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Who We Are

Uplift Central Coast is a growing coalition powered by Central Coast residents working together toward a shared vision of a diverse, inclusive economy built by and for the region’s residents.

Uplift Team Members

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Quinn Brady

Quinn has extensive community organizing experience, including as co-chair of a successful $349 million school bond effort, a founding board member of SLO County UndocuSupport, and years of work in climate action, racial justice, policy advocacy, and non-profit development. Quinn is dedicated to fostering belonging in communities through collaboration, big conversations, and equitable solutions.

PROJECT MANAGER

Lady Freire

Lady has a background in supporting women who want to develop and grow through starting small businesses or joining the workforce, starting in her native Chile and most recently for Visión y Compromiso, and is passionate about working with the community to contribute to the construction of a more just and equitable society.

Community Engagement Manager, EDC

Alondra Gaytan

Alondra has been with the EDC since 2014 and recognized as a 40 under 40 leader in the Pacific Coast Business Times. As the Director of Strategic Relations, she drives the EDC’s mission for a thriving and inclusive economy, while also dedicating herself to community engagement and working with the EDC’s key partners and stakeholders for the economic vitality of the region.

Community Engagement, MBEP

Jahyzanna Wieder

Jahyzanna, a Monterey County native with a multicultural background, is driven by her passion for diversity and ethnic inclusion. As an Operations Manager at Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, she actively engages with disinvested communities in the region, working towards making a difference. With a commitment to ensuring all voices are heard and promoting inclusivity, Jahyzanna is dedicated to her work and excited to serve the community she calls home.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, EDC

Iriany Sánchez

Iriany works with organizations seeking to engage communities in regional initiatives, connecting people to resources and support as they work to fulfill their needs and aspirations in the greater Ventura and Santa Barbara County region. With over 20 years of experience in the lending and banking world, Iriany has held key management positions where she guided business partners and served as an expert in collateral management matters for specific products and businesses. Iriany is a native of Venezuela who has connected with the love of her first language and community by doing Spanish Theater for over 20 years and lately working as a Communication Coordinator for a local Non-profit Organization. 

REGIONAL CONVENER, REACH

Melissa James

REACH President and CEO. A community leader with a proven track record of building highly effective teams and coalitions, Melissa brings a deep background in economic development, public policy, strategic communications and public relations. A Cal Poly graduate, Melissa worked as a capitol director in the state legislature before returning to the Central Coast, where she’s been instrumental in shaping policy and advocacy for several leading organizations. Melissa serves on the workforce development board for SLO County and the Board of Directors for San Luis Coastal Education Foundation. She’s been named to the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Top 50 Women in Business and Top 40 Under 40 as well as the San Luis Obispo Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40.

REGIONAL CONVENER, EDC

Bruce Stenslie

Bruce Stenslie has 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). Stenslie is a Governor’s appointee to the California Workforce Development Board and serves in leadership positions for several state and local organizations, including the California Stewardship Network, California Statewide Certified Development Corporation, California Small Manufacturers Health and Welfare Trust, First 5 Ventura County, Ventura County P-20 Council and the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County.

REGIONAL CONVENER, MBEP

Tahra Goraya

Tahra brings to MBEP strong skills in leadership, management, policy advocacy, and public affairs. She is experienced in diverse issue areas across multiple sectors, including nonprofit management, business, and government. Tahra’s passion for health equity and economic justice was shaped by her experience growing up in a rural area which made her appreciate the tremendous contributions that agricultural communities bring to the Central Coast.

ACCOUNTS & CONTRACTS, EDC

Monica Estrella

Monica Estrella has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the entrepreneurship and economic development realms. She currently works as the Grants & Contracts Manager for the Economic Development Collaborative in Ventura County. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director for the nationally ranked Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). She was the Director of numerous programs, including the nationally recognized Integrated Technology Transfer Network (ITTN). Monica created and taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses for CSUSB and hundreds of workshops throughout her career. Monica received both her undergraduate degree and graduate degrees from CSUSB

Administrative Coordinator

Jordan Walshaw

Jordan brings innovative organizational skills and a people-first approach that has been developed over the years as a small business owner here on the Central Coast. She is passionate about contributing to building a community that is inclusive, sustainable and filled with opportunity for generations to come.

