Racial Equity Action Institute

Alekhya Mukkavilli is Program Manager in the Sustainable Finance Program at the ClimateWorks Foundation, where she focuses the majority of her time developing and executing philanthropic strategies around sustainable financial regulation.

Prior to ClimateWorks, Alekhya worked at Citigroup for three years. She first started as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Financial Institutions Group where she covered insurance companies, asset managers, and financial technology firms. After a year, she worked for two years in the Office of the CEOs of Citi’s Banking, Capital Markets, and Advisory division.

Through NGC, she is looking forward to learning how to better introduce principles of equity and justice through her Program's grantmaking, relationships and outreach, as well as in her day-to-day life.

My background spans over 25 years directing urban/rural economic (capital/infrastructure improvements), commercial, housing, and sustainable development/investment projects. This entails bringing various parts of the public, private, philanthropic, financial, and development community together to structure planned public improvement ventures. While in these positions, I engage in oversight and management regarding governmental, and for-profit/non-profit organizations to include all aspects of staff, programmatic/fiscal management, racial/equity/diversity/inclusion (REDI) implementation strategies and provide guidance to communities for collaborations of financial/municipal investment for downtown business redevelopment, commercial/economic/housing development/renewal initiatives, and minority business growth with a lending/investment and wealth building strategic focus.

I hold a PhD of Urban Planning & Public Policy and a Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX); a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Augusta University (Augusta, GA) and an Associate of Arts in Business/Public Service from Midlands Technical College (Columbia, SC).

Avani is a lifelong advocate for equity and social justice. A native of the Bay Area, she started her career as an educator in East Palo Alto and east San Jose. She helped advance equity in education by successfully advocating to redraw equitable district boundaries, changing the process for math placement in high schools, and authoring equity reports. After working in school systems as a teacher and administrator, she shifted her career to philanthropy. At the Peery Foundation, she helped build a team and culture that centered around supporting nonprofits. Eventually, she served as the organization's co- CEO, overseeing all operations and giving. Avani also consulted with education, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations supporting executive leadership through change management, DEI efforts, program development & evaluation, and capital campaigns.

Avani joined Pacific Foundation Services in 2021 as Senior Program Officer. She enjoys working in collaboration with client foundations that work in service to nonprofits and she is excited by the many opportunities ahead to embrace a more equitable lens in philanthropy.

Avani holds a BA in African & African American Studies and Sociology from UC Davis and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from SF State. She is a Bay Area sports fanatic who loves spending time outside and globe trotting with her fiancé.

Casey Ryu (she/her) is a Social Impact Program Coordinator for Zoom Cares, the social impact arm of Zoom, and has been a member of the team since the summer of 2021. In her role she is responsible for philanthropy, operations, product strategy, and communications. She is a third generation Korean American woman dedicated to supporting social equity causes given her experiences working with grassroots nonprofit 540WMain in Rochester. Together with local community leaders and experts, they developed their annual conference about the effects and systemic origins of gentrification virtually. She honed her skills in community engagement and equity-centered community design through her coursework and while working for the University of Rochester's iZone Library. She is passionate about bringing equity into her work to create change and positive impact for marginalized and underrepresented communities and is always seeking to learn more from others.

A San Francisco native, Dr. David Lee attended New York’s Hamilton College and San Francisco State University. Before arriving at Laney, David served as the Executive Director of the San Francisco’s Chinatown non- profit Chinese American Voters Education Committee. His civic and volunteer work includes service on the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Commission, KQED Board of Directors, and the U.S. Census Bureau CIC Steering Committee.

For over a decade, David taught Political Science at San Francisco State University as well as being an expert in Asian American civic engagement and political mobilization. His accomplishments in his non-profit and civic work have been recognized by the San Francisco Foundation and the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation.

Kari has more than a decade of nonprofit experience and start-up experience. She is passionate about organizational function, culture, and impact that HR has across an organization to support its business goals and strategies. In her current role as the Human Resources Director at the Jim Joseph Foundation, she drives recruitment and culture efforts—developing and implementing recruitment strategies that attract diverse and representative candidates and then also, developing and implementing an organizational culture strategy to that allows diverse staff and diverse perspectives to flourish. This means having policies and practices in place that promote equity and inclusion and providing training to employees on unconscious bias and other issues related to diversity. Kari’s goal is to allow people to be themselves— their whole selves—at work and allow their work to likewise flourish. This includes creating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and supportive of all employees--a space where they feel that they belong.

