candidate with everything including credentialing, training, writing a resume and cover letter, preparing for an interview, finding mentorship and networking. Irene is also an expert in organizing in-person and virtual hiring events for various industries including construction, hospitality, IT, administration among several others.
In her spare time, she loves the outdoors, going hiking, camping, exploring flower gardens but is also a foodie and cooker who loves to make a good soup.
Marcela Trujano
Senior Workforce Coach/ Technology Training Coordinator
mtrujano@medasf.org
Marcela Trujano
Senior Workforce Coach/ Technology Training Coordinator
Three qualities you bring to work:
Collaboration
Focus
Innovation
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that MEDA always is developing broad programs and working on coalitions to fight poverty and inequity so our unrepresented families supported to improve their lives."
Marcela Trujano is a first-generation, bilingual Latina and immigrant with a passion for serving and believing in non-English speakers to break down barriers to visualize their own success. She is a proud member of the Tipping Point Fellowship as a mid-level leader, showcasing organizational management skills focused on alleviating poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marcela showcases expertise in tech, holding multiple worldwide ComPTIA, Cisco, Cybersecurity/Social Engineering, Business, Mental Health First Aid USA and CA Equal Housing Opportunity Law certifications.
Marcela worked on multiple job positions related to the IT workforce from enrollment, improving training/curriculums and job placement assistance. She believes and fights for equity in tech as a human right.
Read Blogs featuring Marcela.
Esteban Bamaca
Workforce Development Coach
ebamaca@medasf.org
(408) 581-0292
Esteban Bamaca
Workforce Development Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathy
Reliable
Self-motivated
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission's multicultural diversity, plus the happy, vibrant energy.. I love MEDA's programs and efforts to change policies, so the Latino community and other underserved communities can expand their housing and employment opportunities, and reach their financial goals."
Esteban Bamaca showcases more than eight years of experience in providing exceptional customer service, language, consular and job assistance, both in the private and government sectors. Esteban specializes in workforce development and is responsible for providing training focused on helping individuals to find jobs, whether someone speaks Spanish or English.
Esteban earned a bachelor's from San Francisco State University, with a concentration in Spanish and Latin American studies. An immigrant from Guatemala, and an Indigenous Mayan, he is the first person in his family to graduate from university. Esteban is driven by the belief that where there is a will there is a way -- and with some help and hard work, any person can reach their economic and educational goals. Esteban is inspired daily by his wife and their twin boys. In his free time, Esteban loves to go to parks with his family, and watch series and sports.
Read Blogs featuring Esteban.
Salma Flores
Workforce Development Coach
salma.flores@medasf.org
(510) 679-3189
Salma Flores
Workforce Development Coach
sflores@medasf.org
(510) 679-3189
Three qualities you bring to work:
Collaboration
Commitment
Empathy
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the vibrant murals, mercaditos and the cultura in the Mission, as they serve as a reminder of home. I appreciate the many essential resources MEDA provides that help open doors to an abundance of opportunities for our Latino community to achieve their social and economic goals."
Salma Flores was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at age 5. She was raised in Oakland, and has lived in the Fruitvale District ever since. Salma is a first-generation graduate from the University of California, Merced with a bachelor's in Public Health and a minor in Spanish. One of Salma’s goals is to obtain her master’s. Throughout the years, Salma has had the opportunity to be involved in the nonprofit sector through various jobs, internships and volunteer roles. Her previous roles at the Unity Council, the Black Cultural Zone and Unidos en Salud have continued to fuel her passion for giving back and working toward improving the quality of life for marginalized communities. Salma is committed to serving and empowering the underserved communities through her day-to-day work. At MEDA, she is eager to learn from her colleagues and continue to be a resource for the Mission community.
During her free time, Salma enjoys being outdoors, whether she is running, hiking with her dog, biking or playing soccer with friends.
Read Blogs featuring Salma.
