For over 20 years, Kimberly has been passionately committed to social justice organizing and advocacy efforts that bring voice and power to youth, LGBTQ people, people of color, and working class communities in the Bay Area. Before coming on as the Executive Director for RYSE, Kimberly served as the Executive Director for Youth Together, the founding organization of the RYSE Center. Kimberly has formerly served on the boards of Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center, Horizons Foundation, Youth Uprising, Astraea Foundation, and she served as the Advisory Board Chair for RYSE’s planning phase. Kimberly has also been a strong advocate for people of color and youth within the funding community and has served as a community funding panel member of the Women’s Foundation, Horizons Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, San Francisco Department of Children Youth and Their Families, Astraea Foundation, and the California Mental Health Services Administration. She is a former Rockwood Leadership Fellow, LeaderSpring Executive Fellow, and most recently a Stanford University Nonprofit Executive Fellow.

Kanwarpal Dhaliwal (she/hers) is Associate Director and Co-Founder of RYSE in Richmond, CA. Kanwarpal is the daughter of Punjabi immigrants, whose journey to the United States was propelled by global shifts from Post-Colonial British occupation to US empire building. These forces have been both protective and predatory for Kanwarpal, her family, and her community of origin. These axes of privilege and subjugation guide Kanwarpal’s purpose, which is to contribute to movements, communities, and legacies of liberation; to honor and heal the ancestors who fought for her existence and survival; and to forge a world that is just and gentle for future generations. Kanwarpal holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from San Francisco State University.

Stacie joined RYSE in 2023. She oversees all aspects of RYSE's finances. As the Director of Finance, she is passionate about finance and accounting in support of making positive social impact within the Richmond community. Stacie is a native of Richmond and prior to joining RYSE, she worked for 5 years in finance roles supporting nonprofits in Richmond. Previous to her nonprofit work, she worked in City government for over 25 years holding various finance and accounting positions. Stacie holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics; a Master's of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting; and a Master's of Library & Information Science with an emphasis in data analytics. She is also a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional. She considers herself a life-long learner and remains curious and excited about the efficiencies new technology brings to her nonprofit work.

Mónica has played many roles at the RYSE Center since joining the team in 2011. As the Administrative Manager, she supports key administrative tasks to sustain the Center. Mónica is passionate about giving back to her community and working alongside youth as an adult ally. She wants to build authentic relationships and help youth navigate the daily traumas they experience in their communities. Mónica was also a former youth member and RYSE intern.

As a Front Desk Assistant, Quincy greets and engages with everyone that enters RYSE. Creating safe, comfortable spaces for those who need them are what he’s most passionate about. From New Orleans, Quincy brings a unique, friendly, familial energy that he credits with southern hospitality upbringing. In addition to thee valuable life experiences, he’s gained tools over time from retail, customer service, warehouse, phone banking, and community volunteer work that empower him as the first face people see when they walk into RYSE.

As Program Administrative Assistant, Chris works with RYSE’s Program Administrative Manager and Operations team to support the administrative and facilities infrastructure for RYSE Commons. This includes helping the front desk staff greet community partners, members, and families who visit RYSE, working with the Member Engagement Team to enroll new members, helping members follow RYSE's House Agreements, and supporting with closing duties. Chris wants to be a role model for Richmond youth, committed to making RYSE feel like a safe space for everyone.

An educator, interdisciplinary artist and activist, Gabriela wants to create a space where young folks are not afraid to take risks in their self expression and can be vulnerable. As Media, Arts, & Culture Director, she oversees RYSE’s MAC programming across the areas of video, music, performing arts, and visual arts. This includes onsite and offsite programming, events, and activities; as well as field building in creative youth development, emerging community arts practice, and youth leadership. Having worked with multiple schools and organizations throughout the East Bay, using the arts as a tool for identity development, generational healing, and understanding social issues, Gabriela is most passionate about creating opportunities for self expression and self exploration.

