Amy Everitt serves as the President of Golden State Opportunity, a leading, California-based anti-poverty organization.

Prior to joining GSO, Amy spent nearly seventeen years working to ensure that everyone could have a family if, when, and with whom they wanted as the Vice-President of Special Projects at NARAL Pro-Choice America and as the State Director for NARAL Pro-Choice California. Amy launched NARAL's first, innovative, multi-level corporate engagement initiative to educate, engage, and mobilize the corporate sector to support reproductive freedom. Amy led, with other stakeholders, the unprecedented and historic Don't Ban Equality declaration that secured more than 360 CEO signatures in support of the business case for reproductive freedom. Under her leadership, California successfully regulated anti-choice fake women's health centers to hold them accountable for their false advertising.

Amy has worked on campaigns throughout California including Kamala Harris for San Francisco District Attorney, Kathleen Brown for Governor, San Francisco Supervisor Willie B. Kennedy, and numerous state assembly and senate races. While at the Democratic National Committee, she focused on redistricting, establishing the first Rural Caucus and electing Mark Warner Governor of Virginia, Jim McGreevy Governor of New Jersey, Kathleen Sebelius Governor of Kansas, Dave Freudenthal Governor of Wyoming and re-electing the North Dakota federal delegation in 2002.

Outside of politics, she lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for three years, serving as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of HCMC and as a freelance journalist for the Vietnam Business Journal and the Vietnam Investment Review. Amy was also the Country Manager at the U.S. Trade & Development Agency for Southeast Asia, bridging business opportunities for American companies with infrastructure needs in developing countries.

Amy currently sits on the Board of the Center for Civic Engagement and is active with the Silicon Valley DemFems. Previously, she served as the Board Chair for Emerge California, Board Chair for the UC Santa Cruz Alumni Council, and on the Steering Committee for the Civil Rights Coalition of California.

She is a 5th generation Californian with deep roots in San Francisco and Newman, CA who attended UC Santa Cruz (BA, Politics) and UC San Diego, School of Global Policy & Strategy (MPIA). She currently lives in Burlingame with her three kids and, more often than not, with her nephew-dog, Eddy.

Ryan is the Director of Programs & Organizing for Golden State Opportunity, leading the strategy and development of the organization's CalEITC+ and other programs and year-round outreach to millions of Californians. Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Director of Integrated Campaigns.

Before joining GSO, he ran digital advocacy, fundraising and organizing campaigns for progressive, non-profit organizations for more than 15 years.

Ryan earned a BA in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College. He lives in Oakland with his wife and his cats and dogs and loves all things outdoors.

Denise is the Deputy Director of Finance & Administration at Golden State Opportunity, where she oversees the organization’s finance, human resources, and administrative functions.

Prior to joining GSO, Denise served as Senior Operations Manager at Schaffer&Combs, a search and strategy consultancy dedicated to the purpose-driven sector. Earlier in her career, she held roles in financial services at ING Barings and Banc of America Securities, and began her career in production management for the Dana Buchman Division of Liz Claiborne, coordinating complex vendor and factory relationships in the U.S. and abroad.

A longtime community volunteer, Denise has served in multiple PTA leadership roles (including Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Chair of a $100,000 public school fundraising event) and is a Troop Leader and Treasurer for her daughters’ Girl Scout troop. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from American University and lives in San Francisco with her husband, three daughters, their budgie Kiwi, and dog Baxter.

As interim Chief Financial Officer, Jesse brings a wealth of financial expertise to Golden State Opportunity, drawing from her diverse background across multiple industries. With an MBA from Penn State University, she combines strategic vision with practical financial solutions, having previously transformed financial operations at organizations ranging from museums to retail chains. Her experience as a fractional CFO has honed her ability to quickly assess nonprofit financial challenges and implement tailored solutions that improve performance, enhance cash flow, and drive sustainable growth. She is known for her innovative approach to financial management, integrating technology to increase accuracy and efficiency while building strong collaborative relationships with executive teams. Her exceptional talent for revitalizing financial operations demonstrated by achievements like doubling earned revenue and streamlining reporting processes makes her a valuable partner for nonprofits seeking to strengthen their financial foundations and maximize their mission impact.

Gemma Berry is an innovative leader in nonprofit development who combines her passion for humanitarian and social justice causes to advance the mission of the nonprofit organizations she serves. She enjoys creating meaningful opportunities for donors to engage and connect with her and the organizations she serves so they can make a big impact through their generosity.

Most recently, Gemma served as Senior Community Philanthropy Manager for The Trevor Project where she helped lead the mid-level team in raising $8.5M annually in support of its mission. She has a reputation for building strong donor relationships and securing significant gifts for advancement.

A former Princeton Fellow with a criminal justice background, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies and English from The CUNY Grad Center’s Baccalaureate Program for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. She earned her master’s degree in English from Rutgers University- New Brunswick where she was a doctoral fellow from 2007-2011. In early 2023, Gemma was made a Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley via there GTU affiliate.

