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.
Rosita Figueroa
Advocate, Fresno County
Rosita was born and raised in Fresno California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno in 2017. Rosita has over 6 years working with youth. She is passionate about creating change because of the lived experiences she has faced.
During her free time, you can find Rosita having fun with her niece and listening to true crime podcast.
(408) 685-7581
rosita@shinetogether.org
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
Sarah Villa
Central Valley Regional Director
Sarah is a Disney fanatic and a SF Giants/49er fan.
Sarah Villa joined the Teen Success, Inc team in June of 2016 as the Program and Partnership Manager serving the Central Valley and Monterey County. Today, she is the Central Valley Regional Director. She is responsible for growing and supporting Shine Together in Fresno. Sarah was born and raised in Salinas, CA and moved to the Central Valley in 2004.
Sarah’s passion to serve young parents came from first-hand experience. She raised two children as a young mother and knows the importance of support, mentoring and education. Her experience allows her to tell a personal story of the journey of raising children and being a positive role model to her family.
Sarah has more than 25 years of direct, hands-on experience in providing education,support, and mentoring to young parents regarding family health, parenting, reproductive health, and the importance of continuing education.
Prior to coming to Shine Together, Sarah worked with Fresno Barrios Unidos for 11 years working directly with young parents, creating healing spaces for women and girls and leadership development.
Sarah also worked for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte as a Health Educator, implementing medically accurate comprehensive sex education in schools and teaching parents how to talk to their children about puberty and tough subjects.
(559) 410-7022
svilla@shinetogether.org
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
Alisa Felise
Advocate, San Jose
I was born in Hayward, lived in American Samoa for a time and raised in San Jose. Being a first generation college student, I realized my passion in helping others and thriving in a ‘it takes a village’ mentality in my work in youth development. In my career, I have developed my sense of helping to support underserved communities and being a catalyst in wanting to empower others by focusing on community assets. I earned my Bachelors in Sociology from San Francisco State University in 2015 and am an Americorps member as well. I am hoping to eventually earn my Masters in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work or Social Work.
During my free time I enjoy working out, roller blading, playing basketball/volleyball, live music, karaoke, cooking, camping/backpacking, hiking, and being out in nature!
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
Stuart Berman
Treasurer
Director, Bell Biosystems, Inc.
Stuart Berman has served as trustee of the Barnet Segal Charitable Trust since 2000. Prior to that he held management and executive positions within Silicon Valley technology companies ranging in size from start-ups such as Lightning Software, where he was a co-founder, to world-renowned companies like Apple.
He is currently a director of Bell Biosystems, Inc., where he assists in helping to get its breakthrough scientific technology to the commercial stage. From 1999-2005 he served on the board of the International School of the Peninsula where he led the school’s construction of a new elementary and middle school campus.
Stuart earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
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.
Paulina Lin
Director of Technical Accounting, Palo Alto Networks
Previously she was a Director in PwC’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Assurance practice and has over 13 years of professional experience. In addition to audits, she has experience in assisting companies manage their Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance. Paulina has worked with companies from both the public and private sectors, including newly public companies as well as large multinationals.
Paulina also worked in PwC’s National Quality Organization supporting teams through PCAOB inspections and advising teams through a variety of auditing consultations including topics such as revenue recognition, ICFR, reporting, critical accounting matters, business combinations and divestitures.
Paulina is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in California and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She received a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley in 2008. Paulina’s deep-rooted passion for serving Teen Success, comes from her own personal experiences as a first-generation college student, who grew up in a low-income refugee community.
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.
Our Donors
Investors In Success
Thanks to each of our donors for your support in unlocking the potential of young mothers and their children! Your generosity empowers young mothers to dream big and break the cycle of poverty. Thanks to you, young families across California are thriving.
