Our Staff & Board of Directors
Deanne Everton
Deanne has been working in the nonprofit housing world for over 30 years. She started out in college and grad school working for Mountain T.O.P., an organization that provides home repairs in the Appalachian Mountains, followed by her work as Executive Director and then Northwest Regional Director for Habitat for Humanity in Bend, OR. Deanne joined RTSV in 1999 and has been an integral part of growing the organization from a once-a-year limited repair program to a year-round critical, safety and accessibility program meeting overdue home repair needs on over 400 homes per year. Deanne is RTSV’s resident contractor. She loves performing repairs on her own home and truly appreciates the importance of having a safe and secure place to call home.
Client Services
Valerie Bishop
Valerie has been a part of the RTSV Team since September 2022 as a Client Services Coordinator and looks forward to serving the community she grew up in and doing her part in providing homeowners with a safer and better quality of life. Before coming to RTSV, Valerie worked in mental health as an office manager and is interested in people’s overall well-being. When she isn’t working, Valerie likes to spend time with her family, going to the beach, and camping.
Paola Velasco
Paola is a proud Bay Area native and San Jose State University alumna. She graduated with a degree in Criminology and earned Cum Laude Honors upon graduation. Before coming to RTSV, Paola worked at local non-profit organizations where she understood the importance of advocating and helping those in her community. She is excited to be a part of the RTSV Team as a Client Service Associate and is committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable future for all. In her free time, Paola enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones.
Construction Service
Kevin McCarthy
Joining the team in 2015, Kevin McCarthy is a San Jose native and proud to have the opportunity to give back to his community by working at Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. He is passionate about utilizing his 25 years’ experience in the construction industry to provide vital repair services to Rebuilding Together homeowners. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys golfing and all other outdoor activities.
Nick Amaral
Nicholas Amaral has been a part of the RTSV Team since December 2022 as a Home Repair Tech and looks forward to providing his years of home repairs to those in need in our community. Before coming to RTSV, Nick worked as a Maintenance Facilities Manager and General Contractor and is interested in providing safe environments for people in the Silicon Valley area. When he isn’t working, Nick likes to hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains and grow his skills in the skilled trades. One day he wishes to travel to Portugal.
Christian Cravens
Christian Cravens joined the team in 2017 after working many years in the tech industry in order to pursue his passion for construction and working with his hands while at the same time helping the community in which he grew up. Christian moved away from the Bay Area briefly to earn his degree at the University of Colorado, Boulder. On the weekends he enjoys working on his own home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, hiking, and skiing.
Development and Communications
Alaina Purcell Schroeder
Alaina is a San Diego native and grew up with a deep respect and passion for giving back to her community, studying Political Science and Journalism at Sacramento State University. Alaina previously worked at a law firm where she was introduced to the Nonprofit / Development world and her career path was decided. She has earned certificates in grant writing, grants management and research from Grant Writing USA and certification from the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University. In her free time Alaina is the host of her own podcast and likes to support other local events and nonprofits, travel or be outdoorsy with loved ones and her dog.
Shama Saleem
Shama is a proud San Jose native and San Jose State University alumna. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing and achieved both Cum Laude and Honors Status upon completion of the Gary J. Sbona Honors Program. In the past, she worked as a digital and social media marketer for startups and corporations but was always driven by her inherent need to have creative freedom while feeling a sense of fulfillment through volunteer work with Second Harvest Food Bank and the Stanford Blood Center. She enjoys using poetry, dance, painting, and even cooking as creative outlets, but she is most excited to continue to make an impact on the very community she was raised in.
Operations and Finance
Linda Bostwick
Linda has over 15 years of experience in administration, management, client services, and database management, with extensive experience in all facets of institutional operations. She brings a deep commitment to her work and demonstrates her passion with direction and heart. Most of her work experiences have been with organizations making a social and or personal impact on people’s lives. She has worked in both non-profit and for-profit organizations, including working for an international non-profit that focused on development projects in Africa. Linda enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and dogs, and hiking in Yosemite National Park.
Vidhi Bhandari
Finance and Grants Associate, Vidhi Bhandari, joined our team in April of 2019. She brings experience and skills in accounting, Excel, and Salesforce to this role. Vidhi’s background is in accounting, financial services, and real estate. She is skilled in identifying market trends, business requirements and developing dynamic business strategies. Vidhi hails from Mumbai, India.