The role of the Uplift Vision Committee is to advise the Uplift Coalition and the Steering Committees on stakeholder integration, projects, and programs to ensure alignment to CERF objectives through a lens of racial equity and social justice and overall accountability and integrity. The responsibilities of the Uplift Vision Committee include recommending Steering Committee makeup, project review and recommendations to Steering Committees, quality control for alignment to vision and guiding principles/north star planning objectives. The below individuals embody deep expertise in the guiding principles of equity, sustainability, and economic opportunity and include representation from each of the six counties.
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ANA ROSA RIZO-CENTINO

Community Member

Ana Rosa works closely with social justice organizations and environmental organizations that collaborate to advance climate action through an equity and racial justice lens.

Serving: San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County

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ANDREA CARLOS WILLY

Impact and Resource Development Officer for Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD)

Andrea is a Latina advocate leader, and her life has been dedicated to facilitating positive changes in health and education domains that support fragile populations and future generations.

Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County

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CESAR LARA

California Federation of Labor Unions

Cesar brings a history leading and serving Labor Unions and community based organizations.

Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Benito County

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CHRISTINE ROBERTSON

Executive Director of the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation

Christine’s work centers on building a durable, inclusive, and economically mobile homegrown talent pipeline that can break the intergenerational poverty cycle.

Serving: San Luis Obispo County

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DIRRICK WILLIAMS

Executive Director, Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative (BLAAC)

Dirrick is a life coach, trainer, author, and inspirational speaker as well as founder of the Black Leaders And Allies Collaborative.

Serving: Monterey County

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GARRETT WONG

Climate Program Manager, County of Santa Barbara

Garrett brings experience in long-range planning, inclusive community engagement, and sustainability.

Serving: San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County

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KATHY ODELL

Retired; CEO Emerita, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)

Kathy is passionate about creating sustainable, resilient, diverse communities where all residents have opportunities.

Serving: Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
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LAWRENCE (LARRY) SAMUELS

Special Assistant to the Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz

Larry is a long-time resident of the Central Coast who understands and is committed to equitable economic development.

Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County
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ROSA VIVIAN FERNANDEZ

President and Chief Executive Officer of San Benito Health Foundation (SBHF)

Rosa understands equity issues, specifically in rural areas, and will be a vocal advocate for the immigrant and underserved communities in the region.

Serving: San Benito County

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SAM COHEN

Government Affairs and Legal Officer at Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Sam is a seasoned legal and regulatory affairs executive with a solid history of leading successful advocacy and Government initiatives.

Serving: Santa Barbara County

The Regional Steering Committee and Subregional groups are responsible for guiding the overall CERF planning process, including an array of responsibilities such as: approval of processes; criteria and metrics; setting priorities, work streams and issue roundtables; stakeholder engagement strategies; implementation projects for funding recommendations and/or inclusion in the final Regional Plan. They will also be responsible for all final decision making, including the final approval and adoption of the final Regional Plan and recommendations for support for implementation funding. The Subregional Steering Committees have balanced geographic representation from each of the tri-counties represented.

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FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ

Labor Organizations

Francisco is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council. Francisco was also a teacher as well as a union president for over 20 years.

Location: Santa Cruz, Monterey

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KRISTINA CHAVEZ WYATT

Employer, Businesses, Business Associations

Kristina serves as a Client Advisor- Strategic Growth, Northern California for California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC, NIST MEP Center), as the Executive Director of the San Benito County Business Council and Owner/President of Farmhouse Communications. She has nearly two decades of community engagement, business and economic development, workforce, advocacy and public affairs experience. Her focus is to develop and execute strategies, tactics and building networks in manufacturing, land use, community development, agriculture and government.

