²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø

Executive Director

Edgar Chávez is a proud grandson of farmworkers, an immigrant, and a first-generation college graduate. For nearly fifteen years, Edgar has directed college and career initiatives for first-generation and immigrant students in K-12 and postsecondary institutions across various Bay Area communities, including East Palo Alto and East San José.

In 2020, Edgar returned to his childhood neighborhood to lead Hayward Promise Neighborhoods. In addition, Edgar works closely with CSUEB’s College of Education and Allied Studies as a Co-Principal Investigator for a National Science Foundation grant that supports climate change education in HPN schools and a steering committee member for the East Bay region of the Bay Area K16 Collaborative, an initiative dedicated to aligning education and workforce systems in the region. Edgar is also a steering committee member of collective impact efforts, including the California Promise Neighborhood Network, the California Cradle to Career Coalition, ALL IN Alameda County, and the Northern California College Promise Coalition.

Edgar holds a B.A. in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University and an Ed.M. in Prevention Science and Practice from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Email: edgar.chavez@csueastbay.edu

Principal Investigator

Dr. Carolyn Nelson served as Dean of the College of Education & Allied Studies at Cal State University East Bay from 2009-2020, following a 19-year tenure at San Jose State University, where she served in a wide variety of academic, administrative, and leadership roles. She is currently Professor & Dean Emeritus at ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø and has served as Principal Investigator of Hayward Promise Neighborhoods since its inaugural funding in 2011. Since beginning her professional career as a middle school science educator in urban schools in New York, Illinois, and California, Dr. Nelson has been a tireless advocate for bringing relevant, quality education and opportunity to students in under-resourced public schools. A veteran networker, Dr. Nelson has a long history of establishing successful working relationships with educators, school administrators, business & community leaders, and state & national legislators in the quest of this goal. Her area of research is in organizational change and the role leadership plays in this process, particularly as it relates to educational institutions and their ability to adapt to changing societal contexts.

Email: carolyn.nelson@csueastbay.edu 

Cradle-to-Career Director of Programs and Evaluation

Junia Kim was born and raised in many different areas in California and has been an educator in the East Bay since 2012. With credentials in multiple subjects, math, and English, Junia has had the privilege of teaching English, humanities, social studies, math, and science and has taught grades 4-8 and 12.

Prior to joining HPN, she founded and led Seen52, a local nonprofit that supports youth impacted by foster care and housing insecurity in Alameda County through direct services. In her free time, Junia is an active Seen52 board member and enjoys aerial silks, audiobooks, and backpacking.

She holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley (Go Bears!), an Ed.M. in Language and Literature from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from High Tech High Graduate School of Education.

Email: junia.kim@csueastbay.edu

College & Career Lead

Meghan moved to the Bay Area from East Tennessee (Go Vols!) in 2013 to pursue her master’s degree at San Francisco State University. She spent nearly a decade leading job readiness and career awareness programs at Enterprise for Youth. In addition to her extensive experience in youth workforce development, Meghan brings expertise in program design, social-emotional learning, and coaching peer mentorship.

Both personally and professionally, she centers the agency of young people, advocating for access to resources, intergenerational mentorship, and deep respect for lived experience.

Outside of work, Meghan enjoys baking, exploring new foods, and discovering the Bay Area alongside her son and two beloved pups.

Email: megsmith1450@gmail.com

College to Career Navigator 

I am completing my 9th year as a team member of HPN. Before working for HPN, I worked in the classroom and a Para educator at a myriad of school sites in Hayward. I attended elementary, middle school, and high school in Hayward, CA, and am truly “Made in Hayward”. My experience in this area as a resident, employee, student, and servant equips me to serve this area in a very special way. My wife, son, and I all still reside in Hayward.

