As President, Rob Connolly is responsible for all aspects of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s (BGCSF) eight traditional Clubhouses, five School-Based Clubs, and Camp Mendocino, a 2,000-acre residential summer camp in the redwoods of Northern California.
Rob has worked in the Boys & Girls Clubs movement since 1998, serving two years with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Government Relations team in Washington DC prior to joining BGCSF in late 1999. He briefly served as Executive Director in 2000-2001, prior to a 2001 merger; and as Vice President of Administration and later Chief Operating Officer before becoming President in 2005. Rob served as one of two staff members, alongside five Board Members, negotiating and implementing an historic merger of two century-old Clubs in San Francisco.
During his tenure with BGCSF, Rob and his team have developed and implemented programs and services that measurably improve the lives of young people, including enhanced health and mental health services; youth workforce development programs; academic programs, middle school services, outdoor education, award-winning art programs, and much more. Over this period, the total youth served by BGCSF has doubled and average daily attendance (ADA) has grown from approximately 800 to 1,550, The number of sites has grown from nine to 14. The Club has had 10 winners and 6 runners up for National Program Excellence recognition; 16 youth reached the state finals for CA Youth of the Year, 3 became CA Youth of the Year winners, and one was named National Youth of the Year.
Rob was recognized in 2021 with the Horizon Award, for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Boys & Girls Club movement in the Pacific Region, and in 2024 was recognized with the Masters & Mentors Award for his significant contribution to the development and advancement of career professionals in the Boys & Girls Club movement.
Rob played the lead staff role in raising over $60 million through the Club’s Brighter Futures Capital Campaign and is about to complete a $50M capacity-building campaign. He has spent a significant amount of time and energy actively overseeing $59M of construction projects.
Rob is the past Board President and current Board Vice President for the California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and serves as a Trustee for Dominican University of California.
Rob received his B.A. from Yale University and attended Oxford University as a Visiting Study Fellow. He is married and has two daughters.
As Chief Operating Officer, Maxine is in charge of the day-to-day operations of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF). This includes overseeing the senior management team to ensure successful execution of the BGCSF mission and strategic plan. Maxine provides active oversight, while ensuring high performance and effective communication among BGCSF team members. She provides leadership and drives accountability throughout the organization.
Maxine has been active with BGCSF since joining in 2002. She began her career with BGCSF as a Job Readiness Coordinator, and then quickly moved into Director level positions which ultimately led to her accepting the position of Chief Operating Officer.
In her role, she has a broad array of departments and/or areas of focus under her supervision, including Human Resources, IT, Outcomes Measurement, Facility Management, Risk Management, Training, Program Services, and Finance. These responsibilities have given Maxine a deep understanding of nonprofit management and a strong knowledge of how our specific organization functions.
As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), Heidi oversees all finance-related activities throughout the organization, including reporting, financial analysis, compliance, and audit preparation.
Heidi has over two decades of experience working with BGCSF. In her former role as an audit manager for a regional CPA firm, Heidi led the outside audit of BGCSF from 1997 through 2007. After leaving the firm in 2007, Heidi built an independent CPA practice serving numerous non-profit organizations in the Bay Area, including BGCSF.
Throughout the years, Heidi has built a broad knowledge of finance and accounting challenges facing nonprofits today. Since August 2013, she has been applying this expertise at BGCSF in her current role as VP of Finance for the organization.
Harold Love was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois. Although he calls the Bay Area home, he considers himself a Midwesterner at heart. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and his Masters of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield University.
Harold has been working in human services for more than 25 years, and has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since 2004. As a member of the BGCSF family, Harold is responsible for the oversight and operations of eight traditional Clubhouses and six School-Based Clubs. Mission and values-driven; his goals are to ensure that each Club creates an inclusive, optimal Club experience for all members, strengthen BGCSF’s facility operations and vehicle maintenance systems, and to work collaboratively with Club staff and allies to minimize risk, develop organizational policies and procedures, and to support BGCSF’s keen focus on overall safety. When he is not working at the Club, Harold enjoys spending time with his spouse, listening to hip-hop music, running, and playing golf.
“Get in good trouble” - John Lewis
A native of the Bay Area, Jamin Sartor McVeigh joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as Director of Development in 2016. Prior to joining BGCSF, Jamin previously served at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco as Development & Marketing Officer, helping to provide affordable housing opportunities for underserved, local families in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
With more than 17 years of nonprofit experience, Jamin has a strong background and expertise in fundraising, marketing, and volunteer engagement. In her current role as Senior Vice President of Development, she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Development department, donor relations, special events, the volunteer program, and overall fundraising strategy for BGCSF.
Jamin earned her bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at San Diego. She currently lives in Menlo Park with her husband, two young children, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the Bay Area, and traveling.
Joni began working for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 1999. In her current role as Vice President of Institutional Giving, she works closely with program leadership and direct service staff to fully understand our programs, our core values, and, ultimately, our impact on disadvantaged youth. With this program understanding, she researches, compiles, writes, and edits grants to private foundations and public agencies. She and the President play the lead roles in managing relationships with active grantors.
As a member of BGCSF’s Executive Team, she helps set the framework for measures of agency success, communicating these measures to funders, and allocating and aligning resources to achieve our objectives for our Club members. With grant partnerships, Joni also helps fund our agency infrastructure. Over the years, she has worked with local and national foundations, and government funders for new facility construction and renovation, helping BGCSF successfully meet capital campaign goals. She partners with local institutional funders for ongoing capital repairs such as roofing, plumbing, and heating.
Prior professional non-profit experience includes development work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Raphael House. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Psychology from Columbia University. She has lived in San Francisco for over twenty years and is married with two daughters.
Mary Kelly joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in fall 2022. She is responsible for all aspects of Legal Affairs for the organization, both internally and externally. Mary Kelly provides advice and support on a range of matters including risk management and compliance, policies and practices, data governance, privacy, employment law, and litigation, with special attention to child safety. As a member of the Executive Team, she actively supports successful execution of the Club's mission and strategic plan.
Mary Kelly is a longtime child advocate and civil and human rights attorney. Prior to joining the nonprofit world in 2015, Mary Kelly was a college professor of English literature, associate in global corporate law firms, and judicial law clerk. As an elected member of the American Law Institute, Mary Kelly serves as chair of the amicus committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, is a member of the United Way of the Bay Area Advisory Council, and is co-chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Bay Area Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society. She speaks and writes on a range of topics related to racial and gender equity and justice and childhood toxic stress. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and twin children.
“We are greater for, and greater than, the sum of us” – Heather McGhee
Carlton joined Boys & Girls Clubs in the summer of 1998 as a temporary program staff at our Tenderloin Clubhouse. He quickly fell in love with youth development and decided to stick around for a while. Carlton moved into the Teen Director role, Program Director, and then Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. Over the years Carlton has served in a number of Clubhouse leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco including Clubhouse Director of our Excelsior Clubhouse and as an Area Director supporting our Clubhouse in Sunnydale and the Willie Mays Clubhouse in Hunters Point. He currently serves as the Vice President of Club Services, overseeing all of our school-based programs. Carlton also has extensive experience establishing relationships with key community partners and collaborating with neighborhood organizations.
Carlton grew up in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. In his spare time, Carlton serves on the board of an art nonprofit organization and he coaches youth basketball. Carlton feels a great sense of pride to witness young people transform their lives and achieve success with support from the Club.
As Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Hannah Gustafson develops and oversees strategic communications and marketing for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Hannah is responsible for the organization’s brand and reputation management as well as public relations engagement and media relations.
Hannah has 20 years of experience leading communications, marketing and engagement programs both in-house and as an independent consultant, throughout non-profit, corporate and government sectors. She has served in the communications departments of The U.S. Department of Energy, Cleantech Group, Bloom Energy, United Airlines, and numerous San Francisco based civic and membership organizations.
Hannah received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Media Studies from Macalester College. She grew up in London and Connecticut and lives in San Francisco with her husband and three children.
Erin Gutiérrez joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in January, 2008. Since that time, she served the organization in several capacities including Education Director, Program Manager, Clubhouse Director for Sunnydale Clubhouse and Visitacion Valley Clubhouses, Senior Director of Programs & Advancement, and currently as the Vice President of Programs & Advancement. Under her leadership, her Clubs have won three Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Program Excellence Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Erin is a mother of two students in San Francisco Unified District schools. She has served as a Girls Scout troop leader and PTA President at Visitacion Valley Elementary from 2011 to 2015.
