Organizational Leadership

Leadership Team
Board of Directors

Leadership Team

Robin Mencher, Chief Executive Officer

Robin leads JFCS East Bay’s efforts to envision a community where everyone can flourish with dignity. She builds civic and community capacity so that we can realize our mission of contributing to the resilience of communities, families, and individuals through advocacy and comprehensive support services at every stage of life. Prior to JFCS East Bay,…

Robin leads JFCS East Bay’s efforts to envision a community where everyone can flourish with dignity. She builds civic and community capacity so that we can realize our mission of contributing to the resilience of communities, families, and individuals through advocacy and comprehensive support services at every stage of life.

Prior to JFCS East Bay, Robin served as executive director of KQED Education where she led the public media organization’s service to the education community in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond through providing free, high-quality open educational resources that deepen youth civic engagement, media literacy development and relevant, engaging real-world connections supporting college, career and community readiness.

A former classroom teacher and teacher leader in the East Bay and designer of leadership professional learning experiences for educators as program director at the San Francisco Education Fund, her work in education focused on media and digital literacies, youth voice, technology integration, teaching English learners, and educational equity. She served on several state-wide and regional education policy and implementation task forces, advisory councils to advance arts, STEM, and literacy education throughout California.

As an active member of the Jewish community, Robin worked for several years early in her career as an informal Jewish educator and for a national Jewish education organization. She has served on the New Generations and SF Bay Area regional board of directors of the New Israel Fund.

She currently serves on the board of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).

Mencher earned her M.A. in Education at Mills College and her B.A. in American Studies at U.C. Santa Cruz. She also studied at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies year program and attended Hebrew University for a year as an undergrad.
Jonathan Wang, Chief Operating Officer

Jonathan oversees operations for the organization. Before JFCS East Bay, he served as the COO of FACES SF, which provides early childhood education, mental health, and workforce development services in San Francisco. He was also the Director of Finance and Administration at New Door Ventures, which serves transitional-aged youth with internships, job training, and education…

Jonathan oversees operations for the organization. Before JFCS East Bay, he served as the COO of FACES SF, which provides early childhood education, mental health, and workforce development services in San Francisco. He was also the Director of Finance and Administration at New Door Ventures, which serves transitional-aged youth with internships, job training, and education programs. Earlier in his career, Jonathan worked at the San Francisco Chronicle in IT, Human Resources, and Organizational Development. He also started out as a high school science and social science teacher in public schools. Jonathan received his bachelor’s degree from UC Irvine and has an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Robin Shelton, Director of Finance & Administration

Robin brings over 25 years of Finance and Accounting experience. She oversees the finance department and strives towards creating a productive, welcoming, and friendly work environment, while providing the leadership team support with their budgetary and programmatic financial needs. Robin has varied experience in multiple accounting roles working in the non-profit, construction, and IT industries….

Robin brings over 25 years of Finance and Accounting experience. She oversees the finance department and strives towards creating a productive, welcoming, and friendly work environment, while providing the leadership team support with their budgetary and programmatic financial needs. Robin has varied experience in multiple accounting roles working in the non-profit, construction, and IT industries. Robin began her journey at JFCS East Bay as the Controller and has recently been promoted to the Director of Finance & Administration. Robin received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. In her spare time, Robin enjoys dancing, hiking, reading, and theater. She lives with her husband and cat in Benicia.
Fouzia Azizi, Director of Refugee Services

Fouzia is a refugee from Afghanistan who brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to her work serving refugees in our community. After she fled Afghanistan, she worked in Pakistan on educational programs and women’s rights, including on a project to create the educational curriculum for all the refugee girls’ schools in Pakistan. She…

Fouzia is a refugee from Afghanistan who brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to her work serving refugees in our community. After she fled Afghanistan, she worked in Pakistan on educational programs and women’s rights, including on a project to create the educational curriculum for all the refugee girls’ schools in Pakistan. She was also involved in establishing schools for refugees in the northern border region near Afghanistan. Over the years, Fouzia worked with the UN High Commission on Refugees, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the International Rescue Committee. After coming to the United States, Fouzia pursued further education, raised her children, and eventually served as a volunteer with JFCS East Bay.
Rita Clancy, LCSW, Director of Adult Services

