Team & Board

Miriam Yupanqui

Miriam Yupanqui is building a movement to transform East Palo Alto into a place where every resident thrives. A thriving community is one where everyone has a place to call home, a living wage, and the same opportunities for success we see across Highway 101. In her words, “President Obama once said that no one who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty. In East Palo Alto, people are working 60 hours plus per week and living in poverty. We are building leaders in our community to change that.”

Originally from East Palo Alto, Miriam is thrilled to be back in her old stomping grounds. Miriam attended College Track and graduated from Carlmont High School. She received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her M.P.A. from the University of Southern California. Miriam served as a Board Member of Nuestra Casa prior to being hired as the Executive Director. Miriam also has vast experience working in our communities and program evaluation. Before Nuestra Casa, she was a Program Manager at Family Connections in Redwood City. There she developed and implemented their Young Scholars Program. Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

myupanqui@nuestracasa.org

Jennifer Adams

Having worked to connect Latinx communities to outdoor recreation, conservation, and programming for many years, Jennifer Adams knows firsthand the power of unleashing the Latinx community’s environmental stewardship. At Nuestra Casa, Jennifer continues to amplify our community’s voices for local long-term sustainability, native land restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. She organizes and empowers the community residents of East Palo Alto, East Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City to take ownership of their advocacy abilities and ensure the inclusion of low-income and immigrant communities in critical discussions and policies. She works closely with community partners to build strong, lasting, and mutual support to develop healthy and sustainable communities.

A graduate from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Ecology Evolutionary Biology, Jennifer is a Bay Area Native. She loves spending time outdoors with friends and family. When she’s not working, you might find Jennifer hiking with her three dogs at the beach. Her previous work experience includes being Bay Area Regional Coordinator for Latino Outdoors, where she continues to be an ambassador, providing mentorship and support when needed. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

jadams@nuestracasa.org

Imelda Rodriguez Benavides

Imelda Rodriguez Benavides is an inspiring and knowledgeable advocate for food justice and sustainable food systems. Hailing from Watsonville, CA, and raised in the vibrant community of East Palo Alto, Imelda’s passion for creating positive change in the food landscape began early in her life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Studies from Syracuse University in New York, where she co-founded the first nationally recognized Food Policy club, launched a CSA drop-off program, and helped establish the university’s first slow food cafe.

Returning to the Bay Area after graduation, Imelda continued her mission to empower communities through food justice initiatives, serving San Jose, Oakland, and, most recently, as a Dean of Students and Families in San Francisco. Currently, she is a program assistant at Nuestra Casa and serves as the California Alumni Policy Chapter Lead at FoodCorps, influencing legislative priorities in the state.

When she’s not hard at work or working on her Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University (virtual studies), Imelda channels her creative spirit into sculpting and painting. Connect with Imelda on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

irodriguez@nuestracasa.org

Diana Gomez-Ochoa

Born and raised in East Palo Alto, Diana Gomez-Ochoa grew up noticing the environmental differences between her hometown and the surrounding wealthier cities. However, it wasn’t until her first college public health class that she gained the vocabulary to describe these disparities and define them as environmental injustices. She was then quick to research the long history of injustices in EPA and their direct impact on the health of her community.

In June 2026, Diana graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Human Development and a minor in Public Health Sciences.Diana’s passion for environmental justice and health equity has been intensifying through her work experience. For two summers, Diana interned at the U.S. Energy Foundation where she interviewed non-profits across the nation on their work in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Inspired by these conversations with environmental leaders, she decided to take action and started working directly in her own community. The following year, Diana co-developed brochures on climate-driven flooding, its environmental and health impacts, and ways to prevent major disasters as a Youth Council Member with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. 

As a kid, Diana spent lots of time with her face buried in a book at the East Palo Alto Library. Nowadays, you can still find her there checking out the newest mystery, thriller, and dystopian books. Connect with Diana on LinkedIn.

Eva Jones

Eva Jones joins Nuestra Casa as the 2026–2027 Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Member.

The clash over land and water use in Eva’s rural hometown in Oregon cultivated their interest in restorative, community-led land stewardship. Whether for agriculture, data centers, protected federal lands, or housing, everyone wants a piece. Eva believes that through the collective work of building right relationships with our waters, lands, and neighbors, communities can create healthy futures for ourselves and the world we steward.