Erin is also a doctoral candidate at the University of San Francisco pursuing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership and Development. She has a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in History of the Americas from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“I stand at the edge where earth touches ocean / where the two overlap / a gentle coming together / at other times and places a violent clash” -Gloria Anzaldúa from Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
Meghan Monteiro joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as the Director of Evaluation and Impact in February 2023. In her role, Meghan is responsible for driving learning in the organization in order to support continuous improvement and achieve the organization’s intended outcomes. She oversees the design and execution of BGCSF’s data systems and processes, internal and external reporting, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Meghan received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. While in college, she began working with youth experiencing homelessness as a Residential Counselor, and has been passionate about working to support youth from disadvantaged circumstances ever since. Meghan later went on to obtain her Masters in Public Administration at New York University’s School of Public Service, where she began specializing in nonprofit management and evaluation. Meghan has over 10 years of experience in the field of evaluation and impact, and is particularly passionate about using data in practice to make actionable changes that lead to greater impact.
Meghan lives in the Bay Area with her spouse and two young children. In her free time she enjoys going on day trips, exploring different San Francisco neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, and going snowboarding in Tahoe.
Lisa joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2011. As the Executive Assistant to the organization’s President, Rob Connolly, Lisa works closely with BGCSF’s leadership team and Board of Governors. She believes strongly in the value of community-based organizations and their role in providing safe and caring environments for youth to learn, grow, and thrive.
Lisa earned a B.A. in psychology from UC Berkeley. Originally from Los Angeles, Lisa has lived in San Francisco for more than a decade. She has a deep love for the city and all its people, neighborhoods, parks, architecture, food, art, and music.
Veronica joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in May 2023. Originally from Los Angeles, Veronica grew up in a large, multicultural family that shaped her deep understanding of the disadvantaged circumstances youth may face. Her commitment to creating a positive impact led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, where she first immersed herself in working with children as a youth sports coach and nanny.
With over a decade of experience in individual and family support services, Veronica brings a wealth of expertise to her role. As Executive Assistant, she supports the organization's President, Rob Connolly, and Chief Operating Officer, Maxine Wilson. Her primary responsibility is to collaborate with the leadership team to ensure seamless coordination and communication.
Veronica’s personal and professional journey has motivated her to leverage her skills and knowledge to effect meaningful change for youth and families. She is thrilled to be part of the BGCSF Team.
Michael graduated from the University of California Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He found his passion for working with youth when he joined the Boys & Girls Club Movement in 2013 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin as a youth development coordinator. Continuously learning and growing, Michael became an Area Director and was responsible for overseeing several Clubhouses and school-based Clubs. When Michael relocated to San Francisco, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco was a natural fit.
In his free time, Michael enjoys playing board games, exercising and playing sports, and listening to music. He is excited to be working with a new community and getting to know all of the families, kids, and community partners.
“I do what I do because it's right! Because it's decent! And above all, it's kind. It's just that. Just kind.” –Twelfth Doctor
Lateshia "Teshia" Jenkins will complete her Master's degree in Human Development with a concentration in Childhood Development this fall from California State University East Bay. She has over 17 years of experience in public education ranging from Special Education to Family Engagement Services.
As Clubhouse Director, Lateshia is excited to use her experience and expertise to build a strong academic program at the Club. She is passionate about creating meaningful relationships with Club members, families, educational program partners, and schools.
She is committed to providing an Outcomes-Driven Club Experience and achieving the best academic outcomes for the youth of Bayview Hunters Point.
“I am passionate about creating meaningful relationships with Club members, families, education program partners, and schools. I am deeply committed to the work our Club does to achieve the best academic outcomes for the youth of Bayview Hunters Point and am excited for the school year ahead.”
Montanna joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in December 2023. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Montanna was raised in a community mirroring BGCSF's community. His educational background included a K-8 Spanish immersion and performing arts high school. Inspired by educators and mentors, Montanna pursued an Associate’s in Teaching and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Kansas City, Missouri, and after graduating in 2017, served with AmeriCorps City Year in San Jose, CA. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Impact and Organizational Leadership at Claremont Lincoln University, he has over 12 years experience in Youth Development and Education.
Montanna's career spans higher education, workforce development, and creating impactful youth programs. Collaborating with organizations like Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, Peninsula, 10,000 Degrees, Code Nation, and YearUp, his focus remains on fostering inclusive environments. As an educator and mentor, he ensures students feel seen, valued, and empowered to fulfill their potential. He coaches life skills like resilience, teamwork, and leadership to prepare them for life's challenges.
Outside work, Montanna indulges in various creative outlets—karaoke, playing the trumpet, drawing, painting, and loves traveling to explore new destinations.
Sara Richardson became Camp Director in 2016 after serving as Assistant Camp Director for Programs for almost four years. Prior to joining Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in 2012, Sara provided leadership to a gang prevention grant and summer day camp programs for a Boys & Girls Club in Oxnard, California. She has also worked with teen girls in a residential substance abuse program in Detroit, Michigan. Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies, and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy.
As Camp Director, Sara provides oversight of the programs and daily operations for Camp Mendocino’s 2,000-acre facility in Mendocino County. Some of her responsibilities include hiring and training over 100 seasonal staff; overseeing the programming, administrative and operational aspects of Camp; ensuring the safety and well-being of all campers and staff; and ensuring that Camp continues to meet the needs of young people in our community.
Kate joined Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF) after working in arts education for ten years. Originally from Modesto, California, Kate has worked as an educator, researcher, and administrator in Berkeley, Boston, and New York City. Most recently, Kate was the Director of Education at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, where she oversaw programming that reached over 10,000 students each year, including youth at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. She holds degrees in History and Spanish from UC Berkeley, as well as a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
In her free time, Kate loves to hike, read, and take dance classes. She is grateful to be joining the passionate community of kids, families, and staff at BGCSF!
LeeAnn was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied Critical Diversity Studies at the University of San Francisco with the goal of wanting to help lower-income communities find the resources they need to succeed. LeeAnn’s major was focused on using our history to create better outcomes for our future. During her time at Columbia Park Clubhouse, LeeAnn created an English Learning program for Spanish-speaking members of the Clubhouse. One accomplishment LeeAnn is very proud of is raising awareness throughout the clubhouse of each culture and identity that is represented by our members.
In her role as Clubhouse Director, LeeAnn hopes to create a community within the Clubhouse that focuses on the diverse identities that are shared by the members of Columbia Park. Her goal is to be a role model and advocate for the members of the Clubhouse that relates to them based on their backgrounds and identity. As a first-generation college student and second-generation citizen, LeeAnn hopes to use her own experiences to be a resource for the youth and parents that she works with at the Clubhouse. Her passion is to ensure that the youth of her clubhouse are given every opportunity possible to have a successful future they may not have known existed.
When LeeAnn is not at the Clubhouse, you can find her doing different forms of art, fostering rescue dogs, exploring Bay Area restaurants, or driving back to LA to visit her family and Dodger Stadium. After living in San Francisco for more than seven years, LeeAnn has come to call both Los Angeles and San Francisco her homes.
“Do work that matters. Vale la pena”
― Gloria E. Anzaldúa
In his current role as Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse, Michael Vuong provides guidance and leadership around policy building, program scheduling, and overall visioning of the Tenderloin Clubhouse, while creating a safe and welcoming space for youth.
As a Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) alumnus, Michael joined Columbia Park Clubhouse at 12 years old and became a founding member at Excelsior Clubhouse and later became a founding member of Columbia Park Clubhouse. During his time as a Club member, Michael was heavily involved with BGCSF leadership programs such as Keystone Club, which helped earn him the award of Youth of the Year for Columbia Park.
During his near 20 year-tenure in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America movement, Michael has served several roles at multiple BGCSF Club sites. Within these roles and his current role, Michael has served as a mentor to help to support others in building their programs, while establishing strong basics around programming as important factors in the work we do at BGCSF. He believes that by creating a culture of strong fundamentals and community building, it becomes easier to do the great things that our amazing youth can achieve. He has also supported several neighborhood efforts to ensure that youth and families are supported no matter where they are and feel safe accessing that support and resources.
"The comeback is always greater than the setback." - Unknown
Mia Amor Vega joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in June 2021 as the Site Director for the San Francisco Community School Club. She has been working with young people for 11 years.
Her journey in youth development started in 2010 when she got her first job working with kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, where she discovered that working with youth was her passion, and that one day she would like to run her own Club.
Since then she has worked for the City of Redwood City, running their REACH (recreation, enrichment, academic, community and health) program, and the San Carlos School District running the SMART-E after school programs.