Rita is a licensed social worker (LCSW) who served as JFCS East Bay’s Holocaust Survivor Services Program Manager for eight years prior to becoming Director of Adult Services in August 2013. She specializes in counseling with older adults, families, couples, and people who have experienced trauma. Rita has extensive expertise in Gerontology, including working with…

Rita is a licensed social worker (LCSW) who served as JFCS East Bay’s Holocaust Survivor Services Program Manager for eight years prior to becoming Director of Adult Services in August 2013. She specializes in counseling with older adults, families, couples, and people who have experienced trauma. Rita has extensive expertise in Gerontology, including working with adults living with dementia, providing advice and support to family caregivers, advocacy in long-term care communities, and management of home care providers. Rita has over fifteen years of experience in medical social work and care management. Before becoming a social worker, Rita worked in clinical laboratory and medical sciences. Rita has a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley with a specialization in Gerontology and has been with JFCS East Bay since 2005.
Allyson Holmes-Knight, PhD, Senior Director of Clinical Services

Allyson Holmes-Knight, PhD is our Senior Director of Clinical Services, a highly regarded Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working tirelessly to bridge gaps in mental health care access for communities of color. Allyson’s journey in the realm of mental health began at the esteemed Pacific Graduate School of Psychology in Palo…

Allyson Holmes-Knight, PhD is our Senior Director of Clinical Services, a highly regarded Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working tirelessly to bridge gaps in mental health care access for communities of color.

Allyson’s journey in the realm of mental health began at the esteemed Pacific Graduate School of Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, where her passion for addressing mental health disparities took root. She completed her dissertation, titled “The Importance of Others: Evaluating the Impact of Perceived Social Support as a Mediator of Depressive Symptoms in Ethnic Minority Youth,” a testament to her dedication to understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by ethnic minority youth.

After her academic achievements, Allyson embarked on her mission to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Her career took off at Westcoast Children’s Clinic in Oakland, where she honed her expertise and worked tirelessly to provide quality mental health care. Allyson’s commitment to her community led her to establish a private practice focusing on supporting women of color, a testament to her dedication to empowering and uplifting others.

Allyson’s passion for mental health advocacy extends beyond her professional life. As a mother of four boys, she understands the importance of nurturing the mental well-being of future generations. Her personal experiences fuel her drive to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for families, especially in communities of color.

Being a Bay Area native, Allyson has a deep love for her community. She’s not just a dedicated professional but also a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan, showcasing her unwavering loyalty to her local team. Her love for the Bay Area is palpable, and we are privileged to have her expertise and passion within our organization.

As the Sr Director of Clinical Services, Allyson will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health care at JFCS East Bay. Her extensive experience, coupled with her compassion and dedication, will undoubtedly inspire positive change within our organization and the communities we serve.

Please join us in welcoming Allyson Holmes-Knight, PhD, to the JFCS East Bay family. Together, let’s continue our mission to provide accessible, high-quality mental health care for all.
Reena Arya, Director of Immigration Legal Services

Reena Arya, the Director of Immigration Legal Services at JFCS East Bay, brings a wealth of experience and a heartwarming spirit of empathy to her role. With a deep commitment to serving our immigrant and refugee community, Reena possesses a Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict, graduating Summa Cum Laude from…

Reena Arya, the Director of Immigration Legal Services at JFCS East Bay, brings a wealth of experience and a heartwarming spirit of empathy to her role. With a deep commitment to serving our immigrant and refugee community, Reena possesses a Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. She also holds a Doctor of Law degree from Penn State Dickinson Law.

Reena’s journey as an advocate for justice includes impactful roles at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, UNHCR, Human Rights First, KIND, HIAS, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Her dedication shines through in her work as an advocate in various settings both domestically and internationally.

Join us in welcoming Reena Arya, an extraordinary advocate for immigrant justice, as she embarks on this transformative journey with JFCS East Bay.

