Our Advisory Boards
Julie Sims
Julie Ann Sims has spent more than 25 years working in journalism, communications and marketing. She began her career as a reporter for the Half Moon Bay Review before transitioning into politics, where she oversaw public relations for State Senator Quentin L. Kopp in San Francisco and San Mateo County and later became chief of staff for his district office. After that, she worked at Robert Half, a global specialized staffing firm, holding a number of roles, including vice president of communications strategy. In 2017, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector to oversee marketing and communications programs for Room to Read, a global nonprofit focused on creating a world free of illiteracy and gender inequality.
In addition to leading marketing and communications teams, Julie serves as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner in the town of Brisbane and is a member of the Brisbane Lions Club. In her free time, Julie does Zumba enthusiastically, but without a lot of finesse, and looks for opportunities to see whales and other wildlife.
Mary Bier
Mary has been providing prevention services in Jefferson Union High School District since 2005 when an alcohol related accident took the lives of two Pacifica teenagers, one who was her nephew Jonathan. Her passion for this work has led to numerous grant funded programs and coalition based community work. She is most proud of all the work accomplished by the youth sector of the coalition: Be the Change Youth coalition (BTC). She has partnered with YouthPoint to expand alcohol and other drug services (INSPIRE) to include opportunities for youth to address their substance use in a holistic and restorative model. A new program focusing on youth civic engagement will create a path for youth to participate in health equity campaigns and participate on local boards and commissions.
Christine Thorsteinson
As SVCF's Director of Early Childhood Development, Christine Thorsteinson works to ensure that all young children in Silicon Valley have access to the care, education and resources they need to grow and flourish. Recognizing the critical importance of the first years of a child’s life, and the subsequent impact on future success, Christine strives to support local, state and federal efforts to dismantle the systemic barriers that stack the deck against our youngest and most vulnerable. Christine joined SVCF in 2016 and her earlier work included efforts to bridge the gaps between preschool and TK – 12 education systems and develop early learning leadership competencies.
Eddie Flores
With longtime roots in the community and a lifelong commitment to service, Eddie Flores represents the historic and diverse District 5 of South San Francisco on the city council. Councilmember Flores was first appointed to the Council in 2021 to serve in an at-large seat and was subsequently elected by a supportive majority of voters to represent District 5 in November 2022. Prior to joining council, Councilmember Flores was elected to the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Trustees at-large in 2018. He served as Board President in 2020-2021. During his tenure, he graduated from the California School Board Association's Masters in Governance in 2019 and served as an elected delegate at-large for the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and the California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA).
Shakeel Ali
Advisory Board Member & Director of the Youth Advisory Group
Shakeel Ali is a dedicated educator, strategist, and youth advocate serving as both an Advisory Board Member and the Director of the Youth Advisory Group. With a deep commitment to youth empowerment and community wellness, Shakeel brings decades of experience in education, leadership development, and nonprofit innovation. His work centers on elevating youth voice, expanding access to health education, and building bridges between young people and systems of care.
Melissa Ambrose, LCSW/PPS
Melissa Ambrose is the Wellness Coordinator for Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City where she helps facilitate an amazing team of mental health professionals. She has been a teacher, Wellness Counselor and the Wellness Coordinator for JUHSD for 25 years. Melissa is passionate about social justice, equity and anti-racism; she believes the skills and theories of mindfulness, trauma informed practices and nervous system regulation are helpful for creating wellness, resilience and a humane and compassionate world. She has completed many teacher training programs related to mindfulness and nervous system regulation. She has been a Board Member for over 10 years and loves supporting a clinic devoted to the physical and mental health of our youth.
Martinien (Marty) Cho
Martinien (Marty) Cho joined the Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD) Board of Trustees with a clear mission: to strengthen student health and wellness. Originally from Cameroon, Marty pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Simmons University. He is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). With a deep passion for healthcare, he brings invaluable expertise to the school board, advocating for student well-being while also paving pathways for students interested in healthcare careers.
Professionally, Marty serves as a Nurse Practitioner at Sutter Health within the Cardiovascular Health Department. His career has also included roles at UCSF and Stanford Health Care, where he gained extensive experience in patient care and medical research. Beyond healthcare, he is an entrepreneur, having developed Mechi, a mobile application designed to connect individuals with shared hobbies, promoting physical activity as a form of medicine. A passionate athlete, Marty finds balance through sports. He is an avid soccer player and a grassroots-level soccer coach, using the sport as a tool to stay grounded. More recently, he has taken up golf and is determined to improve his swing.
At the core of his philosophy is a simple yet powerful belief: Healthy bodies and healthy minds build healthier communities. Research shows that when students feel safe and well-supported, they are more likely to thrive—leading to higher graduation rates, increased college admissions, and ultimately, successful careers.