Mia was born and raised in San Francisco until she was four years old, when she and her siblings were placed into foster care. Growing up in the foster care system gave Mia the drive to give back and the aspiration to work with kids going through similar situations. Along with working for the Boys & Girls Clubs, Mia also volunteers in the San Francisco community and is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for foster children and justice involved youth in San Francisco.
Mia is excited to bring her passion and commitment for making a difference to BGCSF.
Dianna Baker joined the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco as the Gateway Middle School Site Director in 2023 but has worked with the youth for as long as she can remember. Coming from a family of childcare professionals, it was only a matter of time before Baker became a youth developer.
Baker began her career with the Mission YMCA as a Program Leader at Sunnyside Elementary. Through this role, she discovered she had a passion for youth development and was nicknamed Sunny Di. Baker became thrilled with the idea of introducing both fun and educational programming to keep her students engaged and actively learning. This led to her making many connections not only with the youth but with parents as well.
Baker moved to Buchanan YMCA in 2017 and served as a Program Leader and Assistant Coordinator for the next three years at Gateway Middle School. Baker dove right in and made connections throughout the school, and it was then that she found her youth development home. Baker wore a few different hats at Gateway Middle School; she started as the program leader to the coordinator and was supporting the Student Support Office. When Gateway Middle School discontinued the YMCA program, Baker was asked to work for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in 2021 and served as the Program Leader for two years.
As Baker concluded her last year as a Program Leader, she had the most amazing experience as a Camp Mendocino Village Lead for the first time. Baker was proud to end the summer and move into the 2023-2024 school year as the Gateway Middle School Site Director.
Chase Johns was born and raised in San Francisco and is still a resident. Chase joined Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCSF) in 2011 as Camp Leader at Camp Mendocino. Before joining the organization, Chase was a member of the Ernest Ingold Clubhouse and graduated from Leadership High School in the Excelsior district in San Francisco. Chase attended the City College of San Francisco, where he studied Marketing.
Chase is very passionate about the culture of San Francisco, which led him to create “415 Day,” an annual event that celebrates the vibrant spirit and diverse culture of San Francisco by showcasing local talent in music, art, and food and promoting community engagement and activism. The overall goal of the event is to bridge the gap caused by gentrification and create a sense of unity and understanding in the City. In 2016, Chase partnered with Columbia Park Clubhouse to host the first event. “415 Day” has now been running since 2016, and Chase hopes to continue to spread awareness and grow the event.
Since starting at BGCSF, Chase has held seven positions at BGCSF. Starting off as a Camp Leader and later becoming Don Fisher Clubhouse’s first Middle School Director, he is now the Site Director at Gateway High School. Chase aims to grow with the organization and bring his innovative ideas and outlook to Gateway High School.
Quayana Mathews (prefers to go by "Q" or "Ms. Q.") joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as a Site Director for Beacon at Malcolm X Academy in 2023. She has been working in youth development and the non-profit sector for 20 years.
Q’s passion for working with youth started after her first job as a camp counselor in 2003 for a Girl Scout overnight camp. She loves seeing youth learn and grow. She has worked with youth in various settings, such as camps, afterschool programs, tutoring, and mentoring.
In Q’s spare time, she loves live music, sporting events, and traveling. She has traveled to five countries and lived in three countries. She is excited to be in a community and school setting to see youth grow and learn.
Bio coming soon...
Youth Development has always been a passion for Jake. During his 12+ years of coaching he has been able to teach our youth many vital social skills through athletics. Making a positive impact on the youth of San Francisco is important to him and he is grateful to have been given the opportunity to watch our members grow up to be caring and responsible citizens.
When asked what he loves about working at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Jake said, “There is nothing better to go to a graduation and watching members that I have mentored or coached walk across a stage and receive their High School Diploma. These are the moments that will forever be etched in my memory and drive me to help our youth succeed.”
Earl has been with BGCSF since 2016 and has held multiple roles, all focused on older youth grades 6-12+. Now, as Citywide Director of Youth Leadership & Workforce Development, Earl oversees most of the middle school and high school programs across BGCSF such as Torch Club, Keystone Club, and the Club Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program. Earl also leads the Youth of the Year Program, a five-month leadership and character development program that includes mentorship, essay writing, and public speaking to help young people tell their powerful, authentic stories.
Earl collaborates with local workforce development organizations, schools, and college access programs to ensure Clubs, teens, and their families have access to resources that will help them during and after their time at the Club. Over the years, Earl has linked teens to over 500 paid work opportunities. Whether it’s college, trade school, or entering the workforce, Earl aims to ensure that BGCSF members leave the Club “ready for life” at 18.
Earl received his B.A. in Philosophy with minors in Asian American Studies & Sports Management from UC Santa Barbara in 2010 and his M.A. in Sports Management from California State University, Long Beach in 2015. Earl is a father of two, an avid bowler, and loves traveling on food adventures with his wife, Berna.
Debby Machold joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2004 as the Citywide Director of Behavioral Health Services. Debby is responsible for ensuring the social and emotional health of our Club members in the city and at Camp Mendocino. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and oversees the clinical team, who provide individual, group and family therapy to Club members along with case management services. Prior to joining BGCSF, Debby was a clinician specializing in addictions, sexual trauma, and crisis intervention. Debby also served as a Program Director and Interim Unit Director for a Boys & Girls Club on the east coast. Debby holds dual Masters degrees – a Masters of Social Work from University of South Carolina and a Masters of Science in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University.
In her role, Debby strives to embed support into daily programming and works to reduce the stigma associated with mental health services. By building a culture of nurturing and support, she strives to reduce the impacts of trauma and increase resilience of our Club members. Additional responsibilities include supporting overall risk management, minimizing the effects of trauma, violence prevention and intervention, supporting staff development and wellness, and infusing the developmental assets throughout BGCSF.
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."- Reverend Desmond Tutu
Bio coming soon...
Rhicka-Joyce Crudo (She/Ella/Siya) joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in Spring of 2024 as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). In her role, Rhicka-Joyce focuses on BGCSF’s DEIB training and education, opportunities for staff advancement and career success, ethnic studies programs for BGCSF youth, fostering staff voice and belonging, and cultural celebrations. She champions DEIB in all areas of life, envisioning a future where these values are foundational across all sectors.
Rhicka-Joyce grew up in the East Bay Area, where she observed the power of unity and diversity. She earned her B.A. in Communication at San Diego State University, where she first learned about systemic inequities, oppression, social justice, and advocacy. As a first-generation Filipina-American and college student, these insights fueled her passion for disrupting inequities for historically marginalized identities. Her work with organizations like the International Rescue Committee and City Year San José/Silicon Valley ignited her passion for empowering communities of immigrants, refugees, and the next generation.
Her unwavering commitment to serving people and advancing equity led her to obtain her certification in Social Impact Management & Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice and SHRM certification from the Society for Human Resource Management. Currently, she is pursuing her M.A. in Social Impact from Claremont Lincoln University.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Julia has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since 2018 and is currently serving as the Director of School-Based Clubs. In her previous roles as Education Liaison and Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Don Fisher Clubhouse she developed programs that enriched and supplemented the academic development and experience for Club youth.
Prior to working at BGCSF, Julia has worked across national and international contexts in different institutions and initiatives, including governments, non-governmental organizations, higher education institutions, private organizations, community organizations, as well as with families, and social movements. She has been fueled to create social change through her experiences bringing together interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to examine education policy and practices. Her areas of expertise include program design, curriculum development, capacity building, and program monitoring and evaluation.
Julia received her Master’s degree in International and Comparative Education from New York University, and has a BA in Elementary Education with an ESL certification from the University of Northern Colorado. Originally from Colorado, she now calls Oakland home.
Bio coming soon...
Brian Sauer has been involved in educational leadership for over two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began his career as an SFUSD classroom teacher, where he taught middle and high school mathematics and science. After teaching, Brian continued working with college-age youth at Juma Ventures. He joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2015 as the Citywide Director of Education, a role that has really allowed him to develop skills and grow as an educator. Over the years, Brian has worked to strengthen academic support, literacy, STEM, and College Prep programs across the BGCSF organization. He has helped develop partnerships and resources to support the academic development of all members.
Brian is married to a talented SFUSD middle school teacher-librarian and has three boys - all active members of BGCSF. A native of Montana, Brian received a degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and California State Teaching credential from San Francisco State University.
Jennifer Snyder joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in 2011. Before stepping into her role as the Director of Development in 2023, she served as the Clubhouse Director at the Excelsior Clubhouse. As the Director of Development she is responsible for managing and growing of individual and corporate support through event sponsorships and oversight of the annual fundraising drives. Her career with Boys & Girls Clubs began in 2004 when she served as a Youth Development Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley in Arizona. In 2008, Jennifer was promoted to Branch Executive of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s Guadalupe Branch.
