Lishaun Francis is the Associate Director of Health Collaborations. As part of the health team, Lishaun supports Children Now’s mental health/trauma efforts. Prior to joining Children Now, Lishaun Francis was an Associate Director at the California Medical Association. She provided policy support and analysis for California physicians on the issues of Medi-Cal, Workers’ Compensation, and Health Information Technology. Lishaun spent over two years with the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO where she provided fiscal and policy analyses to the State Legislature on issues of mental health, developmental disabilities, and alcohol and drug programs. In Washington, DC Lishaun Francis worked as a Program Analyst for the U.S Department of Education, providing fiscal support on issues of higher education. Lishaun Francis received her Master’s of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.

DeAngelo Mack currently serves as the Director of State Policy for Public Health Advocates. He oversees state policy efforts focused on creating or changing laws centered around trauma and health disparities. He recently served as program manager of WellSpace Health’s acclaimed Sacramento Violence Intervention Program, a hospital-linked program serving the most critically injured and traumatized youth. For almost two decades, Mr. Mack has provided trauma-informed care to the underserved in marginalized neighborhoods across California. Using his knowledge and expertise as an organizer, youth pastor and playwright Mr. Mack finds creative ways to teach and empower others about the effects of generational and historical trauma. Mr. Mack sits on numerous committees locally and nationally focusing on trauma informed practices and social determinants of health, including the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and American College of Surgeons Committee of Trauma.

Sonia lives with her family in San Pablo and is humbled to serve on the RYSE board on behalf of youth leaders in her community. She is Chief of Staff to County Supervisor John Gioia and works on constituent issues and various policy areas including immigration, health, housing, and youth services in addition to working with community organizations and building coalitions around neighborhood initiatives. She grew up in Fresno involved in the political process, often spending weekends walking precincts with her father, former California State Assembly Speaker, and Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. Sonia attended Santa Monica College and transferred to UC Berkeley where she earned her BA in Sociology. After graduating college she spent 9 years in the labor movement as an organizer, political coordinator, and strategic partner in the central valley and statewide. Sonia started her career in county government when she went to work for Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle.

Sharese brings over 35+ years of banking and secondary marketing experience to RYSE and is excited to share her expertise with RYSE’s Budget and Finance Committee and the RYSE Board. Sharese is the Director of Collateral Operations of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and has worked at the bank over 27 years with experience as a Senior Collateral Asset Manager conducting collateral field review audits, co-lead of business knowledge for the Office of the Diversity and Inclusion and Senior Investment Specialist of the Community Investment Department where she worked to provide grant funds to nonprofits for affordable housing projects.

In addition, Sharese is the President of the Pearl and Ivy Community Corporation where she raises funds to provide scholarships to Bay Area high school seniors. Sharese grew up in Morgan Hill, CA and worked with her father, an entrepreneur and Real Estate Broker where she gained her love of the real estate industry.

Sharese graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles and earned a BA in Political Science. She is a real Estate Broker and is currently enrolled at the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Sharese lives in Oakland, is the proud mom of two daughters and enjoys gardening.

Shani describes herself as a student of the incredible youth advocacy and visionary leadership at RYSE. With a PhD in Health and Public Policy, a Masters in Public Health, previous work in city government, as well as a history of collaborating with organizations promoting peace and healing, Shani is extremely passionate about supporting RYSE in transforming violent systems. She is an advocate for liberation and self-determination for families in Richmond and beyond: bringing to the Board her perspective as a violence-prevention researcher with a strong background in analytic and strategic planning. She is also a whiz at Taboo!

Edgar Rosales is a second-year law student at the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco. Edgar is a first-generation Mexican-American, first-generation law student, and a Tony Patiño Fellow-Elect—fellowship intended to foster leaders in the legal field. Edgar is from Richmond California, and former Culture Builder of the RYSE Center.

Before starting law school, Edgar gained extensive experience in his 8 years working as a public servant in various government roles, including positions with the U.S. House of Representatives, the California State Assembly, and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Additionally, Edgar is a U.S. Army Veteran. Edgar has worked with numerous leaders to address both local and international issues. In recent years, he has consulted and managed county wide campaigns in the East Bay.

During his tenure as a staff member for Congressman Mike Thompson, Edgar was involved in critical international efforts, including coordinating the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghan nationals from Kabul during the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also addressed immigration issues in Ukraine amidst the conflict with Russia, working with federal agencies such as USCIS, Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense to develop pickup and escort plans for constituents and their families in Kabul.

At the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, Edgar contributed to the development of the county’s health program, Thrive Thursdays, in Richmond, CA. This initiative required the collaboration of numerous community organizations and city council members. Edgar successfully secured funding from private companies, including Kaiser, Trader Joe's, and Safeway, to support the program.

In law school, Edgar is part of UC Law SF’s Moot Court team, and a Staff Editor for the school’s Business Law Journal. Ultimately, Edgar aspires to serve as a judge in the East Bay, where he grew up.