Our 2024 Annual Report
See how your investment is put to work creating stronger families and stronger communities.
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Helping Young MomsUnlock Their Potential
Shine gives young moms the tools and resources they need to thrive as students and parents.
Our Team
Meet The Shine Team
Each and every member of the Shine team is dedicated to empowering young mothers and impacting multiple generations. Together, we bring decades of experience in youth and community services, social justice, and research and evaluation.
Becky Herrera
Office Manager, San Jose
Born and raised in San Jose Ca
Becky was a teen mom herself that had to overcome obstacles of raising a child at such an early age. With the support of family she was able to graduate High school with her class and attend college.
Becky joined Shine in March 2022 & has worked with non profit organizations for 10 years helping and serving the Bay Area communities. She loves working with young moms & their babies.
On her free time she spends time with family and being outdoors.
Alexis Frutos
Advocate, Sacramento
Alexis F. is a queer identifying first gen graduate who grew up in the Sacramento region. She graduated from CSU Long Beach with a degree in gender studies and has worked with grassroots organizations in Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia for human rights, climate change and education. She has a passion for connecting with people, especially the youth. She is excited to be in community with young mothers to provide trauma informed support and intuitive guidance.
(408) 836-8445
Karolina Cabanillas
Advocate, San Jose
My name is Karolina Cabanillas and am a first-time mommy of a baby girl. I am Hispanic and the eldest of 4 children. My family and I are from Sinaloa, Mexico and are very proud of our roots. I am bilingual and love to help my community with any resources I might have.
I have been working with various non-profit organizations for over 8 years now. I have worked with K-12, migrant families and elderly people. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to help my community and our future generations. I am a firm believer that a strong community outweighs everything else. The sky is the limit and I wish to continue spreading that energy to the community.
I am very excited to see what the future holds here at Shine and am very excited to be a part of the journey as an advocate. I am motivated to make a positive impact and am looking forward to serving my community. My door will always be open so please don’t hesitate to reach out for anything.
Kathy Williams
Bay Area Regional Director
Kathy joined the team in January 2022 as the Bay Area Regional Director. Kathy is a passionate social worker who’s spent her whole career serving transitional age youth in academic, nonprofit, workforce, and social impact capacities. Kathy earned her B.A. in Sociology and Education at UCSC and her MSW at Columbia University, concentrating in Social Enterprise Administration. Kathy is working her way to become an LCSW to dismantle systems of oppression and to close the Opportunity Divide. In her free time, Kathy loves to work out, try new breweries, restaurants and throw pottery.
(408) 892-7203
Sara Reyes
Executive Director
Sara Reyes began her service career at 19 working for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and City of San Jose. She then worked for Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC) for over 19 years where she managed a $19M+ department. Ms. Reyes held an Interim Executive Director position at CalSAC. She led the organization during the executive director transition and served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. She attended the National Hispanic University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and San Jose State University where she earned a Master of Public Administration. Ms. Reyes is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow.
(408) 263-8330
sreyes@shinetogether.org
Niki Singleton
Sacramento Valley Regional Director
Niki joined Teen Success, Inc. in July 2018 as the Partnership Manager for the Sacramento Valley, Oakland, and Northwestern Nevada. Today, she is the Sacramento Valley Regional Director responsible for the growth of the Teen Success, Inc. program in her respective region. She passionately advocates for and supports young parents, as she resonates with being a young mom herself. Niki graduated from Grand Canyon University in April 2022, with a Master’s in Science for Sociology with an emphasis in Education and holds a Sociology B.A. with Psychology minor.
(408) 593-0298
niki@shinetogether.org
Deyanira Tellez
Director of Development
Deyanira Tellez has devoted her career to helping narrow the opportunity gap through various roles in leadership, breaking down systemic barriers and promoting a strong start for children. As a mother of two young children, Deyanira believes in the importance of early child-parent connections and how these help cultivate and strengthen relationships for generations.
dtellez@shinetogether.org
Cecilia Moreno
Advocate, San Jose
Cecilia Bueno Moreno (she/her). I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I have a bachelor’s in Sociology from Stanislaus State. I joined Shine in December 2022. I’m happy to be part of the Shine team because I’ve always loved to help the community and empower others. By being an advocate, I can support young mothers to achieve their goals. In addition, I have six years of experience working with youth. You can find me spending time with my family in my free time. Family is important to me. Another hobby is trying new foods and being adventurous.
(408) 593-0294
Isabel Chavarria
Advocate, San Jose
I joined the team in early September of 2022. I have experience serving numerous underserved populations from all ages and backgrounds; through my time working with non-profits from the past 6 years.
I was born and raised in the “Garlic Capital” of the world, Gilroy. Growing up I have always had the passion to support my communities and empower the youth. I believe our youth are tomorrows future and the only way to impact change is through education, support, and guidance. As a first-generation Latina, I was not guided a path, I believe it’s my responsibility now to pass down my expertise and knowledge to others to empower and assure them of their true potential.
