Staff

Mika holds a role contributing to the “behind-the-scenes” magic of the Mosaic Project, supporting the entire organization and all of its programs and activities. Currently, Mika attends UC Berkeley’s L&S division as a proud high-honors student studying double majors in the social sciences field. Her concentration is on culture, diversity, and promoting growth and progression within the community. Mika is a unique mix of African-American and Filipino, is fluent in American Sign Language, and is a full-time Super Mom!

Khemnes manages Mosaic’s Youth Leadership Project and is responsible for providing a network of teens and youth adults with opportunities for mentorship and leadership. He connects youth from all different backgrounds and offers them facilitation experience in assertive communication, conflict resolution, and Mosaic’s unique curriculum. Since 2007, Khemnes has worked with Mosaic at the Outdoor Project and through the Mosaic Consulting Project.

Khemnes’ previous work experience includes Education Specialist in the assistive technology field, Outdoor Recreation Assistant Director for Lighthouse School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Resource Program Specialist within the San Francisco and Alameda County Unified School Districts.

Khemnes has a BA from California State University of Fullerton and an Education Specialist credential from San Francisco State University. He thinks he is the best at Goal Ball, but that has yet to be proven.

Brian manages The Mosaic Project’s day-to-day operations and provides the strategic vision for the Mosaic Consulting Project. Brian’s work experience includes consulting at Price Waterhouse, corporate finance with Hewlett-Packard and Sitesmith Inc, outreach for the Golden Gate Opera, and program development for the Silicon Valley Triathlon Club. The highlight of his career thus far has been facilitating The Mosaic Project’s diversity curriculum at the Outdoor Project.

Brian received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. He is an expert bicycle racer, an avid gardener, and Mosaic’s own “Mr. Everything.”

Sandra joined The Mosaic Project for the first time as a youth leader in 2007, and since then has returned year after year in many roles including Lead Facilitator, Outdoor Project Logistics Coordinator, Youth Leadership Project co-director, Program Specialist, and now as Special Projects Director where she focuses on curriculum development, developing and facilitating trainings with the MCP and In-School Project, and fund development. She earned her MA in International & Multicultural Education at USF, and also holds a BA in Global Studies. In addition to creating engaging, creative educational opportunities for people of all ages, she’s also worked in arts administration and critical media literacy programs. She loves painting, drawing, playing harp (especially at Mosaic campfires!), gardening, and winning board games.

Lara began imagining The Mosaic Project when she was 15 years old and attended a weeklong summer camp that brought together students from different backgrounds, specifically to address prejudice and discrimination. While she went to an intentionally diverse school, this was the first time she talked about these issues outside her Jewish community. It was a powerful experience, yet the fear, defensiveness, already deeply entrenched prejudice, and occasional violence she observed convinced her that waiting until high school to address issues of difference is waiting far too long. She decided that she would one day do this work with younger students before they reached adolescence.

This determination was strengthened during a college program that brought Jewish students to Germany. Meetings with former Nazis, as well as visits to concentration camps where her great aunts, uncles, and cousins were killed, solidified her commitment to fight all forms of hatred.

After graduating from Stanford University with a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology, Lara had a brief career in cross-species communication working with Koko the gorilla, various dolphins, and formerly captive spider monkeys. She then worked extensively in violence prevention, youth development, and cross-cultural communication on four continents before returning to the US in 2000 to found The Mosaic Project. She is an experienced backpacker, aspiring surfer, and a third degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo Kung-Fu.

Beca joined The Mosaic Project in fall 2017, worked as a seasoned facilitator for four seasons, and then joined the year round team in fall 2020 as Caretaker, Program Specialist, and Lead Facilitator. She now coordinates the In School program and leads the Outdoor Project. As a Capricorn Sun, Gemini Rising, and Leo Moon, she absolutely loves the planning, prepping, and performing aspects of her job. Beca has a Bachelors in Peace and Justice Studies from Tufts University, and also brings with her many cross cultural experiences studying abroad, mentoring youth in international service trips, solo backpacking abroad, and living in sustainable communities around the world. Beca identifies as a trilingual, queer, Brazilian-Californian, empath, herbalist, dog momma, nature fairy!

Bio coming soon!

Rosie Alonso, Kayla Conway, Jordan Frodente, Ashanti Johnson, Wadson Leite, Celeste Lopez, Hector Marte, Rebeca Pessoa, Peter Shayo, Chano Tizon, Zoe Tizon Niavradakis, and Fame Vasquez were this season’s facilitation team.

The work and lived experience of this group are immensely diverse and alongside facilitation include: systems management, waste and energy systems (AKA trash nerd!), electrician, pre-school instruction, poetry editing, jewelry creation, singing and musicianship, sound production, hip hop dancing, parenthood, international trip mentorship, and more!