Email: anthony.jackson@csueastbay.edu

Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator

Brendan grew up in the Bay Area, where he transferred to San Jose State University. He has always had a passion for supporting the community and its members, and he finds HPN a perfect place to do just that. Brendan likes hiking, listening to music, and cooking in his free time. He hopes to make an impactful change in the Hayward community.

Email: brendan.lorenzana@csueastbay.edu

Community Resident Engagement Specialist

Janevette Isrel Cole is a successful Community Engagement Specialist for Hayward Promise Neighborhood (HPN). A Mills College graduate with a degree in Administrative and Legal Processes, she also earned a Master’s in Public Administration from ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, East Bay. Janevette has been key to HPN's success, leading new programs, engaging the community, and gaining legislative support. She currently facilitates the Community Leaders Initiative (CLI).

Email: janevette.cole@csueastbay.edu

College and Career Program Specialist

Leslee Gonzalez is a proud first-generation college graduate from Hayward. For the past four years, Leslee has worked closely with youth in the Bay Area, supporting first-generation, low-income high school students and their families through the postsecondary planning process. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and going to concerts. Leslee holds a B.A. in Sociology and Chicana/Chicano Studies from UC Santa Barbara.

Email: gonzalezleslee@gmail.com

Community Counseling Program Coordinator

 Madeline grew up in the Sacramento area before completing her bachelor's degree at UC Santa Cruz, earning degrees in Linguistics and Intensive Psychology. She has worked in campus advocacy, has supported Medi-Cal members in accessing services, and is passionate about mental health. As the Community Counseling Program Coordinator, she looks forward to getting to know and serving the Hayward community through her work at the Community Counseling Clinic and with HPN. In her free time, she enjoys cooking (and eating!), spending time outdoors, and seeing her family.

Email: madeline.michael@csueastbay.edu

Community Resident Engagement Specialist

I grew up in Fresno, California, and graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School before attending Cal State Hayward, where I earned my degree in 1986. Growing up, I was involved in all kinds of sports, football, track, and basketball, and I spent most of my time surrounded by my big family.

I worked for the Alameda County Probation Department for 29 years, and I’ve also worked with the College Bound Brotherhood. For four years, I had the opportunity to officiate NCAA basketball, which was a great experience.

I came to HPN because I want to help serve a community that is underrepresented but full of potential. It truly thrills me to work in a place where I can support and uplift others. I also believe strongly that education is the one thing no one can ever take away from you and it’s one of the best ways to level the playing field.

 Email: michael.harris@csueastbay.edu

HPN Budget Analyst

As an alum of CSU Hayward (now East Bay), I am thrilled to be back on campus working for such an amazing initiative. I believe that the children are our future, and I am happy to work with so many great people and programs to help them not only succeed, but thrive.

Email: teri.morales@csueastbay.edu

Community Resident Engagement Specialist

Born and raised in Hayward, California, I've spent my entire academic journey here, from elementary school to college, and I’m grateful to serve the town that shaped me. I am dedicated to education and community, and love engaging with and supporting local initiatives. As a lifelong learner with a passion for travel and the arts, I enjoy exploring destinations both global and local, from across the globe to across the Bay Bridge. I also love spending time outdoors and capturing its beauty with my 35mm film camera. I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the community I cherish.

Email: tressa.marques@csueastbay.edu 

HPN Outreach Coordinator

Cassandra De Leon was born and raised in Oakland before becoming a dual-degree graduate at the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley, she earned degrees in both Political Science and in Global Studies with focuses on International Relations and Peace and Conflict in the Americas. As a first-generation Latina student, Cassandra has made it her passion to conduct research on underrepresented communities experiencing human rights violations. She seeks to continue her studies to address policy issues that under franchised communities experience, especially in and throughout the East Bay. By being a part of HPN, Cassandra hopes to be able to support and advocate for the community of Hayward. During her free time she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures, whether it is through food or music. As a native to the Bay Area, she hopes to continue positively impacting the communities she grew up in. 

Email: cassandra.deleon@csueastbay.edu