Simon Lee

I am the Executive Director of GLO. I have been working at GLO since 1990 (Don’t try and calculate my age.) Prior to my position, I was the site coordinator at Alice Fong Yu for 10 years. I love what I do. I help make it possible for others to achieve our mission. I am able to watch these children learn core values that will help them navigate their lives and eventually become successful adults.

Education? I went to San Francisco State University and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Education.

In my spare time I like to take naps. No; seriously. When I am not resting I enjoy exercising and catching up on sports.

Carrie Mendivil

As Development Coordinator, Carrie focuses on grant development and marketing for GLO programming. She works behind the scenes with Daniel coordinating and smoothing the path for the rest of the team to do amazing things.

Life before GLO included stints at the Boys and Girls Club and the World Food Programme! She is an alumna of UCLA and Indiana University.

DeLisa Ramsey

I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2005 with two bachelor’s degrees in both Sociology and Economics.  After Cal, I went on to obtain my Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in the areas of Human Resources and Finance.  Immediately prior to GLO, I worked in the capacity of Human Resources and Accounting Manager for a marketing research company.

I always wanted to be a Corporate Lawyer when I was a child, but when I grew up and realized what they actually did, I changed my mind! This is my second school year at GLO, but to be technical, I have worked at GLO for 1 year and 10 months.

Prior to having my children, Basketball was my LIFE!  Now, my hobbies revolve around my children.  In my spare time, I help my son build up his model train world.  We have a 10 foot dining room table in our garage set up with train tracks, miniature trees, mountains, etc.  It is amazing helping him develop his own interests.

I haven never walked across the golden gate bridge!  I feel like a total tourist admitting that and will most likely rectify the situation this weekend! The last movie I saw was “A good day to Die Hard”. And it wasn’t all that great.

My favorite thing about working with youth in general is experiencing learning with them.  That moment when you can see on their face that they understand the concept you are trying to teach is priceless.  My favorite thing about working with youth at GLO is that I am an intergral part of hiring and developing the staff base that our families entrust with their children every day.  This is a job I take VERY seriously.

Gina Lima

I am the Human Resources and Event Coordinator at GLO. I am the “go-to” person for payroll, staff benefits and support company wide event planning. I am charge of the money! J

Before coming to GLO I went to San Francisco State University and majored in International Relations. I then started working as a program coordinator at the California School – Age Consortium, implementing professional programs for afterschool professionals across California.

What am I doing when I’m not working? Taking over the world! No; I practice Muy Thai kickboxing and jiu jitsu. I love dancing and spending time with my family.

Something you need to know about me. Recently I completed a one-year fellowship on facilitating conversations around the Israeli/Palestine conflict. I facilitated various events within the Jewish community and designed and led a two part conversation circle on Israeli/Palestinian borders from multiple perspectives.

Sherene Hung

Catherine Santos

Diane Pham

I am originally from Southern California and attended UCSD.  After graduation, I moved to the Bay Area for work, and absolutely loved it up here.  I had visited San Francisco multiple times before I moved, but I’ve only biked/walked across the Golden Gate Bridge once in my life.  My friend and I decided to bike across the bridge last July, and it was windy.  My most vivid, yet traumatizing memory of this adventure was when I turned a corner on the bridge and a board flew off of a car and crashed into a pillar just inches away from my head!
I love food and am fascinated by different cultures, so I enjoy trying new restaurants and traveling when I can.  I also enjoy watching and playing all different types of sports and attending concerts.  My dog is named Yoshi, after my favorite Mario Kart character.  I started working at GLO in December 2012, but prior to that, I had worked extensively with youth through tutoring, coaching and teaching.  I am a huge advocate of providing opportunities to youth and improving educational systems.  I feel that it is both rewarding and empowering to be able to play a part in molding students’ lives and hope that in doing so, my interactions now will somehow carry on to make even someone else’s life better in the future. When I was younger, I wanted to become the first female President of the United States, but now that is probably on the very bottom of my list!  I’d much rather prefer to work with youth and people like the ones who work at GLO!

Vanina Parras

Hi. I am the executive assistant to the executive director, Simon Lee. I am definitely his right hand! I am the one that oversees his calendar, internal systems and multiple projects. My job requires me to be very flexible and I love it.

Before working at GLO I worked at as an Administrative Assistant in a corporate office. Before that? I studied English Literature at Notre Dame de Namur University.

Outside of work you can catch me attending concerts, reading and finding new places to eat. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know!

Minhye Kim

Inhee Hwang

안녕(An Nyeong)? This is the saying, ‘Hello’ in Korean. Right!

Hi. My name is Inhee Hwang and I am a Human Resource Intern. I am in charge of the new hire orientation. I prepare materials and conduct the orientation. Also; I advertise for all open job positions and assist the Human Resources Director and Coordinator with any HR related tasks.