Donors
*Gift made as part of multi-year contribution
$100,000 - $499,999
The Lemala Fund
Morgan Charitable Foundation
Younger Family Fund
$50,000 - $99,999
First 5 Fresno
Becky and Jim Morgan
Amy and Brian Smiley
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Santa Clara County – Department of Probation
$25,000 - $49,999
Barnet Segal Charitable Trust
Bella Vista Foundation
The Bergstrom Foundation
The Callison Foundation
Christine Rammler
City of San Jose
Destination Home
Angela and David Filo
Mary Lemmon
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Susan Packard and Lynn Orr
Quest Foundation
Santa Clara County
Sunlight Giving
Franklin & Catherine Johnson Foundation
Madonna and Gabriel Bolano
Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation
The Campbell Foundation
Aarti Chandna
Jeffrey Dean and Heidi Hopper
William and Charlene Glikbarg Foundation
Sukey and Irv Grousbeck
Eva Grove
Carolyn Jones
Judy Koch
Gay and Bill Krause
Lee Lockie
Nancy Handel
Antje and Paul Newhagen
Nicholson Family Foundation
San Jose Mercury News Wish Book
State Farm
Linda Williams
Yellow Chair Foundation
1919 Investment Counsel LLC
Amie Chang
Donna Dubinsky and Len Shustek
Kelly Foundation
Mission City Community Fund
Tashia and John Morgridge
Nancy Mueller
The Nordson Corporation Foundation
Roslyn and Lisle Payne
William Reller
Union Bank Foundation
Lida Urbanek
Karen Wang and Michael Celio
The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation
Angie Cisneros
Fran Codispoti
Jan Collinson
Brian and Iris Croll
Frank Daley
eBay
Excite Credit Union
Cathy Foster
Carol MacCorkle
Carol Mills and John Eichhorn
William and Christy Neidig
Eliane and Armand Neukermans
Robyn Reiss
Sharks Foundation
Shirley Ely
Rhonda Stratton
Wendy and Harry Whitehouse
TE Connectivity
Apple Inc.
Jimi and Ned Barnholt
Lois Bridges
Susan and Douglas Chance
Anne Clark
Christine Clark and Vince O’Hara
Liz and Jim Cowie
DeBusk Household
Leslee and Carl Guardino
Kathi Gwynn and Jon Cosby
John and Michelle Hansen
Emily and George Jaquette
Greg and Liz Lawler
Connie and Bob Lurie
George and Judy Marcus
John and Dorene Masterman
Bill and Ella McGaughey
Intuit
Intuitive Surgical
Marilynn Handelman
Susan Hyatt
Martha Kanter
Paulina and Anthony Lin
Carol Mayer Marshall and Bob Williams
Lore McGovern
Natividad Medical Foundation
Palo Alto Networks
Saito Cleary
Samberton Family Foundation
John Sanchez
Maddy and Isaac Stein
Synopsys Inc.
Anthony Valdiosera
Linda and Rod Verhulp
Lee and Raymond Wareham
Mark Wilson and Deborah Dalzell
Sharon and Daniel Winnike
Mara and Russ Yarp
Caroline Zlotnick
Stu Berman and June Bower Consolidated Communications
Barbara and Chris Creed
John Daly
Jane Decker
Lynn and James Gibbons
Daniel Gonzales
Larry and Un-Chu Harada
Wiley and Susie Hodges
Christopher and Holly Jones
Hon. Patricia Lucas
Jan and Steve Miles
Alicia and Merrill Newman
Julianne Leavy
Nancy and Larry Mohr
O’Gorman Household
Paula and Greg Orell
Sylvia Pagan
Amanda Renteria and Patrick Brannelly
Becka Ross
Lori Sharp
Jenna Wachtel and Robert Pronovost
Michaelin and Dave Watts
Gary Whizin and Alicia Garcia
Nancy and Robert Williams
Applied Materials Foundation
Hon. Franklin Bondonno
Gina Cassinelli
Susan Carey
Diane and Steve Ciesinski
Merritt Crowley
Wynne Dubovoy
Patricia and Jerry Einfalt
Victor and Melanie Espino
James Gable
Amy and David Harrington
Arielle Hendel
Stephanie Hewitt
Siobhan Kenney
Heather Kirkpatrick
Jennifer Kern and Chandler Mayfield
Catherine Mathews
Milbrey McLaughlin
Michelle Oceguera-Garcia
Marielena Scanlon
Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California
Linda Raggi and Jon Craig
Sherri Sager
Erika Schillinger
Andie Sobrato
SV2
Robin Testa
Yael Valek
Beatrice Yu
Bring Me a Book Foundation
Help a Mother Out
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
Sobrato Family Foundation
Jerry and Greta Frantz
Javier Guerrero
Diana and Christopher Heinrich
History Club of Los Gatos
Jenny Maehara
Ellen Meinelt
Melinda and Glen Morrison
PR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Phil and Dayle Ross
Letticia Settle
Natalie Ventimiglia
Jenne Wachtel and Robert Pronovost
Marci Weisblatt Gordon
Michelle Zeiler
Our Financials
Reports And Financials
See how your investment is put to work creating stronger families and stronger communities.
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Help A Young Mom Shine Bright
We need your help to empower young moms and their children. Together, we can create economic advancement for families and communities, two generations at a time.