Ashley Ramos
Workforce Development Coach
aramos@medasf.org
Ashley Ramos
Workforce Development Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Adaptability
Passion
Respect
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the home-like feeling that MEDA and the Mission District have. I love the passion that MEDA shows for the community and its consistency when it comes to helping families and teaching them new ways to improve not just individually but as a community."
Ashley was born in San Francisco and came from a low-income Latino family, she realized soon in age that the lack of resources for low-income families and in most cases the language barrier placed Latino families a step behind everyone else. This made her want to learn more about ways to improve the community and how she could contribute to helping other families. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's in Health Education to give back that knowledge to her community and help them improve their way of life.
Ashley believes there is an importance in educating the community because it allows families to share that knowledge with each other to help future generations. Ashley understands the importance of the Latino community working together and because of this, she has been involved with multiple nonprofit organizations to help and share her knowledge with her community. Her daughter is her constant motivation for the work that she does and pushes her to better herself every day and her community.
Jacqueline Yañez Martinez
Youth Workforce Program Manager
jyanezmartinez@medasf.org
(415) 604-2336
Jacqueline Yañez Martinez
Youth Workforce Program Manager
jyanezmartinez@medasf.org
Three qualities you bring to work:
Advocacy
Curiosity
Audacity
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that MEDA and the Mission District are rooted in their culture and love for their community. Their dedication to honor the past and create a better future."
Jacqueline was born in Mexico and came to the United States when she was eight years old. She graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Her own experiences as an immigrant have led her to a career serving others with unstable immigration status in the community. In her previous role, she led City DREAM, a resource center for undocumented students at City College of San Francisco.
Mariana Dempsey-Lopez
Youth Workforce Development Coach
mdempsey@medasf.org
(415) 523-5562
Mariana Dempsey-Lopez
Youth Workforce Development Coach
Three qualities you bring to work:
Curious
Joyful
Creative
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love seeing all the vibrant colors and sounds of the Mission. It’s a neighborhood that’s never dull or boring. There are so many hard-working, genuine, and kind people making the neighborhood thrive. Similarly, I’ve loved every interaction I’ve had with MEDA staff. I think everyone here brings that same attitude to the work being done for the community."
Mariana spent the first 13 years of her life growing up in the Caribbean coast of her country: Venezuela. From then, she has had the opportunity to live in various places throughout California - five years in Bakersfield, three (ish) years in San Diego, and has now been a Bay Area resident for the past two and a half years. After seeing the catastrophic decline of her home country’s economy, Mariana began her passion for economic development. She attended the University of California, San Diego and majored in International Economics with a regional specialization in Latin America.
After graduating, Mariana began working in the education sector while hoping to find opportunities aligned with economic development. While working in education, she found direct work with students to be inspiring, empowering, and fun. Mariana had the amazing opportunity to support students from East Oakland develop entrepreneurial and socio-emotional skills through her work at BUILD. She is now excited to begin merging her passions for economic development and education as a Youth Workforce Development Coach. In her free time, Mariana likes to cook, paint, cuddle up with her chiweenie Maya, embroider, and travel to new destinations.
Fondo Adelante CDFI (Community Loan Fund)
Rebeca Patiño
Vice President, Fondo Adelante
rpatino@medasf.org
Rebeca Patiño
Vice President, Fondo Adelante
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passionate
Caring
Committed
What do you love about MEDA?
"It's mission and long-standing positive effects in the Latinx Community for 50 years"
Rebeca Patino has dedicated her professional career to the financial services and banking industry. Over the course of her 33-year career, she has led teams in the delivery and execution of complex financing transactions while providing exemplary client service and relationship management. To date, she has been instrumental in securing over $1 billion in committed funds for clients, including nonprofit organizations, corporations, and individuals. Rebeca's awareness of service to local communities began at an early age when she spent summers teaching literacy to individuals in Bolivia, South America, where her parents served as missionaries.
Rebeca is a survivor of a pedestrian hit-and-run accident that nearly took her life in 2018. Her determination, resilience, faith, and support from her family and friends were pivotal in her recovery, which included learning to walk again and regaining full use of her right arm. Her goal is to establish an organization that can provide encouragement and mental health support to survivors of accidents and families in the Latinx community. Her mantra is to "live life with a purpose and make every day count." In her free time, she enjoys cooking, organizing gatherings, hiking in Sonoma County, and traveling.