Prior to coming to GLO I went to school for Hospitality and Tourism Management. In my spare time? I love to jog and walk around. If I can do some shopping while walking around, that is huge plus!

Jieun Jeon

Hello, I am Jieun all the way from Korea! I have been working for GLO as an Accounts Payable Intern since last year, 2012 summer. I majored in Business Administration and Communications in Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea. I found my internship and San Francisco life so great! I like working in a cheerful office and doing Accounting stuff which require an attention to detail because I think it fits my personality and aptitude. During free time, I like listening to music and enjoying nature. I like San Francisco because it has a lot of beautiful places to walk around. I feel so peaceful of that. And I do love travelling and eating! I like cooking and going good restaurants too. I have so many places to go before I leave San Francisco!

Stefanie Taunton

Hello Everyone!  My name is Stefanie and this is my 6th year with GLO.  I have worked with kids for 12 years, and I love every minute of it….even the crazy days!  When I am not working, I love being outdoors.  I love everything from hiking to backpacking to camping to rock climbing to even pulling out invasive species!  I am obsessed with Coast Redwood trees…and I wish to one day live in a redwood cabin on acres upon acres of land.  I love to grow my own vegetables, but alas I live in San Francisco and so the fog has not allowed me to be as productive as one might wish.  I also am trying my hand at the fiddle, as I love bluegrass music.  I have a 55 pound dog…I wish I could have at least 3 large dogs all the time.  She is my crazy “child” and even though she is 9 years old, her energy level is off the wall.

Carmen Lo

Hello GLO families, this is my 6th year with GLO, my 2nd as an Operations Coordinator. I started out with GLO as an aide, then a teacher having worked both at the West Portal and Alice Fong Yu site. I received a bachelors in Child Development and have worked with children and families for the past 9years varying from at risk youth, adolescents, and school age children in various programs across the city. Outside of GLO, I enjoy my time hanging out with friends, watching some basketball, finding good eats around the bay area, and training with my puppy!

Christine Louie

Hello; my name is Christine Louie and I am the Operations Coordinator at CIS. I am the one that turns the Mr. Chris’ crazy ideas into reality! But it is definitely a fun and unpredictable job. I love the everlasting possibilities of how we can educate the youth.

How did I get to GLO? Well I got my undergrad degree at University of Irvine and my Masters and Teaching Credential at Notre Dame de Namur University. While working I was primarily working in retail. Explains where I get my awesome problem solving and people skills!

In my spare time? I eat. It is definitely a hobby and I love it.

Sinoi Mataalii

Hi everyone my name is Sinoi Mataalii and I am the Operations Coordinator at Dianne Feinstein Elementary School! I was born and raised in Los Angeles and moved to San Francisco in the fall of 2010 after receiving my B.A. in Liberal Studies from Mount St. Mary’s College.

When I graduated from elementary school, I volunteered at the after school program I used to be apart of and taught Polynesian dance there until I graduated from high school. It was at that moment that I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in education and since then I have been working with youth for a little over seven years. I have a strong passion to motivate, challenge, and inspire the kids that I work with and I look forward to applying to a masters program where I plan on earning my multiple subject credential.

On my free time I enjoy exploring the city, trying new foods, and video chatting with my friends and family in Southern California.

Jan Hoshida

Jan Hoshida has worked with youth for over 15 years in various capacities, as a mentor, recreation leader in summer programs, basketball coach, middle school readiness program leader, preschool teacher, organizer of a youth employment program and as an afterschool program director.  She has enjoyed working with GLO since 2009 as the Site Director and Coordinator at Dianne Feinstein Elementary School.

As a youth, Jan wanted to either be a ballerina or a zoo keeper.  Luckily, working at GLO has allowed to her to always be on her toes, while caring for and wrangling the kids and staff!  Her favorite part about working with youth is how inspiring and creative they are.  Every day at GLO, she feels that she learns something new from one of the kids.  Sometimes they teach her patience, or a new perspective, or how to relax and just be silly.

In her spare time, Jan takes pleasure in being with her family and friends.  She also enjoys cooking, hiking, dancing and making home-made ice cream.

Chrystal Ellis

Chrystal Ellis is the Site Coordinator for GLO at West Portal Elementary School in San Francisco. She graduated from Princeton with a Masters degree in Theology and the Philosophy of Religion. She has worked as Director of Youth Ministry for 3 years collectively. Her aim is to help children realize their own potential, and to empower youth to explore all forms of critical thinking and skills through daily practice.

Chrystal is passionate about working within and creating systems that call forth growth and leadership in youth. She believes in the impact that the community can have on youth, and that afterschool care is about providing a safe environment for youth to explore their creativity, gain problem solving skills, and to stretch themselves academically and socially.

When Chrystal is not working, she enjoys running, hiking, playing catch, and spending time at the beach with friends and family.