A published writer and award-winning spoken word artist, Reggie wants to create a space where Richmond youth can find support in any artistic medium. As the Community Arts Partnership Manager, they will be working within the Media, Arts, & Culture department to support programming while also managing existing and new arts programs with our community partners. As the winner of the 2022 Nomadic Press LIterary award, a finalist for the 2022 Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize, and having a background in arts education, they are excited to support youth creativity and help young people express themselves.

Collin loves facilitating the space for youth to discover their artistic passions. As Media, Arts, & Culture Manager, he manages and supports MAC department programs and staff to create and implement engaging creative activities for RYSE members. With a background in street fundraising, coordinating events, teaching art, poetry, and curriculum building, Collin is intimately familiar with how spaces can encourage youth to fully explore their interests.

Khairee Clark started out as a member at RYSE at the age of 17 years old. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he found himself enjoying the open space and opportunities that RYSE offered. With the help of musical mentors, he began to build a passion for creating music, and learning the behind the scenes aspects of it. As the Studio Technician, he has the opportunity to work and support the development of members in their musical journey, from beat making and songwriting workshops to recording in RYSE's music studio. Some of the moments Khairee reflects on as powerful in his music career are performing in Time Square in New York City, representing RYSE as part of a music/ arts based convening with MYDA (Music & Youth Development Alliance). He is most proud of his ability to inspire youth with his passion for learning and teaching the craft of music.

As the Visual Arts Assistant, Tearra’s role at RYSE is to emphasize the importance of creativity in a safe environment where all are welcomed in discovering what captivates and encourages them to grow. With past work rooted in creating murals, flyers, graphic recordings, and attending workshops as a former RYSE member and Visual Arts AMP (Advanced Media Producer) intern, Tearra brings artistry, knowledge, and familiarity to her position. She sees inspiring young people to try new things and contribute to their understanding of art as her passion in this work. Tearra is currently taking college level arts courses, and looks forward to completing an advanced degree in studio arts.

Stephanie Medley has been part of the RYSE team since 2012 and now acts as the Director of Education & Justice. As Director of Education & Justice, Stephanie leads program development and advocacy and cultivates cross-sector collaborations to address the needs of youth & young adults impacted by education, economic, and criminal & juvenile justice systems. Stephanie is passionate about supporting the development and coordination of youth-friendly and culturally appropriate policies, practices, and supports. She works to create avenues for young people to navigate their own liberation and transform systems. Before joining RYSE, Stephanie worked on housing and eviction defense with Bay Area Legal Aid, serving as a law clerk at San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and Alameda County Public Defender’s Office and clerking for the Honorable Donald S. Mitchell, Superior Court of California County of San Francisco. Stephanie holds a J.D. from John F. Kennedy University College of Law, received her B.A. in Political Science and American Studies from San Francisco State University, and currently sits on Contra Costa County's Racial Justice Taskforce.

As RYSE’s Youth Justice Coordinator, Eddy does advocacy and policy work involving the juvenile justice system. He is passionate about working to serve his community and people, and empowering youth members to make an impact in the world. Before joining RYSE, Eddy was the garden site manager at Verde Elementary School in North Richmond and an urban agriculture class co-facilitator at Richmond High School through Urban Tilth. In college, he was a Youth Empowerment Program member and volunteered at the YOLO County Detention Center in Woodland, CA. Eddy has done community organizing in Richmond, as well as advocacy and policy work in the Canal District in San Rafael and for the state. Eddy knows how to grow food and has taught beginning silk screen poster printing at Richmond Art Center. He holds a degree in Chicanx studies from UC Davis.

As RYSE’s RESTOR Coordinator, Nashira is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of youth affected by the criminal legal system through case management and restorative community conferences under our RESTOR diversion program. Through her commitment to service, she aims to create safe spaces and collaborative opportunities for the empowerment of young people through education and healing. Prior to working at RYSE, she worked as a legal intern and obtained a Bachelors in Criminology and minor in Philosophy from San Jose State University: earning a deep understanding of the social psychological and legal aspects of crime and justice.

