Staff
Transportation Policy and Programs Manager
Amy is a transportation policy and programs manager with a focus on accessible public and active transit systems that connect riders to livable communities, family, work, and recreation.
She focuses on campaigns and research that prioritize funding for public transit and active transportation like biking and walking. This includes working to increase funding for frequent and reliable transit service at the state level and research on more accessible micromobility to better serve low-income communities.
She finished a Masters in urban planning at UC Berkeley. During the pandemic she completed research interviewing essential workers about their experiences commuting; separately, she spoke with bus drivers about their experiences continuing essential services.
Before school, Amy was on the communications team at SPUR putting together panel events on inclusive design and how to implement Bus Rapid Transit. She also facilitated design workshops on how Bay Area youth envision the region in 2070.
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athomson [at] transformca.org
Amy Thomson (she/her)
Carrie Harvilla (she/her/they/them)
Director of Capacity Building and Community Education
Carrie supports folks in gaining easy, affordable access to environmentally-sustainable transportation choices. Through TransForm's Safe Routes to Schools and Know How to Go programs, she facilitates projects at the intersection of transportation and housing that are responsive to the unique community of each neighborhood in which she works. Knowing that every community member has important ideas and resources to contribute, her work is founded on collaboration with a variety of stakeholders: residents, students, parents, elected officials, and city staff. She is passionate about creative projects that build relationships — such as storytelling through oral history and placemaking through murals — as a means to use culture to influence behavior change.
Carrie is a professional Leadership and Life Coach certificated by the University of California at Davis. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and a Masters of Science in Community Development from the University of California at Davis.
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charvilla [at] transformca.org
Chuy Mendeola (they/them)
Development Data and Research Specialist
Chuy comes to TransForm with more than two decades of experience in social services, the arts, support for unhoused Bay Area residents, media, and adaptive education. Just prior to working as TransForm’s Communications and Development Coordinator, they worked as a tractor driver, freelance copywriter and editor, researcher, and development consultant for new nonprofits. Chuy holds a BA in Philosophy from San Francisco State University and enjoys adventure travel via mass transit throughout the West Coast, demolition derby, bold and mischievous mutual aid projects, local history, and a really great used bookstore.
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cmendeola [at] transformca.org
Dave Severy (he/him)
Development Director
Dave works to expand the organization’s capacity through securing and stewarding support from individuals, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners.
Previously, he supported the capital campaign and development efforts for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Dave also spent several years working with the Public Interest Network, overseeing teams of citizen outreach and fundraising canvassers, directing voter contact offices in swing states, and cultivating a portfolio of high net donors for CALPIRG.
Before attaining an International Relations degree from UC Davis, he developed a passion for social justice activism as an organizer with ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), where he mobilized low-income communities on campaigns for renter protections, prison sentencing reform, and better access to public schools and emergency services.
A resident of Richmond, Dave enjoys exploring the many biking and hiking routes of the East Bay with his wife and two young daughters.
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dsevery [at] transformca.org
Emilio Elenes (he/him)
Middle School Site Coordinator, Safe Routes to Schools
Emilio is an SR2S Site Coordinator. He works primarily with elementary , middle and high schools primarily in San Lorenzo, Hayward , Dublin and surrounding areas. Emilio is a Bay Area native having lived between Oakland and San Leandro all his life. He is no stranger to the challenges families face getting to and from school. He previously worked as a paraprofessional supporting students in a classroom with individualized needs. Emilio has a passion for youth engagement and hopes to make a change in his community. In his spare time Emilio enjoys spending his time outside with friends, exploring the local parks in the Bay Area, and playing tennis.
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eelenes [at] transformca.org
Grecia Mannah-Ayon (she/her)
Housing Policy Manager
Grecia engages with other advocacy organizations, public agencies and elected officials to create and implement programs and policies that support affordable housing in connected communities. She comes to TransForm with a variety of knowledge and experience throughout the affordable housing field including work in regional government, philanthropy, and technical assistance.
Her work has involved resident advocacy, supporting the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grants program at MTC, serving as a technical assistance provider at Enterprise Community Partners working with the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, and designing and implementing a grant program for HOPE SF’s public housing communities through the San Francisco Foundation.
Grecia received her BA in Political Science and Community and Regional Development from UC Davis and her MPA from San Francisco State University. She enjoys quiet evenings with her family which is a novelty with two small children, and leisurely neighborhood walks admiring her neighbors flowers.
