Meet the Staff
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Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW, [they/them/Mx.] Center Executive Officer
Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW (they/them/Mx.), serves as the Center Executive Officer of Pacific Center for Human Growth. They are deeply committed to the LGBTQIA2S+ community, of which they are a part, and bring a grassroots, community-centered approach to leadership. Lasara earned their MSW from Cal Poly Humboldt and has over twenty years of experience in political organizing, group facilitation, and client coaching, alongside seven+ years of nonprofit leadership within mental health and social service settings.
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With a focus on relational leadership and staff support, Lasara works closely with staff and program leadership to maintain consistent, affirming mental health services for the community. They prioritize organizational stability, clear communication, and sustainable service delivery, particularly during periods of transition and growth. Their approach emphasizes transparency, continuity, and thoughtful stewardship of Pacific Center’s programs as the organization continues to evolve to meet emerging community needs.
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In addition to their executive role, Lasara is a nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker advancing LGBTQIA+ health equity, with particular expertise in gender-affirming care and gender-expansive menopause education. They are the Founder and CEO of Genderqueer Futures LLC and the creator of the Gender-Affirming Menopause Care Provider Certification Course, training clinicians and care professionals to provide inclusive, evidence-informed support. Lasara is the author of Genderqueer Menopause (North Atlantic Books, 2026) and a presenter at major professional gatherings, including the UCSF Transgender Health Summit, the Nurse Practitioners in Women’s (and Gendered) Health National Conference (NPWH), and Creating Change. They are a member of GLMA, WPATH/USPATH, and The Menopause Society.
Amory Knut [flexible] Center Operating Officer/Quality Assurance
Amory leads the organization's operational functions and quality assurance driven by Pacific Center’s mission to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of QTBIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. 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. Amory is passionate about eliminating barriers to accessing comprehensive mental health care through community led efforts.
With a strong background in quality assurance, program development, systems training, and financial management, Amory is dedicated to building a strong, sustainable organization that maximizes the impact of Pacific Center’s work.
When not at work, Amory 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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
M. Anne Mitchell, LCSW [she/her] Clinical Manager
Anne was born and raised in Berkeley, starting her love of Pacific Center in the late 70’s when she dropped into the “Under 21 Lesbian Rap Group.” Over the years, she went to college in Massachusetts and later on lived in rural Kansas. She landed back in Berkeley in 2012 and has been at Pacific Center in various capacities since, appreciating the opportunity to help create and support brave spaces for community members. She was thrilled to receive a Community Award from the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. Anne enjoys time with loved ones and new friends, especially outside in the sun.
Vanessa Serratos [she/her]. Development Manager
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Vanessa began her journey with Pacific Center for Human Growth as a volunteer in 2018 and has grown into her current role as Development Manager. She leads donor relations, grant strategy, sponsorships, and campaign efforts to sustain and expand affirming mental health services for LGBTQIA+ and QTBIMPOC communities.
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Vanessa holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling. She is passionate about strengthening community-based mental health systems and supporting communities that need it most.
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In her free time, she enjoys cuddling with her two cats and pup, attending concerts, traveling, and making memories with family and friends.
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Katie Tims, [she/her]. Billing & Operations Manager
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 games, J-Pop and KPop.
Rebecca Saulsbury [she/her/they/them].
Executive Administrator, Front Desk & Clinical Administrator
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 also spent many years as an advocate for people with disability & terminal illness.
In her free time, she likes to dote on her small garden in the sun. And go to therapy.
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.
Jordan Willams [She/Her], Community Programs Support and Evaluation Specialist
Jordan Williams (She/Her) is the Community Programs Support and Evaluations Specialist at the Pacific Center. She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health and Social Behavior from UC Berkeley, as well as certificates in New Media and Racism, Health, and Social Justice. She is passionate about addressing systemic health disparities in BIPOC communities through health education, promotion, research, and art.
Originally from Southern California, Jordan has previously worked with youth as a community engagement coordinator in tobacco control and policy. She brings experience in qualitative research, population health equity, health education, and media advocacy.
Jordan believes in collaborating with people and communities of all ages and stages of life. She is deeply invested in work that fosters collective efforts to create positive change. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Bay Area's vibrant art and theater scene.
Meet The Board
Email the Board President: christopher@pacificcenter.org
Inquire or Apply to Join the Board of Directors Here
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].
Alison Upkabi, Board Treasurer
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Fiona Morford [she/they]. Board Secretary
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.
Alesha Williams, [she/her]. Member at Large
Originally from Chicago, Alesha works as an attorney who structures complex commercial transactionsin the biotech industry.She is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment toadvocating for historically marginalized communities, especially QTBIPOC. As a law student, she servedher local community as a high school Mock Trial Coach and as a student attorney for a domestic violenceclinic. Alesha has also served as a public defender and zealously advocated for the constitutional rightsof her clients. She understands firsthand how structural and social barriers to mental healthcare affecthistorically marginalized communities disproportionately and she is fervently committed to advocatingfor health equity and the well-being of all.
Alesha is an avid UConn women's basketball fan and enjoys baking, book clubs, and travel. She recentlyrelocated from Oakland to the East Coast, where she enjoys being a step-pawrent to her favorite pitbull,Nala.