Gemma began her career in development at the University of Miami as part of then President Donna Shalala's Momentum2 campaign. Shalala served in both the Carter and Clinton administrations as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2021. At UM, Gemma helped compose key proposals that assisted the team in raising more than $1.6 billion dollars eight months ahead of deadline.

Gemma is an avid supporter of the arts and a fixture of her city’s arts and cultural scenes. She is a big-time foodie, Francophile, coffee drinker, music, dog and nature lover.

Malia Bert is the Organizer, Northern California in the Bay area for Golden State Opportunity. She works to empower underserved communities by advocating for financial stability and economic equity. With extensive experience in community outreach, event management, and education, Malia is dedicated to creating lasting change through impactful programs and initiatives.

Prior to joining Golden State Opportunity, she served in leadership roles at another organization, spearheading projects like youth empowerment programs, community wellness programs, and cultural celebrations. Her background also includes experience in early childhood education and supporting survivors of domestic violence through administrative and outreach roles.

Malia is passionate about mentoring, fostering creativity, and building vibrant, inclusive communities.

Patricia is the Executive Assistant to the Office of the President. Patricia has over 20 years of experience supporting executives, partners and senior executives across a range of industries. Outside of her professional life, Patricia enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, indulging in her love for shopping and cooking. She enjoys giving back through community service initiatives, and she is passionate about serving and helping the unhoused community. She also partners with her husband in providing marital counseling and mentoring young couples.

Patricia brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication and a personal approach making her an invaluable asset to the executive team.

Isabel "Isa" Gonzalez is the Southern California Organizer at Golden State Opportunity, leading efforts in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. A South LA native with 15+ years in the nonprofit sector, Isa is dedicated to empowering underserved communities through advocacy for financial stability, racial justice, and economic equity.

Her career is rooted in community-centered advocacy and organizing. At InnerCity Struggle, she pioneered the Early Care and Education campaign and expanded funding for grassroots movements driving systemic change.

Isa’s professional journey is marked by a dedication to systemic reform and amplifying the voices of those most impacted by economic disparity. She is skilled at balancing analytical, data-driven action plans with a respectful approach that ensures every individual feels acknowledged and supported. Driven by her own upbringing, Isa is passionate about mentoring, fostering community resilience, and building vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods across Southern California.

Isa graduated Cum Laude from Mount St. Mary’s University with degrees in Political Science and Spanish Studies. Outside work, she enjoys travel, art, and building authentic connections.

As the Senior Digital Organizer at Golden State Opportunity, Taylor Jackson uses innovative digital strategies to promote economic mobility and build collective power.

Prior to joining Golden State Opportunity, Taylor has led initiatives to address systemic barriers and empower workers. She mobilized communities in Southern California to advocate for Senate Bill 16, which expands local enforcement of civil rights protections in housing and employment which passed. In North Carolina, she collaborated with unions, policymakers, and grassroots organizations to enhance worker protections and improve job quality through comprehensive labor programs. As part of the Black Census Project 2023, Taylor built and executed a strategy to amplify voices in the nation’s largest survey of its kind since Reconstruction.

Having grown up in three countries, Taylor has gained firsthand insight into economic disparities across diverse contexts, shaping her deep commitment to systemic change. Her global perspective drives her passion for crafting equitable solutions, and through her role, she remains dedicated to advancing economic equity and breaking the cycle of poverty.

Citlalli Lizárraga is the Programs Manager at Golden State Opportunity. Prior to this role, Citlalli served as the CalEITC+ Project Manager for GSO.

Prior to joining GSO, Citlalli worked in nonprofit development for three years. She is a Northern California native and graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a BS in International Business.

Citlalli loves to help people and volunteers at the Alameda Community Food Bank. She enjoys traveling, finding new food spots and exploring nature areas in the Bay Area.

Cayla McCrae is the Designer and Web Manager at Golden State Opportunity where she manages our websites and designs all collateral materials for both GSO and our signature education and outreach program CalEITC4Me.

Prior to joining GSO, she spent eight years working in branding and communications at mission-driven organizations including the American Red Cross, Denim Day, and Doctors Without Borders. She specializes in design practices that are trauma-informed and human-centered, often working cross-discipline with organizers, educators, writers, developers, ethnographers, craftspeople and others.

Cayla is an alum of Art Center College of Design and UCLA’s Design | Media Arts program.

Jordan is the Research & Data Analyst at Golden State Opportunity. Jordan was previously a Distributed Organizing Fellow, a Policy Fellow, and a Programs Assistant, working with the policy department in their pursuit of providing Californians with the services needed to find peace and thrive.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jordan graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Literature. He hopes to one day fully understand the full implementation of the arts as a means of substantially healing the wounds of the world.

