Founder/Executive Director

Laura is the Founder and Executive Director of the Next Steps Liaison Project. She is the visionary behind the organization, the impetus for which began with the heartache she felt the first day she set foot inside a juvenile prison. In her words, the experience “feels like wading through a sea of tragedy.” She immediately began educating herself about the current juvenile justice system while dedicating herself to the development of an approach that helps and heals.

Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator/ Liaison Team Member

Adrian grew up in South Central LA, where he was influenced by gangs, drugs, and violence. He has overcome many challenges and no longer subscribes to his former beliefs. He shares his story with at-risk youth and helps them forge a positive path. Adrian is the weekend meal program manager at Farming Hope, a culinary job training and food justice nonprofit. At Next Steps Liaison Project, Adrian co-facilitates Social Emotional Learning classes inside San Francisco’s Juvenile Hall and also serves as a youth Liaison Team member.

Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator

Malik, founder and Executive Director of Scholastic Interest Group, is a youth advocate, community activist, and author of Pressure: From FBI Fugitive to Freedom. He has been a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley and a participant in Project ReMADE Entrepreneurship program at Stanford Law School. Malik brings vision and hope for the future to the young men with whom he works at the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. His presence and heart go beyond what any curriculum could provide. Helping incarcerated youth change their life trajectory is his life’s work.

Environmental Stewards Internship Supervisor

Adrian is an experienced recovery coach and justice care coordinator in Marin County. He is bilingual (English and Spanish) and has extensive work experience in the areas of mental health, suicide prevention, recovery services, and criminal justice. He began working as a mentor with at-risk youth in juvenile probation and later transitioned to working to support adults (including veterans) with substance dependencies, mental health challenges, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Adrian has studied criminal justice at College of Marin.

Environmental Stewards Internship Supervisor

Sagrario has worked at many non-profit organizations that help under-resourced and at-risk youth.  She is a business education liaison at the Marin County Office of Education, where she helps high school students find their career path. Sagrario previously worked at the Center for Domestic Peace as a bilingual (English/Spanish) case manager.  She also worked as a learning coach/mentor at Marin’s Community School. Sagrario has studied business administration, accounting, and environmental sciences at College of Marin, and nursing pre-requisites at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Environmental Stewards Internship Supervisor

Omar’s family's journey to the United States has given him a deep appreciation for the opportunities that this country has to offer, and he works hard to make a positive impact on his community. Omar is a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, and he previously worked as a freelance visual designer.  When he is not working, Omar spends his time pursuing his passion for art — design, photography, or simply admiring the beauty of the world around him. Omar also loves to travel, experience new cultures, and meet new people.

Environmental Stewards Internship Supervisor

Juan is currently employed by Legal Aid of Marin as a Housing Legal Assistant where he supports those in the community in need of advocacy. He also volunteers his time to assist families and youth in schools by promoting healthy relationships with parents, peers and caring adults.

Juan is inspired by the belief that connection is key to supporting our most at-risk youth. Juan is a bilingual “credible Messenger” who helps youth envision and create a brighter future.

Social-Emotional Learning Guest Facilitator

Rich Mertes, founder of Waking Bear Therapy, is a credentialed teacher and trained counselor. With over 17 years in the classroom and a background in somatic, mindfulness-based therapy, Rich brings deep empathy and skill to emotional literacy classes. Rich is also a published poet, singer and songwriter, and he occasionally brings the additional gift of music to youth in Juvenile Hall.

Board President

Marney has a professional background in consulting, website development, project management, and process definition with Walmart.com, Gloss.com (now part of Estee Lauder) and Compare.net (now part of Microsoft). While Marney’s focus is on marketing and strategy for Next Steps Liaison Project, her effort is fueled by a deep commitment to creating opportunity for every child, demonstrated by her many volunteer roles in the schools and community. She has a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Marney brings a wealth of talent and expertise to the board.

Board Member

Marlin is is a Director at Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a member of Insight Garden Program Board of Directors, and a member of Green Life Returning to Community group. Marlin contributed to IGP’s CalEPA Environmental Justice grant to support the environmental stewardship of formerly incarcerated individuals. Marlin has an Associate’s Degree focused in Social Science from Lassen Community College. He is a social and environmental justice activist who supports Black Lives Matters, solutions to Climate Change, prison reform, education, and career opportunities with living- and family-sustaining wages.

Board Member

Lisa is the Founder and Principal at Rising Arrow Financial Advisory. Her San Francisco-based independent financial planning firm helps individuals and families develop strategies for how they can live well in the San Francisco Bay Area while still reaching their financial goals.

Lisa’s education and experience make her an integral and invaluable member of Next Steps' board. She oversees the organization’s financial reports, necessary filings and compliance with state regulations. With an approach that is systematic and thorough, she pursues excellence with humble generosity.

Board Member

Devon Danz Preston has served as a grant writer, in-prison volunteer, and board member for Insight Garden Program since 2014. For over 25 years, Devon has volunteered for in-prison programs and organizations supporting victims of domestic violence. Her professional career includes roles as a program officer for the Rhode Island Foundation and Executive Director of a sustainable development organization. Devon has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College and an M.S. in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Marin County foster youth.

Board Member

La Tanya is the Founder and President of Wiggins Family Day Care. She has offered quality childcare to Marin families for years. She is passionate about the care of children and social justice. La Tanya shares the steadfast hope that change for children in prison is not only possible, but imminent.

As part of the Liaison team, La Tanya offers hands-on support to youth to face probation with vision and a plan for success. Her enthusiasm and “getting it done” approach energizes the entire Next Steps team, fueling us with the fortitude to be authentic and fearless in our leadership.

Advisor

Diane has served as the executive director for Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) for over 35 years. ETC makes outdoor adventure accessible to people with disabilities and under-resourced youth. In 1984, Diane transitioned from being a volunteer river guide to becoming ETC’s executive director. Under her leadership, their Youth LEAD Program was launched, with multi-week summer courses for underserved youth, and ETC received the Dewitt Partnership Award by the California State Parks. Diane’s experience building a successful organization and her passion to connect underserved youth to the healing power of nature make her an invaluable advisor to Next Steps Liaison Project.

Advisor

Albert Rivas is the founder of Capitol Consulting, which supports local law enforcement with strategic planning and organizational development for underserved communities in Northern California. He is a Program Manager III for the City of Stockton, CA, bringing experience from many previous roles including the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He has experience with nonprofits, fundraising, leadership, public relations, and marketing communications. He earned local governance certification and training from Stanford University in 2019. He earned his B. A. in 2003 as well as an M.A. in education from U.C. Davis.

Advisor

Rodeo spent the majority of his adolescence and youth in and out of institutions. He eventually found the strength to change his path and journey out the prison cycle. Once he found success in his life post-incarceration, he became passionate about helping others do the same. For youth suffering many of the same hardships he endured, he is the “credible messenger” they can look to. Today, he helps youth see life from a different perspective and offers insight before it is too late. His experience and compassion make him adept at connecting with our most at-risk youth and disrupting the cycle of incarceration.