I am currently pursuing my degree in Sociology, with the ambition to become a family and marriage therapist.
In my spare time I enjoy staying active by playing soccer, reading, baking, and traveling to new places.
(408) 593-0293
Vanessa Padilla
Advocate, Fresno
Hello my name is Vanessa Padilla but you can call me Ness/Nessa for short. I am 26 and was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. I have a Bachelors in Criminology-Corrections from Fresno State University. I myself was a apart of Teen Success back in 2012 when I was once a Teen Mom. I have an 11 year old son that means the entire world to me. My passion in life is just to simply help people in any way possible. Being able to be someone’s advocate and provide resources to those in need really drives me to be more involved and fully dedicated to my community. Having the opportunity to make a full circle in life by now being apart of this organization as an Advocate really means so much to me. Teen Success was a huge part of my life not only in helping me become the best mother I could possibly be but also shaping me into the person I am today. As much as I’m excited to be apart of this team and show what I have to offer I’m most excited to learn from the mothers I get to work with.
3 FUN FACTS ABOUT ME:
- DIE HARD 49ER FAN
- TRAIN IN JIU JITSU & MUAY THAI
- VERY FAMILY ORIENTED
Ashley Gonzalez-Holly
Advocate, Sacramento
Ashley G. was raised in Sacramento and attended American River College and San Francisco State University. She has a lot of experiences working with a wide range of communities within Northern California such as mentoring college students to further their post-secondary education, youth programming, case management & providing local and statewide resources for families. Ashley’s interests are anything regarding spirituality ,music & art, and learning skills to better understand/develop oneself. She loves being outdoor, either hiking or being at a beach, and cares deeply about her family/ chosen family. A quote that she keeps in mind to keep her grounded is ” As long as the elephant walks slowly, one step at a time, they travel great, GREAT lengths and never destroys anything. As soon as an elephant starts to run and is in a hurry, everything is destroyed in its path.”
Maria Medrano
Advocate, Bay Area
I joined Shine in July 2024, and I’m excited to share my knowledge, guidance, and resources with young mothers and their families. I have over five years of professional experience working with underserved, low-income populations of all ages. My passion for supporting these communities comes from volunteering with nonprofit organizations throughout high school and college.
Originally from Anaheim, CA, I moved to San Jose after high school to attend San Jose State University, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Community Focus and a minor in Sociology. I plan to pursue a Master’s in Social Work to further assist my community.
In my free time, you’ll find me at community gatherings, resource fairs, trying out new recipes, or re-watching my favorite shows and movies.
Deja Smith-Robinson
Advocate, Bay Area
Hello, my name is Deja Smith-Robinson. I am 24 years old and have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, along with three Associate’s degrees in History, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. Though I graduated from San Jose State, I’m originally from Madera, CA. I come from a family where my mother was a teen mom, and I have seven siblings. I am proud to be the first in my family to attend and graduate from college.
In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, reading, meditating, cooking, watching anime, and spending time with loved ones. Before joining Shine, I worked with individuals with special needs, specifically those on the moderate to severe spectrum of autism. I’ve also worked as a caregiver for elderly adults and those on hospice care.
Helping others has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve dedicated my life to doing meaningful work that I love. Two quotes I live by are: “Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo,” and “I can do anything I put my mind to.” I look forward to making a difference here at Shine Together.
Melissa Nolan
Community Outreach Specialist, Sacramento
Fun Fact: Melissa has participated in over 20 musicals and plays.
Melissa is ecstatic to continue her work with underserved communities and to pursue her passion for outreach in Sacramento. Previously, she served as a Student Ambassador at her community college and as an Admissions Counselor for a government-funded program. In both roles, she conducted outreach across the Bay Area and supported students in achieving their academic and career goals.
Working with and for young mothers is truly a dream come true for Melissa!
Sonia Herrera
Advocate, Fresno
My name is Sonia Herrera, and I joined the Shine Together family in May 2024. I feel extremely blessed and happy to work with an organization that empowers young mothers to become the best version of themselves alongside their children.
I bring over 15 years of experience helping families in rural communities and six years of experience advocating for and assisting survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Beyond my professional experience, I have also lived the journey of being a young mother.
I am a woman who believes in the power of pursuing dreams and goals. I have two beautiful daughters and an amazing son who inspire me every day to strive for more and continue my college education. Family is very important to me, and I cherish spending quality time with my loved ones and friends.
Three words that define me are kind, respectful, and grateful. I am a passionate individual with deep empathy, especially when it comes to helping others. It is both a privilege and an honor to serve as an advocate at Shine Together.
Our Board
Meet The Shine Board
Our Board of Directors includes dynamic leaders highly engaged in social change. Each is passionate about our mission to build pathways to economic advancement for two generations: young mothers and their children.
