Our Team
- All
- Staff
- Leadership Council
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Briel Pomerantz
Manager of Community Leadership
Why I GO
I GO because children deserve access to safe, supportive, and equitable schools to learn, grow, and cultivate their own unique talents and strengths.
Briel Pomerantz
Manager of Community Leadership
Briel is a Bay Area native. Briel has a background and a degree in the performing arts. She shifted to the world of education in 2012, earning a master’s degree in education. She was an Early Childhood Educator for nine years in Oakland and Berkeley, where she served as a Mentor Teacher and found joy in working with other educators. In 2021, her desire to serve a larger and more diverse population compelled her to shift out of the classroom and led to her work as an EdTech Trainer in the field of Adult ESL Education. Now, she is so excited to bring her experience and passion to the GO WCC team!
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Tom Panas
Leadership Council
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Estela DePaz
Leadership Council
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Audra Golddie Williams
Leadership Council
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Ja’nee Miskell
Coordinator of Communications and Operations
Why I GO
In today's time, success in the public school system depends on the amount of resources students have access to receive. We need to find solutions to eliminate the disconnect as to why education inequality exists. Children are the future and we have a great opportunity to make positive impacts.
Ja’nee Miskell
Coordinator of Communications and Operations
Born and raised in California’s Central Valley, Ja’nee attended public schools all her life and considers herself lucky to have been part of a K-12 system that went above and beyond in providing resources for students to be successful. Ja’nee understands that advocating for those resources was essential to her growth, and believers it is her turn to advocate for the next generation to receive the education they deserve.
While finishing her undergraduate degree, Ja’nee was presented with the opportunity to work with children with autism as a special projects intern. While in her internship, Ja’nee learned logistics and project planning and knew she wanted to continue to have a positive impact on children while working on the operations side of an organization. In her new role, Ja’nee is excited to both expand on her operations experience and develop a new skillset as GO WCC’s storyteller.
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Minnie Setty
Leadership Council
Why I GO
I GO because all families deserve a voice in their child’s education. Families propel change.
Minnie Setty
Leadership Council
Minnie comes to her role as a parent, a second generation immigrant, and a former public school principal. She believes all children and families have the right to a high quality public school – and that this dream can be a reality. She has worked for the Chamberlin Family Foundation since 2013 and is currently the Chief Program Officer.
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Eric Aaholm
Leadership Council
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Erika Ruiz Rodriguez
Manager of Policy and Advocacy
Why I GO
Para que todos los niños tengan acceso a las mismas oportunidades y puedan soñar sin limites.
Erika Ruiz Rodriguez
Manager of Policy and Advocacy
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Erika is a current West Contra Costa parent and a WCCUSD and Metas Alumni. Raised in the San Pablo/Richmond area, she is now proud to be able to raise her two boys there. In her previous work with non-profit organizations, Erika worked with several schools in WCCUSD and the School Based Health Centers.
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Natalie Tovani-Walchuk
Executive Director
Why I GO
Together, I believe we can create an inclusive space where all come to the table with honest stories and curious ears; to share worries, successes, and solutions; and to draw energy, urgency, and inspiration from a shared commitment to doing what’s best for our babies.
Natalie Tovani-Walchuk
Executive Director
Natalie is a Richmond local and founding principal of Caliber Schools Beta Academy. She was raised in Richmond and now is proud to raise her children there. Over the past 10 years, she has been a school leader at parochial and public schools in West Contra Costa and Alameda counties serving students in grades Pre K-12. Most recently, Natalie was the principal of Glenview Elementary in Oakland where, under her leadership, the school experienced double-digit growth in both Math and ELA on the California Standards Test (CST). In 2011, Glenview achieved the most growth in the district for African American students in Math. In her final year in Oakland, Natalie received the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award with an unprecedented number of nominations.
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Scottie Smith
Leadership Council
Why I GO
I GO because every child in our community -- especially low-income students and students of color -- deserves justice and equal opportunity. We must work together until this is a reality for all of our students.
Scottie Smith
Leadership Council
A West Contra Costa grandparent and community-based organization leader, Scottie has been an education advocate for over 35 years. She began working in Montgomery County, Maryland as a parent volunteer in the local schools and was elected the first Special Needs Chair for the Montgomery County Public School system. As Chair, she advocated for the educational rights of Exceptional Students, and the establishment of a parent center that provided resources and advocacy services to parents, teachers, and students. Scottie also co-founded The March 4 Education, a grassroots organization that advocates for equity in educational funding at the state and national levels. She has served many parents and students in Contra Costa County, Alameda County, and San Francisco. She provides personal advocacy and training sessions for parents/students, social service agencies and others on 504, IDEA, and regular education issues.
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Kathleen Maloney
Leadership Council
Why I GO
I partner with GO because I believe that advocacy and organizing are critical to achieving an equitable, high quality education for all West Contra Costa students.
Kathleen Maloney
Leadership Council
Kathleen is an El Cerrito parent and passionate education advocate who is both personally and professionally dedicated to improving outcomes in West Contra Costa County schools. She has worked for the Irene S. Scully Family Foundation since 2007, having served as the Foundation’s Program Officer and Director of Programs before taking on her current role as Executive Director.
