Youth Development and Education
Seeding Transformative Youth Development and Education Organizations

Our Approach
Be the Change believes every young person has the desire and capacity to learn and that every teacher seeks the skills to cultivate authentic relationships with the students they support. Our methodology is grounded in three core frameworks.
- We reference the Positive Youth Development framework as a strength based approach to youth engagement that promotes positive early adult outcomes and youth leadership development.
- We apply Bruce Tuckman’s theory of group development in Be The Change’s River Guide Framework, to intentionally integrate youth development practices and skill development into a four phase journey that informs program and classroom design.
- We use CASEL’s Transformative Social Emotional Learning as a reflection tool that informs how we develop authentic youth/adult partnerships, rooted in shared power and collaborative decision-making.
We overlay these frameworks with experiential learning, human centered design, and culturally relevant practice because we believe that the intersection of these philosophies nurtures communities to guide and support young people to become healthy socially conscious adults.
Offerings
For All Staff
Building Intentional Communities
For Supervisors
Supervision for Effective Employee Development
For All Staff
Youth Development Trainings
Youth Development Trainings
Our training spaces require courage.
They invite vulnerability.
They hold the possibility for profound transformation.
About The Trainers

Jae Maldonado
Director of Training and Business Development
Jae Maldonado is a people centric, strategic thinker, with over 15 years of demonstrated success in developing cross-sector programs that advance racial and gender equity. His unique experience as a transmasculine identified Latinx activist has enabled him to lead from the intersections of movements that center the experiences of those most impacted by institutional violence. In his role with Be The Change, Jae continues to draw from his extensive field experience to create spaces for self-care that support change agents with the physical, emotional, and mental strength to realize racial justice. Jae is a recipient of the 2017 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity and has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Seton Hall University. In his free time Jae enjoys walking his dog snoopy and contemplating the revolution.

Fong Marcolongo
Director of Training and Capacity Building
Fong (she/her/hers) is a bridge-builder, community capacity builder, and youth development advocate dedicated to supporting communities of color to lead their own transformations. Her expertise resides in the design/implementation of experiential human-centered learning, culturally competent youth leadership development, positive youth development trainings, experiential curriculum development and collaborative team management. She specializes in creating interactive visual frameworks for group collaboration and strategic visioning. Fong has over 15 years of working in the non-profit sector. Her passion is to support the youth development and education field to build the capacities of their leaders. Fong received her BS in Political Science and holds a Master’s in Global Affairs. When she is not working, Fong is propagating plants, stumbling on roller skates, and keeping up with her energetic 8-year old while catching moments of joy with her family.

Franklin Hysten
Trainer/Coach
Franklin Hysten (he/him) is committed to creating transformative experiences that strengthen youth and their communities. Drawing on 18 years of experience developing leaders in youth development, philanthropy and government -based organizations, he supports Be the Change Consulting’s organizational consulting portfolio, which includes program design, logic modeling, and strategic planning for organizations state-wide. He also manages the youth development portfolio for high-school aged-youth, with a focus on restorative practices. His strong background in youth development has afforded him the opportunity to train and coach emerging non-profit professionals and share best practices with staff, managers and funders.

Rooben Morgan
Trainer/Coach
Rooben Morgan (he/him) is a seasoned after-school educator, trainer, and coach with a home, jobs, and friends in the Bay Area. He has worked on curriculum building, namely for afterschool spaces to focus on SEL and individualized learning. He is also a fervent advocate of collective bargaining for afterschool staff, so they can rightfully receive appropriate wages, proper training, and fair representation. When not trying to impress no one with his non-existent dancing skills, he can be seen wandering amongst the woods, wearing a contemplative look, just breathing.

Jenjii Hysten
Trainer/Coach
Jenjii Hysten (she/her) is an advocate, teacher, student, facilitator and a voice for the voiceless. In her 15+ years Jenjii has served as a Program Director, Executive Director, Dean of Students, Curriculum Designer. Jenjii holds a BA in Interdisciplinary-Studies-Urban Economic Development (UCB), is an Ordained Reverend, holds a Compass point ED certificate and is currently pursuing a Certified Life Coach certificate. As a coach Jenjii can quickly assess complex organizational issues and develop creative solutions to problems. She utilizes the power of metaphors and storytelling to connect program challenges to theoretical frameworks. Jenjii is a great cook and enjoys biking, reading and exploring new places with her husband and two sons.

Aminta Steinbach
Director of Climate , Culture, & Equity
Aminta Steinbach (she/her) infuses her expertise in shaping climate, culture & equity practices across all our offerings at Be the Change, where she’s been a leader for 8+ years. In her previous 20 years working with young people, Aminta has been a Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership Instructor and Program Director. Aminta majored in Community Studies, has studied Recreational Program Design and is a Certified Self Defense Instructor. Her areas of expertise as a capacity builder include Cultural Responsiveness, Health and Safety Awareness and Community Building. Aminta has a black belt in Kung Fu, and when not working you can usually find her kicking and punching her way to a more peaceful world. She lives in Berkeley on Ohlone land.

