STAFF
BOARD
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Samara Cummins – Associate Director of Development, Grants
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
I love that we work at the intersection of social justice and the environment. I think these are the two most pressing issues of our time, and our programs address them in tandem.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
Working with a supportive, collaborative and highly capable team of people who are all personally committed to our mission.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
With 20 years of experience working in nonprofits, I’ve done a bit of everything, but my specialties include writing and communications, strategy, program development, program evaluation, and partnership development, with a side of policy, facilitation, and event planning, Prior to working here I spent 12 years working in the world of food systems for the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, where I developed programs to support local farmers, teach young people to grow their own food, empower the next generation of healthy eaters, and deepen people’s understanding of how food relates to equity, environment, and the economy, I also did a lot of grant writing, which brought me to this work at Rising Sun.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
Gardening, cooking, hiking, biking, dancing, creating mosaics with stained glass, practicing Spanish as a volunteer with La Colectiva, and honing my newfound skills as a community mediator.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
That everyone’s basic needs be met. This is a prerequisite for tackling our next challenges as a civilization — learning to respect one another, to create laws that truly serve the people, and to be good stewards of our planet.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“Work is love made visible.”
– Kahlil Gibran
510-665-1501 ext. 307
Regina Amos – Case Manager
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
The Workforce Development and Community Impact part resonates with me. I’m excited to serve with an organization that has the goal of Benefiting the community through training, employment, and direct energy and water efficiency services through a variety of programs.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
Working at Rising Sun provides the life experience of empowering individuals, while focusing on the environment, economic sustainability and community with staff passionate about the people we serve.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I come to Rising Sun for Opportunity with over 10 years of Case Management, Human Resources Management, Workshop Facilitation, Academic Counseling and Career Exploration experience working primarily with under-represented populations thoughout the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a B.A. in Psychology from Argosy University, Studied Human Services at Holy Names University, Liberal Art’s and African American Studies A.A. from Contra Costa Community College.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
Attending conferences, spending time with my children, grandchildren. serving the community through my church.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
End Social Injustice
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“Change only happens when what you know is no longer good enough.”
– Dr. Lakita Long
510-665-1501 ext. 343
Max Katz-Balmes – Equity and Climate Fellow
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
My education and passion center around environmental justice, so I value Rising Sun’s focus on workforce development, first, and on climate change, second. I love that we create climate resilience by preparing young people and people with barriers to employment to be successful in both the economy of the present and the clean economy of the future.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
I love that my first job out of college is with an organization working on the most pressing and important issues of our time (and doing so with such an intentional and value-oriented approach). I also appreciate how welcoming, smart, passionate, and caring all of my coworkers are.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
Before Rising Sun, I worked for a solar co-op in North Philadelphia similarly focused on promoting a just transition and workforce development in the clean economy. I have also led a large project to transform my college’s town center into a more environmentally-friendly and economically-viable space. Beyond my environmental expertise, I bring plenty of customer service, outreach, and education experience as a former summer camp director.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
Outside of work, you can find me playing basketball and golf, hiking, cooking, or cuddling with my dog. I also love trivia and board games!
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
I would love to see a world with the political will to inspire meaningful and just climate action in the next 10 years.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
In high school, I joined JYCA, a youth group with a philosophy centered around the Hebrew principle of “tikkun olam” or repairing the world. My experience with JYCA and tikkun olam inspired me to pursue a career at the intersections of environmental work and social justice, and I even have the phrase tattooed on my left arm.