Meet the Staff

Shanna Bowie [she/her] Community Programs Director

Shanna is the Director of Community Programs at Pacific Center, where she works to create a safe environment where community can thrive. She holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from Brown University and after moving to the Bay Area over 15 years ago, Shanna has worked with young people through arts programs including Youth Art Exchange, Oakland School for the Arts, and most recently, Destiny Arts Center.

In addition to her work in arts, education, and advocacy, Shanna is a podcaster and writer. Through shelter-in-place, she put those skills to work hosting the Creating Connections panel series to discuss a range of community issues including equity, consent and bodily autonomy, and youth leadership around the globe.

Shanna loves museums, dance parties, and superheroes (not necessarily in that order).

Amory Knut [flexible] Director of Quality Assurance

As a disabled transgender queer with personal experience of complex health needs, Amory is passionate about eliminating barriers to accessing comprehensive health care and treatment with peer-based community solutions.

Amory has spent over 15 years in social work, legal work, and mental health settings providing services to disabled, systems impacted, sex worker, and queer and Trans populations. They bring a wealth of experience in client engagement, harm reduction, legal advocacy, case management, crisis services, and outreach. In addition to direct client services Amory has supported organizations and programs with systems implementation, training, and data analysis to improve delivery of services and diversify funding streams.

When not at work, Amory collectively manages a bail fund in the Bay Area. He is a huge supporter of SF Bay Area queer nightlife and community organizing, helping out with events from fundraisers to drag shows.

Pablo Navarrete-Martinez, LMFT, PhDc [he/him/el] Clinical Director

Pablo is a therapist, clinical supervisor, adjunct lecturer, and a current doctoral candidate at Pacifica Graduate Institute. The thrust of his doctoral work is a study of the effects of colonization on the Mexica psyche, post-Spanish conquest. This work builds on the research he began during his graduate education, which considered archetypal experience in the colonized Mexican mind and spiritual endeavor. Pablo comes to Pacific Center after spending nearly ten years working with children, teens, and families who suffer from trauma and intellectual disabilities. Depth perspectives inform his clinical work, immigration psychology, is trauma-informed and rooted in the values of social justice.

Pablo is a first-generation Mexican-American cis-gendered and polyamorous man. He is an activist, an artist, a parent, and a mestizo who is surrounded and supported by a neurospicy LGBTQ family. When not at work, he enjoys food and wine, travel (especially to his home waters in Cancun), swimming and snorkeling, film, and continuing his studies with sacred medicine. He’s also very much looking forward to the end of the dissertation process!

Pablo is honored to join the team at Pacific Center as Clinical Director and is proud to be contributing to the lineage and mission of this Bay Area treasure!

Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW, ASW [they/them] Executive Director

Lasara is dedicated to serving the LGBTQ2-SIA+ community, of which they and their family are part. Lasara comes from a grassroots background, and earned their MSW at Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly known as Humboldt State University). They have over thirty years' experience in political organizing and group facilitation, over fifteen years’ experience coaching clients in both one-on-one and group capacities, and four years experience in nonprofit leadership.

Lasara is an author, a therapist, and an activist. They work from a harm reduction, intersectional, feminist, and anti-oppressive framework, and live into a trauma-informed, resilience focused, compassionate, strengths-based methodology. They are honored to serve as the Executive Director for the Pacific Center, and to assist the staff in bringing quality mental health services to the community. Lasara's personal mission statement is, "toward our collective liberation."

In their spare time Lasara likes to write, to go on gentle hikes in the hills and talk with the trees, or to spend time chatting with other family and friends.

DeAngela Cooks, MA [she/her] Senior HIV Program Clinician Manager

DeAngela is a passionate public speaker of 20+ years, professional master of ceremonies and an acclaimed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshop facilitator. Hailing from Southern California, she embraces her intersectional identities.

As a Black, queer, woman, who is a parent, and has been a minister and stand-up comic, she brings a wealth of experiences to her work; infusing education with elocution, wit and a splash of sarcasm. After knocking out her Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Religion, she decided to graduate with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. I guess it's safe to say she’s a sap.

When not at work, you can find her devising a scheme to become unidentifiable by her student loan providers.

M. Anne Mitchell, LCSW [she/her] Older & Out Coordinator

Anne was born and raised in Berkeley, starting her relationship with Pacific Center in the late 70’s when she dropped into the “Under 21 Lesbian Rap Group.” Over the years, she earned a BA in English at Smith College and an MSW from University of Kansas. She worked with a wide range of folx during a long stint working in rural community mental health centers while living on a Kansas cattle ranch.

Anne is proud of being featured in the University of Kansas book, No Place Like Home: Lessons in Activism from LGBT Kansas, by C.J. Janovy. She landed back in Berkeley in 2012 and has been at Pacific Center in various capacities since, appreciating the daily opportunity to help create and support safe spaces for community members.