Lauren Martinez
Manager of Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Initiatives
Lauren Martinez (they/them) makes every event we host pop with music for the movement! As Manager of Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Initiatives, Lauren’s presence makes everything move smoothly and with care. They are currently pursuing both a Master’s of Social Change and Master of Divinity at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA- known for being the “most progressive school in the United States.” With a background in Education and Youth Development, Lauren is dedicated to standing with people, especially youth of color through spiritual embodiment and a social justice healing lens. They live in Berkeley on Ohlone land.

Naima Porter
Zoom Host
Naima Porter (she/her) is an art student from Los Angeles, California, who has been studying photography at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City for the past two years. After deciding to take a leave of absence from school due to COVID-19, Naima joined with BeThe Change Consulting as a Zoom Host to provide a successful and comfortable learning environment during training sessions. Naima spends most days utilizing her creativity through different art forms, tending to her garden, and spending time with loved ones.

Ebony Johnson
Trainer & Coach
Ebony’s path is grounded in the integrity of Spirit and guided by her Ancestors. Her calling is to be of service to those marginalized by the brutality of oppressive systems. As a Black woman, Ebony prioritizes her advocacy, organizing, teaching, consulting, and healing guidance work to uplift Black people and Black communities. In addition to supporting marginalized people to navigate, resist, and heal from structural violence; Ebony recognizes this work is incomplete without asserting methods of accountability for abusive systems. Her practice has always been accompanied by efforts to partner with those around her to develop and implement protocols of systemic accountability to address issues of bias and discrimination. A hallmark of Ebony’s practice is challenging the status quo and inspiring people to initiate and create healthier ways of existing. Principles from the Black radical tradition like self-determination, intersectionality, collective empowerment, sovereignty, and love inform her perspective and guide her approach.

Lyn-Tise Jones
Director of Oceanview, Merced Heights, Ingleside Family Resource Center
Lyn-Tise Jones is a proud third-generation resident of San Francisco, California’s Bayview Hunters Point district where she serves her community as the Director of Oceanview, Merced Heights, Ingleside Family Resource Center. She is a seasoned program director and exceptional community leader who is dedicated to the advancement of access and equality of underserved communities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Mass Communications and Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Fisk University. Lyn-Tise specializes in building partnerships, supporting communities through learning and engagement, and advocating for others. Her creativity, passion and ability to lead, motivate, and engage both small and large groups sets her apart from others. We are excited to have her be a part of the BTCC team working with many of our youth-focused and community-based organizations.

Shelley Kuang
Manager of Consulting and Training Initiatives
Shelley Kuang is a multigenre artist and organizer. Before joining Be the Change Consulting as a Production Assistant, Shelley has worked as an educator enacting student-led college access programming, advising a youth-led dance team, and facilitating behavioral and mental health education. Later, she honed her mixed-methods data collection, analytic and production skills while working with an evaluations research firm. She received her BA in Human Development from UC San Diego. Shelley is the Alumni-in-Residence with Emerging Arts Professionals SFBA and volunteers with the Asian Prisoner Support Committee.

Kelsey Rogoff
Program Coordinator
Kelsey Rogoff is a passionate youth advocate and educator. As a proud Xicana and product of Boyle Heights, she honors her roots by championing equitable access to opportunities for youth who mirror the identities of her former students. Her experience as a high school teacher in East Oakland and past work in various youth development programs informs her role with Be the Change Consulting. As Program Coordinator, Kelsey partners with colleagues to ensure BTC’s training are a positive and impactful experience for all participants. She received her BA in Political Science with a minor in Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism from the University of Southern California and her MA in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. In her free time, Kelsey coaches CrossFit and enjoys throwing weight around in the gym.
Organizations Trust Us
Hundreds of organizations trust Be the Change to train their teams.
Here are just a few


