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gmannahayon [at] transformca.org
Jasmine Law (she/her)
Elementary and Middle School Site Coordinator, Safe Routes to Schools
Jasmine is an SR2S Site Coordinator primarily working with elementary and middle schools in Piedmont, Alameda, Union City, and Fremont. Growing up in San Francisco, she has been a long-time transit rider on BART and MUNI. She has also spent much time in cities traveling on foot.
Jasmine holds a B.S. of Environmental Systems from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to working at TransForm, she was an Americorps Fellow with the Safe Routes to School program in San Mateo County. She is passionate about community engagement, urban planning, and creating more livable communities for all.
In her free time, Jasmine enjoys baking, exploring the Bay Area, reading, and playing video games.
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jlaw [at] transformca.org
Jenn Guitart (she/ella)
Executive Director
Jenn has worked in nonprofit leadership since 1999, the last eight years in transportation policy advocacy at the California Bicycle Coalition, where she helped build CalBike into a powerful voice for mobility justice. Previously, she directed Bay Area Communities for Health Education, leading parents in advocating for comprehensive sex education. Jenn has brought her strategic thinking, relationship-building, and fundraising skills to an array of nonprofit agencies in transportation advocacy, direct services, arts education, the environment, and health. She’s worked directly with prisoners, homeless youth, sex workers, and disadvantaged families. She holds an MA in anthropology, and a BA in Latin American Studies. She is Cuban-American and fluent in Spanish.
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For fun, Jenn writes songs, produces music videos, and plays piano in a Cuban music ensemble. She loves to cook and eat delicious food. Jenn lives in Berkeley with her partner and two teens, and mostly bikes, walks, and takes transit.
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jguitart [at] transformca.org
Jennifer Ledet
Safe Routes to Schools Program
Co-Director
Jennifer co-leads the site coordination team and does site coordination work, primarily with elementary schools in Pleasanton.
Jennifer loves riding her bike and taking the bus, and wants to work to make active and shared transportation options accessible and fun for students. She has a background in health promotion and education and weaves both into her work with the Safe Routes to Schools team. In her spare time, you can catch Jennifer on a hike, cooking a pot of gumbo, eating delicious food, or playing with her daughter.
Jennifer lives in Elk Grove near Sacramento, but still considers Oakland a second home. She has loved working with TransForm since 2013 and making positive changes in communities across Alameda County.
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jledet [at] transformca.org
Liz Holm (she/her)
Operations Manager
Liz is an Operations Manager with extensive experience in retail operations and portfolio management in the Bay Area. With more than a decade's experience in training, HR, team leadership and business management she is uniquely positioned to eliminate barriers and keep our Oakland office running smoothly.
Liz has a BA and MA in theater and literature and has recently earned her professional certificate in Project Management.
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lholm [at] transformca.org
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Kye Ocasio-Pare
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Kye is the strategic partnerships manager here at TransForm. He's thrilled to support TransForm's work and collaborate with community members, donors, and corporate partners to help build and strengthen an equitable and resilient Bay Area.Previously, they managed office operations in the SF tech sphere and for the library at Berkeley City College.He finds delight in enjoying spectacular storytelling in any medium-- from sci-fi novels to pro wrestling. His other delights include long meandering walks to nowhere in particular, talking with strangers, and enjoying a cozy movie-marathon evening with loved ones and a cuddly dog.
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kocasio-pare [at] transformca.org
Mario Valadez
Safe Routes to Schools Site Coordinator
Mario is the Safe Routes to School Site Coordinator serving elementary and middle schools in Albany, Livermore, and Oakland. As a former OUSD student, Mario understands the struggles families face traveling to and from school. He is excited to be working with students, families, and schools to support their vision for pedestrian-friendly campuses. He previously supported OUSD schools throughout the Kindergarten to College Program, helping schools and families build a college-going culture. He holds a degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley.
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mvaladez [at] transformca.org
Michele Walker (she/her)
Safe Routes to Schools High School Program Manager
Michele works primarily with middle and high school students across Alameda County.
As an East Coast native, Michele always dreamed of moving to sunny California. She began her trek across the country via Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master’s in Social Work.
Eventually she made it to Oakland, where prior to working for TransForm, Michele trained youth from low-income backgrounds in leadership skills, facilitated college and career readiness lessons at a local nonprofit, and taught math at a small middle and high school. Michele is excited about being part of the Safe Routes to School team, where she can encourage youth to make healthy choices that will lead to more active communities.
