Who We Are
Who We Are
Leadership Team
Randy Seriguchi, Jr.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Randal Seriguchi, Jr. competes with the school to prison pipeline. As the Executive Director of Urban Ed Academy, he is supporting the early leg of a parallel pipeline to success for the remaining African American boys in the city. Through Saturday school programming, STEM experiences, in-school mentorship, and strong community engagement, Urban Ed Academy is a reliable partner in the elementary school space. He is a leading advocate for recruiting more men of color into the classroom. Prior to moving to San Francisco, Randy spent 5 years working to lift up social justice through education in D.C. and California. He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, holds a Juris Doctor degree from the American University Washington College of Law, and received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan.
Rachel Roberts
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Rachel Roberts serves as Urban Ed Academy’s Director of Operations, bringing over 12 years of professional experience in non-profit program management. Prior to joining the UEA team, Rachel managed various ASES and 21st CCLC funded programs throughout the Contra Costa Bay Area.
Since joining the organization in 2019, Rachel has worked to establish systems, streamline procedures, and enhance UEA’s operational processes. As part of the senior leadership team, she works continually to develop, implement and evaluate operational initiatives to support organizational priorities.
Dr. John Edwards
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS
Dr. John Edwards brings extensive leadership experience and expertise in advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and is well-equipped to shape Urban Ed Academy’s programmatic vision. His ability to develop highly effective talent management processes, and learning and professional development programs, along with his strong legislative partnerships, positions him to drive progressive policies that foster opportunity and growth.
Dr. Edwards holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. He is a proud graduate of the certificate program in Organizational Leadership and Strategy at Harvard Business School, showcasing his commitment to honing his skills in strategizing and executing transformative initiatives for maximum impact.
Leadership Team
Randy Seriguchi, Jr.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Randal Seriguchi, Jr. competes with the school to prison pipeline. As the Executive Director of Urban Ed Academy, he is supporting the early leg of a parallel pipeline to success for the remaining African American boys in the city. Through Saturday school programming, STEM experiences, in-school mentorship, and strong community engagement, Urban Ed Academy is a reliable partner in the elementary school space. He is a leading advocate for recruiting more men of color into the classroom. Prior to moving to San Francisco, Randy spent 5 years working to lift up social justice through education in D.C. and California. He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, holds a Juris Doctor degree from the American University Washington College of Law, and received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan.
Rachel Roberts
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Rachel Roberts serves as Urban Ed Academy’s Director of Operations, bringing over 12 years of professional experience in non-profit program management. Prior to joining the Urban Ed Academy team, Rachel managed various ASES and 21st CCLC funded programs throughout the Contra Costa Bay Area.
Since joining the organization in 2019, Rachel has worked to establish systems, streamline procedures, and enhance Urban Ed Academy’s operational processes. As part of the senior leadership team, she works continually to develop, implement and evaluate operational initiatives to support organizational priorities.
Dr. John Edwards
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS
Dr. John Edwards brings extensive leadership experience and expertise in advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and is well-equipped to shape Urban Ed Academy’s programmatic vision. His ability to develop highly effective talent management processes, and learning and professional development programs, along with his strong legislative partnerships, positions him to drive progressive policies that foster opportunity and growth.
Dr. Edwards holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. He is a proud graduate of the certificate program in Organizational Leadership and Strategy at Harvard Business School, showcasing his commitment to honing his skills in strategizing and executing transformative initiatives for maximum impact.
Staff Members
Amanda Coray
DIRECTOR OF
PROGRAM
Darius Fequiere
DIRECTOR OF
IMPACT AND LEARNING
Kayla Jones
IMPACT
MANAGER
Trent Kravitz
OPERATIONS
ASSOCIATE
Marion Masters
DIRECTOR OF
RECRUITMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
Emzie Penny
RECRUITMENT
CONSULTANT
Angela Reyes
PROGRAM
LEADER
Alex Serna
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
MANAGER
Jacqueline Smith
DEVELOPMENT
CONSULTANT
Diane Tarapata
EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT
Samantha Vaing
PROGRAM
COORDINATOR
Domonique Veasley
RECRUITMENT
ASSOCIATE
Meet the Board
Shariff Barakat
BOARD MEMBER
Shariff Barakat
Shariff Barakat is a project finance attorney focused on domestic infrastructure and renewable energy projects. He represents developers, sponsors, tax-equity investors, lenders and other stakeholders in the acquisition, development and financing of power generation projects. He became a lawyer because he wanted to be able to participate in and add value to big transactions. Shariff is a business guy at heart, and being a transactional attorney is his way of being a value-add member of deal teams. He enjoys working on transactions that involve unique and novel facts and circumstances, especially ones with no precedents, in which the parties are developing their positions in real time, working collaboratively to appropriately allocate risk and reward.
Tammy Debord
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Tammy Debord
Born and raised in San Francisco, Tammy Debord is a proud first-generation immigrant daughter who has seen the city’s culture grow and change through the decades. She currently works in gaming at Bungie supporting incubation and creative leadership. As a program leader, her experience spans from leading special projects in financial services to workforce and economic development initiatives for the California Community college Chancellor’s office serving over 2.1 million students.
Angelia Dickens
BOARD PRESIDENT
Angelia Dickens
Angelia Dickens advises education technology companies and education organizations on data and privacy issues, SAAS agreements, legal risk, compliance, finance, human resources, governance and operations matters. Ms. Dickens advises both early stage and mature organizations on a range of areas–from organization and creation of a long-term legal strategy to day-to-day management of legal needs, operations issues, strategic planning and governance matters. Previously, Ms. Dickens established and operated the legal department of StudentsFirst, a national advocacy organization founded by Michelle Rhee, and its related entities from 2011 until its merger with 50CAN in July 2016. She built the legal function from the ground up, managed the day to day legal affairs of the Organizations and counseled the Board of Directors, Founder, President, senior management, and staff on legal risk and all internal legal and compliance matters, including education policy, nonprofit governance, tax law, lobbying, state, local and federal campaign finance activities, ethics rules, employment, fundraising, intellectual property, real estate, privacy, contract, and litigation matters. She also managed finance and human resources matters. She has also taught Education Law & Policy at UC Davis School of Law and has served as a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education. Ms. Dickens has also served as a member of the selection committee of the Education Leaders of Color (“EdLoC”) Boulder Fund.
Ashley Elleby
BOARD MEMBER
Ashley Elleby
MBA – Global Product Growth Marketer @ Google
Ashley has 10+ years of experience in digital marketing, global brand/product strategy, and product development at top tier CPG companies and Google. In her current role at Google, she leads the Global Product Growth Strategy team and is responsible for building digital, in-store, and OOH marketing strategies for 50+ Google apps, devices, and sub-brands. Ashley also has extensive Retail Entrepreneurial experience, serving as a Marketing Officer for NYC restaurant startup Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen and CEO/Founder for the tall women’s apparel brand Alyssa Vermell Apparel. She is a strong advocate for increasing minority and women representation in the startups and long standing corporations and in her free time mentors small business owners, budding entrepreneurs, and MBA grads interested in transitioning into tech.
Kai Matthews, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Kai Matthews, Ph.D.
Dr. Kai Mathews is a Research Director at UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools. In this position, she leads a statewide project aimed at diversifying the educator pipeline. Dr. Kai (as her students call her) has dedicated her life to creating innovative and equitable learning environments for all students. She is an educator, researcher, and creative strategist who is passionate about liberatory pedagogies and structures in K-12 education. With over 12 years of practice work and research experience with students, teachers, families, and administrators around the country, her areas of expertise and passions include educational equity & justice; culturally sustaining pedagogy; social justice education, Project-Based Learning (PBL); Universal Design for Learning (UDL); Blended Learning(BL); and Design Thinking. As a former 8th grade humanities teacher at High Tech Middle, Chula Vista, Dr. Kai prides herself in creating immersive, interdisciplinary, project-based learning environments that push, uplift, and teach the whole child and allows students to engage in critical inquiry, social advocacy, and divergent dialogue. She is the founder of The Liberatory Classroom, a space that provides on-demand, online learning opportunities for educators who want to see their students thrive in and outside the classroom. Dr. Kai has a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a specialization in K-12 education from the University of San Diego, an M.A. in Communication from Ellis University, and a B.A. in English with a minor in Creative Writing from Spelman College.
Patrick Otellini
BOARD MEMBER
Patrick Otellini
Patrick Otellini is a Project Manager with Swinerton. Patrick works with owners during the preconstruction process to help them understand and navigate various jurisdictional requirements. He manages permitting and inspections, interfaces with public-sector agencies, and acts as the community liaison on multiple projects. He also leads Swinerton’s regional effort to help grow their portfolio of affordable housing projects. Prior to joining Swinerton, he served as the Chief Resilience Officer and Director of Earthquake Safety for the City and County of San Francisco under Mayor Edwin Lee and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the city’s resilience strategy: Resilient San Francisco – Stronger Today, Stronger Tomorrow. He received his Master of Construction Management from NewSchool of Architecture and Design and his Bachelor of Political Science from Westmont College.
Chris Russi
BOARD TREASURER
Chris Russi
Chris Russi is Founder and CIO of Point-Slope Capital, a thesis and quantitatively driven digital asset fund focused on decentralized protocols and their applications. Prior to Point-Slope Capital, Chris spent over five years in technology investment banking, before transitioning to lead Operations, Growth, and Finance roles in two early-stage startups. A Bay Area native who is passionate about his community, Chris remains active in serving a number of local non-profits in the area.
Jacob Wallace
BOARD MEMBER
Jacob Wallace
Currently, Mr. Wallace serves as A. Philip Randolph’s Outreach Supervisor and completed graduate school at Golden Gate University with a degree in IO Psychology. He’s committed himself to building relationships with government leadership, tenant councils, and micro size businesses in efforts to solve challenges that stunt economic growth of the underserved communities. Mr. Wallace creates sustainable solutions to support philanthropic initiatives. In addition to building sustainable solutions tailored for the community, Mr. Wallace works with professional athletes as well as entertainers on charitable endeavours. As a former student at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory and family roots in San Francisco he feels serving the citizens of this great city as calling. His outreach efforts are geared towards helping and Urban Ed has provided an amazing platform for him to follow his passions for service.