Jessica Cutter

I am Jessi Cutter, the Operations Coordinator at West Portal. I am in charge of our wonderful and bright afterschool teachers. I am also in charge of scheduling, ordering and behind the scene programs prep magic.

How did I get to GLO? Prior to GLO I went to Sonoma State University I was the president of my sorority and majored in Kinesiology with a concentration in physical therapy. After I received my degree I managed the Youth Sports department for the city of San Leandro as well as substituted for the San Leandro Unified School District. I have also worked with children at the Boys and Girls Club of Petaluma and Americorps.

I am someone who is always outside. I love the outdoors. If I am not working I am reading my Kindle in the park, spinning poi, snowboarding or hiking.

One thing that I am truly proud of is that I am currently working on turning Team Craig, a community group, into a non-profit. I help Team Craig raise money to fund scholarships and run in Relay for LIfe. I am what you would call a leader. I am truly honored to be in a position to empower the youth every single day.

Patricia Parkhurst

Oh the adventures of life. Growing up I firmly believed I wanted to be a mechanic, with my prized possessions being my hot wheels collection. I wasn’t until high school that my eyes were opened to the possibility of teaching and working in education.

As an exchange student in Valencia, Spain I began to volunteer in Elementary and High Schools as an English teacher. Immediately I felt drawn toward education. I continued my pursuits toward working with school age youth through my studies at San Francisco State University, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and Spanish.
While finishing my degree at SFSU I lived across the street from Alice Fong Yu School where I happened to see GLO staff leading students on field trips and neighborhood walks. Intrigued I did some investigation about GLO and decided to apply. I’ve since worked for GLO for 4 years starting as a teacher at GLO @ AFY and continuing my growth to the Full Day Program Coordinator position where I have worked for the past two years.

When you don’t see me at GLO you’ll find me hiking throughout our many local parks and trails, my favorite being Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. My other hobbies include gardening and quilting.

Elena Saxton

I am the operations coordinator at Fairmount. I am the one to talk to if you have questions regarding the logistics and communication with our Spanish community.

Prior to GLO I received a BA in Global Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. I then proceeded to teach English to adult foreign nationals at Berkeley English Academy as well as worked as a 3^rd grade teacher at Washington Elementary School in Richmond, CA.

In my free time I love watching sports, dance Flamenco and researching recipes with beans. So if you know any good recipes? Let me know!

Katy Newman

I am the site coordinator at Fairmount Elementary. My job duties include but not limited to supervising and coaching staff as well as serve as the face of the program within the community.

I studied Early Childhood Education at the City College of San Francisco. And; then I worked with kids as a pre-school teacher at Marin Day School. After that I started working with young adults at an after school program in Soquel, CA. And; now I am working at Growth and Learning Opportunities. J

When I am not working at GLO you can find me hanging out with my dogs, watching sports or riding my bike.

Melissa Serrano

I am the site coordinator at Alvarado. I am responsible for the day-to-day supervision and operation for the GLO program. That includes but not limited to working with the GLO & school staff with building the after school program at the elementary school as well as work with the children with special activities.

Before working at GLO I went to the City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University where I majored in Child Development.  Then; I proceeded to work in an infant and evening care program.

I love working with children and being around my family. One of the greatest joys of working in my position is that I run the “GLO at Alvarado Alumni” program and I get to hear how GLO helped children into these bright, smart and wonderful young adults.

Becca Vershbow

I am on my fourth year working as a site coordinator with GLO and have been in the field for the last seven years.  Starting out as an artist, just graduated from Wesleyan University, I took a part time job teaching enrichment in Francisco Middle School’s ExCEL program through Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center.  But I soon realized that I had found my passion in out of school time education.

Throughout the next three years, I took on responsibility wherever I could find it.   I took charge of the Cesar Chavez initiative in my program, a service learning curriculum that inspired youth to become leaders and community activists, and later worked in the district to collaborate with other schools through this project.  I coordinated art projects for all of the programs at TelHI, from preschool to the senior program, and we had shows in local cafes.  And I ran their teen leadership program, coordinating work opportunities, college prep, and professional development for a large group of teens.

Through these experiences, I realized I was ready to run a program of my own and thought that elementary education was where I was meant to be.  So I started at Sherman, creating the program from scratch with our Principal and learning on my feet.  The next year, we merged with GLO and we have been running a smooth and wonderful joint program ever since!

Beth Guy

I am in my 4^th year at GLO @ Sherman as Site Coordinator. I began my career as a teacher’s aide at GLO @ AFY and have also worked at GLO @ West Portal as the Operations Coordinator. Within that time, I took a break from GLO and worked at a pre-school with kids from the age of infant to 5 years.

When I was younger, I knew that I always wanted to work with youth. I was not quite sure what that looked like, but am very happy with where I am today.