During the months of shelter-in-place, Anne has a new appreciation for the companionship of her two dogs and any time outside with her wife on a sunny day hiking the hills.

Janine James [she/they]. Operations Coordinator.

Janine is a lesbian/queer black polyamorist Bay Area Native who is passionate about mental health, wellness, and activism. As a marginalized individual, they love supporting organizations and causes for the betterment of humanity.

She’s had an extensive career in technology, working for a number of Fortune 500 companies including Meta, Google, and Twitter. After ‘semi-retiring’ from corporate America, they sought out opportunities that were in alignment with their personal values. Pacific Health was truly a dream come true for them. Janine has a background in project management and digital operations management. Janine loves community building (both IRL and digitally), learning new things, and troubleshooting challenging projects.

Outside of work she finds immense joy in spending time with their dogs, writing, traveling, riding horses, and spending time with loved ones.

Katie Tims [she/her]. Senior Clinical Administrative Support Specialist.

Katie is a Berkeley native who connected with Pacific Center for her Women & Gender Studies’ internship senior year of college in 2013 and has stayed on since. From the SFSU Queer Alliance secretary to the Queer Yo Mind! conference committee, she fortunately landed work with the LGBTQ+ community in a place that feels like home.

She has worn many hats, having been involved in volunteer management, outreach, Peer Groups, Covered California education and Clinic Administration in her time here.

She has a passion for cats, writing, organizing/crafting, vintage fashion, the spiritual and occult, open-world and tabletop RPG video games, J-Pop and KPop.

Iz Engel [they/them]. Community Programs Support & Evaluation Specialist.

Through their work as the CPSES, Iz uses data to ensure all communities the Pacific Center works with are able to access relevant programs and services. They recently earned their B.A. in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where they graduated summa cum laude and gained years of action oriented research experience.

When they are not working on data driven projects with the Pacific Center, Iz is a research assistant at UC Berkeley, where they support abolition focused studies. They believe research that is both collaborative and community oriented can serve as a valuable tool for collective liberation.

Iz feels most joyful when running, reading, or training their three dogs.

Vanessa/Kitty Serratos [she/her]. Development Coordinator.

On a search for volunteer opportunities, Vanessa/Kitty came across Pacific Center and started off as a volunteer as of October 2018. As months went on she observed the position as the front desk volunteer every 4th Friday of the month and enjoyed it!

When the opportunity to become the program assistant opened up, Vanessa/Kitty was offered and accepted the position almost immediately. She has a BA in Psychology and is currently in her grad program studying clinical counseling and forensic psychology. Vanessa/Kitty aims to become a clinical counselor within the coming years. Growing up, she always strived to support communities that needed it most.

In her free time she enjoys cuddling with her two cats and pup, attending concerts, traveling, and most of all making memories with family and friends.

Glo Rodriguez [they/them] Organizational Training Program Manager

Glo Rodriguez is a queer, Latinx, Bay Area transplant from Brooklyn, NY and a second generation Caribbean American with ancestral roots from Puerto Rico. Glo is guided by their belief in the power of true dialogue to promote healing, accountability, agency and social change.

Glo has a background in facilitating workshops on Restorative Practices and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They also have experience co-creating Wellness spaces for BIPOC communities. Glo received their Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Fairfield University and masters degree in Human Rights Education from the University of San Francisco.

Glo enjoys watching comedies, connecting with nature and spending quality time with loved ones.

Rebecca Saulsbury [she/her/they/them]. Front Desk Receptionist

A queer/bi Oakland native from a racially mixed family, a rank & file labor organizer (Trader Joe’s United, Local 4), anarchist mom & hearing impaired music lover. Rebecca believes in high quality therapy for all, where cost is no barrier. They have a long history of supporting non-profits in office systems, organizational development, & event coordination, from Jewish Voice for Peace to the Center for Investigative Reporting. Rebecca spent many years as an advocate for people with disability & terminal illness. A jack of all trades, she also is the former Board Vice President of the Olympia Film Society (a volunteer-run historic movie theater) & founder of the Olympia Poly Collective, a queer polyamorous social group.

In her free time, she likes to dote on her small garden in the sun. And go to therapy.

Aerin Riegelsberger, ACSW [he/they]. Intake Specialist

Aerin is a queer, transmasculine, nonbinary person passionate about supporting the healing journeys of folks with expansive gender identities, sexual orientations, and relational practices. He grew up in the Bay Area and has been dedicating his personal and professional self to trans liberation efforts since 2013.

Aerin earned his Masters Degree in Social Work from California State University East Bay and a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from University of California Irvine. In addition to his role as Intake Specialist at the Pacific Center, Aerin is a pre-licensed private practice therapist and educator specializing in substance use harm reduction and gender affirming care. He loves being of service through presentations, curriculum development, research assistance, program development, creative expression, and holding safe containers for folks.

Aerin is happiest when he’s in the redwoods, at the beach, singing with others, sweating in a sauna, making collage art, or playing with his dog Pippin.

