STAFF
BOARD
Samara Cummins – Development Manager
- 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.
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.
Michael Joseph Alves – Equity and Climate Fellow
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
Rising Sun’s mission incorporates everyone in the conversation and solutions to build climate-resilient communities and provides them with the skills and knowledge to access leadership roles. I am passionate about the work I am doing at Rising Sun because it helps open doors and makes the sustainability field more accessible for everyone while producing environmental and economic gains for Bay Area community members.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
I love working with like-minded people on meaningful projects we are passionate about. I also love how seriously people take their work and the company’s mission while also finding great ways to have fun and stay connected.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I have an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Demography. I have years of working in sustainability and for non-profits that share the same values. I look forward to using my unique knowledge of the population and network analysis to support outreach and Rising Sun’s Programs to ensure more people take advantage of these great opportunities.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
I love the outdoors so you can find me hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. I’m also a huge vegan foodie and am always exploring new places to eat and having picnics at EV charging stations.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
I would wish for everyone to have access to nutritional food, water, and shelter. To be more specific, my wish would be equitable distribution of resources and environmental goods and no more evictions.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
Daryl Lambert – Program Manager, Clean Economy Initiatives
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
The part of Rising Sun that resonates the most with me is that it actively works to debunk the idea that environmental sustainability and economic development are mutually exclusive. Furthermore, I really appreciate being part of an organization that creates pathways for individuals and communities to be the best versions of themselves.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
I love the fact that we are constantly incorporating feedback and reassessing the program to make sure we are providing the best service to all participants and clients possible. Additionally, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of an organization that creates opportunities while addressing larger issues that threaten communities today.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
Before working with Rising Sun, I worked in volunteer management and disaster relief. I was fortunate enough to support individuals that embody the best aspects of humanity on a daily basis, and I carry the lessons I learned from each of them with me each day. Before that, I obtained a Master’s of Public Administration through the Peace Master’s International Program, which combined a traditional academic setting with three years of service as Rural Community Development Facilitator in Latin America.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
When I am not at Rising Sun, I can typically be found in the outdoors snowboarding, camping, or kayaking depending on the seasons. During the week, however, I can usually be found on a run in Berkeley or in the kitchen adding new recipes to my weekly rotation.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
A job for everyone. A job that makes them happy. And the access and freedom to choose that job.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“A problem well stated is a problem half solved.”
– Charles Kettering
Ian Laettner – Senior Operations Manager
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
I love the environmental impact that we have by spreading energy efficiency and teaching youth participants and clients to be more sustainable. I also love the dual environmental/job training mission of Rising Sun, which draws far more people to our organization with many different backgrounds for a wide variety of reasons.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
Everyone is treated with equal respect in our organization because everyone knows that the mission cannot be accomplished without each person’s piece of the puzzle. It feels so good to hear how Rising Sun’s work has changed a participant’s life and that I had a part in that.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
As the data manager, I bring a background of working with various databases, spreadsheets ,and other forms of organizing information. I also have experience working with a lot of big personalities successfully by bringing a calm presence, which has proven to be very helpful while managing inventory, logistics, and data requests from inside and outside the organization
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
Climbing with my friends right by the Rising Sun office! I also love playing golf, tennis, and trivia.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
Making high-quality education universal for all people because it would enable us to solve many other problems.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“This is what a feminist looks like”
– Barack Obama
510-665-1501 ext. 315
Marlin Jeffreys – Program Manager, Adult Programs
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
I like the idea of our work being a vehicle that empowers others to achieve stability for themselves and their community.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
The work I do at Rising Sun allows me to effect change and be an activist.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I believe that my understanding of those we serve is valuable, as well as my ability to communicate our mission and vision in the community.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
I’m into healthy living so I’m usually lifting weights or outside working in my garden.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
End racism, classism, and all of the negative attitudes that some people display towards those that are different.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
Never give up and stay strong!