Before joining Nuestra Casa, Eva worked as a researcher on projects examining managerial relationships and policies to more powerfully integrate Tribal communities and knowledge into public land management, investigating temporal changes in the water cycle in Eastern Idaho, and contributing to trans-feminist history books. They also served as a student organizer with Tech for Liberation, working to disrupt the weapons and surveillance career pipeline in Silicon Valley.

Eva is completing a Master’s degree in Hydrology and Water Resources in Stanford University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. They also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Systems Engineering, with a focus on freshwater systems, and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, graduating with honors.

At Nuestra Casa, Eva looks forward to bringing their experience in communal resource management to the ongoing work of advancing dignity, safety, and health for communities across the Mid-Peninsula.

Maricela Garcia

Originally from Michoacan, Mexico, Maricela Garcia moved to East Palo Alto at the age of three, where she spent her years surrounded by her parents, three sisters, and two brothers. Maricela attended Ravenswood District Schools and proudly graduated from Eastside College Prep.

Maricela’s passion for making a positive impact and desire to give back to the community led her to the non-profit sector in 2014. Her journey started as a dedicated advocate for families at the Child Care Coordinator Council (4Cs of San Mateo County), where she had the privilege of providing essential support to those in need. Recognizing the importance of education, Maricela went on to work at Eastside College Prep, where she worked tirelessly to uplift minority students, fostering an environment of support. As a testament to her commitment and versatility, Maricela later joined Nuestra Casa as an executive assistant part-time, further strengthening her ties to the community she holds dear. Today, we are thrilled to have Maricela as a valuable asset on our team, serving as our dedicated Senior Operations Manager. Her rich background and experience uniquely position her to contribute to our organization’s mission and drive positive change in our community.

Maricela graduated from Cal State East Bay in 2013 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. In free time she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and exploring new parks with her dog Sol. Connect with Maricela on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

mgarcia@nuestracasa.org

Kassandra Vivanco Guerrero

Born and raised in the vibrant heart of East San José, Kassandra Vivanco Guerrero has always been passionate about helping people and committed to making a difference. In June 2023, Kassandra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her academic journey has equipped her with a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding gender equality and social justice, setting the stage for her future as an aspiring lawyer.

Kassandra’s commitment to creating a more equitable world extends beyond the classroom in her role as the community program assistant at Nuestra Casa. In this role, she supports community members in navigating the safety net services they need to help stabilize their families.

When she’s not hard at work, Kassandra likes to hang out with her family, spend time with her cat and dog, and channel her creative energy into her side hustle as a lash artist, specializing in making people feel beautiful and confident. Connect with Kassandra on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

kguerrero@nuestracasa.org

Kelly Hunt

Kelly Hunt grew up in New Jersey and moved to Redwood City in 2015. She learned first hand about the immigrant experience from her beloved Armenian great-grandmother, “Big Grandma.” Kelly’s commitment to the immigrant community and economic equity today is largely shaped by her grandmother’s early years in the United States. She joined the Board in 2016 and moved into a contract role in 2020.

Kelly’s work experience includes six years at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Research Officer and nine years at New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) as a Senior Program Director and Chief Program Learning Officer. During her career, Kelly co-founded the first statewide health foundation in New York, starting from the ground up. If you ask her, she’s most proud of the oral health work she co-led in New York that led to the passage of protective legislation for community water fluoridation, a population health intervention highlighted by the CDC as one of the top 10 public health improvements of the 20th century.

Outside of work and Nuestra Casa, Kelly is raising her daughters to be fierce young women. You might find them camping, hiking, skiing, visiting first/second/third cousins, or generally chilling out somewhere super pretty. In her spare time, she volunteers at her daughters’ schools. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University. Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

khunt@nuestracasa.org

Osvaldo Macias

Coming from the diverse San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles, Osvaldo Macias believes that change first happens through education and community. Inspired by Rachel Carson’s words, “the more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for the destruction of our race,” Osvaldo found his calling in addressing the urgent climate crises. His path led him to the Environmental Protection Agency and, subsequently, to Nuestra Casa, where he advocates for environmental justice and mobilizes community power for positive change.

Osvaldo’s previous work experience reflects his beliefs. As an intern at the EPA, he helped navigate complex federal environmental laws and liaised between the agency and Members of Congress. He helped showcase how federal dollars addressed historical inequities and supported disadvantaged communities. He served as an administrative assistant to the Community Action Board, primarily serving a Latino community in south Santa Cruz County and Pajaro. In this role, he ensured community members received valuable information about critical services.

