Our Team


ADMINistration


Nelly Sapinski

Executive Director

NellyS@JamestownSF.Org

Throughout her time at Jamestown, Nelly has been instrumental in developing and expanding programming, while also implementing data collection and evaluation systems, so important in measuring program quality. Nelly joined Jamestown in 2014 and brings extensive experience with youth development and education, the two pillars of our organization. Before becoming Executive Director, she previously served as both the Deputy Director of Programs and Interim Executive Director. With six years of experience in high-level leadership, Nelly brings a deep understanding of Jamestown’s mission and community to the position.

Prior to joining Jamestown, Nelly served as the After School Program Director at Reading Partners, the national literacy non-profit, and managed curriculum, instruction, and evaluation for Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s of Education from Harvard University.  


Jessica Linares

Deputy Director of Programs & Leadership Development

Jessica@JamestownSF.Org

Jessica is a San Francisco native from the Mission District. She attended public school from K-12th and continued on to SFSU where she majored in Civil Engineering. However, her focus for the last 15 years has been intentionally infusing Youth Development into Extended Day Programming. Having experienced first hand the benefits of Jamestown programming as a middle schooler, Jessica is passionate about providing similar support and opportunities to Mission District youth through strong partnerships between schools and the community.


Brandon Rosas

Executive Assistant

BrandonRF@JamestownSF.Org

Brandon has been dedicated to youth development for over nine years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Psychology, along with certifications in Data Science and Forensics. Having both participated in and volunteered for Jamestown’s programs—including the After School Program, Summer Voyage, and tutoring—Brandon is deeply connected to the community he serves.

A proud graduate of James Lick Middle School and Mission High School in San Francisco, Brandon has taken on numerous leadership roles throughout his academic journey. At Chico State, he was a passionate advocate for queer rights, serving as the Outreach Coordinator for Chico State Pride, as well as a high chair for the Model United Nations.

When he’s not working with youth, you can usually find Brandon enjoying a cup of coffee from his favorite local spot, Martha & Bros


Dalia Amezquita

Office Manager

daliaa@jamestownsf.org

Dalia brings experience working with business systems in e-commerce. In addition, she brings direct customer service after working with the elderly and in the restaurant industry. Dalia is no stranger to Jamestown-- She has volunteered at Jamestown since 2019.


Development


Jae Maldonado

Development Strategist

jaem@jamestownsf.g


Rosita Bustamante

institutional giving specialist

rosib@jamestownsf.org

With a background in nonprofit entrepreneurship and leadership, Rosita Bustamante specializes in fundraising, startups, and organizational development for small organizations and Latinx groups. Rosita has been a Jamestown neighbor for 18 years, and her sons were middle school and high school participants at BVHM K-8. A strong believer of the benefits of education from cradle to the community, Jamestown is a second familia to Rosita since the organization practices her values. She fosters connections with nature, healing herbs, and the community, and lives and plays in the Mission District and Mexico with her husband and two SFUSD graduate sons.


finance


Amelia Amezquita

Bookkeeper

accounting@jamestownsf.org

With a background in auditing, medical research, and physical therapy, they find working with children in a non-profit organization to be a rewarding experience, particularly within the finance team. Managing grants and collaborating closely with the leader's team, they utilize their diverse educational journey, including partial medical school training and aspirations to become a doctor, to support the organization's mission. They appreciate the opportunity to apply their financial expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge to contribute to the well-being and development of children in need, recognizing the significance of their ongoing educational goals in shaping their approach to making a positive impact in the community. When it comes to entertainment, she has a penchant for cinematic masterpieces, with "Interstellar" holding a special place in her heart for its awe-inspiring portrayal of space exploration and human connection. She also has a fondness for artistic films that delve into the depths of human emotions and complexities, finding beauty in unconventional storytelling and visual expression. Through her hobbies, she embraces life's adventures and seeks inspiration in the wonders of the natural world and the creative endeavors of humanity. She also enjoys a good cup of coffee.


Phoebe Witt Charmatz

Accounting/Finance Clerk

phoebec@jamestownsf.org

She believes in the profound impact Jamestown has on young people and their families in the Mission and loves being a part of a finance team dedicated to empowering youth and creating positive change. Phoebe studied Communication, Mathematics, & Business at Tulane University in New Orleans. She is from San Francisco and volunteered in the Jamestown office while she was in high school. She enjoys the NYT crossword puzzle, watching and playing tennis, and being outdoors.


Lina Tam Li

Payroll Specialist

linatl@jamestownsf.org

Lina was an Assistant Manager at Longfellow Elementary for two years. Prior to that she was an afterschool teacher at BVHM before joining the Administration team as an Office Manager and now, Payroll Specialist. Before coming to Jamestown, Lina worked at Walgreens, where she managed the office and store operations. Lina has worked with youth at Community Youth Center and Youth Leadership Institute. She is CPR and First Aid certified, and is fluent in English, Spanish and Chinese. Lina's family originally emigrated from China to Panama, and eventually to San Francisco.