In my spare time, I coach volleyball to a group of 13 year olds, and I try to play as much as possible. I enjoy walking and hiking especially near the coast. I love traveling especially when it means I can visit my family in England.

The last movie that I watched was the Hobbit.

The best thing about working with youth is watching them grow and learn.

Chris Krupa

Hi my name is Chris Krupa and I am the Site Coordinator at GLO at CIS.
I moved to San Francisco from Connecticut in 2001 with no intention or even the slightest thought of ever working with children.  After goofing off for about two months and having spent all of my money, my roommate at the time brought me down to the after school program at Alvarado School that he worked at.  The Director hired me based on the connection and I’ve been working with children ever since.
Working with the kids felt natural to me right away, although it took awhile for me to realize that I could make a career out of it.  That brings us to the present.
In 2011 GLO opened our seventh site (GLO at CIS) and I became Site Coordinator.  Taking on the new role in a new program had its challenges, but I’m still here to tell about it.  Moving into our third year together, I can say that I continue to enjoy it and still feel inspired by the amazing students that make me laugh each and every day.  The school community has made us feel very welcome and I’m looking forward to strengthening our relationships and improving our program as we continue to grow.  Soon we will have a full 5th grade class!
When I’m not lying awake at night thinking of ways to inspire the GLO Staff and improve the program, I enjoy spending my time biking, skateboarding and camping around the city and beyond, in search of what, I’m not really sure.  Good views, smooth ground, tasty food, good smells, interesting people and whatever else may come my way I suppose?
I have a BA in Journalism and Sociology and several Units in Child Development.  In this field I’ve worked mostly for GLO, but have also learned a great deal while working summers with Susan Edward’s Explorer’s Club in Golden Gate Park and one school year at Pacific Primary Preschool.
Please do not hesitate to approach me with any question or concerns that you may have about the program.  Other than speaking in person, email is the best way to communicate.
Thanks for reading!

Adriana Beltran

I make sure that the GLO and Alvarado Elementary stays informed about the students. I schedule, coordinate and meditate meetings between the staff at both GLO and the school. Also I have the pleasure of assisting the teachers by providing them with all the necessary information to plan their activities.

Prior to working at GLO, I dabbled in retail while attending school. I needed a slight change and found out that I found joy in working with the youth. I am currently attending City College of San Francisco to continue my education in Administrative Child Development.

What do I do in my spare time? Hmmm. I love walking around San Francisco! I love the scenery, local spots and exploring. I also love spending time with friends and family.

Kelly Allison

Kelly Allison has been an Insurance Broker and directs operations for the Executive Risks practice in San Francisco of Willis North America for five years. She has been instrumental in keeping the team compliant with the strict rules and regulations outlined by the Attorney General’s Office. Kelly has been in Operations for more than eleven years and prior to joining Willis North America, she was the Operations Manager at The World Trade Centers Observatory. Apart from her career, Kelly is also a Mom to daughter, Isabella, 8 years old who attends Fairmount Elementary (which is how and why she became involved in GLO). In her spare time she is a Soccer Coach, trains for fitness competitions, and sits on the Executive Committee for the American Diabetes Association. Kelly is disciplined, tough,bright and achievement-oriented.

Lisa Ernst

Mariatte Denman

Mariatte is excited to serve on the board because she has seen how much her two children, Eva and Edna, have enjoyed and benefited from going to GLO at West Portal. As a former co-director of a youth program, she knows from experience how much passion, patience, work, and knowledge it takes to run an after school program successfully. She is currently working as the associate director for the humanities faculty and graduate student instructors at the Center for Teaching and Learning at Stanford University. In her free time, she enjoys cheering her children’s soccer teams, chatting with friends over a good meal and reading mystery novels.

Gilbert Dair

Gilbert Dair has been a Realtor in the San Francisco Bay Area for eight years.  He currently works for Vanguard Properties which is a market leader in San Francisco real estate.  Gilbert is instrumental in helping people acquire and market properties for sale in a vibrant community, and diverse marketplace.  His goal is to help eliminate the unknowns by providing valuable information so that his clients can move forward confidently and efficiently.  He has two children, Brandon and Kendall, at Dianne Feinstein Elementary and become involved in GLO through their enrollment in the GLO afterschool program on campus.  After work, Gilbert enjoys spending time with his family and being the chauffeur to the various practices and activities the children participate in.  He also enjoys going to GLO board meetings in his free time!

Catherine Hanrahan

Catherine Hanrahan, Counselor, San Francisco Unified School District. She received her B.S. from Northeastern University (Criminal Justice and Sociology) and her M.A. from the University of San Francisco (Counseling Psychology). She has been a school counselor with SFUSD for 12 years and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco in the Graduate School of Counseling. She is a member of the American School Counselors Association and the California Coalition for Counselor Licensure. She is also a member of the SFUSD school counselor advisory board.

Tina Dumas

Marci Davis