Matias Bernal is a seasoned nonprofit leader and advocate with over 15 years of experience advancing social justice, immigrant rights, and community‑driven development across California. A proud queer Latino and undocumented immigrant, Matias has worked across sectors to build power and opportunity for historically excluded communities—including immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, farmworkers, and rural residents.

He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from UC Irvine, an M.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Criminology from Fresno State University, and four bachelor’s degrees in Criminology/Victimology, Spanish Literature, English Literature, and Political Science, also from Fresno State University.

Rooted in California’s Central Valley, Matias brings a systems‑thinking lens and a deep commitment to regional equity. He continues to mentor emerging leaders of color while advocating for lasting change at both community and structural levels.

Maria brings a decade of experience working in San Francisco’s nonprofit sector, with a focus on serving underrepresented and vulnerable communities. As an immigrant from Ecuador who moved to San Francisco in her late childhood, her commitment to service and community empowerment has shaped both her professional and educational journey. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2016 and recently obtained her SHRM-CP certification in 2025.

Maria has worked primarily at the intersection of program management and people operations and now focuses exclusively on building inclusive, people-centered workplaces. At Community Vision, she oversees day-to-day HR functions, including compliance, benefits administration, talent management, and training and development. A natural process and systems thinker, Maria is passionate about creating organizational structures that foster sustainability, equity, and impact.

Outside of work, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband Manny and their dog, Mila, diving into a good book, or enjoying her mom’s home-cooked Ecuadorian meals.

Amy has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, centering community empowerment and ownership as a driving force in her work. She has worked across a range of sectors, including community-owned media, worker cooperatives, community land trusts, affordable housing, arts and culture, and progressive electoral campaigns.

A licensed real estate agent, she specializes in helping clients explore alternative models of ownership, including co-buying, co-housing, and housing cooperatives. Her passion lies in community organizing to ensure that the people and organizations who shape and sustain vibrant neighborhoods can afford to live, work, and thrive in the places they love.

Originally from the East Coast, Amy has called Oakland home for more than 15 years, where she is raising her family. She holds a BA in Communications from La Salle University and an MPA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School, with a concentration in economic development through community ownership.