Board of Directors

Jeff Ilfeld, President

Jeff completed his medical education in Internal Medicine at the UC Davis Medical Center and served as Medical Director for the Healthcare Empowerment Alliance for People Living in Transitional Living Project in Sacramento County. He worked as a physician at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, holding various leadership and administrative positions and serving as Associate…

Jeff completed his medical education in Internal Medicine at the UC Davis Medical Center and served as Medical Director for the Healthcare Empowerment Alliance for People Living in Transitional Living Project in Sacramento County. He worked as a physician at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, holding various leadership and administrative positions and serving as Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program.

A lover of the outdoors with a passion to address climate change, Jeff is now in the second phase of his career as CEO of California Clean Energy, which specializes in helping nonprofit organizations utilize solar energy without capital expense. He is a member at Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, where he served on the board as Men’s Club president. Together with his wife, Jo, he is the proud parent of three young adults. Jeff joined the JFCS East Bay board in July 2020.
Sam Alcabes, Vice President

Sam is a real estate, land use, and small business attorney living in Rockridge. He grew up in the East Bay and attended nursery school at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley. Throughout college and law school, he participated in most aspects of the congregation’s youth programming. For more than five years, he has been a…

Sam is a real estate, land use, and small business attorney living in Rockridge. He grew up in the East Bay and attended nursery school at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley. Throughout college and law school, he participated in most aspects of the congregation’s youth programming. For more than five years, he has been a member of the Camp Kee Tov Foundation Board.

Sam has volunteered or worked on political campaigns locally and nationally. He began his legal career as an immigration attorney and remains active in the field, including raising funds to cover DACA application fees and serving on the governing board of The Bare Life Review (a literary journal devoted to work by immigrant and refugee authors). Sam joined the JFCS East Bay board in 2019.
Rachel K. Leff-Kich, Secretary

Rachel is a family law attorney representing a diverse range of clients, including company founders, venture capitalists, teachers, and stay-at-home parents throughout the Bay Area. She grew up in Berkeley and was involved with Congregation Beth El and Camp Kee Tov. During law school, she was active with public interest student groups, clerked with several…

Rachel is a family law attorney representing a diverse range of clients, including company founders, venture capitalists, teachers, and stay-at-home parents throughout the Bay Area. She grew up in Berkeley and was involved with Congregation Beth El and Camp Kee Tov. During law school, she was active with public interest student groups, clerked with several nonprofits and social justice organizations, and worked part-time at an immigration law firm.

Rachel has previously served on the San Mateo County Bar Association Board of Directions, the Public Interest and Social Justice Endowment Board at Santa Clara University, the OneJustice Strategy Council, and the Art Point Board of Directors. Currently living in San Francisco, Rachel remains deeply connected to the East Bay and joined the JFCS East Bay board in July 2020.
Micah Trilling, Treasurer

Micah serves as a Managing Director at the global firm FTI Consulting, where he specializes in forensic accounting: helping attorneys with financial aspects of cases that involve large potential damages and investigating financial malfeasance. Micah is a Certified Public Accountant and holds licenses as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Valuation Analyst. Micah lives in…

Micah serves as a Managing Director at the global firm FTI Consulting, where he specializes in forensic accounting: helping attorneys with financial aspects of cases that involve large potential damages and investigating financial malfeasance.

Micah is a Certified Public Accountant and holds licenses as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Valuation Analyst. Micah lives in Oakland with his wife, Ortal, who is a psychoanalyst in private practice. One of his daughters is currently attending UC Santa Barbara and the other daughter is beginning her freshman year at Tulane University.
Elizabeth Friedman Branoff

Elizabeth Friedman Branoff currently serves as Executive Director, Major Gifts at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She has led major gift strategies and raised philanthropic gifts to support the school’s priorities of innovation, inclusion, and sustainability during her 12-year tenure there. Elizabeth also secured gifts for the Institute for Business and Social Impact, the…

Elizabeth Friedman Branoff currently serves as Executive Director, Major Gifts at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She has led major gift strategies and raised philanthropic gifts to support the school’s priorities of innovation, inclusion, and sustainability during her 12-year tenure there.