Read Blogs featuring Rebeca.
Sandra Herrera
CDFI Controller
sherrera@medasf.org
Sandra Herrera
CDFI Controller
Three qualities you bring to work:
Creative
Analytical
Learner
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Missions street murals, which depict the vibrant roots of the Latino community even after so much change, and I love MEDA’s commitment to ensure that those roots stay strong."
Sandra Herrera has several years of finance and accounting experience. Prior to joining MEDA, she worked in banking, and most recently with international construction projects in developing countries.
Sandra was raised in a northern town in Mexico, bordering Texas. She holds a finance degree from UTSA and a master's in Tax from GGU.
Read Blogs featuring Sandra.
Small Business Lending
Jhonattan Herrada
Loan Servicing Manager
jherrada@medasf.org
Jhonattan Herrada
Loan Servicing Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Work Ethic
Problem Solving
Team Work
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that MEDA helps the Latino community not only by giving them the necessary tools to succeed, but to become financially Independent and have a better future."
Jhonattan Herrada came to the United States in April 2005. From Day One, he had to work really hard to get his education since he had to attend college and work full-time. He moved his way up from working in the restaurant industry toward financial institutions, where he saw a potential to help the Latino community.
Jhonattan graduated from San Francisco State University, getting a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Studies. He saw the issues faced by underserved communities, including the Latino community. Jhonattan is excited about the opportunity to help people and small businesses.
Read Blogs featuring Jhonattan.
Gloria Murillo
Business Lending Manager
gmurillo@medasf.org
(415) 376-8603
Gloria Murillo
Business Lending Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Integrity
Adaptability
Emotional Intelligence
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"Whenever I think about La Mission; fond memories from my childhood come back. The Mission was the original “downtown” for my family, it’s where you went to buy groceries, clothes, shoes, pan dulce and even where your dental and eye appts were. It was a one stop shop and that’s what I feel MEDA is to our clients. MEDA is not a one time transaction; we are invested in the lives of each person we help and we are more than happy to join their journey and help navigate wherever we can. We are that handy resource that you keep in your pocket. When our clients succeed, we succeed."
Gloria Murillo was born and raised in San Francisco. She is passionate about housing issues that affect the Latino community. Prior to joining MEDA, she worked in the Mortgage industry for over 20 years and is looking forward to collaborating with the Fondo Adelante Team.
Her secondary education focused on the medical field during which she received her certifications as an EMT-B, Medical Assistant and 911 Dispatcher. Her shift to mortgages happened when her parents were faced with issues affecting their mortgage loan. She realized her parents were put into a bad loan and she wanted to help others who were in the same situation. Her free time is spent with her 3 daughters and husband as well as her big family that is spread throughout the Bay Area.
Read Blogs featuring Gloria.
Business Development Program
Edwin Rodriguez
Associate Director, Business Development Program
erodriguez@medasf.org
ext. 102
Edwin Rodriguez
Associate Director, Business Development Program
erodriguez@medasf.org
ext. 102
Three qualities you bring to work:
Achiever
Connectedness
Leadership
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I have many reasons to love the Mission District, the place my daughter grew up. I love working at MEDA because it helps Latino families build assets."
Edwin Rodriguez joined MEDA in September 2011 and has years of experience in microenterprise development within the immigrant and low-income communities. Edwin has over 25 years of advocacy and professional outreach work in immigrant and low-income communities in the Bay Area and nationally. He served as Executive Director for the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) in San Francisco, and program director of the Northern California Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
Edwin holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Micro-Entrepreneurship from California State University, East Bay.
Read Blogs featuring Edwin.
Dulce Lomeli Lopez
Business Coach and Project Manager
dlomeli@medasf.org
Dulce Lomeli Lopez
Business Coach and Project Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Community-driven
Empathy
Caring
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission District is my neighborhood. I think it is the most vibrant district in San Francisco. I am so happy to support the many families I know and for which MEDA cares."