Prior to her career with Boys & Girls Clubs, Jennifer was the Youth Program Director for the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission and Office of Protocol. In her former role, Jennifer coordinated an international teachers conference, youth art competitions and an international youth exchange, to name a few responsibilities. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management from Arizona State University. When she’s not working with youth at Excelsior Clubhouse, Jennifer enjoys playing dominoes, spending time at Lake Tahoe and helping to raise awareness and support for the Melanoma Research Foundation.
“It’s not what we say that is important, it is what we decide to do and that we finish what we decide to do.” - Bruce Snyder 1987
Spencer Tolliver graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After graduation, he accepted the Bess K. Gallard Teaching Fellowship at the Branson School in California, in association with the Multi-Cultural Alliance. He continued to work at the Branson School until he became Dean of Students at Gateway High School.
At Gateway High School, he served as the school’s first Dean, the first Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and ninth-grade teacher in Humanities. From 2001 to 2006, he served as the principal of Youth Chance High School, a private, alternative school for at-risk youth operated by the San Francisco YMCA. He also served as the leader of the YMCA’s Public Affairs team and was a member of the SF Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council.
During his tenure as principal, Spencer served as a Trustee for the San Francisco Friends School, and from 2006 to 2008, he served as the Associate Head of School. In his previous roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), Spencer served as Director of Educational Services, where he lead the organization’s Education Initiative, revitalized the Power Hour program, strengthened the tutoring program, managed the scholarship program and also led Arts and Technology programs. He was also one of BGCSF’s Citywide Directors who helped design the space for the new Don Fisher Clubhouse.
Spencer was appointed the last Clubhouse Director of Ernest Ingold Clubhouse in 2012 and the first Clubhouse Director of Don Fisher Clubhouse. In 2024, Spencer transitioned from Club Director of Don Fisher Clubhouse to Director of Club Services. Although Spencer has many recreational activities he enjoys, the one he refers to above all others is his passion for making barbeque sauce.
Vivian joined Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF) in August 2024 as the Director of Government Relations and Advocacy. As a native San Franciscan and child of immigrants, Vivian experienced firsthand the positive impact that youth programs, like the ones at BGCSF, can have on kids in the City. Vivian firmly believes in advancing equitable practices, especially in education, to provide all children in San Francisco with the tools they need to succeed and thrive.
Prior to joining BGCSF, Vivian served the community through government relations work at North East Medical Services, where she advocated for medically-underserved Californians and immigrant communities. She has also worked for Congressman Ro Khanna and Assemblymember Phil Ting, with whom she worked to support community-based organizations, especially those serving the AAPI community, in San Francisco and San Mateo County.
Vivian holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a M.A. in Political Science from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, where she studied the disproportionate impacts of the justice system on youth of color. In her spare time, Vivian likes to visit museums around the City and watch sports documentaries.
Bio coming soon...
Hilaria (e-lari-ahh) is an immense believer that all youth should have an equal opportunity to access quality out-of-school enrichment programming, which is why she gravitated towards joining Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco as the Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Excelsior Clubhouse. Born and raised in The Bay, Hilaria elected to remain rooted there. She attended San Francisco State University, where she earned her BA in Latino/a Studies with a Minor in Criminal Justice. Since then, she has had several opportunities to work alongside many others who share the same passion as her and learn from each of them how to not only be a better individual but a greater supporter in advocating for our young people and their pathway to success.
Aside from working with BGCSF, Hilaria also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the County of San Mateo, advocating for youth who have been placed in foster care or the juvenile probation system. During her free time, she enjoys supporting the Bay’s many sports teams by attending their home games, spending time with her loved ones, and enjoying the tranquility of the hiking trails the Bay has to offer.
Bio coming soon...
Lysa is the Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. Lysa first started her Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco career as the Registrar for Camp Mendocino in 2011. She then spent the next ten years as the Education Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. During her time as the Education Director, she supported hundreds of youth and families in academics, socioemotional wellness, and creative programming to help grow the next generation of successful, caring adults. One of her favorite parts of the role was watching youth grow up from elementary school and seeing them come back with their high school diplomas and college degrees.
Teaching and learning has always been one of Lysa’s passions. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in Child and Adolescent Development and earned her teaching credentials in Special Education and General Education. Previously, Lysa worked within the San Francisco public school system in elementary classrooms, but found her true love was in non-profit community work. As the Assistant Clubhouse Director, she is excited to continue to combine her interests and serve the Tenderloin community.
Lysa is a proud, third-generation San Franciscan and enjoys walking her daughter and dog to get coffee in the Excelsior neighborhood.
Adedeji “Deji” Adebiyi joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in January 2024 as Assistant Clubhouse Director of Visitacion Valley Clubhouse. He is originally from Canton, Michigan, near Ann Arbor.
Deji has always had a passion for working with the youth. While in college, he started a youth program in his hometown. This program included a football camp and multiple Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball teams. He is most excited to help Club members continue to grow and believe in themselves.
Prior to joining BGCSF, Deji worked as a Graduate Assistant Academic Advisor at Eastern Michigan University. After graduating, he joined the University of Nevada men's basketball team as a General Assistant, helping with Operations. His previous position was as Campus Sports Coordinator at San Francisco State University. Deji attended Ohio Wesleyan University for his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. After graduating, he attended Eastern Michigan University for his Masters of Science in Sport Management.
Outside BGCSF, he coaches the Bay City Warriors travel basketball team. In his spare time, Deji enjoys playing golf and tennis, spending time with friends, and trying different restaurants in the city.
Carson Heywood joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in May 2023 as Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Don Fisher Clubhouse. His youth development journey began in 2013 as a lifeguard and swim instructor, fueling his passion for community service and empowering young individuals.
Before the pandemic, Carson served as Unit Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga. He also founded a bi-annual youth rugby camp in his Napa Valley hometown, St. Helena.
Carson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Leisure and Recreation from California State University, Chico. Prior to his move to San Francisco, he actively contributed to various causes, coaching and refereeing youth basketball, co-directing a youth rugby club, and volunteering at a summertime youth leadership camp. Carson's commitment to community service shapes his dedication to positively impacting others' lives.
During his leisure time, Carson finds joy in basketball, Jiu-Jitsu, and esports. He also enjoys activities such as mountain biking, pickleball, and rugby. Carson's curiosity and appreciation for different cultures have led him to Europe and Southeast Asia, where he actively learns new languages and traditions. Carson eagerly awaits further exploration and embracing the vibrant multiculturalism of the city.
Tarquin was born and raised in San Francisco. He currently serves as the Assistant Clubhouse Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since March 2024 after working as the High School Services Director at the Sunnydale Clubhouse since May 2023. His extensive experience in San Francisco public and private schools is driven by a passion for creating opportunities for students from underserved communities and to foster healthy relationships and a sense of belonging.
Tarquin’s youth development journey began in 2010 with summer camps and after school programs. He started coaching basketball for K-5 programs in 2014 and advanced to high school sports in 2016. He introduced sports mindfulness initiatives to foster environments where students engage in sport-specific training and build healthy team dynamics. At BGCSF, he is excited to develop high school programming, including a Club basketball team and workforce skills to support members' transition to adulthood.
Previously, he served as Chair of the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), partnering with school administrators and families to close the achievement gap and promote wellness. As Student Vice Chancellor at City College of San Francisco, he advocated for student services and policy development.
Tarquin’s goal is to support youth from disadvantaged circumstances through sports, socioemotional groups, and collaboration with school administrators. He is also involved in Clubs and affinity spaces promoting community engagement and social justice. Outside of work, he enjoys Connect Four, where he was ranked 33rd out of 500,000 users in 2012. These experiences help him contribute effectively to any school or community hub.
Schwartzen joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco team in February 2023 and brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous position.
Schwartzen's leadership journey began as a student-athlete in high school, earning a scholarship to play basketball coming out of New York City. His leadership style developed in college, serving as the Student Senate President, and a residential advisor while maintaining high grades as a collegiate athlete. Schwartzen graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.
Upon graduation, he committed one year to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA within urban Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is where his love for education grew as he served dozens of after-school programs and charter schools, developing socio-emotional learning curriculums. For six years, Schwartzen developed his leadership style by managing several clubhouses as a Site Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo for two years. During that time, he published a book, Be Your Own Hero, that helps develop leadership skills for professionals and student-athletes.
His love for youth development stemmed from being in foster care for 14 years as he shaped his identity around his faith, the game of basketball, and the peers he grew up with. Witnessing his peers conform to their environment was the motivation behind his career in youth development. His service led to national recognition for his talks given across the country about reforms and policies that better serve disenfranchised communities.