Elizabeth also secured gifts for the Institute for Business and Social Impact, the Center for Responsible Business, the Center for Social Sector Leadership, the Clean Tech to Market (C2M) program, and the Center for Gender, Equity & Leadership. Elizabeth was formerly the Bay Area Director of the American Jewish World Service and serves on several boards, including Berkeley Hillel. Elizabeth and her husband live in Albany and have two teenage children.
Rabbi Julie Bressler

Rabbi Julie Bressler serves as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Oakland. She is an East Bay native who grew up in the Reform movement as an active member of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, a camper and staff member at URJ Camp Newman, and a NFTY and Midrasha participant. She graduated from Washington University in…

Rabbi Julie Bressler serves as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Oakland. She is an East Bay native who grew up in the Reform movement as an active member of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, a camper and staff member at URJ Camp Newman, and a NFTY and Midrasha participant. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and received her Rabbinic Ordination and Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.

Judaism’s emphasis on activism and community engagement connected Rabbi Bressler to Judaism from a young age and continues to inspire and inform her professional work as a rabbi and personal volunteer and advocacy efforts. She is particularly passionate about justice issues surrounding gender and sexual identities, including spearheading efforts to train seminary students to be better prepared to support survivors of sexual-based violence in their communities. As a rabbi in Boston, she partnered with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization working on issues of housing and immigration justice in particular, including resettling multiple refugee families from Afghanistan and Ukraine in the Boston area. At Temple Sinai, Rabbi Bressler oversees the social action and social justice engagement, including committees that focus on climate, reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, and more.
Rachel Concannon

Rachel Concannon is a Marriage and Family Therapist with 20 years of experience helping adolescents and families through challenging times. The majority of her career was spent as the Middle and Upper School Counselor at the Head-Royce School in Oakland. In addition to counseling students and faculty, she served as the chair of the Mentor…

Rachel Concannon is a Marriage and Family Therapist with 20 years of experience helping adolescents and families through challenging times. The majority of her career was spent as the Middle and Upper School Counselor at the Head-Royce School in Oakland. In addition to counseling students and faculty, she served as the chair of the Mentor Committee, helping new teachers to Head-Royce acclimate, as well as oversaw the high school Health and Wellness curriculum. Rachel also co-led workshops for the California Teacher Development Collaborative on implementing effective advising programs and navigating difficult conversations in schools.

Prior to Head-Royce, Rachel worked as a school counselor at Alameda High School and King Middle School, and as a therapist at Planned Parenthood. She currently has her own private practice, primarily seeing teens and women facing challenging life transitions.

Born and raised in Berkeley, Rachel became a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth El and is now a member at Temple Isaiah with her husband and two children. She attended the University of Michigan where she earned her B.A. in Communications and then St. Mary’s College for her M.A. in Counseling. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys hiking the trails with her dog and spending time with her extended family in the Bay Area over a good meal or sporting event.
Rena Davis

Rena Davis is a native of the Bay Area who has lived in the East Bay communities of Oakland, Pinole, and Richmond. Rena attended Howard University and graduated from UC Santa Cruz and the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law. A former staffer for Senator Boxer, Rena has led policy teams in academia,…

Rena Davis is a native of the Bay Area who has lived in the East Bay communities of Oakland, Pinole, and Richmond. Rena attended Howard University and graduated from UC Santa Cruz and the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law.

A former staffer for Senator Boxer, Rena has led policy teams in academia, nonprofit, and most recently technology. She is Google’s Head of State Government Affairs and Public Policy for California and serves on the Board of the CalAsian Chamber. Rena enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking with her corgi mix and golden retriever.
Stewart Florsheim

Stewart worked in the software industry for more than 40 years, predominantly leading global teams that develop technical and marketing content. He was born in New York City, the son of refugees from Hitler’s Germany, and has lived most of his adult life in the Bay Area. Stewart has a BA in Journalism and Philosophy…

Stewart worked in the software industry for more than 40 years, predominantly leading global teams that develop technical and marketing content. He was born in New York City, the son of refugees from Hitler’s Germany, and has lived most of his adult life in the Bay Area. Stewart has a BA in Journalism and Philosophy from Syracuse University, and an MA in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University.