Mae Petti, MSW [they/them]. Older Adult Program Manager

Mae is a queer transracial adoptee from China who grew up in the Bay Area. Previously, they have worked in the sexual violence prevention and mental health field. Mae is passionate about creating and supporting spaces where BIPOC or bodies of culture and LGBITQA+ folx can experience joy and rest. Mae has facilitated support groups for survivors of sexual assault, those estranged from their families, the AAPI community, and caregivers. They got their Master’s in Social Work from Boston University and are on the road to becoming a licensed therapist. In their free time, Mae enjoys walking their dogs, eating baked goods, reading, and tending to their plant babies.

Miguel Franco, [Any pronouns]. Youth Programs Manager

Miguel Franco is a Queer Salvadoran-American based in so-called Northern California. Miguel is a recent graduate from CSUN (California State University Northridge) where they received their Bachelor's degree with honors in Sociology while serving as a big advocate for the Undocumented community at CSUN. Miguel has worked with youth by leading numerous spaces that touch base on LGBTQ+ identities, mural painting, organic farming, and much more. Inspired by the resiliency of their family and loved ones who have fought hard for their existence, Miguel has been telling their story through art for the majority of their life. Miguel strives to show the beauty of their ancestral lineage that is often forgotten due to violence and war that continues in their families' homeland. Miguel strives to give hope to other kids who may share similar stories and seek a positive outlet for their passions. Miguel's favorite pastime is eating pupusas and listening to Cumbias at their grandma's house in Santa Cruz.

Meet The Board

Email: board@pacificcenter.org

Christopher Stemborowski [he/him]. Board President.

Christopher is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who lives in San Francisco with his partner Patrick. He is a global marketing leader who helps organizations craft and deliver marketing and advertising work. He brings deep expertise in strategy, applied practice and theory of a wide array of marketing practices to the board with degrees in communications at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has worked in organizations and for clients of all sizes. He routinely uses any platform available to advocate for inclusive practices and create spaces designed to foster belonging.

Developing spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and specifically creating more access for mental health services are causes that are passion areas for Christopher. He has previously served on non-profit boards that supported the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City and Boston and is honored to help advance and champion the mission of the Pacific Center for Human Growth.

In his spare time Christopher enjoys trying many amazing restaurants in the Bay Area, hiking in the area and playing soccer with the San Francisco Spikes [an LGBTQIA+ community soccer organization].

Fiona Morford [she/they].

Originally from Oklahoma, Fiona is a non-binary trans woman currently attending the University of San Francisco School of Law. Where she is going with hopes of becoming a public defender, and fighting for the rights of people who have been criminalized by our criminal legal system. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the bay and California, leisurely time with friends, and peaceful walks through the great parks of San Francisco.

Fiona has served as a board member of the USF Pride Law organization. As a co-chair of the USF chapter of the Law and Political Economy Society she has organized and facilitated several student-led seminars including giving a seminar on "Transphobia, Homophobia, and Fascism." As Vice President and Head of the Lesson Planning Committee, she has helped develop a curriculum used to teach legal lessons to high school students in the Bay Area.

Greg Fairbrother [he/him].

Originally from Los Angeles, Greg worked in the Hong Kong education sector for 30 years, first as an advisor for students pursuing studies in the United States and later as a sociology professor handling multiple program management, research and writing, teaching and training, and administrative and management projects. He comes to board service for Pacific Center with a strong interest in social issues of current concern in the LGBTQIA+ community: social identity, diversity, oppression, marginalization, and resistance.

Moving back to California and going through the U.S. immigration experience with his Hong Kong husband in 2022 contributed to Greg’s interest in the mental health challenges posed by the immigration process and becoming a marginalized minority at the same time as the opportunities coming from the freedom to live authentic selves and the support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Greg lives in Santa Rosa with his husband and loves hiking, kayaking, taking road trips, reading history, and researching his family tree.

Board

Adam Little. [he/him]. Board Treasurer.

Adam is a senior financial executive who has led finance functions across commercial, financial reporting, investor relations, tax, and budgeting for the past 15 years. He began his career in Australia where he became a Chartered Accountant before assuming global finance roles based out of the UK and US.

Adam identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and through friends and family has seen firsthand the need and benefits of skilled mental health being available to all. He is deeply committed to organizations increasing access and availability to marginalized communities.

In his spare time Adam loves travel, good food, and playing board games with friends.

David Owens-Hill. [he/him].

Currently working as a consultant for small businesses and nonprofits, David has a long history of service to the nonprofit and higher education sectors in Charlotte, North Carolina, New York City, and in San Francisco. In roles that span strategic planning, creative services, communications, and operations, he has dedicated his career to improving the organizations that serve the communities where he lives.

David lives in San Francisco with his husband. Prior to the pandemic, they enjoyed international travel, and exploring new cultures. Since limiting their travel due to the pandemic, they have enjoyed cooking, eating, reading, and exploring the bountiful treasures of California.