Dulce Lomeli Lopez comes to MEDA with several years of experience working with Latino communities across the Bay Area, especially in San Francisco’s Mission District and Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood. She has worked in several different fields and this has taught her that the best way to build trust with a client is making information as accessible as possible. This also improves communications with those one serves and optimize results. Families will then continue to recommend MEDA services and our bond with the community continues to grow. With trust, communication and humility, a program, no matter how small or big, can have an incredible impact in a community.
Dulce and her family understand firsthand the challenges that many Latino families face. A single immigrant mother with big dreams for her sons and for herself, Dulce has been working together with school programs, applying for scholarships and getting ahead. She believes if families are passionate and have access to programs and opportunities, success will be within reach. She thinks that an important part of forming a strong community is taking care of our health, eating healthy and practicing a physical activity.
Read Blogs featuring Dulce.
Mission Promise Neighborhood
Collective Impact
Liz Cortez
Vice President, Collective Impact
ecortez@medasf.org
Liz Cortez
Vice President, Collective Impact
Three qualities you bring to work:
Dedicated
Collaborative
Mentor
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I really enjoy meeting children and families in the Mission and talking with them about their aspirations. I grew up in a very similar community. I also love the people that work at MEDA."
Liz Cortez's parents came from Mexico to the United States in the late 1960s. She grew up in Southern California, in a community very similar to the Mission. Liz works with a collective of community partners that are aligning their efforts around a common agenda, to address the holistic needs of children and families. Most of these efforts are on behalf of immigrant families with young children.
Prior, in various roles, she worked to increase family engagement and advocacy in early education settings such as Early Head Start and Head Start, and also to strengthen community partnerships through collaboration and service integration, to facilitate comprehensive delivery of services. Liz has an M.A. in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Read Blogs featuring Liz.
Ana Avilez
Program Associate, Promise City
aavilez@medasf.org
(415) 425-7764
Ana Avilez
Program Associate, Promise City
Three qualities you bring to work:
Empathetic
Positive
Passionate
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I like helping families like mine in the Mission, and MEDA makes that possible."
Ana Avilez emigrated from Honduras to the U.S. at age 6. As a Mission Techies program participant at MEDA, Ana took her first step into the Mission Promise Neighborhood community, getting assistance enrolling one of her daughters in a bilingual preschool. The Mission Promise Neighborhood team immediately recognized Ana’s leadership abilities, having her join the Community Advisory Council.
When MPN was asked to partner with SFUSD to lead Making Connections — a digital literacy course for parents that teaches how to use myON, an online reading platform for students — Ana was the ideal choice. With her experience as a mother of two young learners, complemented by her technology background, Ana thrived in this role, which naturally segued into her current full-time position as a Family Success Coach for the Mission Promise Neighborhood. One quote that Ana always tells her clients is: "El que persevera alcanza.” (“If you persevere, you can reach your goal.”)
Read Blogs featuring Ana.
Celina Castro-Saelao
Director of MPN Partnerships
csaelao@medasf.org
Celina Castro-Saelao
Director of MPN Partnerships
csaelao@medasf.org
cell: (415) 316-7400
Three qualities you bring to work:
Team- and community-oriented
Creative
Learner
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love to greet Mission community members. I love that my fellow staff members have passion for their work."
Like many in the Mission, Celina Castro-Saelao’s family came to the U.S. during the civil strife in many Central American nations in the 1980’s. Despite not being raised in El Salvador or physically having to immigrate to this country, Celina always keeps in mind the experiences of her mother and other community members. Celina is passionate about empowering and developing community members’ outlooks toward education, financial knowledge and cultivating economic growth in the Mission District.
Celina’s background has focused on community development, with an emphasis on youth development and financial education. She had the opportunity to work with MyPath, empowering youths to become financially fit and leaders in the community. Celina easily communicates and establishes relationships with children, youth and their parents, by showing them respect and treating them with dignity.