Stewart is the author of five books of poetry and the editor of Ghosts of the Holocaust, an anthology of poetry by children of Holocaust survivors. Stewart is also Vice President of the Board of Directors of End of Life Choices California, and mentors students for Oakland Promise. He lives in Piedmont with his wife and has two grown daughters. Stewart joined the JFCS East Bay board in 2021.
Veronica Granillo

Veronica Granillo is a dedicated advocate for low-cost, ethical immigration services in the East Bay. Her family immigrated from Mexico and settled in Richmond, CA, living undocumented for several years before obtaining documented status. Inspired by her own experiences, Veronica became an immigration attorney to help others in similar situations. After passing the bar exam in…

Veronica Granillo is a dedicated advocate for low-cost, ethical immigration services in the East Bay. Her family immigrated from Mexico and settled in Richmond, CA, living undocumented for several years before obtaining documented status. Inspired by her own experiences, Veronica became an immigration attorney to help others in similar situations.

After passing the bar exam in 2012, Veronica started her own practice to address the lack of affordable immigration services. In 2013, she was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Renaissance Organization for her efforts. Currently, she co-leads the affirmative asylum program and oversees the naturalization and defensive asylum programs as a Senior Staff Attorney at the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC) in Berkeley.

Veronica has also served as the lead staff attorney for “Immigrants’ Rights,” a legal nonprofit in Salinas, CA, and is an active member of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, providing pro bono services. She volunteers with the Alameda Bar Association and the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area. Veronica earned her BA in Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University and her J.D. from San Francisco Law School. She resides in Pinole, CA with her husband and two young boys.
Penni Hudis

Penni Hudis moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980 after growing up in New York City suburbs and spending 11 years in the Midwest. Her career has centered on addressing labor market inequalities through research, university teaching, and education program evaluation. She taught at Indiana University and UC Berkeley and worked in various…

Penni Hudis moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1980 after growing up in New York City suburbs and spending 11 years in the Midwest. Her career has centered on addressing labor market inequalities through research, university teaching, and education program evaluation. She taught at Indiana University and UC Berkeley and worked in various roles, including at Bechtel Corporation and Bank of America, consistently aiming to understand and remedy societal inequalities.

For the past 17 years, Penni has supported nonprofit, social justice-focused organizations. She worked with ConnectEd on grant writing and consulting for low-income school districts and served as the volunteer Executive Director of The Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC), focusing on reducing cancer treatment inequalities for people of color. She has also been involved with Planned Parenthood, The San Francisco Senior Center, and Opportunity Junction, a nonprofit providing training for low-income individuals entering healthcare and administrative careers. Additionally, Penni is a member of Impact100 East Bay, serving on the grants committee.

Penni earned her B.A. from New York University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from The University of Michigan.
Suzan Kotch

Suzan was born and raised in the East Bay, graduated from UC Davis, and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. She graduated from the Title IVE Public Child Welfare training program with a concentration in Child and Family Services. Suzan was a Child Welfare Worker in Alameda County…

Suzan was born and raised in the East Bay, graduated from UC Davis, and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. She graduated from the Title IVE Public Child Welfare training program with a concentration in Child and Family Services. Suzan was a Child Welfare Worker in Alameda County for 13 years and specializes in working with infants and young children in the foster care system.

Suzan is currently the Director of Social Work at East Bay Children’s Law Offices, a nonprofit that represents children in the foster and probate court systems. Suzan is a Camp Newman/Swig Alumna and taught Sunday School and Midrasha for more than 13 years. She and her husband live in Oakland with their two young children. Suzan joined the JFCS East Bay board in 2019.
Eric Leve

Eric is the Chief Investment Officer of Bailard, a Bay Area investment management firm. He grew up in the Los Angeles area and moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where– as a third-generation Golden Bear–he graduated with a degree in economics. Eric has proudly been an Oakland resident for more than 15…

Eric is the Chief Investment Officer of Bailard, a Bay Area investment management firm. He grew up in the Los Angeles area and moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where– as a third-generation Golden Bear–he graduated with a degree in economics.