Angenette Lau
Angenette Lau currently manages communications for the City of South San Francisco. With 20 years of experience in communications and marketing, Angenette’s calling is to help bridge the gap between the City and its residents – activating civic engagement, responsibility, and pride. She began her career in communications at Wells Fargo where she helped support the bank’s executive suite, Corporate Social Responsibility team, and then later it’s Insurance and Treasury Management teams. She also spent some time at Blue Shield of California supporting their executive communications, and most recently, led the digital media team of an Arizona-based wellness nonprofit, Revelation Wellness.
Angenette was led to the YouthPoint while working on a project with the Leadership Council San Mateo County to help support the organization’s rebrand. She had always been an advocate for mental health, and since becoming a mother, has been passionate about providing children with resources that help them feel seen and heard.
Janet Chaikind
Bio coming soon!
Rachel Ennis
Rachel is a 3rd generation San Francisco native who moved to Brisbane 17 years ago to raise her family. Deeply rooted in community engagement, she has served on the Silverspot Nursery School board and the BEST/PTO board and has contributed to countless volunteer events over the years. In 2018, she was honored as Brisbane’s Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her dedication to local service.
Professionally, Rachel has built a 21-year career in the specialty food industry and currently serves as the Senior Director of Business Enablement for a leading specialty food brokerage. In this role, she focuses on driving operational excellence, strengthening teams, and supporting the growth of emerging and established food brands.
Rachel believes that community service is one of the most meaningful and impactful things a person can do, a philosophy that guides both her professional leadership and her personal commitments.
Youth Advisory Group
As a member of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG), you will:
Engage in creative social action and drive positive change.
Receive training in Technological Literacy to apply digital tools for community building.
Utilize multimedia communication to explore artistic, political, economic, and social perspectives.
Advocate for digital and print media as unifying platforms for diverse cultural and ethnic communities.
Develop skills in Fundraising, Development, and Grant Administration to support YouthPoint’s mission.
Contact Operations Coordinator, Shane Beltran, shane.beltran@jeffersonunion.net or YAG Leader Juleen Mallari, juleen.grace08@gmail.com for more information on how to join!
Juleen Grace Mallari
Juleen Grace Mallari is a recent high school graduate and incoming freshman at UCLA, where she will be studying Psychology and Public Affairs. Juleen joined YouthPoint Health in early 2024 as a volunteer and currently serves as a co-founder for the Youth Advisory Group, where she facilitates conversations, recruits students, supports in on-boarding management, and structures meetings. Through her experience serving the community, she remains committed to working at the intersection of health and social structures, and hopes to pursue a career in bridging minority health disparities.
In her free time, Juleen enjoys pouring her time into event planning, learning to play new instruments, hiking, and spending time with her best friends.
Emma Mau
Emma is an aspiring Physician Assistant and a youth advocate based in Daly City. Currently a sophomore at Westmoor High School, she serves in the Youth Advisory Group, where she specializes in things such as event planning, creative outreach, and community collaborations. Being a member of the Youth Advisory Group at YouthPoint Health, she is dedicated to amplifying youth voices around mental health awareness, fitness and nutrition. Emma has previously engaged in the Youth Substance Use Prevention Academy and worked on the YPH Advocacy Project. When she isn't collaborating on health initiatives, she enjoys hobbies like cooking, cycling, yoga, and watching movies. Looking ahead, she hopes to use this platform this year to help more teens access mental health resources while reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Gabriel Itelson
Gabriel is an aspiring videographer based in Pacifica, California. In their first year of college, they take part in Youth Advisory Group, where they specialize in event management and planning, collaboration, and outreach. Gabriel is dedicated to uniting youth and amplifying their voices in issues such as harassment, drug abuse, and sexual health. They have previously engaged in the Peer Leadership Alternatives for Youth program, teaching health classes in middle and high schools. When Gabriel is not working on outreach projects, they are exploring their surroundings, taking part in various action sports, and collecting alternative media. As they continue, they hope to use this platform to help teens learn about sensitive subjects that has otherwise limited resources.
Maya Jubary
Currently a high school senior, Maya is a youth advocate and aspiring physical therapist based in Daly City. As an advisory member at YouthPoint Health, she specializes in leadership, community advocacy, and event management. After joining YPH, she developed an interest in expanding access to health resources and creating opportunities that empower youth and communities.
Maya is driven by a commitment to improving health equity and increasing accessibility to greater quality care. Outside of YPH, she enjoys going on long walks, spending time with friends and family, and exploring new places.
Yara Jubary
Yara is a high school student and youth advocate. She serves her community through YouthPoint Health by sharing ideas that educate, support, and encourage people to make healthier choices. Although she is still discovering her passion, Yara is committed to making a positive impact and helping others in her community.
In her free time, she likes hanging out with her friends, traveling and communicating with peers.