Kari earned her Bachelor of Organizational Behavior and Biology, and Master of Public Health. She is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). When not reading the latest industry publication, Kari spends time with her husband, two young children, and their fierce protector, Murphy a Boston Terrier.

Lakiba Pittman is a renowned educator, artist, poet, and advocate for compassionate leadership based in Palo Alto, California. A proud graduate of the Center for Compassionate Leadership, Lakiba is a professor at Menlo College. In 2023, she was recognized with the inaugural Best Faculty Award for her groundbreaking courses on diversity, race, and cultural expressions in media. A member of ForbesBLK, she actively supports their mission to amplify the voices of Black entrepreneurs and professionals and drive a culture of connection, collaboration, and change. Her dedication to compassionate leadership earned her certifications as an Ambassador of Compassion and Senior Instructor of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) from Stanford University's Center for Compassion & Altruism, Research & Education (CCARE). She also holds roles with the Compassion Institute and serves as an Advisory Council Member for the Global Compassion Coalition. Throughout her career, Lakiba has collaborated with esteemed organizations such as Healing Together and Circles International, emphasizing compassionate leadership, trauma healing, and equity. Her dedication to these principles earned her accolades including the CORO Lead Bay Area Fellow from CORO Northern California and an Honorary Doctor of Ministry from Belle Grove Theology Seminary. She is also certified in Mindfulness for Kids and trained in Mind-Body Medicine, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Mindful Self Compassion. Outside her professional realm, Lakiba treasures time with her grandchildren, loves gardening, all types of live entertainment and the companionship of her cherished dog, Ori.

Maya is Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's new, inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager, managing initiatives agency-wide, providing leadership and guidance to integrate inclusion and belonging, and driving organizational change to shape and implement DEI strategies aligned with VTA's plan, mission, vision, values, and related goals.

Maya comes to VTA from the City of San Jose where Maya served as a Councilmember for District 7. As a new Councilmember at the City of San Jose, Maya put forward a budget aimed at addressing equity in the city’s $5.2B budget. Additionally, Maya authored the Equity Pledge adopted by the San Jose City Council, and led the effort for other public agencies, including the County of Santa Clara and school districts throughout our County, to adopt the action items and strategies as well.

Maya also created and co-led a countywide Hate Prevention and Inclusion Task Force, and led the effort for Measure G, a Planning Commission reform effort, so that all areas of the city would be represented in development and planning decisions. Additionally, Maya was an adjunct professor at San Jose State University and a former Trustee in the Franklin-McKinley School District leading efforts to rebuild facilities, and add all-day kindergarten and after school programs.

Maya received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mills College, a Master of Public Administration from San Jose State University, and a certificate on Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University. Maya is also an avid traveler.

Mazdak Mazarei leads and oversees justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiatives at San Francisco AIDS Foundation. In this role, he works collaboratively with staff to identify and implement JEDI-related projects that are person-centered, evidence-based and anchored in the organization’s mission to promote health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV, including within the organization. Mazdak works closely with his People & Culture colleagues to maintain a work environment that supports effective talent acquisition, development, and retention of employees, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds.

Mazdak has more than 20 years' history providing capacity building assistance to the nation’s HIV workforce, informed by his experiences providing direct services at AIDS service organizations in the Bay Area and lessons learned from staff at the agencies he's worked with across the country. During this time, he supported community-based organizations, clinics and health departments to better operationalize their JEDI-related values.

Outside of his role at SFAF, Mazdak is a certified end-of-life doula

Michelle Fountain currently serves as Vice President, Behavioral Health and Training at Community Action Marin. She brings over 18 years of experience in mental health and organizational leadership. Michelle served previously as Executive Director at LifeWorks of Sonoma County, a non-profit providing outpatient trauma-informed, bilingual mental health services to children and families. During her leadership, the organization doubled in staff and service impact.

Michelle began a career in behavioral health as a Program Manager for R House Inc., a residential treatment program for teens and then as a Community Based Clinical Case Manager for Marin County Behavioral Health. In those roles, she gained invaluable experience in behavioral health, recovery, and program development. Over the years, Michelle’s work has focused on culturally responsive treatment, workforce professional development and team building, documentation and program compliance, organizational strategy and growth. Michelle had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to work in a social services organization for two months, assisting in the development of tools and procedures for mental health risk assessment. This experience further developed her skills in cross cultural social work.