She is passionate about spending time outdoors and getting places on her own two feet. In Michele's free time, you can find her playing with her rescue dog, visiting the playground with her daughter, and voraciously reading thrillers.
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mwalker [at] transformca.org
Michelle Campbell
Staff Accountant
Michelle joined TransForm as the Staff Accountant in November of 2021. She has a B.S. in Management and Ethics and has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit financial and tax accounting working in areas of anti-human trafficking and immigration law.
Michelle also contributes her time to consulting and mentoring young POC creative entrepreneurs in the areas of financial literacy, business development, and creating equitable value systems.
Outside of work, she runs the independent record label Lake Merritt Girl Records and is a professional concert and festival photographer.
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mcampbell [at] transformca.org
Sheila Islam (she/her/they/them)
Safe Routes to Schools Elementary/Middle School Program Manager
Sheila supports Alameda County SR2S schools in K-8 schools in Berkeley, parts of Oakland, Emeryville and San Leandro. Sheila was previously Clean Water Action CA’s first Environmental Justice organizer, spending much of her time focusing on social justice throughout the Bay Area.
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Sheila was born and raised in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley where she witnessed the direct health effects living next to a freeway had on her community. She believes that change happens through community empowerment and works to support people in making the best decisions for themselves, their neighborhoods, and the environment.
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In their free time, Sheila consumes sci-fi and fantasy media, cuddles with their cat, bikes, and spends time with loved ones (preferably outdoors with some snacks).
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sislam [at] transformca.org
Stephanie Jim (she/her)
Safe Routes to Schools Program Co-Director
​Stephanie co-leads the site coordinator team. Stephanie also does site coordination for elementary and middle schools across Alameda County. Her work is focused on schools in Castro Valley and Fremont.
Stephanie is passionate about building healthier and more active communities. An expert in community health education, she lifts up the strengths of community members in her engagement efforts. Stephanie is particularly inspired by the voices of youth, whose fresh perspectives grow our communities and move us towards a better future.
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Stephanie was raised primarily in the Central Valley, and has lived in the East Bay for over 15 years. She appreciates and is proud of the bike culture, beautiful weather, and connected streets of the East Bay, and looks forward to sharing her love of bikes with her growing family.
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sjim [at] transformca.org
Zack Deutsch-Gross (he/him)
Policy Director
An organizer by trade, Zack brings over a decade of local, state and federal advocacy experience to the policy team at TransForm. Born and raised in San Francisco, for Zack transportation is not just about getting from A to B, but fundamentally about how we engage with each other and build community. Zack is committed to lifting up the voices of the region's most marginalized communities to craft thoughtful, innovative policies that support an equitable, affordable, sustainable and thriving Bay Area for all.
Prior to joining TransForm, Zack was the Policy and Community Investment Director at San Francisco Transit Riders. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and a Bachelors in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz. He currently serves on MTC’s Policy Advisory Council and on the board of I.T. Bookman Community Center. In his free time, he leads backpacking trips for the Sierra Club and is an avid soccer player and fan.
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zackdg [at] transformca.org
Board
Alice Chen (she/her)
Chair
Alice Chen brings her expertise as a multimodal transportation planner having worked with several cities in the Bay Area on the circulation elements of their General Plans, bicycle master plans, and pedestrian plans. Her work includes incorporating Complete Streets and Caltrans’ Smart Mobility Framework into transportation planning practices and supporting Caltrans' efforts to implement Senate Bill 743 and integrate equity into the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
Originally from small rural towns in New England, she has a degree in Urban Studies from Brown University. She came to the Bay Area for her master’s degree in Transportation Engineering from the University of California Berkeley. She is a certified planner (AICP) with the American Planning Association and a member of the California Planning Roundtable. Alice lives in the walkable, transit-oriented Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland with her husband, who is a transit planner with San Francisco MTA.
Jame Ervin (she/her)
Manager, Stripe
Jame Ervin uses her marketing expertise to help connect and outreach to our communities on the need for smarter development and mobility to support our region's growth and maintain its diversity. After attending city meetings and planning sessions over the past couple of years, Jame realized that our government agencies (and governing bodies) do not always hear from constituents who most need and desire more inclusive communities and improved transit.