His passion for basketball helps him reach young people in ways that relate to their passion to succeed. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing books, serving in his local church, and training kids in basketball.
As President, Rob Connolly is responsible for all aspects of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s (BGCSF) eight traditional Clubhouses, five School-Based Clubs, and Camp Mendocino, a 2,000-acre residential summer camp in the redwoods of Northern California.
Rob has worked in the Boys & Girls Clubs movement since 1998, serving two years with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Government Relations team in Washington DC prior to joining BGCSF in late 1999. He briefly served as Executive Director in 2000-2001, prior to a 2001 merger; and as Vice President of Administration and later Chief Operating Officer before becoming President in 2005. Rob served as one of two staff members, alongside five Board Members, negotiating and implementing an historic merger of two century-old Clubs in San Francisco.
During his tenure with BGCSF, Rob and his team have developed and implemented programs and services that measurably improve the lives of young people, including enhanced health and mental health services; youth workforce development programs; academic programs, middle school services, outdoor education, award-winning art programs, and much more. Over this period, the total youth served by BGCSF has doubled and average daily attendance (ADA) has grown from approximately 800 to 1,550, The number of sites has grown from nine to 14. The Club has had 10 winners and 6 runners up for National Program Excellence recognition; 16 youth reached the state finals for CA Youth of the Year, 3 became CA Youth of the Year winners, and one was named National Youth of the Year.
Rob was recognized in 2021 with the Horizon Award, for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Boys & Girls Club movement in the Pacific Region, and in 2024 was recognized with the Masters & Mentors Award for his significant contribution to the development and advancement of career professionals in the Boys & Girls Club movement.
Rob played the lead staff role in raising over $60 million through the Club’s Brighter Futures Capital Campaign and is about to complete a $50M capacity-building campaign. He has spent a significant amount of time and energy actively overseeing $59M of construction projects.
Rob is the past Board President and current Board Vice President for the California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and serves as a Trustee for Dominican University of California.
Rob received his B.A. from Yale University and attended Oxford University as a Visiting Study Fellow. He is married and has two daughters.
As Chief Operating Officer, Maxine is in charge of the day-to-day operations of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF). This includes overseeing the senior management team to ensure successful execution of the BGCSF mission and strategic plan. Maxine provides active oversight, while ensuring high performance and effective communication among BGCSF team members. She provides leadership and drives accountability throughout the organization.
Maxine has been active with BGCSF since joining in 2002. She began her career with BGCSF as a Job Readiness Coordinator, and then quickly moved into Director level positions which ultimately led to her accepting the position of Chief Operating Officer.
In her role, she has a broad array of departments and/or areas of focus under her supervision, including Human Resources, IT, Outcomes Measurement, Facility Management, Risk Management, Training, Program Services, and Finance. These responsibilities have given Maxine a deep understanding of nonprofit management and a strong knowledge of how our specific organization functions.
As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), Heidi oversees all finance-related activities throughout the organization, including reporting, financial analysis, compliance, and audit preparation.
Heidi has over two decades of experience working with BGCSF. In her former role as an audit manager for a regional CPA firm, Heidi led the outside audit of BGCSF from 1997 through 2007. After leaving the firm in 2007, Heidi built an independent CPA practice serving numerous non-profit organizations in the Bay Area, including BGCSF.
Throughout the years, Heidi has built a broad knowledge of finance and accounting challenges facing nonprofits today. Since August 2013, she has been applying this expertise at BGCSF in her current role as VP of Finance for the organization.
Harold Love was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois. Although he calls the Bay Area home, he considers himself a Midwesterner at heart. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and his Masters of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield University.
Harold has been working in human services for more than 25 years, and has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since 2004. As a member of the BGCSF family, Harold is responsible for the oversight and operations of eight traditional Clubhouses and six School-Based Clubs. Mission and values-driven; his goals are to ensure that each Club creates an inclusive, optimal Club experience for all members, strengthen BGCSF’s facility operations and vehicle maintenance systems, and to work collaboratively with Club staff and allies to minimize risk, develop organizational policies and procedures, and to support BGCSF’s keen focus on overall safety. When he is not working at the Club, Harold enjoys spending time with his spouse, listening to hip-hop music, running, and playing golf.
“Get in good trouble” - John Lewis
A native of the Bay Area, Jamin Sartor McVeigh joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as Director of Development in 2016. Prior to joining BGCSF, Jamin previously served at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco as Development & Marketing Officer, helping to provide affordable housing opportunities for underserved, local families in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
With more than 17 years of nonprofit experience, Jamin has a strong background and expertise in fundraising, marketing, and volunteer engagement. In her current role as Senior Vice President of Development, she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Development department, donor relations, special events, the volunteer program, and overall fundraising strategy for BGCSF.
Jamin earned her bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California at San Diego. She currently lives in Menlo Park with her husband, two young children, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the Bay Area, and traveling.
Joni began working for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 1999. In her current role as Vice President of Institutional Giving, she works closely with program leadership and direct service staff to fully understand our programs, our core values, and, ultimately, our impact on disadvantaged youth. With this program understanding, she researches, compiles, writes, and edits grants to private foundations and public agencies. She and the President play the lead roles in managing relationships with active grantors.
As a member of BGCSF’s Executive Team, she helps set the framework for measures of agency success, communicating these measures to funders, and allocating and aligning resources to achieve our objectives for our Club members. With grant partnerships, Joni also helps fund our agency infrastructure. Over the years, she has worked with local and national foundations, and government funders for new facility construction and renovation, helping BGCSF successfully meet capital campaign goals. She partners with local institutional funders for ongoing capital repairs such as roofing, plumbing, and heating.
Prior professional non-profit experience includes development work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Raphael House. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Psychology from Columbia University. She has lived in San Francisco for over twenty years and is married with two daughters.
Mary Kelly joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in fall 2022. She is responsible for all aspects of Legal Affairs for the organization, both internally and externally. Mary Kelly provides advice and support on a range of matters including risk management and compliance, policies and practices, data governance, privacy, employment law, and litigation, with special attention to child safety. As a member of the Executive Team, she actively supports successful execution of the Club's mission and strategic plan.
Mary Kelly is a longtime child advocate and civil and human rights attorney. Prior to joining the nonprofit world in 2015, Mary Kelly was a college professor of English literature, associate in global corporate law firms, and judicial law clerk. As an elected member of the American Law Institute, Mary Kelly serves as chair of the amicus committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, is a member of the United Way of the Bay Area Advisory Council, and is co-chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Bay Area Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society. She speaks and writes on a range of topics related to racial and gender equity and justice and childhood toxic stress. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and twin children.
“We are greater for, and greater than, the sum of us” – Heather McGhee
Carlton joined Boys & Girls Clubs in the summer of 1998 as a temporary program staff at our Tenderloin Clubhouse. He quickly fell in love with youth development and decided to stick around for a while. Carlton moved into the Teen Director role, Program Director, and then Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. Over the years Carlton has served in a number of Clubhouse leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco including Clubhouse Director of our Excelsior Clubhouse and as an Area Director supporting our Clubhouse in Sunnydale and the Willie Mays Clubhouse in Hunters Point. He currently serves as the Vice President of Club Services, overseeing all of our school-based programs. Carlton also has extensive experience establishing relationships with key community partners and collaborating with neighborhood organizations.
Carlton grew up in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. In his spare time, Carlton serves on the board of an art nonprofit organization and he coaches youth basketball. Carlton feels a great sense of pride to witness young people transform their lives and achieve success with support from the Club.
As Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Hannah Gustafson develops and oversees strategic communications and marketing for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Hannah is responsible for the organization’s brand and reputation management as well as public relations engagement and media relations.
Hannah has 20 years of experience leading communications, marketing and engagement programs both in-house and as an independent consultant, throughout non-profit, corporate and government sectors. She has served in the communications departments of The U.S. Department of Energy, Cleantech Group, Bloom Energy, United Airlines, and numerous San Francisco based civic and membership organizations.
Hannah received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Media Studies from Macalester College. She grew up in London and Connecticut and lives in San Francisco with her husband and three children.
Erin Gutiérrez joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in January, 2008. Since that time, she served the organization in several capacities including Education Director, Program Manager, Clubhouse Director for Sunnydale Clubhouse and Visitacion Valley Clubhouses, Senior Director of Programs & Advancement, and currently as the Vice President of Programs & Advancement. Under her leadership, her Clubs have won three Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Program Excellence Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Erin is a mother of two students in San Francisco Unified District schools. She has served as a Girls Scout troop leader and PTA President at Visitacion Valley Elementary from 2011 to 2015.