In March 2024, Osvaldo completed his B.A. in Politics and Legal Studies at UC Santa Cruz. You might find him on the soccer field or hiking trails in his free time. Connect with Osvaldo on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

omacias@nuestracasa.org

Phone:

1000000001

Carmela Meehan

Carmela Meehan grew up in San Mateo County and has always had an appreciation for the cultural richness and diversity of the area. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Community Studies and a focus on social justice for farmworkers, she moved to Mexico for four years. During this time she connected deeply with the people, the traditions, the Spanish language, and the push and pull of migrating to and from the U.S. that many people experience. 

Carmela then returned to San Mateo County to support immigrant communities. Alongside this work, she continued to support her partner’s handmade jewelry business, which began in Mexico. During the last 14 years, Carmela has advocated for the Latinx communities through collaborating on programs and projects in leadership, youth development, immigration legal services, education, housing, and arts and culture. In 2012, she helped the NFO Koshland Fellows of the San Francisco Foundation launch the North Fair Oaks Youth Initiative leadership program. She spearheaded its integration into the Siena Youth Center of the St. Francis Center, thus expanding and strengthening programming for older youth in the area. Carmela has also held various leadership and volunteer positions for many years with the OYE Youth Conference – an annual event for 400+ youth and their parents to explore questions of identity and build community. Most recently, she was the Office Manager of the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area in Redwood City.

Proficient in non-profit administration and program management, Carmela brings a track record of fostering a positive environment for teams, handling complex administrative tasks, advancing DEI initiatives, and empowering local community members to reach their potential as leaders. She is also an avid musician, having run her own music teaching studio for five years. In her free time she enjoys playing music, spending time with family and friends, and leading a healthy lifestyle. Connect with Carmela on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

cmeehan@nuestracasa.org

Natalie Rodriguez

Natalie Rodriguez is an Environmental Justice Program Assistant at Nuestra Casa, dedicated to empowering the Latinx community through environmental education and advocacy. Her mission is to provide accessible information that sparks action for environmental justice.

With a background in outdoor education, Natalie is passionate about creating engaging and inclusive learning opportunities that encourage community involvement. Growing up in the Bay Area, she was surrounded by nature and environmental justice efforts but often felt disconnected from them. Now, through her role, she hopes to inspire others who share that experience—bridging the gap between the Latinx community and the outdoors.

By actively listening to community stories, values, and lived experiences, Natalie seeks to connect people to the environment and highlight its profound significance. Inspired by Margaret Mead’s words, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” she strives to strengthen the bond between individuals, their community, and the natural world.

Natalie specializes in Historical and Environmental Interpretation, exploring the deep connections between nature and human history. She is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Global Environmental Justice at UC Santa Cruz.

In her free time, you’ll likely find Natalie climbing boulders or baking delicious desserts. Connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and passion for environmental justice.

Contact Info

Email:

nrodriguez@nuestracasa.org

William Tinajero-Noriega

Born and raised in Mountain View, CA, William Tinajero-Noriega spent many weekends visiting family in East Palo Alto. Will feels he was raised not just by his parents but by his entire community—family, school, mentors, friends, and more. “I have had many advocates, and now that I work at Nuestra Casa, I want to do everything in my power to give back and push it forward.”

As the Environmental Justice Program Assistant at Nuestra Casa, Will supports program initiatives in East Palo Alto by translating materials, communicating with the community, collecting data, and assisting with activities and workshops. He draws inspiration from Utah Phillips: “I serve my community to protect the people I love and to ensure that future generations thrive in the world we help build. To me that means advocating for the unheard and bringing people to justice because, ‘The Earth isn’t dying, it’s being killed. And the folks doing the killing have names and addresses.’ ”

Will attended Los Altos High School and graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Conservation Science and Policy. He was the first in his family to graduate from university (woot woot!). His hidden superpower is his thirst for knowledge, and he always leaves room to wonder. Lately, that wonder has led him to learn more about gardening and homesteading, as well as going on nature walks and birding. He enjoys drawing the organisms in his field guide. Connect with Will on LinkedIn.

Contact Info

Email:

wtinajeronoriega@nuestracasa.org

Promotoras

Meet the Nuestra Casa Promotora Team! This group of passionate leaders are parents and trusted messengers in our community who care deeply about justice and equity. They are community outreach workers who organize neighbors, facilitate workshops, and guide our programmatic priorities.