Read Blogs featuring Celina.
Ana González
MPN Community Partnerships Manager
agonzalez@medasf.org
Ana González
MPN Community Partnerships Manager
Three qualities you bring to work:
Respect
Teamwork
Dedication
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
“The Mission District is a special place for me. I grew up in the Mission District and love how you can find food from so many different cultures.”
Ana González was raised in the Mission District and is proud to continue working with the community that she grew up in. She is a Mom to a 14 year old and spends her free time with her family and watching cooking shows.
Ana attended CCSF and received an AA in Early childhood development and Family studies and continued to SF STATE and graduated with a BA in Youth Development. For the last 10 years she worked as a program coordinator for after-school time and summer programs in the Mission district. Her favorite part about this work is that she gets to make an impact in the lives of youth and families.
Family Support & School Based Services
Jaqueline Marcelos
Vice-President, MPN Family Support & School Based Services
jmarcelos@medasf.org
Jaqueline Marcelos
Vice-President, MPN Family Support & School Based Services
Three qualities you bring to work:
Ideation
Activator
Input
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that the Mission is a strong community. I love MEDA because it feels like home."
Jackie Marcelos provides education and coaching focused on the areas of DISC+: debt, income, savings, credit, and banking, as well Taxes-Plus. Jackie first came to MEDA in 2007, as a Housing Opportunities client; she then began volunteering in the same program. Jackie quickly leveraged her financial-capability expertise -- and experiences as an immigrant -- to connect with and support MEDA's clients.
Having worked in various positions throughout the organization, Jackie has developed a diverse skill set that allows her to be a strong, multifaceted resource for clients. Her philosophy is that it is critical to meet clients where they are, plus support them to reach goals on their terms.
Read Blogs featuring Jackie.
Karla Herrera
Family Success Manager
kherrera@medasf.org
(415) 316-7407
Karla Herrera
Family Success Manager
kherrera@medasf.org
(415) 316-7407
Three qualities you bring to work:
Self-motivation
Empathy
Dedication
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"The Mission District reminds me of my Mexican roots and makes me proud of the union that characterizes the Latino community, and I recognize and admire the participation of MEDA in the achievements of Latino families."
Karla Herrera was born and raised on the Texas border with Mexico where she was able to listen to stories from Latino immigrant people and understand the struggles of their journey. Seven years ago, Karla moved to San Francisco and, from the beginning, she saw her roots in the Mission and felt the need to help her community.
Karla has bachelor's in Marketing from Universidad del Noreste de Mexico and recently earned an associate's in Early Education.
Read Blogs featuring Karla.
Alejandro Bautista
Program Coordinator, and Family Success and Transitions Coach
abautista@medasf.org
(415) 857-2834
Alejandro Bautista
Program Coordinator, and Family Success and Transitions Coach
abautista@medasf.org
(415) 857-2834
Three qualities you bring to work:
Collaborator
Empathy
Learner
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love that the Mission reminds me of the Fruitvale District in Oakland, the neighborhood I grew up in. I love the diversity and the delicious food you can find in every block!"
Alejandro immigrated to the US from Mexico with his family when he was 11 years old. Since then, he and his family have made Oakland their home. Upon arriving, his parents did everything they could to provide the education they wished they had back in Mexico, this led to Alejandro being the first one in his family to receive a Bachelor's degree. The road wasn’t easy as he spent about 6 years in community college and then transferred to CalState East Bay to obtain his degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Latino Studies. Alejandro is aware of the difference that community organizations can have on a child’s life and for that reason he continues to work with the community that looks like him.
In his spare time Alejandro enjoys attending Spanish Rock concerts, live sporting events, and going on walks with his pets.
Blanca Castillo
Family Success Coach
bcastillo@medasf.org
(415) 425-7783
Blanca Castillo
Family Success Coach
bcastillo@medasf.org
(415) 425-7783
Three qualities you bring to work:
Self-Motivated
Strategic
Solution-Oriented
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District because of its folklore, and love MEDA because they have many opportunities and resources to bring the families together."