Lisette Ostrander
Director of Education at Beyond Differences
Sarah Wan
Executive Director at CYC
Priscilla Parchia
Program Manager, Expanded Learning
Ay'Anna Moody
Director, Social Impact & Generation Thrive
Rodd Lee
Assistant General Manager, External Affairs
Erin Gutiérrez
Director of Learning & Development
Ariana Bayer
Manager of Family Programs
Pam Connie
Jill Nielsen
Felix Caraballo
P. Marcia Brown
Deanna Grant-Curtis
Carla Williams-Namboodiri
Profesora de Inglés y Humanidades, Escuela Bilingüe Internacional Middle School English and Humanities Teacher
Mei Ann Teo
Assoc Artistic Director, Director of New Work, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
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I am the Director of Education for Beyond Differences. I worked with Fong in the late summer/ fall of 2020. Fong coached me as I prepared to launch an educator cohort series in NYC and FL for close to 70 educators. My primary goals were to build an intentional learning community, support Read More
Lisette Ostrander
Director of Education at Beyond Differences
When developing capacity for my team of 100+ staff, Be the Change Consulting is our go-to organization. Whether I need guidance for our newly hired direct service staff or non-profit veterans from our leadership team, I trust in BTCC to offer the groundwork to address all our needs. They Read More
Sarah Wan
Executive Director at CYC
We have been using the Building Intentional Communities Curriculum for a decade now and continue to come back for more curriculum, more PD, and support. We have continued, renewed, and recommended BTCC’s services because they are exactly what our communities need. Thoughtful, communal, Read More
Priscilla Parchia
Program Manager, Expanded Learning
This year we were excited to partner with Be the Change Consulting, Hellman Foundation and the Walter & Elise Haas Senior Fund to launch a virtual training series just as the pandemic hit and the shelter in place order was announced. We wanted to offer relevant and responsive training and Read More
Ay'Anna Moody
Director, Social Impact & Generation Thrive
Dynamic…diverse…engaging…extraordinary…innovative…inclusive. Those are just a few terms that describe Be the Change Consulting.
Their team of highly skilled professionals, exceptionally led by Sangita Kumar, assisted BART with extensive outreach and in-depth engagement with Read More
Rodd Lee
Assistant General Manager, External Affairs
Be the Change Consulting has been a key partner over the years providing training and support that tends to both content expertise and humanizing processes. The workshops are engaging, thought-provoking, and grounded in the latest academic research, and I most appreciate that their facilitators Read More
Erin Gutiérrez
Director of Learning & Development
Participating in Be The Change Consulting’s Antiracism capacity building series has supported tremendous growth for me professionally through the development of an anti-racist perspective and actions, from big picture project goals and assessments all the way down to how our team opens Read More
Ariana Bayer
Manager of Family Programs
Excellent and I attend a LOT of these training sessions. Well organized. Clear and courageous content.
Pam Connie
I really appreciated the hands on skills at the end of the session.
Very engaging and extremely informed – presented material in an accessible and interesting manner.
I would recommend at least 3 hours for this training.
Jill Nielsen
It’s a different facilitation style that you have but I can see how it works. It’s a much more human experience, rather than a student teacher discussion. I’m impressed.
Great Job.
Felix Caraballo
Thank you for demonstrating your passion: Be The Change; was evident. I appreciate the copy of the PP.
P. Marcia Brown
I love this organization. Their curriculum is some of the best I’ve ever used! Tried and true.
Deanna Grant-Curtis
I adapted the Lemonade activity from your Ice Breakers and Team Builders to Build Social-Emotional Skills for my advisory yesterday. Used the watering pot like a spin the bottle. After saying something they wanted to wash away from the week, they sprinkled water onto the classroom plants. I ❤ Read More
Carla Williams-Namboodiri
Profesora de Inglés y Humanidades, Escuela Bilingüe Internacional Middle School English and Humanities Teacher
I am taking away the way that capitalism and racism are inextricable in causing our micro and macro aggressions against each other. I’m sitting deeply with how the sense of urgency stems from perfectionism and also how it perpetuates how we treat each other as cogs in the wheel instead of Read More
Mei Ann Teo
Assoc Artistic Director, Director of New Work, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Appreciate y’all Aminta & Thomas! I wish we could combine our collective superpowers in facilitating.
Anonymous
It was really helpful to have to say the actual words. Because it highlighted an issue that could have easily been glossed over- Thank you group.
Anonymous
Thank you all for an amazing learning experience.
Anonymous
Thank you so much. These strategies are really helpful and actionable!!
Anonymous
Thank you for this extremely enriching experience!
Anonymous
Thank you for a great session. This has been really informative and helpful.
Anonymous
Thanks y’all. I am leading a capacity building cohort of 49 orgs. I am definitely going to share your info with them and explore with the foundation partners funding options for this work. Thank you!!!!! Love all of it 🙂
Anonymous
Facilitating techniques are great. They are great!
Anonymous
From The Blog

How To Support Racial Equity in the Workplace
The recent racial justice movement in our country gave particular light to injustices caused to black, brown and indigenous communities. This gave rise to organizations everywhere asking themselves – are we racially inclusive? Where do our workplace practices create disproportionate stress on my non-white staff? To help organizations reflect on these questions, we launched our Becoming an Antiracist Organization initiative.

What’s Behind Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work?
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work begins by acknowledging different types of diversity, and what causes the difference. Most of our Becoming an Antiracist Organization trainings begin with our trainers introducing ourselves by sharing a way that we have been perceived as “different” or “diverse” from the dominant culture.

The Uncomfortable, Liberating Journey to Antiracism with Diversity Equity and Inclusion: Beyond the BLM Statements
Many organizations have shown interest, curiosity and even an openness to bring in diversity, equity and inclusion consultants to conduct a training or two. Most of us know that a statement by itself is performative and changes nothing in practice. Staff from small to large organizations and companies are demanding change, not statements.

How to Update Your Old Diversity and Inclusion Training Program For 2022
At Be the Change, we have been iterating on our approach to training and consulting design. We ask ourselves: what does it take to go from an organization that sees itself as welcoming to an organization that fosters belonging.
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