510-665-1501 ext. 342
Roxana Rojas – Program Associate
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
I like how Rising Sun offers opportunities to others and how Rising Sun is not only aiming for a better world to live in, but also for individuals’ worlds to be better.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
I love our benefits. One of our benefits is we get to work from home every other Friday, which is not only a benefit for us individually but also to the planet, because it reduces our carbon footprint.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I have a B.A in Psychology and that has allowed me to be a well-rounded person through understanding the importance of confidentiality and empathy. I also pride myself on organizational skills.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
You can find me at a concert, shopping, out in nature, or attending a sporting event.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
To find a solution for homelessness.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“Not all those who wander are lost”
510-665-1501 ext. 311
Kelsey Petrone – Director of Development and Communications
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
We all have a duty to help each other. Some people need support in finding an equitable job and everyone needs a safe and sustainable place to live. It is wonderful to be a part of an organization that works to support both.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
It was abundantly clear from the first day that everyone cares. They care about the mission, about the organization, about the participants, about each other.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I am grateful to have spent nearly a decade in New York City working in Development at a large homeless services organization, specifically I focused on securing private and public funding for their workforce development department. I’ve been able to spend time with program participants to understand their needs and the impact that others’ support can have on their lives.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
Dragging friends on unexpected excursions! I love exploring places and having new experiences, whether that be trying a restaurant in my neighborhood, taking a weekend trip to go camping, or immersing myself in a totally different culture across the globe.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
For everyone to feel that they bring value to the world.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“Changing the big picture takes time…and the best things to do is focus on the things that we can make in our lives if we’re doing all that. That becomes the collage of real change.”
– Michelle Obama
510-665-1501 ext. 303
Julia Hatton – President and Chief Executive Officer
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
When I tell people about the work that Rising Sun does – how we provide job training for individuals with barriers to employment; about our mission at the intersection of economic equity and climate resilience; how we specialize in serving women, youth, and individuals in reentry – the response is almost always, “Oh, so you’re doing EXACTLY the work that needs to be done right now.” And I have to agree with them. The most pressing issue of our time, in my opinion, is climate change – but that conversation is meaningless unless your solutions start with climate justice. At Rising Sun, we start with workforce development because we need accessible, high-road, equitable career pathways in an economy that will be dominated by our changed climate, and because workers can help drive a just transition to a clean economy.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
It’s a privilege to come here each day and do something that I love and care about, and to contribute to work that matters. For me personally, it’s crucial that I do something in my professional life to help mitigate the effects of climate change, and I’m equally concerned with economic, gender, and racial equity – and our work focuses on that, as well. There’s also a lot of intentionality built into the work we do and how we do it – that really resonates with me. And it’s FUN to work here! Rising Sun gives me a chance to learn and grow every day, and working here has changed what I pay attention to and what I see in the world.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve worked across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, focusing on workforce and economic development, energy, and environmental justice. Through the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs program, I worked in a union, in state electoral politics, at a green home developer, and in county government. I’ve held positions in healthcare IT consulting and project management, regional economic development, and at a gas and electric utility. Right before Rising Sun, I developed the nation’s first utility-funded healthy homes and weatherization program for low-income families in Connecticut. I love strategy, new program development and improvement, policy, development, and cross-sector collaboration.
- When you’re not at Rising Sun, what can we find you doing?
When I’m not at Rising Sun, I’m playing with my family – my husband, my daughter, and our pug. I love cooking and eating, reading, watching good TV, being outside, and traveling.
- If you could grant the world a wish, what would it be?
I’d wish for everyone to have the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
- What is a quote or an idea that inspires you?
“Do anything, but let it produce joy.”
– Walt Whitman
510-665-1501 ext. 305
Rachel Burns – Office and Sustainability Manager
- What is it about Rising Sun’s mission and vision that resonates with you?
I am proud that Rising Sun connects the relationship of environmental and economic challenges to create solutions otherwise not identified as interrelated.
- What do you love about working at Rising Sun?
I love the fact that working at Rising Sun enables me to be an environmentalist full time without compromising my beliefs, and to be proud of the work I am helping accomplish. I also love that I am part of an evolving organization focused on helping our planet, our community, and our futures.
- What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?
I started with Rising Sun’s youth program, CYES, for two summers in high school which enables me to understand the importance and positive effects Rising Sun has on its participants. From there, I earned my Environmental Studies degree from San Francisco State University, w