Blanca Estela Castillo Pulido was born in Mexico. She is the eighth child of 10 siblings. She is the only member of her family that still resides in San Francisco. At age of 15, Blanca Estela left her country to come to the United States. She knows the struggle of migrating to a new country and fighting to stay in the neighborhood and city that she loves.
Blanca Estela works and lives her life the way dearest dad always taught her. His philosophy was that there are five keys to have success in life: integrity; loyalty; honesty; humility; and fear of God. He always told her to remember the five keys by looking at her fingers. She believes that in life we always have different obstacles, calling them "tests." Her primary test is to fight every day to give a better life to her children. She believes that everybody has dreams, and that we can make these dreams happen if we stay positive and strong.
Read Blogs featuring Blanca.
Aarón Ayala
Family Success Coach
aayala@medasf.org
(415) 425-7792
Aarón Ayala
Family Success Coach
aayala@medasf.org
(415) 425-7792
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Caring
Patience
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the hustle that the Mission community brings every day -- their tenacity and tireless energy is something that I always strive to uplift and honor. MEDA provides an avenue for these folks to advocate for themselves."
Aarón Ayala was born in 1997 to a single mother who emigrated to the United States from Michoacán, México. Aarón has lived in the Peninsula and South Bay for most of his life, beginning in Redwood City before displacement sent his family looking for a permanent home. After settling in Palo Alto at the age of 12, Aarón was able to connect with college counselors at his local high school's College Pathways program, which was devoted to serving low-income, Latine folks and assisting with their pursuit of a college education. Their passion and attention to the whole individual motivated him to make a commitment to serving the same communities.
Aarón attended UC, Santa Cruz, graduating in 2019 with a bachelor's in History and a minor in Education. Prior to working at MEDA, Aarón spent two years working in the east side of San Jose. His experience working with the community at Overfelt High School has taught him the importance of schools as a center for communities. With culturally relevant pedagogies and a stakeholder focus on the healing of marginalized folks, schools can empower these same communities to become agents for change. Aarón brings a collectivist, community-oriented mindset and hopes to continue planting roots here in La Misión with MEDA and MPN.
Read Blogs featuring Aarón.
Jessy Delgado
Family Success Coach
jdelgado@medasf.org
(415) 663-6178
Jessy Delgado
Family Success Coach
jdelgado@medasf.org
(415) 663-6178
Three qualities you bring to work:
Passion
Perseverance
Collaboration
What do you love about the Mission District and MEDA?
"I love the Mission District's food, Latino families, weather and Dolores Park, and that MEDA works for social justice, supporting our community through various free services and education."
Jessy Delgado hails from Peru. As an immigrant, she has experienced the same challenges of her community, such as learning a new language and facing discrimination. Since 2016, Jessy started to work with immigrant families via volunteer jobs with Faith and Action Network. This made her realize that she was not alone -- that if all work together for social justice and equality, the community becomes stronger. Jessy also worked with Civic Edge Consulting, educating the community for safer streets.
Jessy studied at City College of San Francisco, earning an associate's degree in Social Behavior and Business Administration; she is now transferring to San Francisco State University with the goal of obtaining a bachelor's in Finance. Additionally, she is an advanced IRS tax preparer, in the past volunteering as a site coordinator with MEDA.
Read Blogs featuring Jessy.
General Information
(415) 282-3334
Questions About MEDA’s Free Programs? We’re here for you!
Housing Opportunities: homeownership@medasf.org
Financial Capability: fintax@medasf.org
Free Tax Preparation: fintax@medasf.org
Business Development: business@medasf.org
Fondo Adelante CDFI (Community Loan Fund): loans@medasf.org
Workforce Development: workforce@medasf.org
Press Inquiries
Please email: Juan Mesa, jmesa@medasf.org
Other Departments
Donations to MEDA: development@medasf.org
Marketing & Communications: marketing@medasf.org
Volunteers: volunteer@medasf.org
Policy: policy@medasf.org