Michelle holds a Master of Social Work from San Francisco State University and is licensed in California as a Clinical Social Worker. She has a private therapy practice and is passionate about working with young people, social justice advocacy, and systemic approaches to mental health support.

Michelle was raised in Mendocino County as one of five children. She now lives in Santa Rosa with her husband, two children and two dogs. She enjoys being outdoors, gardening and swimming

As a Bay Area native, Monica Quintana is passionate about addressing inequities for youth and communities of color. She has two decades of experience developing programs and advocating for young people in afterschool, sports, and higher education settings. As one of Positive Coaching Alliance's (PCA) longest-standing staff members, she has an impressive record of creating innovative efforts within our organization including the design of our coach recruitment and DEI efforts.

Prior to PCA, she directed an academic mentoring program and managed a civic engagement program with college students in Berkeley. She is a proud Cal alum and earned her Master’s Degree in Organization and Leadership at the University of San Francisco. Outside of work, Monica is actively involved in her community, whether it’s serving as a PTA board member or as a youth sports coach. In her spare time, she also enjoys spending time with her

Robynn Takayama is a community connector with over two decades of increasing responsibility serving the City and County of San Francisco in the areas of grantmaking, public programs, and community development. After 21 years of equity-based grantmaking at the San Francisco Arts Commission, she joined San Francisco Public Works improving systems to align with new grant procurement legislation and commission oversight and to instill trust in the use of public funds. In addition to garnering respect from her colleagues, she was recognized with a Public Works Week Rising Star Award and is featured in the department’s Women Leaders in Public Service podcast. Recently, Robynn joined the City Administrator’s Office to stabilize the Community Challenge Grant program, which provides support to nonprofit organizations to physically improve San Francisco neighborhoods.

As Director of Finance & Administration, Stephen keeps operations at Funders running smoothly and efficiently. Before Funders, Stephen was with NewSchools Venture Fund as the Finance Director. Having spent more than a decade helping non-profits stay successful, his career has taken him from architectural foundations in New York City and NGOs in Tanzania to transgender rights in Oakland. Stephen received his B.A. in Geography from Middlebury College and an M.S. in Accounting at Saint Mary’s College. He is the board treasurer of the Oakland writing nonprofit Chapter 510. A native Arizonan, Stephen now resides in Oakland, California, with his two kids, partner and dog, Chaga.

Tyrone Fleurizard is a Program and Operations Associate at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. He is responsible for managing a portfolio of racial equity grants and supporting CZI's Science and Education program verticals apply a racial equity lens in their grantmaking. As a co-facilitator of CZI's Racial Equity Working Group, a community of practice of grantmakers interested in building their capacity and practice for racial equity, Tyrone is committed to ensuring grantmakers have the tools necessary to transform their grantmaking with racial equity at the center. Prior to CZI, Tyrone was an Equity and Inclusion Fellow at Harvard where he facilitated cross-departmental equity workshops. When he isn't thinking and reading about how we get free, he is writing. Originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut, he currently resides in Oakland, California.

Wendy Todd is a driven equity activist, creative strategic planner, trust-based grantmaker, and a dynamic facilitator. Wendy launched an independent consulting practice in 2014 to help health-focused organizations learn, plan, and work collaboratively to create a more just and equitable society. Wendy’s professional expertise lies in designing and facilitating cross-department and cross-sector collaborations to achieve a shared goal. With appreciative inquiry and a client-centered approach Wendy partners with clients, and their stakeholders, to leverage experience, wisdom, and resources.

Prior to launching a consulting practice, Wendy led Marin Community Foundation’s Health and Aging grant portfolios. Wendy’s experience also includes statewide grantmaking at Blue Shield of California Foundation, development and clinical work at community health centers, and community organizing with young people.

Wendy's volunteer experience includes serving as the co-chair of the Marin County Mental Health Board, Board member of Buckelew Programs, and co-chair of Northern California Grantmakers’ Bay Area Health Funders Group.

The value of centering on health equity is deeply rooted in Wendy’s lived experiences with income inequality and mental illness in her family. Growing up with financial insecurity, housing instability, and a loved one’s adjustment to a chronic mental illness was certainly challenging at times. However, it is these experiences that fuel Wendy to passionately advocate for equity in the health sector.

Wendy earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of California – Los Angeles and a Bachelor’s degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.