Jose Quezada is the Organizer, Southern California in Riverside County for Golden State Opportunity.

Prior to joining Golden State Opportunity, he worked for ACLU California Action as the Power Building & Legislative Operations associate where he helped to advance civil rights and civil liberties at the State Capitol for all Californians. He has worked on many civil liberty issues from immigrant’s rights to economic justice to uplift all communities in the state.

A southern California native he graduated from the University of California Davis with a major in political science with an emphasis on public policy. He began working as a community organizer in Sacramento in 2014 where he learned the importance of grassroots advocacy. Having grown up in Riverside, He is now the regional organizer for Golden State Opportunity in his hometown.

Andy Rodriguez is the Senior Organizing Manager for Golden State Opportunity where he oversees statewide organizing efforts, shapes GSO's organizing strategy, and leads partnerships with grantee organizations, regional organizers and elected officials to promote CalEITC4Me and advance economic opportunity for California’s working families.

Prior to joining GSO, Andy served as Youth Development Director at the Bresee Foundation. Andy is experienced in non-profit management, with a track record of success in leading and directing community-focused initiatives in Los Angeles. He has demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice and has dedicated his career to improving the lives of those in his community. With his expertise in community organizing and program development, Andy has made a significant impact on the organizations he has served, working to build stronger and more equitable communities throughout the city.

He holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from UCLA, and his life’s work is rooted in supporting individuals and families navigating economic margins and expanding pathways to stability and opportunity.

Jamie is the Narrative Media Strategist for Golden State Opportunity where she creates social media content and manages six accounts across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Prior to joining GSO, Jamie managed social media strategy and communications for San Joaquin Memorial High School and West Hills Community College District where she crafted award-winning social media campaigns. She also worked as a reporter for the Coalinga Recorder.

Jamie earned her MA in Strategic Communications from Washington State University, her BA in English from UC Berkeley, and earned a professional certificate in Digital Marketing from CSU Fullerton. She lives in Clovis and enjoys spending time with her husband, camping, and sampling new restaurants.

Garooneh is the 2026 Community Organizing Fellow at Golden State Opportunity, where she supports and strengthens GSO’s community-based outreach efforts and extends GSO’s presence in the community by staffing outreach events, supporting major campaigns such as Tacos & Taxes and It’s Not Too Late to File, collecting community stories, and helping recruit volunteers.

Prior to joining GSO, Garooneh earned a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology & Physiology from California State University Long Beach, where she minored in Translation Studies and founded a student organization to promote Translation and Language Studies. She volunteers as a medical assistant and event lead with a nonprofit health clinic dedicated to delivering free healthcare to the uninsured and unhoused. She is passionate about reducing disparities in healthcare and aspires to serve under-resourced communities as a physician.

Garooneh resides in Southern California and enjoys trying out new hobbies like crocheting, roller blading, and gardening. She also plays percussion and sings with the City of Angels Community Choir.

Jessica is the 2026 Distributed Organizing Fellow at Golden State Opportunity, where she engages with low-income Californians throughout the state using a broadcast texting platform to promote the CalEITC, our Tacos & Taxes free filing events, and other federal, state, and local benefits that they may be eligible to receive.

A first-generation college graduate, Jessica earned a BA in Sociology from UCLA. She is passionate about serving low-income communities and engaging in meaningful work that creates positive impact in the lives of people.

Jessica lives in Southern California and enjoys being outdoors, planting seeds to see her garden grow, watching telenovelas, and spending time with her family.

Keara is a 2026 Bay Area Community Organizing Fellow at Golden State Opportunity, where she supports and strengthens GSO’s community-based outreach efforts and extends GSO’s presence in the community by staffing outreach events, supporting major campaigns such as Tacos & Taxes and It’s Not Too Late to File, collecting community stories, and volunteer recruitment.

Prior to joining GSO, Keara completed a degree in Education Policy and Psychology at Miami University in Ohio where she graduated from the Urban Cohort, a multidisciplinary program focused on social justice and community building. Through this program, she worked on a grassroots affordable housing campaign and also organized for women's rights in the 2024 election.

Keara is a recent transplant to the Bay Area and enjoys singing with the Oakland Jazz Choir, spending time with family, and seeing live music.

Vanessa Del Rosario is the 2026 Inland Empire Community Organizing Fellow at Golden State Opportunity, where here she supports and strengthens GSO’s community-based outreach efforts and extends GSO’s presence in the community by staffing outreach events, supporting major campaigns such as Tacos & Taxes and It’s Not Too Late to File, collecting community stories, and volunteer recruitment.

Vanessa is a second-year Political Science student at University of California, Riverside. She is passionate about advocacy work and serving her community as part of this fellowship.

Originally from Northern California, Vanessa enjoys spending time with friends and trying new foods and activities.