Eric has proudly been an Oakland resident for more than 15 years. Eric has served on the board of directors of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland and is currently on its board of trustees. Eric began volunteering on the JFCS East Bay Investment Committee in 2018 and joined the board in 2019.
Aliza Metzner

Aliza’s professional career has spanned product and market development, management consulting, and event planning. She has been involved with social activism and volunteering since her teenage years. Aliza’s initiated activities include: The Mindful Life Project in Richmond, The Shiva Project at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, and Firewise organizer and community wildfire adaptive educator. She serves…

Aliza’s professional career has spanned product and market development, management consulting, and event planning. She has been involved with social activism and volunteering since her teenage years.

Aliza’s initiated activities include: The Mindful Life Project in Richmond, The Shiva Project at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, and Firewise organizer and community wildfire adaptive educator. She serves on selection committees for the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards and JFCS-EB Art of Living Committee. Aliza holds a BA from Colgate University in Social Psychology and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Her other interests include sculpting and writing.
Harris Mojadedi

Harris Mojadedi was born in Fremont CA, the son of refugees from Afghanistan. He is a Policy Analyst at UC Berkeley, managing the student fee portfolio in the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office. Harris is a dedicated community organizer who has volunteered and served on boards of several organizations in Alameda County, including SAVE,…

Harris Mojadedi was born in Fremont CA, the son of refugees from Afghanistan. He is a Policy Analyst at UC Berkeley, managing the student fee portfolio in the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office.

Harris is a dedicated community organizer who has volunteered and served on boards of several organizations in Alameda County, including SAVE, New Haven Schools Foundation, and Afghan Coalition. He also serves the communities of Union City and South Hayward as a trustee of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.
Sedique Popal

Sedique Popal immigrated from Afghanistan decades ago and experienced his own challenging resettlement. He has since become deeply connected to and well-known within the Afghan and broader Muslim communities. In 2015, he became the President of the Board of Directors of the Noor Islamic Cultural and Community Center (NICCC). Under his leadership, the NICCC expanded…

Sedique Popal immigrated from Afghanistan decades ago and experienced his own challenging resettlement. He has since become deeply connected to and well-known within the Afghan and broader Muslim communities. In 2015, he became the President of the Board of Directors of the Noor Islamic Cultural and Community Center (NICCC). Under his leadership, the NICCC expanded its services from primarily the Afghan population to the entire Muslim community, significantly growing the center. Sedique has fostered close relationships with community leaders, local politicians, and the Concord Police Department to further support the community he serves.

Sedique and the NICCC have partnered with JFCS East Bay on various initiatives. Sedique holds a BA in Education from Kabul University, an MA in TESL/TEFL from San Francisco State University, and an EdD in Second Language Acquisition/Linguistics from the University of San Francisco. He is currently a Professor at USF and serves as the TESL Program Coordinator, specializing in Applied Linguistics and International & Multicultural Education. Sedique has taught and trained teachers in six different countries and has been a featured presenter and keynote speaker at TESOL, CATESOL, NABE, and CABE. He has received the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of San Francisco, UC Berkeley Extension, California State University, East Bay, and the College of Alameda. His latest publication is “A Grammar Book for Teachers” (2021).
Marjorie Stamper-Kurn

Marjorie Stamper-Kurn Marjorie is a senior consultant with The Justice Collective, a social impact consulting firm that brings a racial equity lens to traditional organizational development. Drawing upon degrees in Ethnic Studies, Management, and Education, Marjorie works across sectors to create strong and equitable organizations by developing values-based programs, practices, and policies. Marjorie has also…

Marjorie Stamper-Kurn Marjorie is a senior consultant with The Justice Collective, a social impact consulting firm that brings a racial equity lens to traditional organizational development. Drawing upon degrees in Ethnic Studies, Management, and Education, Marjorie works across sectors to create strong and equitable organizations by developing values-based programs, practices, and policies.

Marjorie has also delivered social emotional learning and diversity and inclusion programming in classrooms and school communities throughout the Bay Area. Active in her community, she has served on numerous equity and racial justice committees, including at Oakland Technical High School and Congregation Netivot Shalom. Marjorie loves to travel the world and is just as happy when she is at home in Oakland with her husband and two mostly-grown sons.