Meet Our Team

For 135 years, the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland has elevated the voices and concerns of women and girls, BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities and fought for social justice.

Our Executive Staff

  • Monique Lesarre, PsyD

    Executive Director

    Monique provides strategic and visionary leadership while managing day-to-day operations at the YWCA.

  • Layla Dargahi

    Associate Director

    Layla manages all YWCA direct-service programs and ensures all address racial justice issues.

  • Juliet Galvez

    Bookkeeping, Communications & Development Manager

    Juliet oversees financial records, manages internal and external communications, and drives strategic development initiatives to support organizational growth and efficiency.

  • Fernanda Olivares

    Operations Director

    Fernanda manages administrative matters and building needs for the YWCA.

Our Staff

  • Chris Carlisle

    Facilities Manager

    Chris manages the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland building.

  • Victoria Mendoza

    Program Manager

    Victoria leads workforce development workshops and financial literacy programs.

  • Ariyana Tavakoli

    Program Manager

    Ariyana champions YWCA's race and gender equity advocacy efforts, as well as oversee GGMP with the goal of helping girls navigate personal and academic challenges.

  • Karen Lei

    Program Coordinator

    Karen facilitates English-in-Action, a program that helps English learners through one-to-one conversational practice with local volunteers.

  • Jenna Kim

    Program Coordinator

    Jenna directs Tech Lab, empowering women, BIPOC and other underrepresented identities in tech.

  • Claire Marchiano

    Career Coach

    Claire offers one-on-one career coaching sessions.



Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Berkeley/Oakland.

2024 – 2025 Officers

Laura Kirkwood-Datta
President

Dia Tschirki-Penning
Vice President

Alyssa Tio
Treasurer

Paige Wheeler Fleury 
Recording Secretary

Directors

  • Marilyn Cleveland 

  • Dom DeGuzman

  • Kate Earle Funk

  • Francesca Gibson

  • Marcus Hill 

  • Patricia Jones 

  • Victoria Ladew 

  • Elsy Lewis

  • Trina Ostrander

  • Mary Remy 

  • Kalkidan Shebi 

  • Alyssa Tio 

  • Dia Tshirki-Penning 

  • Paige Wheeler Fleury 

  • Adrienne Williams

  • Rev. G Y