Staff & Advisory Board
Learn more about the team behind Roots of Success
Staff
Raquel Pinderhughes, Ph.D. is Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at San Francisco State University and the Founder and Executive Director of the Roots of Success Environmental Literacy and Work Readiness Program. Her work focuses on improving quality of life for people from underserved communities. She conducted the landmark study “Green Collar Jobs for Individuals with Barriers to Employment” and co-authored the first report on “The Greening of Corrections: Creating a Sustainable System” for the Federal Department of Corrections. Her programmatic work on preparing people with barriers to employment for jobs in the green economy informed the creation of the Obama Administration’s “Pathways Out of Poverty” Program and the development of hundreds of green jobs training and environmental literacy programs in the United States.
Chad Flores is the Head of Product and Deputy Executive Director of Roots of Success. 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.
Grady Mitchell is Corrections and Reentry Outreach Coordinator and Advisory Board member at Roots of Success. Grady became a Roots of Success instructor and Master Trainer in Washington state prisons, where he taught hundreds of students over many years. In January 2021, Grady’s 37 year sentence was commuted and he was able to return home to his family and community.
Abby O’Brien is Outreach and Projects Manager at Roots of Success. Prior, she worked at the SFS Center for Sustainable Development Studies in Atenas, Costa Rica. Abby holds a B.A. in Environmental Analysis with a focus in sustainability and the built environment from Scripps College. She is excited to work with our partners and help Roots grow.
Florencia Diano Borghini is a member of the Roots of Success en Español team, working on Curriculum Development and as Video Editor. A photographer and filmmaker from Uruguay, she holds a degree in Social Communication with emphasis in Audiovisual Narrative and a Diploma in Editing. She works as a photographer, audiovisual producer, teacher, and graphic designer.
Ana Rodriguez is a member of the Roots of Success en Español team, working on Curriculum Development and Translation. She is from Quito, Ecuador and is earning her B.A. at Scripps College.
Kathleen Kanaley is a member of the Roots of Success en Español team where she is primarily responsible for ensuring that core Roots of Success content and documents are available in Spanish. Kathleen holds a dual degree in Natural Sciences and Spanish Literature. She has lived and worked in Panama, Spain, and Ecuador on a range of ecological restoration and agricultural projects. Kathleen aims to use her linguistic abilities to advance environmental and social justice.
Advisory Board
Curtis Penn (Co-chair) – Division Director of Justice Services, Felton Institute
David Duhaime – Roots of Success Instructor and Master Trainer, Stafford Creek Correction Center
Grady Mitchell – Roots of Success Instructor and Master Trainer, Washington Corrections Center
Eugene Youngblood – Roots of Success Instructor and Master Trainer, Monroe Correctional Complex
Lisbeth Shepard – Executive Director, Green City Force
Jamie Brewster – Career Services Manager, Rising Sun Energy Center
Employment Opportunities
We may be hiring! Look for our postings on Idealist, or send an email to info@rootsofsuccess.org for more information.
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.