The Team
The Team
Nanyelis Chapman
Manager of Community Projects
Nanyelis Chapman
Manager of Community Projects
Social justice and equity advocate and a proud immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Nanyelis is a logistical maven, focused on project management across various programs and initiatives for Team Kat. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where she received dual degrees in Criminology and International Studies. She loves cooking and exploring new places.
Aja Cooper
Director of Events and Outreach
Aja Cooper
Director of Events and Outreach
Communications and events production professional with experience ranging from political campaigns to education to nonprofits. Serves multiple roles supporting organizations that promote social justice and create inclusive, equitably prosperous communities. Currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Civicorps.
José E. Corona
Director of Agricultural Projects
José E. Corona
Director of Agricultural Projects
José Corona (he/him/el) has held senior leadership roles in organizations spanning the nonprofit, philanthropy, private, and public sectors. Recently, José founded Rebozo Ventures, a consultancy practice grounded on humility, compassion, honor, and respect - for self and others. Prior to Rebozo, José led the grantmaking, partnership, and programmatic efforts for Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. José also served as CEO of Inner City Advisors (now ICA.fund) and as the Director of Equity and Strategic Partnerships under Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, where he co-founded the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation. José is an Aspen Fellow, a Ricardo Salinas Scholar, and currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Unity Council. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oakland Museum of California and the San Francisco Giants Community Fund.
Pasha Dahncke
Director of Executive Communications and Media Relations
Pasha Dahncke
Director of Executive Communications and Media Relations
Pasha enjoys demystifying complex concepts to make them appealing and accessible for diverse audiences. With 15 years of corporate communications experience, she is excited to join the Office of Kat Taylor to help drive meaningful change across the financial, environmental, education, and agricultural sectors.
Outside of work, Pasha enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family. She’s passionate about promoting re-commerce, composting and preserving local Redwood forests.
Outside of work, Pasha enjoys reading, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family. She’s passionate about promoting re-commerce, composting and preserving local Redwood forests.
Pronouns: She/Her
Nick Ellis
Director of Research
Cole Harris
Senior Associate of Research and Projects
Jessica Hoyos
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Jessica Hoyos
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Jessica Hoyos, a proud Bay Area Native with Colombian heritage, earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications Studies from San Francisco State University. Driven by a passion for community empowerment, she strives to foster understanding and bridge divides. Outside of her professional work, Jessica finds solace and inspiration in the company of her beloved dog and the captivating worlds found within the pages of her favorite books.
Amy Hui
Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator to the Chief Operating Officer
Amy Hui
Executive Assistant and Project Coordinator to the Chief Operating Officer
Amy is an administrative and programs coordinator with experience across the non-profit, education, and public sectors. With an interdisciplinary background in ecology from UC Berkeley, she's passionate about helping communities create healthier, more equitable, and sustainable environments. She also advocates for accessibility as a part of true inclusivity. Outside of work, she can be found exploring new ethnic cuisines or spotting otters in the wild.
Charisse Ma Lebron
Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff
Charisse Ma Lebron
Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff
Successfully led and helped advance public policy, political campaigns, and community initiatives for nearly two decades related to housing, transportation, health care, banking, land use, equity, and human rights through legislative advocacy, policy analysis and research, project management, and stakeholder engagement and mobilization. She joined Team Kat in 2018, overseeing the long-term strategy and day-to-day operations. Charisse currently resides in the South Bay with her dog, enjoys hiking and various exotic cuisines, traveling to remote places to scuba dive, and watching documentaries.
Grace-Sonia E. Melanio
Director of Strategy and Special Projects
Grace-Sonia E. Melanio
Director of Strategy and Special Projects
Leverages over a decade of public affairs and grassroots marketing experience, an advocate of diverse, vibrant and healthy communities. Believes you are your best thing. Based in her beloved and adopted hometown of San Jose, CA.
Mana Mostatabi
Director of Policy Communications & Community Relations
Mana Mostatabi
Director of Policy Communications & Community Relations
With over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of policy and public affairs, Mana has leveraged strategic communications to advance a range of issues–from peace and diplomacy abroad to civil and human rights at home. She holds a M.S. with distinction in Global Politics & Security from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in Literature & Creative Writing from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mana is also a three-time fantasy football champion, an avid Equinox fan, and always on the search for the perfect heirloom tomato.
Meghan Roberts
Managing Director of Operations
Meghan Roberts
Managing Director of Operations
Dedicated to advancing environmental progress and equity, Meghan brings over 15 years of experience supporting teams and organizations tackling some of the planet’s most pressing challenges. A strategic thinker and operational powerhouse, she thrives on collaboration, creative problem-solving, and bringing structure to complex efforts.
Outside the office, Meghan enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, whether tending her garden or camping and exploring nature with her partner and their pup, Tilly.
Outside the office, Meghan enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, whether tending her garden or camping and exploring nature with her partner and their pup, Tilly.