Briana Urrutia has been the RYSE Youth Success Counselor since 2017. As Youth Success Counselor, Briana ensures a successful transition for systems-involved youth returning to the community by providing high quality support. She is passionate about being an advocate for change in the juvenile justice system and promoting social justice. Briana is working toward her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and Criminal Justice, which allows her to develop the communication skills and techniques necessary to be a strong ally to young people. Before joining RYSE, she interned at the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce as well as Spark Point, where she encouraged personal development and community growth. She also volunteered in the IMPACT program, which is a youth diversion program dedicated to changing the lives of in-risk youth.

A Restorative Practices Specialist, Chardonnay is most passionate about being an advocate for young people and introducing opportunities that pivot them into a thriving path beyond the justice system. Prior to working with RYSE, I worked as an educator for disabled and disadvantaged youth who struggled in traditional schools in order to give them to tools and supports they needed thrive. A certified teacher and trainer, Chardonnay is a radical advocate for the freedom of all people from all backgrounds.

As a Restorative Practices Associate, Chantille supports the development of RYSE’s restorative practices programs, policy priorities, and advocacy strategy to better support youth who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. They are most passionate about serving, uplifting and advocating their community and their people; to encourage and support them in their power, healing and overall goals. With a Bachelors in Criminal Justice, and Ethnic Studies: Asian American and Black Studies Concentration from CSUEB, Associates in Psychology at Berkeley City College and a wealth of empathy and understanding, Chantille is dedicated to creating safe spaces and being a voice for the community and for our young people.

As the Youth Success Advocate, Nicole’s role at RYSE is deeply embedded in her drive to help adolescents succeed in whatever they put their mind to by helping youth participate in the community in impactful ways. Nicole earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and before RYSE, she was an ABA therapist. Organized, dedicated, selfless, genuine, reliable, and warmhearted, Nicole uses her background, skillset, and character toward providing positive outlets for Richmond youth.

Born and raised in Richmond, Evelin is familiar with how the community’s youth experience the education system. She is driven to create safe and welcoming spaces where young people feel comfortable being their authentic selves. As the Education Engagement Advocate, her role is to support students by cultivating education engagement and exploration for them: including but not limited to education and career advising, curriculum development, workshop facilitation, event planning, and much more. She graduated from the University of California, Merced with a BA in Sociology and then returned to Richmond, believing that learning about our very own communities means very little if that knowledge we gain isn't being given back to the very populations we study.

As the Clinical Therapist since 2017, Marissa provided and coordinated trauma-informed, healing centered and culturally relevant therapeutic and integrative supports and programs for young people in Richmond and West Contra Costa. This included psycho-social assessments, individual and group therapy, case management, and crisis intervention. Marissa was passionate about making mental health services more accessible to marginalized communities that have been impacted by various traumas and violence. She is interested in utilizing art/theater as a form of resistance, healing, and transformation. Marissa worked to create culturally affirming spaces where folks can express themselves, heal and visualize a better future for themselves and their communities. Before joining RYSE, Marissa worked with survivors of domestic violence and their children in the Bay Area and has 10+ years of serving youth and families in various capacities. She received her BA in Theater from Columbia College Chicago and her MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She was also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Marissa will be missed dearly by her colleagues, friends, and family, may she rest in power.

As Clinical Director, Jen’s role at RYSE is to support the Community Health Department in building and embodying transformative, healing, and liberatory practices that affirm and support young people. Jen’s passion is disrupting harm and contributing to the collective healing and liberation that RYSE nourishes, providing clinical supervision that centers trauma-informed, abolitionist principles and practices. She wants young people to feel seen, valued, and loved. Jen has served as Co-Founder and Director of Partnerships at Trauma Transformed and worked for over 20 years as a clinician, clinical supervisor, and advocate in various community organizations, county departments, and different groups to disrupt institutional trauma and abuse. She received a Masters in Social-Clinical Psychology and is certified in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Research.

