Our People

epacenter board members

John Goldman

Board Chair

Amy Lyons

Board Secretary and Treasurer

Staci Edwards

East Palo Alto Resident

Jackie Speier

United States Congresswoman

Keitlan Wallace

East Palo Alto Resident

Deborah Cullinan

VP, Arts
Stanford University

epacenter staff

Darrell Dela Cruz

Learning Coordinator

David Castro

Associate Director of Facilities

Elvira Escobedo

Receptionist

Jennifer Ifil-Ryan

Director of Programs

Michelle Benigno

Assistant Director of Operations & Administration

Nadine Rambeau

Executive Director

Richard Davis–Lowell

Interim Director Administration & Operations

Tiffany Fuller

Development & Communications Coordinator

Trishia DeLuna

Opportunity Coordinator

Vida Amanat

Partnerships & Special Projects Manager

Advisory Councils

Youth Advisory Council

  • Melanie Resendiz
  • Elizabeth Wallace
  • Wanis Moutri
  • Lulu Herrera

Parent Advisory Council

  • Jessica Torres
  • Lina Wallace
  • Jessica Torres
  • Soledad Garcia
  • Diana Herrera
  • Nancy Sanchez
  • Marisela Ramos Hernandez

Founding Youth Members

Between 2010 and 2016, East Palo Alto youth and their adult allies interviewed several hundred community members to learn about the needs and potential benefits of an arts center. These findings guided our program design, architectural design, site location, and operational development. Additionally, dozens of community leaders (youth and adult) have served on advisory committees and task forces to plan and guide the project.

The project is because of them, and so many individuals, and would not have succeeded without the passion and creativity of our community.

  • Sam Afungia
  • Marco Aguilera
  • Angel Arteaga
  • Juan Aviles
  • Amber Boyd
  • Jasmine Broussard
  • Shana Brown
  • Lasela Brown
  • Manutu’ufanga Brown
  • Daniel Calderon
  • Judge Cantrell
  • Kyle Carter
  • Araceli Castaneda Ramirez
  • Carlos Chavez
  • Ketzalzin Cruz
  • Darryl Davis
  • Geeta Devi
  • Jalia Dews
  • Staci Edwards
  • Staja Edwards
  • Raevon Ellington
  • Ofa Fehoko
  • Maama Fihaki
  • Jeimy Garcia
  • Daniela Gomez
  • Alondra Gomez
  • Victor Gonzales
  • Rafael Gonzales
  • Shanae Greene
  • Jennifer Guillen
  • Yvonne Hamel
  • Jhalia Harriss
  • Jaquelin Henriquez
  • Marypaz Hermasillo
  • Rosa Hernandez
  • Jose Hernandez
  • Nayeli Hernandez
  • Katerine Hernandez
  • JP Infante
  • Adrian Johnson
  • Taufusinatiane Kefa Brown
  • Monty Lauaki
  • Kookee Leaaetea
  • Daniel Liu
  • Freddy Lopez
  • Palutea Ma’afu
  • Alipate Ma’afu
  • Jashwana Macghee
  • Martin Macia
  • Palutea Maiafu
  • Rosamia Morales Valdez
  • Nancy Moran
  • Christian Munoz
  • Brenda Naranjo
  • Daniel (Lettle) Nava
  • Melissa Nunez
  • Jose Oseguera
  • Isaiah Phillips
  • Reba Phillips
  • Imelda Ramirez
  • Randy Randel
  • Nadeem Rasheed
  • Kimberly Rebuelta
  • Raul Resendiz
  • Mark Jon Rosel Harris
  • ExAvier Rushing
  • Christian Salinas
  • Jessica Salinas
  • Jenee Sedano
  • Juliette Silva
  • Dede Smith
  • ShaDai Smith
  • Ake Soafanua
  • Keyana Spencer
  • Pisileni Tautua’a
  • Sulia Teu
  • Mele Teu
  • Jules Thomas
  • Yahaira Torres
  • Mirabel Torres
  • Mario Tuifua
  • Casey Tupou
  • Sapiesi Tupuou
  • Judy (Vasi) Tutuvanu
  • Andrea Isabel Valencia
  • Patrick Vea
  • Susan Sana Vunga
  • Bryson Washington
  • Sophronia Seta Yasike

“I didn’t want [my kids] to be in front of screens all day — they needed somewhere outside of the house to learn while they’re not in school. They’ve been making art at home, and they’re so much better behaved — constantly talking about what they’re working on here and love their classes! I am so glad that EPACENTER is here for them.”

LucIA garcia, EAST PALO ALTO RESIDENT and
EPACENTER Parent