Location: San Benito
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GABRIELA LOPEZ CHAVEZ

Grassroots and Community-Based Organization, Community Organizer, and Community Members

Gabriela has nearly 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and has served as Director for the Taylor Farms Center for Learning with the First Tee in Monterey County and Loaves, Fishes & Computers, Inc. (LFC).

Location: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Benito County

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ENRIQUE ARREOLA

Government Agencies

Enrique is the Deputy Director at San Benito County Health and Human Service Agency. He is a Board Member for the California Workforce Association Board of Directors and has long-term experience in the community, directing workforce development as well as community Services.

Location: San Benito
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RICHARD VAUGHN

Economic Development Agencies

Richard Vaughn is the Economic Development Manager for the County of Monterey. Richard has been involved in various community events and was formerly San Bernardino County’s economic development manager.

Location: Monterey
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MICHAEL CASTRO

Philanthropic Organizations

Michael Castro is the Director of Community Initiatives and Partnerships at the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Michael directly administers the Salinas Inclusive Development Initiative (SIEDI), the VIDA (community health worker) program and the Community Wellness Collaborative (formerly the COVID 19 Collaborative).

Location: Monterey
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JACKIE CRUZ

Education and Training Providers

Jackie Cruz is the Vice President of Advancement & Development at Hartnell Community College. She began her career in the non-profit sector 19 years ago at the United Way Monterey County and joined Hartnell College in January 2009. She launched the Salinas Valley Health Professions Pathways Partnership, along with four capital campaigns, one for the arts, one for athletics, one for agriculture, and one for STEM.

Location: Monterey
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ALMA CERVANTES

Workforce Entities

Alma Cervantes has led the Education Equity Justice Action Team for Building Healthy Communities-Monterey County for the last 8 years at a local, county and state level. She has more than 10 years of expertise in community engagement, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy and culturally rooted healing informed practices.

Location: Monterey

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ELOY ORTIZ

Environmental Justice Organizations

Eloy Ortiz is the Special Projects Manager at Regeneración-Pajaro Valley Climate Action. He aims to help farmworkers and others in Pajaro recover after disastrous flooding forced thousands to evacuate and families homeless. Eloy is also the Board President for the Center for Farmworker Families.

Location: Santa Cruz, Monterey
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DIANE ORTIZ

Work Center

Diane Ortiz is the CEO and co-founder of the Youth Alliance. Diane has worked with historically marginalized communities to establish culturally relevant services and social justice leadership development to support generational healing, educational success, and restorative systems transformation.

Location: San Benito
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MARIA ELENA MANZO

Disinvested Communities

Maria Elena Manzo is the Program Director for Mujeres en Acción, a women’s economic self-sufficiency and leadership development program. Maria Elena was co-chair of COPA’s founding assembly in 2003 and continues to be a key leader in this regional non-profit organization she also led the organizing strategy for Monterey County’s Esperanza Care.

Location: Monterey
Angel Riotutar

ANGEL RIOTUTAR

California Native American Tribes

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation; University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) American Indian Resource Center Director (AIRC)

Location: Santa Cruz

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JEREMY GOLDBERG

Labor Organizations

Jeremy Goldberg is the Executive Director of the Central Coast Labor Council. Jeremy worked for the first Obama presidential campaign and has worked at the National Association of Letter Carriers as the National Field Director helping to stave off congressional efforts to cut jobs and reduce mail service to the American people.

Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura

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MICHAEL BOYER

Employer, Business, Business Associations

Michael Boyer is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce. Michael is a founding Director of the Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, he also serves as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and serves on several Boards of Directors

Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara

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CAMERON GRAY

Grassroots and Community-Based Organization, Community Organizer, and Community Members

Cameron Gray is the co-chair of the Network Health and Learning committee and a community member actively engaged in environmental justice issues.

Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura

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JOYCE HOWERTON

Government Agencies

Joyce Howerton is board member of The Fund for Santa Barbara. She is the former Mayor of Lompoc. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Action Network and before retiring was the District Representative for State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson.

Location: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria

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NICKI PARR

Economic Development Agencies

Nicki Parr is the Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV). Nicki has been instrumental in creating a number of WEV’s innovative training programs, such as its financial education program, and its business recovery and resilience program.

Location: Santa Barbara, Ventura

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VANESSA BECHTEL

Philanthropic Organizations

Vanessa Bechtel is the President and CEO at Ventura County Community Foundation. Bechtel served as executive director of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and was recognized as Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Academy in 2019.

Location: Ventura
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WENDY SIMS-MOTEN

Education and Training Providers

Wendy Sims-Moten is a 30-year resident of Santa Barbara County, who has a deep-rooted interest in the progress, development, and well-being of this community and its residents. Wendy is the Executive Director of First 5 Santa Barbara County. Her civic and community involvement include Organizer and Chair, African American Women of Santa Barbara County, Board Member, CAUSE Action Fund, Board Chair, Gateway Educational Services, Board Member, McCune Foundation, Board Member, Proud alum of Emerging Leaders and member of St. Paul AME Church.

Location: Santa Barbara

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CORLEI PRIETO

Workforce Entities

Corlei Prieto is the Director of the Santa Barbara Adult Education Consortium. Corlei leads a diverse group of constituents ranging from students, faculty, staff and local public entities such as the local libraries, Santa Barbara County’s educational programs, and the local Workforce Board.

Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
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RITA CASAVERDE

Environmental Justice Organizations

Rita Casaverde is the Executive Director of Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County. Rita also serves as the Chair of SLO County UndocuSupport Executive Committee and is part of the newly formed SLO County Climate Justice Alliance.

Location: San Luis Obispo
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REBECCA EVANS

Work Center

Rebecca Evans is the Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC.) Her role is to ensure that the WDBVC focuses on supporting workers and job seekers, especially those with barriers to employment.

Location: Ventura
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DENISE EL AMIN

Disinvested Communities

Denise El Amin is an NAACP Member. She holds various leadership posts and works across organizations to improve the Solvang community.

Location: Santa Barbara

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SCOTT LATHROP

California Native American Tribes

Scott Lathrop is the CEO of ytt Northern Chumash Nonprofit. Scott is also a member of the President’s Council of Advisors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Location: San Luis Obispo

The Research Committee consists of geographically representative experts with backgrounds in applied analysis of local economic, demographic, health, and environmental trends, drawn from university and community college centers, government, and other institutions. The Committee's scope includes providing guidance and input on research activity to, ensure content is locally-informed and validated, and helping identify data for topics where information is limited from external sources or tailored by local collection.

  • Chris Benner – Director of the Institute for Social Transformation and the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change, Dorothy E. Everett Chair in Global Information and Social Entrepreneurship, and professor of environmental studies and sociology, University of California - Santa Cruz
  • Lisa Carlos – Commissioner, Santa Barbara Housing Authority; policy expert
  • Jamshid Damooei – Professor of Economics, Director of the Economics program, and Executive Director of the Center for Economics of Social Issues, California Lutheran University
  • Jaime Fall – Workforce and Economic Strategy Director, Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County; former Director, UpSkill America, Aspen Institute
  • Adrienne Greve – Professor, City & Regional Planning, California Polytechnic State University 
  • LeeAnne McNulty – Director of Institutional Grants, Allan Hancock College 
  • Lata Murti – Professor of Sociology, U-Mass Global (based in Santa Maria) 
  • Dan Ripke – Director of Economic Development, Institute for Innovation and Economic Development, California State University-Monterey Bay 
  • Joni Roberts – Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Public Health, California Polytechnic State University
  • Josh Williams President, BW Research

Northern Sub-Region (San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties)



Southern Sub-Region (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties)