We would not be the organization that we are without our incredible team!
We like to think of our staff, many of them volunteers, as a group of rock stars. They are our front line, our very own set of changemakers. From the exceptional work in the office to the change we see happening every day at our program sites, we couldn’t be more proud of our Upward Roots team!
our team
Site Leader
East Oakland Pride
Chianai Campbell
Site Leader
Hoover Elementary, Grass Valley Elementary, Life Academy Middle School
Autumn Belnap
Site Leader
Esperanza Elementary
David Caven
Site Leader
Horace Mann Elementary
Site Leader
Global Family School
María Pirner
Site Leader
Korematsu Discovery Academy
Elizabeth Knight
Executive Director
Lindsey Jones
Founder
““I think that the biggest benefit that I see for these kids is that they are learning that they do have the power to be leaders in their community...they have the power to get their voice heard in a positive way and to make their opinions heard and show that they matter and can benefit the community in a really good way.””
our board of directors
Sr Performance Audit Analyst, LA City Controller’s Office
Elizabeth Knight
Executive Director
Upward Roots
Anthony Rodriguez
Special Assistant to the CEO
Oakland Promise
Tripper Ortman
Founder & Mediator
Ortman Mediation
Cristina Segura
SEAL Coach
OUSD Office of English Language Learners and Multilingual Achievement
Our partners
Our partners help us through funding, providing supplies, and expanding our work.