Lalis supports youth and young adults in finding a soft landing after experiencing significant trauma. As Lead Therapist, she works to create hope and possibility beyond the trauma young people come with, which often informs their sense of self and access to care they deserve. With an MA in Counseling Psychology and over 15 years of direct services work experience within community, emergency shelters, schools, hospitals and state prison, her eclectic background ranges from community-based therapy, crisis intervention, intensive case management, youth psych emergency services, and drama therapy among much more. At RYSE, her role is split between clinical management, client caseload, overseeing our Restorative Pathways Project (R2P2), and continuing to develop the Health Justice Center.

As RYSE’s Clinical Case Manager Diana conducts and coordinates trauma-informed, healing-centered case management, and therapeutic services tailored to support the young people in Richmond and West Contra Costa. Diana is passionate about providing healing justice and empowering youth to heal from systems of oppression. She provides quality care in safe spaces where young people feel empowered and heard. Prior to working at RYSE, Diana worked as a mental health clinician with Contra Costa County Behavioral Children and Adolescents for a year as an intern. She also worked at Familias Unidas providing monolingual therapy services to children, youth, families, and adults. Diana holds an A.A. from Contra Costa College with a minor in criminal justice, B.A in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and M.A in Social Work from Cal State East Bay.

As RYSE’s bilingual therapist Francesca provides individual and group therapy to support youth’s wellbeing, she loves working with young people and is passionate about supporting them to step further into their power and healing. Francesca’s goal is to create safe, reflective, and brave spaces for youth to be listened to, respected, and encouraged. Over the past eight years prior to RYSE, Francesca has worked as a school-based social worker throughout the East Bay, and as a project manager for Trauma Transformed. Francesca has a B.A. in Psychology from Pomona College, MSW in children and families, and an MPH in Health and Social Behavior from UC Berkeley.

Mozell is one of RYSE’s Clinical Case Managers. They are most passionate about using ancestral knowledge to get free through movement, art, and clothing. As a Clinical Case manager, they work closely alongside the clinical and CHD team to support members in immediate, acute, and ongoing priorities, needs, and opportunities; cultivating a loving, healing, and belonging space for our members. They bring wisdom carried from CSU Monterey Bay as an undergraduate in collaborative health and human services, Washington University in St. Louis with a concentration in Children, Youth and Families, and a specialization in human sexuality education. Working in youth ran nonprofits, college access counseling for first generation scholars, and former and current foster youth services, they bring rainbows, sunflowers and black queer joy in the forms of art therapy.

Oriana brings deep love, respect and admiration for humanity and belief in human potential to her Clinical Specialist role at RYSE. She is part of a dynamic team that supports the holistic wellness of RYSE’s aging up and young adult population: providing therapeutic support to 17-24 year old members as they navigate major life transitions, affirming the opportunities they want to engage in, building and strengthening protective factors, and defining what health and wellness looks like for both themselves and their community. Incredibly passionate about creating spaces that allow young people to be with and connect to fuller versions of their authentic selves, Oriana hopes her work at RYSE supports healing, self love and a rejection of expectations that are limiting and harmful to growth and wholeness.

Fahima is passionate about working with the young people of Richmond toward health equity. RYSE’s Community Health Program Manager, Fahima coordinates the planning, implementation, and coordination of RYSE’s affinity groups. This includes working with staff, program partners, and/or outside facilitators, aligning curricula and programming, as well as fortifying and amping up our health justice programming and advocacy. An educator for several years, she has worked on programs spanning an intervention to increase cervical cancer screening, interventions to increase condom access among young people, and a comprehensive teen dating violence prevention program. With a Bachelors of Science in Integrative Biology and a Master of Public Health from UCLA Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Fahima wants to bring healing, wellness, and justice to Richmond youth.

Bryan helps ensure RYSE is a safe space where youth can find health resources they may lack in their community, education about preventive healthcare measures and further interest in becoming healers. Bryan was a RYSE member himself, as well as a school campaign leader. In 2018, along with other interns, he helped RYSE and the community pass the Kids First Richmond bill, which established a fund for youth services from Richmond's annual budget.Bryan is passionate about exposing youth and community members to preventive health resources so they can live their healthiest and happiest life.