Erin is also a doctoral candidate at the University of San Francisco pursuing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership and Development. She has a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in History of the Americas from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“I stand at the edge where earth touches ocean / where the two overlap / a gentle coming together / at other times and places a violent clash” -Gloria Anzaldúa from Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
Harold Love was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois. Although he calls the Bay Area home, he considers himself a Midwesterner at heart. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and his Masters of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield University.
Harold has been working in human services for more than 25 years, and has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since 2004. As a member of the BGCSF family, Harold is responsible for the oversight and operations of eight traditional Clubhouses and six School-Based Clubs. Mission and values-driven; his goals are to ensure that each Club creates an inclusive, optimal Club experience for all members, strengthen BGCSF’s facility operations and vehicle maintenance systems, and to work collaboratively with Club staff and allies to minimize risk, develop organizational policies and procedures, and to support BGCSF’s keen focus on overall safety. When he is not working at the Club, Harold enjoys spending time with his spouse, listening to hip-hop music, running, and playing golf.
“Get in good trouble” - John Lewis
Carlton joined Boys & Girls Clubs in the summer of 1998 as a temporary program staff at our Tenderloin Clubhouse. He quickly fell in love with youth development and decided to stick around for a while. Carlton moved into the Teen Director role, Program Director, and then Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. Over the years Carlton has served in a number of Clubhouse leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco including Clubhouse Director of our Excelsior Clubhouse and as an Area Director supporting our Clubhouse in Sunnydale and the Willie Mays Clubhouse in Hunters Point. He currently serves as the Vice President of Club Services, overseeing all of our school-based programs. Carlton also has extensive experience establishing relationships with key community partners and collaborating with neighborhood organizations.
Carlton grew up in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. In his spare time, Carlton serves on the board of an art nonprofit organization and he coaches youth basketball. Carlton feels a great sense of pride to witness young people transform their lives and achieve success with support from the Club.
Erin Gutiérrez joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in January, 2008. Since that time, she served the organization in several capacities including Education Director, Program Manager, Clubhouse Director for Sunnydale Clubhouse and Visitacion Valley Clubhouses, Senior Director of Programs & Advancement, and currently as the Vice President of Programs & Advancement. Under her leadership, her Clubs have won three Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Program Excellence Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Erin is a mother of two students in San Francisco Unified District schools. She has served as a Girls Scout troop leader and PTA President at Visitacion Valley Elementary from 2011 to 2015.
Erin is also a doctoral candidate at the University of San Francisco pursuing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership and Development. She has a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in History of the Americas from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“I stand at the edge where earth touches ocean / where the two overlap / a gentle coming together / at other times and places a violent clash” -Gloria Anzaldúa from Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
Bio coming soon...
Youth Development has always been a passion for Jake. During his 12+ years of coaching he has been able to teach our youth many vital social skills through athletics. Making a positive impact on the youth of San Francisco is important to him and he is grateful to have been given the opportunity to watch our members grow up to be caring and responsible citizens.
When asked what he loves about working at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Jake said, “There is nothing better to go to a graduation and watching members that I have mentored or coached walk across a stage and receive their High School Diploma. These are the moments that will forever be etched in my memory and drive me to help our youth succeed.”
Earl has been with BGCSF since 2016 and has held multiple roles, all focused on older youth grades 6-12+. Now, as Citywide Director of Youth Leadership & Workforce Development, Earl oversees most of the middle school and high school programs across BGCSF such as Torch Club, Keystone Club, and the Club Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program. Earl also leads the Youth of the Year Program, a five-month leadership and character development program that includes mentorship, essay writing, and public speaking to help young people tell their powerful, authentic stories.
Earl collaborates with local workforce development organizations, schools, and college access programs to ensure Clubs, teens, and their families have access to resources that will help them during and after their time at the Club. Over the years, Earl has linked teens to over 500 paid work opportunities. Whether it’s college, trade school, or entering the workforce, Earl aims to ensure that BGCSF members leave the Club “ready for life” at 18.
Earl received his B.A. in Philosophy with minors in Asian American Studies & Sports Management from UC Santa Barbara in 2010 and his M.A. in Sports Management from California State University, Long Beach in 2015. Earl is a father of two, an avid bowler, and loves traveling on food adventures with his wife, Berna.
Debby Machold joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2004 as the Citywide Director of Behavioral Health Services. Debby is responsible for ensuring the social and emotional health of our Club members in the city and at Camp Mendocino. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and oversees the clinical team, who provide individual, group and family therapy to Club members along with case management services. Prior to joining BGCSF, Debby was a clinician specializing in addictions, sexual trauma, and crisis intervention. Debby also served as a Program Director and Interim Unit Director for a Boys & Girls Club on the east coast. Debby holds dual Masters degrees – a Masters of Social Work from University of South Carolina and a Masters of Science in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University.
In her role, Debby strives to embed support into daily programming and works to reduce the stigma associated with mental health services. By building a culture of nurturing and support, she strives to reduce the impacts of trauma and increase resilience of our Club members. Additional responsibilities include supporting overall risk management, minimizing the effects of trauma, violence prevention and intervention, supporting staff development and wellness, and infusing the developmental assets throughout BGCSF.
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."- Reverend Desmond Tutu
Bio coming soon...
Julia has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since 2018 and is currently serving as the Director of School-Based Clubs. In her previous roles as Education Liaison and Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Don Fisher Clubhouse she developed programs that enriched and supplemented the academic development and experience for Club youth.
Prior to working at BGCSF, Julia has worked across national and international contexts in different institutions and initiatives, including governments, non-governmental organizations, higher education institutions, private organizations, community organizations, as well as with families, and social movements. She has been fueled to create social change through her experiences bringing together interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to examine education policy and practices. Her areas of expertise include program design, curriculum development, capacity building, and program monitoring and evaluation.
Julia received her Master’s degree in International and Comparative Education from New York University, and has a BA in Elementary Education with an ESL certification from the University of Northern Colorado. Originally from Colorado, she now calls Oakland home.
Brian Sauer has been involved in educational leadership for over two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began his career as an SFUSD classroom teacher, where he taught middle and high school mathematics and science. After teaching, Brian continued working with college-age youth at Juma Ventures. He joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2015 as the Citywide Director of Education, a role that has really allowed him to develop skills and grow as an educator. Over the years, Brian has worked to strengthen academic support, literacy, STEM, and College Prep programs across the BGCSF organization. He has helped develop partnerships and resources to support the academic development of all members.
Brian is married to a talented SFUSD middle school teacher-librarian and has three boys - all active members of BGCSF. A native of Montana, Brian received a degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and California State Teaching credential from San Francisco State University.
Spencer Tolliver graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After graduation, he accepted the Bess K. Gallard Teaching Fellowship at the Branson School in California, in association with the Multi-Cultural Alliance. He continued to work at the Branson School until he became Dean of Students at Gateway High School.
At Gateway High School, he served as the school’s first Dean, the first Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and ninth-grade teacher in Humanities. From 2001 to 2006, he served as the principal of Youth Chance High School, a private, alternative school for at-risk youth operated by the San Francisco YMCA. He also served as the leader of the YMCA’s Public Affairs team and was a member of the SF Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council.
During his tenure as principal, Spencer served as a Trustee for the San Francisco Friends School, and from 2006 to 2008, he served as the Associate Head of School. In his previous roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), Spencer served as Director of Educational Services, where he lead the organization’s Education Initiative, revitalized the Power Hour program, strengthened the tutoring program, managed the scholarship program and also led Arts and Technology programs. He was also one of BGCSF’s Citywide Directors who helped design the space for the new Don Fisher Clubhouse.
Spencer was appointed the last Clubhouse Director of Ernest Ingold Clubhouse in 2012 and the first Clubhouse Director of Don Fisher Clubhouse. In 2024, Spencer transitioned from Club Director of Don Fisher Clubhouse to Director of Club Services. Although Spencer has many recreational activities he enjoys, the one he refers to above all others is his passion for making barbeque sauce.
Tarquin was born and raised in San Francisco. He currently serves as the Assistant Clubhouse Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since March 2024 after working as the High School Services Director at the Sunnydale Clubhouse since May 2023. His extensive experience in San Francisco public and private schools is driven by a passion for creating opportunities for students from underserved communities and to foster healthy relationships and a sense of belonging.