Madonna C. Bolano
Co-Chair
CHRO, Applied Materials (Retired)
Madonna is a Board Director and 25+ year Silicon Valley executive veteran who has leadership expertise in global, public companies with 100 to 20,000+ employees. She retired as the CHRO of Applied Materials and is currently a Board Director and the Compensation Committee Chair for Technology Credit Union, a Forbes 2021 Best-In-State Credit Union, with $4+B in assets. Her education includes a BA in Sociology, conferred with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley.
Ellen Moir
Co-Chair
Founder, New Teacher Center
Ellen Moir founded New Teacher Center (NTC) in 1998 and served as its CEO until retiring in 2018. She is a passionate advocate for our nation’s newest teachers and ensuring that every child, regardless of ZIP code, gets the best teacher and the best education. Ellen grew NTC into a nationally recognized model of teacher mentoring that is reshaping the way new teachers develop and grow into the role. Ellen is the recipient of the 2014 Brock Prize in Education Innovation, the 2011 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and the 2005 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education.
“I’ve been on the Board since the very beginning and can attest to Teen Success, Inc.’s, now Shine’s, impact on breaking the cycle of poverty for young families. I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue my involvement and support for young mothers and their children.” – Ellen Moir
Melanie Espino
Board Member
Co-founder, Actionable Insights, LLC
Melanie Espino has supported Shine Together as a board member since 2024. She is a professional program evaluator with Actionable Insights, LLC, a firm she co-founded in 2016. Melanie’s passion is communication and education. She thrives at maximizing research and new technologies to improve organizations, and at guiding groups through difficult changes. She holds a graduate certificate in Learning & Organizational Change from Northwestern University. Melanie is a San José native and was the first in her Chicano family to obtain a higher education (San José State University). Her board service is a reflection of her stand for Latinas becoming fulfilled adults.
Aarti Chandna
Secretary
Strategy Consultant
Aarti Chandna has extensive experience in successfully leading global Information Technology teams at various high tech companies. She is a proven strategist, leader and change agent. Some of the companies she has worked at include Oracle, Hitachi, Coherent, Autodesk and Nikon.
She is currently a strategic consultant and works with innovative EdTech companies. Also, given her deep passion for social change and empowerment, she mentors social entrepreneurs and invests in companies with social impact.
Aarti serves on the Board of Trustees at Case Western Reserve University. She is also on the board at Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund and Peninsula Bridge.
Aarti holds B.S. in Mathematics from Bombay University and an M.S. in Computer Science from Case Western Reserve University.
Cathy Foster
VP, Global Government Relations, eBay
Cathy Foster is a senior government relations and communications professional with over 25 years of public policy, regulatory and communications experience. She is VP, Global Government Relations and Public Policy at eBay managing an international team advocating for small businesses that utilize eBay’s marketplace platform with foreign and US governments, regulatory, and anti-trust agencies.
Prior to joining eBay, Cathy was at Apple Inc. for 20 years in senior positions including Senior Director, Global Government Affairs, where she created the first global Government Affairs organization under Steve Jobs’ leadership. In this role, she led Apple’s global public policy and regulatory strategy with international, federal, state and local governments.
Prior to Apple, Cathy served as Director, Worldwide Government Affairs for National Semiconductor Corporation, where she oversaw regulatory, policy, and legislative issues. From 1989-1992, she served in the White House as Associate Director in the Political Office. In this position, she was responsible for developing and implementing President George H. W. Bush’s political and legislative agenda in ten western states.
She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Business Administration from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Cathy is a member of the UCLA Chancellors Society and the National Charity League. She is married to Andy Foster and has four daughters.
Brian Smiley
Director of Product Marketing, Apple Inc. (retired)
Brian is an experienced executive in product marketing having spent a 29 year career at Apple Inc. During his tenure at Apple he led Pricing and Forecasting, Business Management, PowerBook Product Marketing, and Software Marketing under Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller. Brian is now focused on philanthropy and education advocacy. He is passionately driven to create access to education and economic opportunity for the disadvantaged.
Brian currently serves as a Trustee at Wheaton College in Massachusetts where he chairs the Board’s Reach and Reputation committee and serves on the Executive, Investment, and Philanthropy committees. He also advises individuals and start-ups looking to develop their presence and brand.
Brian has received Bachelor of Science and Bachelors of Arts Degrees, with Distinction, in Chemical Engineering and Economics from Stanford University, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was named an Arjay Miller Scholar.
Our Founder
Becky Morgan
A true social entrepreneur long before the term was coined, Becky Morgan has had a varied and distinguished career that spans politics, social innovation, thought leadership, and business.
More than 10 years ago, Becky launched what is now the Shine program to help young moms complete their education, break the cycle of poverty and lead fulfilling lives.