Human Resources


Gabriela Amezquita

Human Resources Manager

gabrielaa@jamestownsf.org

Gabriela began her Jamestown journey with volunteer work, while studying for her BA. She has loved every minute since, being able to work and engage with young people. Her passion for youth work fuels from previous experiences with faith based youth organizations. Working with youth and community values and principles have always been at the core of her work with young people, and she believes Jamestown has always encouraged and supported her in the work that she does.


Kelly Jimenez

Human Resources Assistant

hrassistant@jamestownsf.org

Kelly enjoy's working in the community she grew up in being able to follow in the steps of her mentors. Enthusiastically learning new skills, she hopes to support young people in the beginning of their careers as her mentors have helped her in hers. Kelly has 10+ years experience working with youth of different ages in after school programs and is currently studying Child Development and Psychology at City College of San Francisco. In he free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, visiting new places, and discovering new eateries. She also has a passion for books, writing, and photography.


Buena Vista Horace Mann (BVHM) K-8


Nancy Hernandez

BVHM Beacon Director

nancyh@jamestownsf.org

Nancy Hernandez has been working with Jamestown for over a decade, starting as a tutor and working her way up to her current leadership position. She enjoys working with youth and families in the community she grew up in, and appreciates Jamestown for giving youth the skills to develop and become leaders and in their communities.


Dayanara Weisenburger

bvhm Site Coordinator

dayanara@jamestownsf.org


Esmeralda Velazquez-Palacio

bvhm Program Assistant

esmeraldavp@jamestownsf.org


Cesar Chavez Elementary school


Diana Diaz

Cesar Chavez Beacon Director

dianad@jamestownsf.org

Diana works to bring a sense of warmth and safety to her students and their families so they can envision a future. She brings a depth of understanding and connection to our youth that comes from her own experience as a Jamestown student. Diana has grown in our organization, starting as an art teacher, then program assistant, site manager, and now Beacon Director at Cesar Chavez Elementary. Diana has an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from San Francisco City College and continues to take art classes. She’s a self-taught artist and has her own website where she offers art, T-shirts, stickers, and pins of her own designs (www.diazarte.com).


Daisy Rodriguez

Cesar Chavez Expanded Learning Program Manager

daisyr@jamestownsf.org


Kyle Breschini

Cesar chavez Site Coordinator

kyleb@jamestownsf.org


Olga Chahin

Cesar Chavez Program Assistant

olgac@jamestownsf.org

Olga enjoys being able to work with the youth and community while under Jamestown. She has seen the benefits of the program though her three children and their time with Jamestown. Olga also enjoys being able to give back to her community by fostering a positive environment for the children of the community to grow and flourish. As part of the admin team, Olga also enjoys the behind the scenes and using her experiences to provide a different input. Olga previously worked with Cesar Chavez Elementary school for six years, where she learned how to connect and respond to children of various ages, while also keeping a dialogue with parents of the community. Through her time at Cesar Chavez, Olga invested a lot of her time and energy into learning different skills outside of her responsibilities, such as working in the office with the secretary.


James lick Middle School


Nathalie Linares

James lick BEACON DIRECTOR

nathaliel@jamestownsf.org

Natty has been part of the Jamestown community for about 15 years. Her entry into the organization was as a participant in our tutoring program. When she was able to, she quickly took on the opportunity to become a tutor herself at our after school program at BVHM. Her previous positions at Jamestown have included Day Link Teacher and Program Assistant to name a few. In her free time Natty loves spending time with family and friends.


LAmberto melchor

James lick Interim Expanded Learning Program Manager

lambertom@jamestownsf.org

Beto enjoys being able to give back to his community and to the youth. Now working at the site in which he went to middle school, Beto works to have a positive impact on the youth at James Lick. Beto has an associate’s degree in psychology and is currently working on getting his bachelor’s degree in urban planning at SFSU. In his free time, Beto enjoys watching movies and playing soccer.


Longfellow Elementary School


Luis Bautista

Longfellow Director

luisbg@jamestownsf.org

Luis has been working at Jamestown since 2018 in different positions starting out as an Enrichment Teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary. He enjoys learning new strategies to help restore positive behavior in afterschool programs, in addition to helping students succeed academically and emotionally. He has an Associate Degree in Behavioral Science from San Francisco City College, receiving de-escalation and SEL training that help him to better understand youth. Besides working with youth, Luis enjoys playing soccer, swimming and watching scary movies.


Alejandra Sanchez

Longfellow Program Assistant

alejandras@jamestownsf.org

Alejandra enjoys going on hikes on the weekends. Catching sunsets and her favorite food is Mexican food.


Arts


Francisco Rojas

Artistic lead

franciscor@jamestownsf.org

Francisco Rojas is a multidisciplinary artist and arts educator based in San Pablo, CA, originally from San Francisco’s Mission District, with ancestral roots in Durango, Mexico. He studied photography at California College of the Arts, shaping his approach to creative storytelling and education.

His practice spans printmaking, screen printing, bookbinding, rug making, and object making, reflecting a deep connection to heritage, place, and community. As an educator, Francisco is dedicated to sharing his artistic knowledge with youth and adults, fostering creative expression through hands-on teaching in schools and community centers. He also brings printmaking into public spaces, engaging audiences through live screen printing at events and gatherings. His work draws from traditional Mexican motifs, folkloric magic, and vibrant storytelling to explore identity, ancestral lineage, and collective memory. Through his art and teaching, Francisco bridges personal expression with shared cultural narratives, continually expanding the boundaries of his practice.


prevention and Family Support Services (PAFSS) DeparTment


Gibran Gonzalez

Youth workforce manager

gibrang@jamestownsf.org

Gibran was born in raised in the San Francisco Mission District and has been involved in Jamestown since joining the soccer program at 9-years old. As a freshman in high school, he became part of Jamestown’s YLE Program (Youth Led Evaluator) and went on to become a Youth Apprentice. Gibran would later take on the role of Site Assistant at Chavez and afterwards the Extended Learning Manager at Chavez as well before stepping into his current position as Youth Workforce Manager. Where he now oversees the programs he was once enrolled in as a high school youth


chrystian hernandez

Prevention & Family Support Service (paffs) assistant

chrystianh@jamestownsf.org

Chrystian was raised in the San Francisco Tenderloin District and became involved with Jamestown in summer of 2021. In his current role, he is constantly inspired by the many stories of how the program has changed many families lives. He is studying Data Science at CCSF and hopes to transfer to a UC college soon. He interests include playing pool and learning how data can help advocate for better resources for his local community.


Heidi Herrera

Prevention & Family Support Service (pafSs) Manager

heidih@jamestownsf.org

Heidi enjoys the community feeling that Jamestown has at all sites and values the availability to grow in her professional career at Jamestown. Prior to PaFSS Manager, Heidi worked for Jamestown as a high-school YAPster in 2016 and later worked as an after school teacher for 1st-3rd grade at Buena Vista Horace Mann. She has a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from San Francisco State University. Heidi loves to read all types of books, loves to listen to Reggaeton, going to concerts and listening to Bad Bunny. She loves to travel and hopes to go to Puerto Rico and Europe soon!


Antonio Tellez

teens program Manager

antoniot@jamestownsf.org

Antonio Tellez was raised in San Francisco and is a SFUSD graduate. He is a graduate of our Youth Apprentice Program (YAP) and has been working at Jamestown ever since his teens. Being connected to the Jamestown community at an early age enabled him to grow and develop in his youth development work throughout his life. Antonio continues to grow in his career and personal life as a strong leader in his community holding many roles at Jamestown. He led the pilot for Link Day Program through SFUSD Innovation Grant, engaged in direct service through math support with students, and built strong connections with school community and community leaders. Antonio's expertise is in Social Emotional Learning and has great success in collaborating with school-day teachers in leading restorative practice circles with middle schoolers. Today, he manages recruitment and retention of the family strengthening programming for teens and their caregivers- connecting caregivers to their youth in holistic and intentional practices for stronger bonds and training and supports community mobilizing for change.


Sports Department


Ariel Esqueda

sports director

ariel@jamestownsf.org

Ariel Esqueda is a San Francisco native and has been with Jamestown for over a decade. Having participated in sports most of her life, being part of Jamestown as the Sports Director has allowed her to blend two of her favorite things: the love for sports, and giving back to the community. She values the support and opportunities Jamestown provides youth and families and appreciates being a part of an organization that invests in staff and their professional development. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dominican University and an M.A. from the University of San Francisco. 


Norma Sanchez Moreno

Sports Manager

normasm@jamestownsf.org

Norma enjoys working with coaches who strive to make a difference in the lives of the players we work with. She also enjoy being able to introduce more POC players to soccer. Norma believes soccer has the power of bringing people from all different backgrounds together. It teaches life lessons in addition to creating great leaders. Having worked at various schools throughout the bay as trainer, PE teacher and coach, she strives to create an inclusive environment in health and fitness. Outside of Jamestown, Norma loves to support women's soccer, cooking and going on bike rides around the bay. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lyon College and A.A. in Liberal Arts from Chabot College. 


Interested in joining our team? Click here to see current job openings.

To see a complete Jamestown's Staff List, please click on our Programs page and select the Site or Program to see our current staff listing.