ADMINISTRATION

Lisa Spinali, executive director, a nationally recognized leader in the field of volunteerism and civic engagement, has 20 years of cross-sector experience. Before joining School Volunteers, Lisa was vice president for civic engagement for the Omidyar Foundation in Redwood City, California. Five years prior, Lisa founded Ripple Effect Consulting, working with more than 100 public sector organizations to improve their organizational effectiveness. She also served as lead consultant for the Corporation for National Service’s Presidio Leadership Center in San Francisco, designing innovative leadership training programs and providing instruction to more than 300 nonprofit executives. In 1993, Lisa was executive-on-loan to the White House, serving on the launch team for President Clinton's national service initiative, AmeriCorps. She currently serves on the board for the Ella Baker Center. In 2007, Lisa was appointed by the Office of the Governor to the board of commissioners for California Volunteers, the state agency for volunteerism and service. Lisa earned a masters degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School and a bachelors degree in Italian literature from the University of California, Berkeley.

Warren Ward, office manager, has held positions as office manager, controller, bookkeeper, and general administrator. His most recent work was with In-Home Supportive Services Consortium as a service delivery supervisor. Prior to that, he worked for H&R Block as their San Francisco office manager. His responsibilities at School Volunteers include developing strong human resources policies and practices, improving office conditions, and maintaining strong financial management. Warren holds a bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University and a master’s degree from Fordham University in Philosophical Resources.

PROGRAM

Darren Gapultos, school relations coordinator, has six years of experience providing services that strengthen communities. He first served as an AmeriCorps community liaison for California State University, Northridge, where he coordinated faculty and student volunteers for local non-profit and K-12 institutions. Then, as a community and employment specialist at The Family School and its STRIVE job-readiness training program, he worked on creating opportunities for at-risk populations in San Francisco. Darren has a bachelors degree in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he developed his commitment to community-based movements. Click here for Darren's schools

Aracely Hernandez, school relations coordinator, has several years of experience supporting underserved students. Prior to joining School Volunteers, Aracely served as an AmeriCorps School Reform Partner for Partners in School Innovation in San Francisco and San Jose. She has also been a counselor, tutor, and after-school program coordinator with the YMCA and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Fluent in English and Spanish, she graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in sociology where she developed her passion in social justice and educational equity. Click here for Aracely's schools

Matt Kawakami, school relations manager, came to San Francisco School Volunteers with over thirty-two years in education. He has been both a classroom teacher at the secondary level as well as a school site administrator. For the past four years he served as an administrator at the district office in the East Bay. As a district administrator he was responsible for providing in-service training to district staff, served as liaison to various city and county programs, and ensured that school sites were in compliance with district and state policies. Matt earned his masters in education degree in administrative service from the University of San Francisco and his bachelor’s degree in international relations and history from California State University, Chico.

Jane Phan, school relations coordinator, is committed to building stronger schools, families, and communities. She came to School Volunteers with experience coordinating training and development programs and student services with employers including the San Jose Mercury News, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, and Stanford Law School. In addition, she has volunteered with the Santa Clara Eastside Project and International Children’s Assistance Network. Jane holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Santa Clara University. Click here for Jane's schools

Jessica Pullano, outreach and communications manager, held positions as parent program and school community coordinator before joining the senior management team as school relations manager and now outreach and communications manager. Before working for School Volunteers, Jessica wrote articles and site content for websites including Oprah Winfrey’s Oxygen Media. She has lived in Granada, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland. She completed her undergraduate studies in English and communications at the University of California, Davis.

Eric Torres, corporate relations manager, was born in Callao, Peru, but has called the Bay Area home since 1983. Since graduating from UCLA with a degree in sociology, he has been committed to the field of education working in the Bay Area for organizations such as Partners in School Innovation and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. He has also served as an English-Spanish interpreter. In his spare time, Eric volunteers as a youth soccer coach.

Dawna Wolfson, volunteer development manager, came to School Volunteers after a robust career with Girl Scouts. Exemplifying what a volunteer can contribute to an organization, she proactively took on greater volunteer responsibilities that ultimately led to a staff position. Building upon her own experience, she trained adult volunteers and became membership and marketing director. Prior to that, Dawna developed K-8 math and science curricula and manipulative kits for Delta Education, Inc.

Marian Yee, school relations coordinator, has experience working with organizations that support young adults in after-school programs. Her most recent experience as a tutor coordinator for foster youth with the San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program fed her desire to support education in schools. Prior to that, Marian worked with the Community Learning Center in South San Francisco. Marian graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, where she developed her passion for delivering social services. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, arts and crafts, computers, and meeting new people. Click here for Marian's schools

DEVELOPMENT

Rebekah Truemper, development director, has more than fifteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector with ten in education. Previously, Rebekah managed communications for the National Writing Project based at the University of California, Berkeley, and supported that organization’s three-fold growth and increased national prominence. Prior to that, she was associate director of development for the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School and successfully implemented its first capital campaign. She earned a masters degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, where she focused on nonprofit administration, social enterprise, and cross-sector collaboration. She holds a bachelors degree in English and humanities from Valparaiso University.

Sharareh Lotfi, grants manager, has a solid editorial and communications background. She has worked with creative organizations including the International Museum of Women, McSweeneys, and the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery. Shara has a bachelors degree in English Literature from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.