Staff & Board of Directors

Born and raised in Richmond, a graduate of West Contra Costa School District, Jasmine is a shining example of what is possible when systems and organizations invest in education and leadership development. As a first generation college student, Jasmine received her MPA from the Goldman School of Public Policy and a B.A. in Sociology from San Francisco State University. Jasmine has over half a decade of community organizing experience in low income communities dealing with the school to prison pipeline, particularly addressing the issue of school police. She was a founding member and the lead organizer at the Black Organizing Project based in Oakland, CA.Ms. Jones believes that through public policy and empathy we can create a world where everyone can thrive. Jasmine leads with understanding the importance of community, spirit, and culture as essential to the transformation of individuals and institutions. Jasmine is a proud mother to her four-year old son King, and happily partnered with Pastry Chef Matt.

Robert Bunce has been an innovative, passionate and results driven nonprofit administrator, public school educator, and consultant for over 25 years. Robert joined the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund in 2010, and was charged with implementing the organization’s first strategic plan. Robert helped build the Ed Fund into West Contra Costa’s primary intermediary organization. As the organization has shifted its focus to strategic fund development, Robert has leveraged his ten year relationship with the community to deliver on the organization’s new vision. Robert is active in his children’s school community, volunteering on the school’s foundation board, budget advisory committee, and actively volunteering to cook or camp as needed!

Raised in Richmond and a graduate of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, Sarah joined the Ed Fund as the College Access Coordinator through the AmeriCorps VISTA program in 2020. Sarah graduated from UC Davis with Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology, Spanish, and Chicanx studies. Through her undergraduate career, she worked for the Davis Joint Unified School District as an academic tutor for the Davis Bridge program aimed towards Latinx, immigrant, and/or low-income students who perform below grade level – assisting students overcome difficulties in their academic endeavors. Being a first-generation college student stemming from a community with high crime rates, alcohol/drug abuse, and gang-related activity herself, she wants to extend accessibility into programs that help underserved and under-resourced communities that would help bridge her community’s needs. As a VISTA, she oversaw all of the Ed Fund’s programs and two COVID rapid response funds, serving over 700 families. In 2021, Sarah is joining the Ed Fund as the team’s Program Manager.

Lucía Moreno Nava joined the Ed Fund through the AmeriCorps Vista program in 2020 and is excited to start her new role as the Development and Communications Manager. A recipient of a Questbridge Scholarship, she received her BA in Media Studies with a minor in Russian from Pomona College. Her current work has exposed her to the possibilities of creating and maintaining online communities that uplift our public schools.  Lucia is a proud East Bay native and looks forward to continuing to work with the community of West Contra Costa.

Kimberly Stewart joined the Ed Fund as the Operations Manager. Kimberly has over 20 years of experience in operations and administrative roles. A longtime Richmond resident and an active community member, she trusted West County to pour into the lives of her two now adult children through their schools and community organizations. As a concerned citizen, Kimberly is delighted to be of service to the very passionate folks at the Ed Fund. Her goal is to help return the pride some think is lost around here in West County. Ms. Stewart believes “mindfully improving lives everyday will add smiles to those we encounter.”

Jessica Travenia joined the Ed Fund as the Program Director of the Richmond Rapid Response Fund. She is a Bay Area Native and a resident of Richmond who has dedicated her career to supporting justice by eliminating barriers. She brings her experience as a first-generation college student, organizer, survivor and advocate of peer support and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience in policy development. Jessica seeks to bring the voices of the most impacted to the table and ensure they remain at the forefront of the solution. To Jessica, the heart of system change is always the people who are most impacted and vulnerable and policy change is about moving resources. She is also a mother, a doula, an herbalist, educator, entrepreneur, culture worker and poet who sees integrating culture, holding sacred space, healing and personal development as central to grounding professional work in integrity and shared values.  She loves art, reading and listening to podcasts, hiking and connecting with nature. In order to meet the demands of the ongoing work, global, fiscal and political landscape, she believes in community care and ongoing healing which honors Black, Indigenous, and Brown people and our ancestral and cultural modalities at the heart of her praxis and personal grounding.

Jordan Silva-Benham joined the Ed Fund in August of 2021 as the Communications and Development Associate through AmeriCorps Vista. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism, and worked as a small town reporter before joining AmeriCorps. Jordan is passionate about giving back to the community and promoting equity in education and beyond.

Karl Debro has taught at every level from middle school to graduate school. Dr. Debro has led professional development on institutional racism, student success, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity for high schools and colleges. A recipient of the Jefferson Award for public service, Debro has been honored for his work to bring safety and respect to LGBTQ students by PFLAG and the United States Congress. Dr. Debro currently works as an education consultant. He holds a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from UC Berkeley and a Doctorate in Education from Mills College. He lives in Oakland.

