Meet Our Team
Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes is the Founder and Executive Director of the Roots of Success Environmental Literacy and Job Training Apprenticeship Program and a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at San Francisco State University where her research and teaching focus on improving quality of life for people living in underserved communities. An internationally recognized expert on green jobs and workforce development, Raquel conducted the landmark study “Green Collar Jobs for Individuals with Barriers to Employment” and co-authored the Federal Department of Corrections first report on “The Greening of Corrections: Creating a Sustainable System” in addition to many other publications in the field. Her programmatic work on on preparing youth and adults who face barriers to employment for jobs in the green economy informed the Obama Administration’s ARRA “Pathways Out of Poverty” program and the development of hundreds of green job training programs in the United States. Her current research and writing focuses on the impact of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.
Amber Snow is the Operations Manager at Roots of Success, where she supports finance, human resources, operations, and communications to help keep the organization running smoothly. Amber is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation and she brings a deep commitment to equity, community, and justice to her work, along with a strong grounding in both lived experience and academic insight. She holds an associate’s degree in anthropology and is currently transferring to California State University, East Bay to continue her education. She is also pursuing a Certificate in Nonprofit Management to strengthen her leadership and organizational development skills. Amber approaches her work with care and strategic thinking, and her background in community-based efforts makes her a vital force in advancing long-term, sustainable change.
Tori Vela is the Program Manager at Roots of Success, responsible for supporting and supervising program partners nationwide as they deliver the Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship program in community and carceral settings. Based in the Bay Area, Tori has a strong background in the nonprofit sector, having worked as a Community Engagement Manager, Urban Farming Apprentice, and Food Access Coordinator at a local farmers market. Passionate about sustainability, equity, and community empowerment, she holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a MPH from the Colorado School of Public Health.
Josie Phoenix is the Special Projects Manager at Roots of Success. They are currently focused on expanding and updating the curriculum to further address climate resilience, environmental justice, and green workforce development. Josie also develops multimedia presentations and educational media to support partners across a range of settings. Before joining Roots of Success, Josie worked in the foodservice and hospitality industry for over fifteen years, gaining deep experience in leadership, team building, and community engagement. They hold a B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning from San Francisco State University and remain actively involved in grassroots efforts to increase food and housing security, support mutual aid networks, and expand harm reduction services.
Michael Smith is Workforce Development & Reentry Programs Specialist with Roots of Success. A student at University of Maine, Augusta, Michael is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, with a focus on web design. Currently incarcerated at Mountain View Correctional Facility, Michael is working with the Roots of Success program through a unique partnership with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison and Maine DOC which supports incarcerated men and women to engage in paid work-based learning opportunities. At Mountain View, Micheal serves as a Resident Counsel Substitute and mentor, helping his peers navigate the disciplinary process and access educational and personal development opportunities. His work is grounded in his lived experience, a commitment to environmental and social justice, and values rooted in his Penobscot heritage.
Interns
Ala’addin Ghosheh is a Data Visualization Intern with Roots of Success. He is currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is passionate about using technology to support social impact initiatives and is especially interested in education, environmental justice, and community empowerment.
Annie Conrady is a rising senior at New York University, double majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy, with a minor in Social-Cultural Analysis. At Roots of Success, she is working on redesigning the new RoS Report both aesthetically and structurally, as well as updating social media and general communication or ‘storytelling’ approaches.
Eleni Zerie is a rising senior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Cognitive Studies and minoring in Data Science and Business. Before interning at Roots of Success, she worked as a Digital Media Assistant at her university. She is passionate about uplifting marginalized groups through community-building and advocacy.
Juliet Delino is a Data Visualization Intern with Roots of Success. She is a rising senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, studying Data Science with a focus in Digital Media Analytics. Last summer, she interned with Skechers on their Data Product Management team and is excited to continue learning this summer with Roots of Success. In her free time, Juliet enjoys yoga, cooking, secondhand fashion, and traveling. She looks forward to applying data science across industries to solve meaningful problems and drive impact through data.
Kristen Maggard is a graduate from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. She is passionate about using data to create a more equitable and sustainable world.
Board of Directors
Kay O’Neill, Board President Kay joined Roots of Success Advisory Board in 2010 while directing five Green Job Academies in California’s San Mateo county. Inspired by the enduring and transformative power of the Roots of Success teaching method, she continued to support Roots of Success as a Community College Workforce Director and Consultant to non-profit workforce and apprenticeship training programs. Kay became President of the Board of Directors in 2022 and is committed to expanding the reach of our 600+ programs across the country through fundraising and community-based partnerships.
An Bui, Vice President and Secretary An has worked in the nonprofit sector for close to 10 years, and has been involved with Roots since 2017. Currently, he is the Community Needs Assessment Coordinator for the nonprofit Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Multnomah County, Oregon. He is passionate about equity, community empowerment, and data-informed decision making, and is immensely proud to be serving on the board.
Maurice Hampton, Director Maurice began working with the Roots of Success Program in 2013, while serving a 4 year prison term in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) at the Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI). Since 2016 he has been employed by Quality Control Inspection (QCI) as a Civil Engineering Inspector. He earned a Bachelor of Science Engineering Technology (BSET) in Civil Engineering from the Ohio State University (OSU). Maurice is also the President of Hampton Properties Reformed, LLC a Commercial and Residential Construction Company providing living wage employment for previously incarcerated men and women.
Chad Flores, Treasurer Chad is Director of Product Management at Cohesion. His expertise is in nonprofit organizational management and environmental policy. Previous to his work with Roots of Success, he worked for the online fundraising nonprofit Network for Good and the social innovation incubator Hub Bay Area. Chad holds a M.S. in Public Service Management from DePaul University’s School of Public Service and a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Marquette University. He is passionate about issues at the intersection of public health, economy, policy, and innovation.
Cyril Walrond, Director Cyril is the Executive Director for the Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF). He was a Roots of Success Instructor and Master Trainer in Washington state prisons, where his immense talents, passion, wisdom, and leadership have changed the lives of countless men during his incarceration. After being incarcerated for nearly two decades, with two more on the books, Cyril was resentenced in June 2022 and was able to return home to his family and community. He is a dedicated community organizer, advocate, and ambassador for social change, transformative justice, and community empowerment Executive Director for the Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF).
Raquel Pinderhughes, Director Raquel is Executive Director of Roots of Success.
Advisors
Job opportunities
We may be hiring! Look for our postings on Idealist, or send an email to info@rootsofsuccess.org for more information. We also have a Handshake profile for student internships.
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
If you are interested in interning or volunteering with Roots of Success please send your resume and a cover letter to info@rootsofsuccess.org.