Jamileh Ebrahimi has worked at RYSE since 2012. As the Director of Programs & Organizing, she builds a vibrant youth organizing culture both at the Center and in the Richmond community: supporting program integration and alignment across all departments and with our anchor partners. Jamileh also directly supports the Member Engagement, Youth Organizing and Communications team. She is deeply committed to education, organizing, organizational and community sustainability, and movement building, and through her 18+ years of community organizing, she has discovered the importance of community empowerment, healthy living, and justice. She works to ensure that young people serve as key stakeholders and decision-makers on issues and policies impacting their individual and collective health and well-being. Before joining RYSE, Jamileh started organizing for change in Youth Together (YT) at the age of 13. Following high school, she became the Regional Organizer at YT where she worked for seven years organizing the regional Ethnic Studies conference, campaign planning, and doing local, regional, statewide, and national coalition work for educational justice. She was a member of the BSU at Berkeley Community College, Organize Da B.A.Y., Schools Not Jails Coalition, and the Just Act Core Group, where she had the opportunity to travel to Brazil for the World Social Forum.

Dalia J. Ramos-Mucino has been the Culture & Engagement Program Manager since 2019. She was formerly the Member Engagement Coordinator since 2017. Dalia focuses on supporting the leadership development of youth Culture Builders at RYSE with a restorative justice framework. and lifting up restorative justice at RYSE and in the community. Dalia is passionate about creative expression in different forms like dancing, poetry, and storytelling. She will always work to ensure that RYSE is a safe, welcoming, and fun environment where youth feel open to express their thoughts and feelings. Before joining the RYSE staff, Dalia attended RYSE as a 14-year-old member and at 16 became an intern on the RYSE Leadership Team. She has been trained in Non-Violent Communication, Restorative Justice, and more.

As the Communications Manager, Temba plays a lead role in RYSE’s messaging. Grounded by its theory of liberation, RYSE has had a clear mission since its inception. Whether the medium is a newsletter, blog post, or social media channel, he imagines and reimagines the way that mission can be expressed. Temba is a San Francisco State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Electronic Communication Arts and a lifelong traveler. These two facts instilled in him the value of storytelling. One of the first and certainly one of the most damaging acts inflicted on any vulnerable community is the way our stories get told, the language used to describe us, and the subtle ways something as intangible as a word can have very tangible effects on our lives and livelihoods. Just the same, Temba believes our liberation can be found in this idea: that it starts with the way we communicate our condition, our environment, and ourselves. He is here to help do just that for RYSE. Temba believes youth are our most important investment and is happy to contribute to creating environments that nurture them and set them up to succeed.

Rayana builds relationships with young people by being interactive, empathetic, and trusting. As a Member Engagement Coordinator, behind the scenes she helps young people become a part of the RYSE community through member enrollment and referrals. She loves all things art, finance, and entrepreneurship and wants to inspire creative outlets to change how young people navigate their world: taking non-traditional routes and volunteering their time to others. Rayana is going to school to receive her User Experience Design Certification and Associates in Fashion Design.

As a Youth Power Building Assistant, Clover creates space for youth to learn about organizing and how to show up for their community. Understanding that young peoples’ voices have the power to change the world, Clover previously worked with Community Violence Solutions in San Pablo as a student representative, StudioFIve10's youth panel, which touched on mental health services on campus for students, organized a walkout in solidarity of students who have been assaulted on campus, and was the founder of Hercules High School's Mental Health Advocacy. They want to encourage youth to learn and be curious about who they are, teaching them how to be open-minded and to lead with compassion.

As Member Engagement Assistant, Isaiah’s role is to help new and returning members navigate through the many facets of life. This is a personal pursuit for him, having spent years as a RYSE member himself, before bringing his passion for film to the Video Production Assistant role, and then expanding that passion to his current role. Exploring fashion, sewing, & modeling among other creative pursuits, Isaiah understands first-hand what it means for young people to self actualize in this space. Isaiah considers the outcome of his work to be young people growing into the leaders they are. He also conducts tours and orientations with any new youth signing up to become RYSE members and is most passionate about curating an amazing RYSE experience.