Jame works in demand marketing at Stripe. She formerly worked as a sales and marketing consultant focusing on helping organizations connect marketing and sales by implementing tools and processes to and help marketers provide better ROI for marketing campaigns. Jame studied American Studies at UC Berkeley. She bikes around town and is anxiously awaiting the day we have efficient transit options across the whole region. Jame lives in Oakland and stays Oaklandish by checking out the latest developments, restaurants, and eateries around the Town; her unofficial nickname is "walking Yelp."
Linda Rhine
Chair
Principal, Nelson\Nygaard (Retired)
Linda Rhine is a retiree after 35-plus years in transportation planning. She was a public sector employee at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) before joining Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates in 1992. Linda was a principal, shareholder, and longtime member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Her planning practice was dedicated to transit and paratransit planning including budgeting, funding, auditing, fare policy, and inter-agency service coordination.
Michele Beasley (she/her)
Secretary
Executive Director, San Mateo County Parks Foundation
Michele Beasley grew up in San Mateo County and has spent her career fostering sustainable and equitable communities. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the San Mateo County Parks Foundation in 2015, Michele was Greenbelt Alliance’s Regional Director in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. She has also worked as an advocate for the homeless in Contra Costa County and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana supporting eco-tourism efforts in the late 1990s.
Nirit Lotan
Attorney, Earthjustice
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Nirit Lotan is an environmental attorney and has worked in the non-profit and private sector, both in California and in her native country of Israel. She was always fascinated by the impact seemingly mundane land use decisions have on people’s lives and opportunities, and on our shared environment. She has dedicated her professional career to creating a more sustainable and just future for everyone.
Nirit holds law degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and from Columbia University and is currently working for Earthjustice, trying to push back on oil and gas drilling in California and to promote environmental justice. Prior to that, she worked for a Bay Area law firm, was the head of the Environmental Justice Clinic in Tel Aviv University, and a staff attorney in a non-profit.
She lives in South Bay and she likes to spend her free time in the beautiful outdoors of California with her partner and three boys and to read.
Rachel Zack
Chief of Staff, Felt
Rachel Zack has spent over a decade working for increased spending on public transit and ending automobile and highway-building subsidies. She has co-authored groundbreaking white papers with leaders in the transportation field, and built technologies that achieve more equitable outcomes. Rachel is currently Chief of Staff at Felt, the best place to make a map on the internet, and lives in Oakland with her partner and two cats, Tex and Ruby.
Sally Greenspan
Treasurer
Director, Enterprise Community Partners
Sally Greenspan is a Director at Enterprise Community Partners, where she leads Enterprise’s Building Sustainable Communities program. In this role, Sally works to implement programs that address the joint challenges of housing affordability and climate change and create more sustainable, resilient, equitable communities.
Sally’s background also includes positions in private real estate, architecture, public policy & research, and urban planning. She holds a B.A. in urban studies from Stanford and a M.U.P. in urban planning from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service.
In her free time Sally loves to make a huge mess in the kitchen, and go on short, slow bike rides around the East Bay with her husband and two young children.
Tejus Shankar
Policy Development Manager, Lyft
Tejus Shankar is passionate about the intersection between transportation and land-use to create equitable futures for our cities. As a Policy Development Manager, Tejus leads Lyft's transit, bike and scooter policy research and strategy while further solidifying opportunities for public-private partnerships in mobility. Tejus brings nearly a decade of experience working in both public and private sectors. As a former management consultant, he has a background in analytics, thought leadership, project management, and mobility innovation and has worked as an innovation fellow with both the MBTA and LA Metro. His academic background also integrates business and public policy. Tejus holds an MBA from UCLA with a focus on real estate and supplementary coursework in urban planning. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelors in economics and public policy. Tejus currently lives in San Francisco and can be found often riding a bike on the slow streets!
Warren Logan (he/him)
Partner, Lighthouse Public Affairs
Warren Logan is an Oakland resident with a strong history of public service and community engagement. Professionally, Warren is a principal advisor at Lighthouse Public Affairs where he manages government relations and strategic communication projects. Before working in the private sector Warren worked in several public agencies including the City of Berkeley’s Transportation Division managing parking and travel demand management, the City and County of San Francisco managing shared mobility policy, and the Mayor’s Office of Oakland managing local, regional and state transportation policy.
Personally, Warren enjoys exploring Oakland neighborhoods on his electric bike, playing with his corgi QE and German shepherd Frankie, and spending time with friends. Warren received his Master’s in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design in 2013 and his B.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy from Occidental College in 2011.