Kathleen’s advocacy for children, youth and their families has spanned over 20 years and she brings a deep understanding of nonprofit management and philanthropy to her work at San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. In her current work, she partners with donors to bring essential educational programs and services to 40,000 students who aspire to earn a college degree. Throughout her career, Kathleen has successfully lobbied for affordable housing, increases in school funding, and improved outcomes for low-income students. Early in her career Kathleen was appointed to the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Children Youth and Their Families and later served as program director at Marin Community Foundation where she led its strategic initiatives for affordable housing and ending the cycle of poverty. More recently she served as the Executive Director of Redwood City Education Foundation. Her interest in volunteer service began in Japan where she attended high school. Now a resident of Oakland, Kathleen has served on the boards of Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy, the Marin Workforce Housing Trust, and is currently Vice Chair of the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund in Richmond.

Stephanie Hochman, LCSW, has devoted the past 30+ years to supporting individuals and groups to improve their lives and affect change in their communities. Stephanie has been a member of the BACR team for most of this time and is a Director of the East Bay programs, leading many innovative and long-standing youth support projects in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Additionally, she provides clinical supervision and training to the mental health staff and graduate interns. Stephanie is also a Certified ToP (Technology of Participation) Facilitator and trainer and is an Associate with the Center for Strategic Facilitation.

Dr. Mara Lockowandt is the Director of School Partnerships at East Bay Center where she oversees the strategic development of a nationally recognized teacher professional development program, school and community youth programs, and early childhood education programs. She is dedicated to improving outcomes for diverse and marginalized youth including asylum seekers/refugees, low income, trauma-sensitive, and those with varying abilities. Previous to joining East Bay Center, Dr. Lockowandt worked as an educator, researcher and evaluator for youth and arts programs in London, UK. Dr. Lockowandt has an MA from King’s College London and a PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London specializing in diaspora and immigrant theatre traditions.

Luna helps philanthropists develop and implement impactful philanthropic strategies aligned with their interests and passions. Prior to joining Hirsch & Associates, Luna worked as a Program Associate at the S.H. Cowell Foundation, where she developed a keen understanding of best practices that empower children and their families to thrive. She worked across the public, private and nonprofit sectors to amplify the impact of the Family Resource Centers network. She also developed opportunities for directors, grantees and community partners to foster strong collaborations through community visits and peer-learning exchanges. Luna is a member of two Latino Community Foundation giving circles focused on women in San Francisco and Contra Costa County. She holds a B.A. in Chicano/a Studies with a Public Policy emphasis from the University of California, Davis.

Bertha Romo, MA, is a proud WCCUSD graduate, who has worked in the Richmond and San Pablo community for eight years, doing direct service work to support local youth, and coordinating the City of San Pablo’s school-based grant program. Bertha has experience in data collection & analysis, program design & evaluation, budget management, and partnership development. Bertha is also a Certified Girls Circle Facilitator and Certified College Admissions Counselor. She has a BA in Urban Studies from UC Berkeley and MA in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis on School Counseling, from the University of San Francisco.

Leticia Vaca, MSW, LCSW is a Trauma Therapist and experienced social worker. She has aligned her healthcare experience and therapeutic
knowledge to assist BIPOC in navigating the complex healthcare and behavioral health maze. Leticia has 17 years of experience in the field
of human services, health, and mental health; but her personal experience of loss informs her gentle approach. Additionally, she is the Co-Founder of Urban Catalyst Psychotherapy, a multicultural group practice. Leticia finds joy in playing and chasing after her bull terrier “Slick Rick”, dancing to live music, cooking, and laughing with friends and family. Leticia has a BA in Psychology from UC Riverside, and received a Masters in Social Work from California State University East Bay, with an emphasis in Community Mental Health.

Dilan A. Pedraza (he/him/el) is the Teach Plus National Policy Specialist. In this role, Dilan supports teachers from across the country to advance equity-driven federal policy change. Dilan served as Legislative Staff for U.S. Senator Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), advising the Senator on immigration, labor, early childhood, and housing policy. Dilan was a Teach For America (TFA) 2016 corps member and taught 8th grade English in his hometown of Richmond, California. Dilan received a scholarship from The West Contra Costa Public Education Fund for college when he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2012. Serving on the board of the Ed Fund is both an honor and a full circle experience for him. Growing up in a high poverty household, Dilan believes education to be a tool to overcome societal and systematic obstacles. Dilan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Legal Studies from California State University, Chico.

Marcus Walton is a longtime West Contra Costa resident who graduated from WCCUSD schools and worked for the district for several years as the Communications Director, where he advocated for students and worked with community groups to support public education. He is a communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, community outreach and engagement, advocacy, and strategic planning and execution for public and private sector organizations. Marcus has worked directly with students as a high school speech and debate coach, substitute teacher, and summer program adviser. He was a founding board member for the Sacramento Urban Debate League and served on the executive committee of the California High School Speech Association. He is currently the Communications Director for the Contra Costa County Office of Education, where his advocacy work continues.