Our Team
Adriana Arrizón (she/her/élla), Executive Director
Adriana has over 20 years of experience in public and community health sectors in Alameda, Stanislaus, Marin, and Sonoma County. The daughter of migrant farmworkers and raised by a social justice warrior- her grandmother. Adriana understands that it’s authentic and meaningful connections that drive change and that a community’s vitality is greatly dependent on its members being fully engaged and active participants in their own wellbeing. Adriana’s experience includes culturally responsive health program development, implementation, and evaluation. Adriana has worked in maternal & child health, early care & education, disaster response management, community & civic engagement, health & social system coordination, and policy development. Adriana became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant in 2010 to address health system inequities in the Latinx community in Sonoma County. Adriana enjoys hiking, entertaining friends, and learning to see the world through the eyes of her two sons.
Anahí Malfavon Castañeda (she/her/élla), Operations Manager
Anahí has a deep commitment to social justice and traces her roots back to Mexico. At the age of 5, Anahí emigrated with her family to California. From an early age, she fell in love with the idea of creating a world where equity and fairness prevail. Anahí has a degree in Health Science and 9 years of experience in the private and public healthcare sector. She is also trained in Trauma Informed Care, DEIB, ACE’s, and Motivational Interviewing. Driven by an unwavering belief in the need for systemic change, Anahí made a pivotal decision to transition to the nonprofit sector. Here, she found the platform to channel her passion for social justice into meaningful action. Anahí firmly believes that we are all stewards of justice, responsible for amplifying the voices silenced by systemic inequities. In her downtime, Anahí enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, and being in nature whenever possible.
Zara Perts-Nash (she/her), Program Coordinator
Zara is dedicated to health advocacy and strives to pursue social justice. She has recently graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration, and pursued her degree online to stay grounded in the North Bay where she grew up. Zara’s previous experience as a Certified Medical Assistant strengthened her determination to make systemic changes in health equity. Her passion for nonprofit work started at 16 when she partnered with Blood Centers of the Pacific to organize and host regular blood drives at her school campus. Through advocacy and policy changes, Zara aspires to create foundations for a healthier future. She believes in the power of uplifting marginalized voices and listening to those who have been most affected by injustice. In her free time, Zara enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Alejandra Hernandez (she/her), Design & Communications Coordinator
Alejandra is a multidisciplinary designer by trade and is currently based in San Francisco, CA. She completed her BFA at the Academy of Art University. She is a daughter of two Mexican-immigrant parents and her experience while being raised in the Bay Area naturally led her down an altruistic path. Her passion for creativity combined with her pursuit of altruistic work came into further fruition when she eventually found herself working as a Brand Designer at social impact organization, Emerson Collective—this experience spearheaded her to continue the path of helping to make systemic change in various shapes and forms. She is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, approaching those most affected by injustice with empathy and understanding, and taking proactive steps to drive meaningful change. When she isn’t behind her screen pushing pixels, she’s most likely to be found making art, doing photography work, hiking and exploring, actively engaged in social causes, watching films, hanging out with her 2 cats, or simply observing things closely and from afar.
Marlon Montoya (he/him/él), Community Organizer
Marlon is a dedicated community advocate and a Certified Community Health Worker (2023). He currently works as a Bilingual Parent Educator at Child Parent Institute (CPI), where he is certified in Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Originally from Honduras, Marlon immigrated to the U.S. in 2009 at the age of 15. His journey has fueled his passion for creating opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Through his work as a bilingual parent educator, he has developed a deep understanding of the systemic changes needed to address inequities and provide families with the resources they need to thrive. Beyond his professional role, Marlon is actively engaged in community initiatives, including outreach efforts, focus groups, and organizing community events. He volunteers with food distribution programs and has served as a dispatcher and a leader in a three-day walk from Petaluma to San Francisco advocating for social change. Marlon firmly believes that a person’s well-being is shaped by their environment, and he is committed to fostering spaces where individuals feel supported and empowered. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending quality time with loved ones.