Meet Our Team

For more than 135 years, the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland has elevated the voices and concerns of women and girls, BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities and fought for social justice.

Our programs have evolved to address emerging needs, with advocacy efforts focused on eradicating systemic injustices. Throughout the pandemic and widespread closures, our team, interns, volunteers, and Board stayed committed to supporting our communities and advancing our mission.

Now, in a post-pandemic world, the Supreme Court’s rulings on race, discrimination, and Roe v. Wade have set back civil rights, amplifying the urgency of our work. Together, we move forward with renewed dedication to creating a more just and equitable future for all.

Our History

Learn more

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for All.

Our Executive Staff

  • Monique LeSarre, PsyD

    Executive Director

    Monique provides strategic and visionary leadership, advancing the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women while guiding programs, staff, and community partnerships.

  • Layla Dargahi

    Deputy Director

    Layla manages the YWCA’s direct-service programs, ensuring they are impactful, community-centered, and rooted in racial and gender justice.

  • Fernanda Olivares

    Operations Director

    Fernanda oversees the YWCA’s operations and organizational infrastructure, providing the foundation that keeps the organization running smoothly and effectively every day.

  • Juliet Galvez

    Bookkeeping & Development Manager

    Juliet oversees financial records and drives strategic development initiatives to support organizational growth and efficiency.

Our Staff

  • Victoria Mendoza

    Director of Programs

    Victoria leads and strengthens YWCA Berkeley/Oakland’s programs, supporting staff and partnerships to ensure services are responsive, mission-driven, and aligned with the organization’s values of racial justice, gender equity, and community empowerment.

  • Jackie Kleeberg

    Program and Marketing Manager

    Jackie oversees the planning and execution of community programs while leading marketing efforts to promote engagement and increase visibility.

  • Itzel Salinas Hernandez

    Advocacy Program Manager

    Itzel oversees the planning and execution of community programs.

  • Karma Smart

    Art, Culture, and Wellness Curator

    Develops and implements programs which involve curating art, dance, music, and theatre exhibitions, or organizing and delivering wellness workshops, as well as organizing and creating community events that foster cultural engagement.

  • Karen Lei

    Workforce Development Coordinator

    Karen facilitates English-in-Action, a program that helps English learners through one-to-one conversational practice with local volunteers.

  • H. Ameeta Singh, LMFT #50409

    Mental Health Director

    Co-creates a mental health program such as clinical training allowing us to provide therapy services to the community; discussion groups; support groups and other group based activities for the community.

  • Claire Marchiano

    Career Coach

    Claire offers one-on-one career coaching sessions.



  • Chris Carlisle

    Facilities Manager

    Chris manages the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland building.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Berkeley/Oakland.

2025 – 2026 Officers

Marcus Hill
Chair

Paige Wheeler Fleury
Vice-Chair

Trina Ostrander
Treasurer

Francesca Gibson
Secretary

  • Dom DeGuzman

  • Kate Earle Funk

  • Reverend Yi Gaylord

  • Francesca Gibson

  • Marcus Hill 

  • Trina Ostrander

Directors

  • Mary Remy  

  • Paige Wheeler Fleury 

  • Adrienne Williams

  • Dohee Kim

  • Victoria Hughes

  • Erica Jiang

Student Staff

Our Student Staff is a dynamic group of passionate and driven individuals who bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and a deep commitment to making a difference. They contribute to YWCA Berkeley/Oakland’s mission of creating lasting impact and fostering positive change.

Cristina Estrada
Rentals Coordinator

Diana Maravillo

Senior Administrative Assistant

Samantha Velez

Senior Administrative Assistant


Aly (Dulce) Loreto

Shadow Day Program Coordinator

Katia Rodriguez

Mental Health Senior Assistant

Erika Galvez

Arts, Culture & Wellness Assistant

Nolla Moskvych

Advocacy Assistant

Arasani Valdez Lechuga

Marketing & Communications Assistant

Jaylin Romero

Administrative & Development Assistant

Work Study

Interns

Angie Llamas

Admin and Advocacy

Danya Alejandre Ponce

Admin & Development

Victoria Le

Marketing & Communications

Ashley Hernandez

Marketing & Communications

Danielle Espinosa-Gonzalez Bellolio

Marketing & Financial Literacy

Sophia Safa

Financial Literacy

Nichole Michelle Cox

Financial Literacy

Sindhuja Bokkisam

Arts, Culture & Wellness

Vanessa Marina Menjivar

Workforce Development & English in Action

Taylor Luna

Shadow Day

Cytlali Mendoza Vera

Shadow Day

Jocelyn Chamu

Shadow Day

Ryan Rocio

Advocacy

Linda Galindo

Advocacy

Solange Lyons

Advocacy

Lizeth Arroyo

Advocacy

Yahaira Puerta

Advocacy

Ash Silva

Advocacy