Executive Director Myrna Melgar to Pursue New Leadership Role

After six powerful years as Jamestown's Executive Director, Myrna Melgar will be transitioning out of her position to run for the City of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors' open seat in District 7 in November of this year.

Under her leadership, Jamestown grew tremendously to now serve nearly 4,000 youth and families annually. During Myrna’s tenure, the organization also doubled its funding, merged with Loco Bloco (another youth-serving Mission District organization), expanded programs and purchased office space in the Mission District. Jamestown is strong, stable and poised to continue providing low income youth with high quality educational opportunities that build inter-generational leadership within the community. 

While she will be stepping down in June from her official leadership role at Jamestown, Myrna plans to stay involved and continue supporting this community with the same passion she has always carried. The Board of Directors will conduct an open recruitment for the new Executive Director, and during the transition, Jamestown's Deputy Director, Nelly Sapinski, will assume Interim Director duties. 

Nelly has served as Deputy Director for five years, and previously led the out-of-school division for Reading Partners and Santa Clara County Catholic Charities. Nelly grew up in Tijuana, Mexico and holds a Master's Degree in Education from Harvard University. She is a certified bilingual teacher and reading recovery specialist, who has built Jamestown’s program design and evaluation systems throughout her time with the organization. 

Jamestown appreciates all the support from our extended familia of youth, families, partners and funders as we continue to serve our community during this transitional phase. Our focus remains on our work and mission of helping young people and their families realize their full potential to become powerful and healthy members of society.