Aracely Barrios, Finance Associate, has been with Renaissance since 2007; when not working to keep our finances in order she assists other members of the Operations Team in supporting the 30 business tenants at our Central Office on 5th Street. Born in Guatemala and raised in San Francisco, Aracely has business ownership in her blood - she owns her own business and has worked in her father's business for many years. Aracely resides in Bayview with her husband and son, and is passionate about the support we provide to Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | (415) 348-6208]
Diane Bradford, Facilities Operations Manager, has been with Renaissance for 16 years. She works to keep Renaissance's SoMa Office building polished and professional, responds to the needs of the 30 on-site businesses, and supports the HR needs of our staff. Diane is a graduate of Renaissance's Business Planning class and has attended University of San Francisco and City College of San Francisco. A busy great grandmother who loves to cook, she makes a mean plate of ribs! [
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| (415) 348-6224]
Paula Connelly is Interim Director of our Women's Business Center at Renaissance’s SoMa Office. Paula helps clients navigate all of the wonderful programs Renaissance has to offer, including our intensive Business Planning class, our Incubator programs, skill-building workshops, and more. Originally from New York City, Paula got a crash course in the politics, arts, and culture of San Francisco during her 4 year stint as the Publisher’s assistant and Calendar Editor for the SF Bay Guardian, where she became passionate about the positive impact that spending locally has on communities. Paula has a BA in Psychology and Literature from SUNY Purchase and enjoys live music, art galleries, and eating and biking her way around San Francisco. [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | (415) 348-6248 ]
Oscar Dominguez, Program Manager for Renaissance Mid-Peninsula, was born in Texas and moved to the Bay Area to attend Stanford University. After graduation and several years in customer service, sales, marketing and operations, Oscar earned an MBA from San Francisco State University. The proud son of former entrepreneurs, Oscar utilizes his professional experience, biculturalism and passion for economic justice to help clients launch and grow sustainable businesses, first with the Mission Economic Development Agency of San Francisco and now with Renaissance. Oscar is working to expand both the scope and reach of the Renaissance Mid-Peninsula office and proudly serves on the board of directors for Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA). He and his wife, Mila, are happy homeowners in the Eastmont Hills area of Oakland. [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | (650) 321-2193 ext. 10]
Yamilet Gonzalez, Program Assistant at the Renaissance Bayview Office has been with Renaissance for over ten years. Yamilet provides programmatic, administrative and outreach support, and is the first person BBRC clients meet when they walk thru the door. She is a graduate of Renaissance's Business Planning class. Born in Nicaragua and raised in San Francisco, Yamilet is bilingual in English and Spanish, as are her six busy and bright children. [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | (415) 647-3728 ext. 3728].
Wendy Guzman, Program Assistant, has provided programmatic and administrative support on economic development projects in our Bayview office since 2007. A Salvadorian-American San Francisco native, she works in outreach and marketing of our programs, most recently in launch of the new business planning class offered in Spanish at the BBRC. Wendy has been working for non-profits for 8 years; her first job was with the San Francisco Arts Commission under Writers Corp; she also served on the San Francisco Youth Commission board. Wendy wants to be a teacher and loves to sing and write poetry. Having grown up in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood, she is now a proud resident of the Mission neighborhood. [
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| (415) 647-3728 ext. 6409].
Mr. Jackson has been welcoming attendees of our evening programs for over a decade and continues to enjoy each new client and their entrepreneurial dreams. If you come to one of the many classes and workshops we offer at our SoMa Office on 5th Street, you are sure to be greeted warmly by Mr. Jackson, our door monitor. A native of Louisiana and long-time Bayview resident, Mr. Jackson has long retired from military service, and spends as much time as he can fishing in the Delta.
Lisa Kirvin has been with Renaissance since 2000, initially as Development Director and currently as the Managing Director of Finance, Operations and HR. She enjoys working with her team to foster smooth internal operations so that the rest of the crew can concentrate on "transforming lives thru entrepreneurship"! Prior to Renaissance, Lisa worked in international education and conflict resolution, and had a very brief stint co-owning a small enterprise as part of her undergrad program. Lisa earned her Masters in International Economic Development at George Washington University. When not at Renaissance, you can find her in one of the City's parks with her son or volunteering in San Francisco's newest Spanish-immersion elementary school program. Fluent in German, her Spanish gets better every day. [
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| (415) 348-6247].
Malik Looper is a member of Renaissance’s leadership team. As the Director of Programs, he oversees the management and expansion of Renaissance programs and services in multiple Bay Area locations. Prior to joining Renaissance, Malik held various leadership roles in local nonprofit and government agencies. He is a lifelong San Francisco resident, who has dedicated his entire life towards economic, environmental and social justice in the Bay Area. Malik, his wife Isa, and aging cat Malcolm are raising two young children in San Francisco’s Excelsior District. [
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| (415) 348-6207].
Sharon Miller is the Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, a position she has held since 1999. Sharon also serves as the Board Chair of CAMEO (California Association of Micro-enterprise Organizations) and is a member of the board of the National Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC). Sharon's extensive experience prior to Renaissance includes work with American Jewish World Service and WNYC New York Public Radio, as well as co-ownership of a wholesale travel company. Sharon is an alumna of Leadership San Francisco (2001) and a Leaderspring Fellow (2005 - 2007), and holds a B.S. from U.C. Berkeley. A native New Yorker, Sharon's passion for social justice and love for shopping result in her continued inspiration from our emerging entrepreneurs, their dreams for better lives, and the products and services they bring to the Bay Area. In May 2009, Sharon will be recognized for her leadership in the field, receiving the Social Entrepreneur Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) San Francisco Chapter. [
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| (415) 348-6243].
Antoinette Sanchez is the Program Coordinator in our SoMa Office on 5th Street; she is responsible for the hands-on management of our intensive training classes and gives a lot of moral support to clients thru the business plan writing process. She first started as an intern and soon after earning her B.S. in Entrepreneurship at San Francisco State University, she became a full-time employee at Renaissance. A budding entrepreneur, Antoinette is a Renaissance Business Planning graduate and is enrolled in La Cocina's Incubator Program. Antoinette recently launched her business, Endless Summer Sweets, selling freshly made funnels cakes, kettle corn and other yummy treats. A Mexican-American native to the Bay Area, Antoinette is a serious 49ers fan and has a beautiful white pit bull named Baby. She somehow still finds time to enjoy her husband, daughters and extended local family. [
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| (415) 348-6248].
Luis Vizcardo, Renaissance Mid-Peninsula's Program Coordinator, provides enthusiastic outreach targeted towards East Palo Alto and East Menlo Parks communities - increasing awareness and enrollment in our programs and services. Originally from Perú, Luis holds a degree from the University of San Ignacio de Loyola as a computer analyst and programmer, as well as a certificate in Multi-cultural Community Health studies from El Concilio of San Mateo County. An involved resident of the East Palo Alto community, Luis is a member of One East Palo and the East Palo Alto Measure C Oversight Committee, and sits on the board of Nuestra Casa. A part of the Start Up team since 1999, Luis loves to join his wife in road trips and overseas travel. [
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| (650) 321-2193 ext. 14].