Tarquin’s youth development journey began in 2010 with summer camps and after school programs. He started coaching basketball for K-5 programs in 2014 and advanced to high school sports in 2016. He introduced sports mindfulness initiatives to foster environments where students engage in sport-specific training and build healthy team dynamics. At BGCSF, he is excited to develop high school programming, including a Club basketball team and workforce skills to support members' transition to adulthood.
Previously, he served as Chair of the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), partnering with school administrators and families to close the achievement gap and promote wellness. As Student Vice Chancellor at City College of San Francisco, he advocated for student services and policy development.
Tarquin’s goal is to support youth from disadvantaged circumstances through sports, socioemotional groups, and collaboration with school administrators. He is also involved in Clubs and affinity spaces promoting community engagement and social justice. Outside of work, he enjoys Connect Four, where he was ranked 33rd out of 500,000 users in 2012. These experiences help him contribute effectively to any school or community hub.
Michael graduated from the University of California Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He found his passion for working with youth when he joined the Boys & Girls Club Movement in 2013 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin as a youth development coordinator. Continuously learning and growing, Michael became an Area Director and was responsible for overseeing several Clubhouses and school-based Clubs. When Michael relocated to San Francisco, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco was a natural fit.
In his free time, Michael enjoys playing board games, exercising and playing sports, and listening to music. He is excited to be working with a new community and getting to know all of the families, kids, and community partners.
“I do what I do because it's right! Because it's decent! And above all, it's kind. It's just that. Just kind.” –Twelfth Doctor
Lateshia "Teshia" Jenkins will complete her Master's degree in Human Development with a concentration in Childhood Development this fall from California State University East Bay. She has over 17 years of experience in public education ranging from Special Education to Family Engagement Services.
As Clubhouse Director, Lateshia is excited to use her experience and expertise to build a strong academic program at the Club. She is passionate about creating meaningful relationships with Club members, families, educational program partners, and schools.
She is committed to providing an Outcomes-Driven Club Experience and achieving the best academic outcomes for the youth of Bayview Hunters Point.
“I am passionate about creating meaningful relationships with Club members, families, education program partners, and schools. I am deeply committed to the work our Club does to achieve the best academic outcomes for the youth of Bayview Hunters Point and am excited for the school year ahead.”
Montanna joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in December 2023. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Montanna was raised in a community mirroring BGCSF's community. His educational background included a K-8 Spanish immersion and performing arts high school. Inspired by educators and mentors, Montanna pursued an Associate’s in Teaching and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Kansas City, Missouri, and after graduating in 2017, served with AmeriCorps City Year in San Jose, CA. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Impact and Organizational Leadership at Claremont Lincoln University, he has over 12 years experience in Youth Development and Education.
Montanna's career spans higher education, workforce development, and creating impactful youth programs. Collaborating with organizations like Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, Peninsula, 10,000 Degrees, Code Nation, and YearUp, his focus remains on fostering inclusive environments. As an educator and mentor, he ensures students feel seen, valued, and empowered to fulfill their potential. He coaches life skills like resilience, teamwork, and leadership to prepare them for life's challenges.
Outside work, Montanna indulges in various creative outlets—karaoke, playing the trumpet, drawing, painting, and loves traveling to explore new destinations.
Sara Richardson became Camp Director in 2016 after serving as Assistant Camp Director for Programs for almost four years. Prior to joining Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in 2012, Sara provided leadership to a gang prevention grant and summer day camp programs for a Boys & Girls Club in Oxnard, California. She has also worked with teen girls in a residential substance abuse program in Detroit, Michigan. Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies, and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy.
As Camp Director, Sara provides oversight of the programs and daily operations for Camp Mendocino’s 2,000-acre facility in Mendocino County. Some of her responsibilities include hiring and training over 100 seasonal staff; overseeing the programming, administrative and operational aspects of Camp; ensuring the safety and well-being of all campers and staff; and ensuring that Camp continues to meet the needs of young people in our community.
Kate joined Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF) after working in arts education for ten years. Originally from Modesto, California, Kate has worked as an educator, researcher, and administrator in Berkeley, Boston, and New York City. Most recently, Kate was the Director of Education at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, where she oversaw programming that reached over 10,000 students each year, including youth at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. She holds degrees in History and Spanish from UC Berkeley, as well as a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
In her free time, Kate loves to hike, read, and take dance classes. She is grateful to be joining the passionate community of kids, families, and staff at BGCSF!
LeeAnn was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied Critical Diversity Studies at the University of San Francisco with the goal of wanting to help lower-income communities find the resources they need to succeed. LeeAnn’s major was focused on using our history to create better outcomes for our future. During her time at Columbia Park Clubhouse, LeeAnn created an English Learning program for Spanish-speaking members of the Clubhouse. One accomplishment LeeAnn is very proud of is raising awareness throughout the clubhouse of each culture and identity that is represented by our members.
In her role as Clubhouse Director, LeeAnn hopes to create a community within the Clubhouse that focuses on the diverse identities that are shared by the members of Columbia Park. Her goal is to be a role model and advocate for the members of the Clubhouse that relates to them based on their backgrounds and identity. As a first-generation college student and second-generation citizen, LeeAnn hopes to use her own experiences to be a resource for the youth and parents that she works with at the Clubhouse. Her passion is to ensure that the youth of her clubhouse are given every opportunity possible to have a successful future they may not have known existed.
When LeeAnn is not at the Clubhouse, you can find her doing different forms of art, fostering rescue dogs, exploring Bay Area restaurants, or driving back to LA to visit her family and Dodger Stadium. After living in San Francisco for more than seven years, LeeAnn has come to call both Los Angeles and San Francisco her homes.
“Do work that matters. Vale la pena”
― Gloria E. Anzaldúa
In his current role as Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse, Michael Vuong provides guidance and leadership around policy building, program scheduling, and overall visioning of the Tenderloin Clubhouse, while creating a safe and welcoming space for youth.
As a Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) alumnus, Michael joined Columbia Park Clubhouse at 12 years old and became a founding member at Excelsior Clubhouse and later became a founding member of Columbia Park Clubhouse. During his time as a Club member, Michael was heavily involved with BGCSF leadership programs such as Keystone Club, which helped earn him the award of Youth of the Year for Columbia Park.
During his near 20 year-tenure in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America movement, Michael has served several roles at multiple BGCSF Club sites. Within these roles and his current role, Michael has served as a mentor to help to support others in building their programs, while establishing strong basics around programming as important factors in the work we do at BGCSF. He believes that by creating a culture of strong fundamentals and community building, it becomes easier to do the great things that our amazing youth can achieve. He has also supported several neighborhood efforts to ensure that youth and families are supported no matter where they are and feel safe accessing that support and resources.
"The comeback is always greater than the setback." - Unknown
Mia Amor Vega joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in June 2021 as the Site Director for the San Francisco Community School Club. She has been working with young people for 11 years.
Her journey in youth development started in 2010 when she got her first job working with kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, where she discovered that working with youth was her passion, and that one day she would like to run her own Club.
Since then she has worked for the City of Redwood City, running their REACH (recreation, enrichment, academic, community and health) program, and the San Carlos School District running the SMART-E after school programs.
Mia was born and raised in San Francisco until she was four years old, when she and her siblings were placed into foster care. Growing up in the foster care system gave Mia the drive to give back and the aspiration to work with kids going through similar situations. Along with working for the Boys & Girls Clubs, Mia also volunteers in the San Francisco community and is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for foster children and justice involved youth in San Francisco.
Mia is excited to bring her passion and commitment for making a difference to BGCSF.
Chase Johns was born and raised in San Francisco and is still a resident. Chase joined Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCSF) in 2011 as Camp Leader at Camp Mendocino. Before joining the organization, Chase was a member of the Ernest Ingold Clubhouse and graduated from Leadership High School in the Excelsior district in San Francisco. Chase attended the City College of San Francisco, where he studied Marketing.
Chase is very passionate about the culture of San Francisco, which led him to create “415 Day,” an annual event that celebrates the vibrant spirit and diverse culture of San Francisco by showcasing local talent in music, art, and food and promoting community engagement and activism. The overall goal of the event is to bridge the gap caused by gentrification and create a sense of unity and understanding in the City. In 2016, Chase partnered with Columbia Park Clubhouse to host the first event. “415 Day” has now been running since 2016, and Chase hopes to continue to spread awareness and grow the event.
Since starting at BGCSF, Chase has held seven positions at BGCSF. Starting off as a Camp Leader and later becoming Don Fisher Clubhouse’s first Middle School Director, he is now the Site Director at Gateway High School. Chase aims to grow with the organization and bring his innovative ideas and outlook to Gateway High School.
Quayana Mathews (prefers to go by "Q" or "Ms. Q.") joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as a Site Director for Beacon at Malcolm X Academy in 2023. She has been working in youth development and the non-profit sector for 20 years.
Q’s passion for working with youth started after her first job as a camp counselor in 2003 for a Girl Scout overnight camp. She loves seeing youth learn and grow. She has worked with youth in various settings, such as camps, afterschool programs, tutoring, and mentoring.
In Q’s spare time, she loves live music, sporting events, and traveling. She has traveled to five countries and lived in three countries. She is excited to be in a community and school setting to see youth grow and learn.
Bio coming soon...
Hilaria (e-lari-ahh) is an immense believer that all youth should have an equal opportunity to access quality out-of-school enrichment programming, which is why she gravitated towards joining Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco as the Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Excelsior Clubhouse. Born and raised in The Bay, Hilaria elected to remain rooted there. She attended San Francisco State University, where she earned her BA in Latino/a Studies with a Minor in Criminal Justice. Since then, she has had several opportunities to work alongside many others who share the same passion as her and learn from each of them how to not only be a better individual but a greater supporter in advocating for our young people and their pathway to success.
Aside from working with BGCSF, Hilaria also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the County of San Mateo, advocating for youth who have been placed in foster care or the juvenile probation system. During her free time, she enjoys supporting the Bay’s many sports teams by attending their home games, spending time with her loved ones, and enjoying the tranquility of the hiking trails the Bay has to offer.
Lysa is the Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. Lysa first started her Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco career as the Registrar for Camp Mendocino in 2011. She then spent the next ten years as the Education Director at the Tenderloin Clubhouse. During her time as the Education Director, she supported hundreds of youth and families in academics, socioemotional wellness, and creative programming to help grow the next generation of successful, caring adults. One of her favorite parts of the role was watching youth grow up from elementary school and seeing them come back with their high school diplomas and college degrees.
Teaching and learning has always been one of Lysa’s passions. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in Child and Adolescent Development and earned her teaching credentials in Special Education and General Education. Previously, Lysa worked within the San Francisco public school system in elementary classrooms, but found her true love was in non-profit community work. As the Assistant Clubhouse Director, she is excited to continue to combine her interests and serve the Tenderloin community.
Lysa is a proud, third-generation San Franciscan and enjoys walking her daughter and dog to get coffee in the Excelsior neighborhood.
Adedeji “Deji” Adebiyi joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in January 2024 as Assistant Clubhouse Director of Visitacion Valley Clubhouse. He is originally from Canton, Michigan, near Ann Arbor.
Deji has always had a passion for working with the youth. While in college, he started a youth program in his hometown. This program included a football camp and multiple Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball teams. He is most excited to help Club members continue to grow and believe in themselves.
Prior to joining BGCSF, Deji worked as a Graduate Assistant Academic Advisor at Eastern Michigan University. After graduating, he joined the University of Nevada men's basketball team as a General Assistant, helping with Operations. His previous position was as Campus Sports Coordinator at San Francisco State University. Deji attended Ohio Wesleyan University for his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. After graduating, he attended Eastern Michigan University for his Masters of Science in Sport Management.
Outside BGCSF, he coaches the Bay City Warriors travel basketball team. In his spare time, Deji enjoys playing golf and tennis, spending time with friends, and trying different restaurants in the city.
Carson Heywood joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in May 2023 as Assistant Clubhouse Director at the Don Fisher Clubhouse. His youth development journey began in 2013 as a lifeguard and swim instructor, fueling his passion for community service and empowering young individuals.
Before the pandemic, Carson served as Unit Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga. He also founded a bi-annual youth rugby camp in his Napa Valley hometown, St. Helena.
Carson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Leisure and Recreation from California State University, Chico. Prior to his move to San Francisco, he actively contributed to various causes, coaching and refereeing youth basketball, co-directing a youth rugby club, and volunteering at a summertime youth leadership camp. Carson's commitment to community service shapes his dedication to positively impacting others' lives.
During his leisure time, Carson finds joy in basketball, Jiu-Jitsu, and esports. He also enjoys activities such as mountain biking, pickleball, and rugby. Carson's curiosity and appreciation for different cultures have led him to Europe and Southeast Asia, where he actively learns new languages and traditions. Carson eagerly awaits further exploration and embracing the vibrant multiculturalism of the city.
Tarquin was born and raised in San Francisco. He currently serves as the Assistant Clubhouse Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) since March 2024 after working as the High School Services Director at the Sunnydale Clubhouse since May 2023. His extensive experience in San Francisco public and private schools is driven by a passion for creating opportunities for students from underserved communities and to foster healthy relationships and a sense of belonging.
Tarquin’s youth development journey began in 2010 with summer camps and after school programs. He started coaching basketball for K-5 programs in 2014 and advanced to high school sports in 2016. He introduced sports mindfulness initiatives to foster environments where students engage in sport-specific training and build healthy team dynamics. At BGCSF, he is excited to develop high school programming, including a Club basketball team and workforce skills to support members' transition to adulthood.
Previously, he served as Chair of the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), partnering with school administrators and families to close the achievement gap and promote wellness. As Student Vice Chancellor at City College of San Francisco, he advocated for student services and policy development.
Tarquin’s goal is to support youth from disadvantaged circumstances through sports, socioemotional groups, and collaboration with school administrators. He is also involved in Clubs and affinity spaces promoting community engagement and social justice. Outside of work, he enjoys Connect Four, where he was ranked 33rd out of 500,000 users in 2012. These experiences help him contribute effectively to any school or community hub.
Schwartzen joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco team in February 2023 and brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous position.
Schwartzen's leadership journey began as a student-athlete in high school, earning a scholarship to play basketball coming out of New York City. His leadership style developed in college, serving as the Student Senate President, and a residential advisor while maintaining high grades as a collegiate athlete. Schwartzen graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.
Upon graduation, he committed one year to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA within urban Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is where his love for education grew as he served dozens of after-school programs and charter schools, developing socio-emotional learning curriculums. For six years, Schwartzen developed his leadership style by managing several clubhouses as a Site Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo for two years. During that time, he published a book, Be Your Own Hero, that helps develop leadership skills for professionals and student-athletes.
His love for youth development stemmed from being in foster care for 14 years as he shaped his identity around his faith, the game of basketball, and the peers he grew up with. Witnessing his peers conform to their environment was the motivation behind his career in youth development. His service led to national recognition for his talks given across the country about reforms and policies that better serve disenfranchised communities.
His passion for basketball helps him reach young people in ways that relate to their passion to succeed. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing books, serving in his local church, and training kids in basketball.
Meghan Monteiro joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) as the Director of Evaluation and Impact in February 2023. In her role, Meghan is responsible for driving learning in the organization in order to support continuous improvement and achieve the organization’s intended outcomes. She oversees the design and execution of BGCSF’s data systems and processes, internal and external reporting, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Meghan received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. While in college, she began working with youth experiencing homelessness as a Residential Counselor, and has been passionate about working to support youth from disadvantaged circumstances ever since. Meghan later went on to obtain her Masters in Public Administration at New York University’s School of Public Service, where she began specializing in nonprofit management and evaluation. Meghan has over 10 years of experience in the field of evaluation and impact, and is particularly passionate about using data in practice to make actionable changes that lead to greater impact.
Meghan lives in the Bay Area with her spouse and two young children. In her free time she enjoys going on day trips, exploring different San Francisco neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, and going snowboarding in Tahoe.
Lisa joined Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in 2011. As the Executive Assistant to the organization’s President, Rob Connolly, Lisa works closely with BGCSF’s leadership team and Board of Governors. She believes strongly in the value of community-based organizations and their role in providing safe and caring environments for youth to learn, grow, and thrive.
Lisa earned a B.A. in psychology from UC Berkeley. Originally from Los Angeles, Lisa has lived in San Francisco for more than a decade. She has a deep love for the city and all its people, neighborhoods, parks, architecture, food, art, and music.
Veronica joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) in May 2023. Originally from Los Angeles, Veronica grew up in a large, multicultural family that shaped her deep understanding of the disadvantaged circumstances youth may face. Her commitment to creating a positive impact led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, where she first immersed herself in working with children as a youth sports coach and nanny.
With over a decade of experience in individual and family support services, Veronica brings a wealth of expertise to her role. As Executive Assistant, she supports the organization's President, Rob Connolly, and Chief Operating Officer, Maxine Wilson. Her primary responsibility is to collaborate with the leadership team to ensure seamless coordination and communication.
Veronica’s personal and professional journey has motivated her to leverage her skills and knowledge to effect meaningful change for youth and families. She is thrilled to be part of the BGCSF Team.
Bio coming soon...