Programs and Outreach
Victoria Chang
Victoria has been a part of the Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Team since June 2021. She is excited to join the organization and is committed to helping to create a healthier, stronger, and more inclusive community. Victoria has over 10 years of experience in the non-profit field developing outreach strategies and managing volunteer programs. After studying Sociology and Women and Gender studies at the University of California, Davis, Victoria developed a passion to create positive change and lasting impact in her local communities. Victoria enjoys traveling with her family, learning Mandarin, and volunteering at the local animal rescue with her daughter.
Denise Tsang
Denise is a Bay Area native with a deep desire to connect with people and highlight marginalized stories. She is excited to make an impact on people’s lives in helping create meaningful change and experiences for homeowners, volunteers, and the larger community. Before coming to RTSV, Denise worked in various nonprofits and e-commerce businesses, where she ultimately returned to her passion of working with people. Denise enjoys playing music and expressing herself through the arts along with spending quality time with loved ones.
Valerie Mitsumori
Valerie has been a part of the RTSV Team since October 2022 as a Program Coordinator, and looks forward to generating new ideas, collaborating with other team members, and building new relationships that make an impact in the community. She strives to continue improving and making a difference in people’s lives. Before coming to RTSV, Valerie worked for a cancer organization fitting prosthetics and wigs. Valerie did outreach in the community on prevention of cancer, talking about the importance of getting your mammograms and pap smears. She also educated women on doing their own breast exams. Valerie is interested in cleaning up our communities, working closely with neighborhoods that need to be salvaged. When she isn’t working, Valerie likes to take her kids to Sharks games, Great America, host Football Sunday Fun-Days in her backyard, and take small drives around the Bay Area.
Board of Directors
Emily Ransone (Chair)
Magnus, Co-Owner/Principal
Emily Ransone is Co-Owner and Principal at Magnus, an end-to-end innovative office furniture business in the Bay Area. Emily has supported organizations as a speaker and facilitator including CoreNet, CREW, Lean In Circle and BOMA. Emily brings people together, as she fosters conversations to drive results for clients, industry partners, the Magnus team, and Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. She is currently heading up the RTSV Board of Directors as Chair.
Ryan Monger (Vice Chair)
Adobe Inc, Sr. Product Manager
Ryan Monger is a Senior Product Manager at Adobe and has been with the company for 15 years. He currently leads product teams who create features for the Adobe Experience Cloud digital marketing suite. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University with a BS in Operations Management, and MBA with a Digital Marketing emphasis. Ryan joined the Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Board in 2021.
Steve Martinez (Finance)
Bank of the West, SVP, Business Banking Regional Manager
Steven Martinez is Senior Vice President and Business Banking Regional Manager with Bank of the West. In his role as Regional Manager, his team of Relationship Managers is responsible for meeting the financial needs of business clients in the San Francisco Bay area. He has worked for U.S. Bank as District Manager in the Silicon Valley and for Citibank in their Commercial Banking and Business Banking groups, both in New York and California. Steve also serves on the Board of Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and the Advisory Board of Working Solutions. Additional volunteer activities have included working with Special Olympics, Junior Achievement, Second Harvest, TeenForce, Habitat for Humanity, and Pride Parade. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Southern California.
Maureen Mellon (Secretary)
Mellon Consulting, Principal
As a Consultant at Mellon Consulting, Maureen Mellon helps teams define their vision, mission and strategy, creates business plans, and more. Previously, she was Sr. Director of Product Management with Neato Robotics and held the same position at Plastic Logic. Maureen worked on a PhD in Computer Networks and Systems at UCLA and holds a MSEE in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University. She joined the Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Board in 2018.
Alyssa Bowser (Director)
Stanford Healthcare, Occupational Therapist
Alyssa Bowser is a nationally registered and state licensed Occupational Therapist who works with older adults to meet their goals for accessibility, independence, and living in place. She believes that the built environment is the foundation of healthy living and supports occupations of daily living. She is passionate about wellness and preventative care, and as an OT, she is specifically trained in task analysis to provide evidenced-based, low-cost interventions.
Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Louisiana State University Medical Center, and for 30 years, has identified safety concerns and functional mobility limitations and recommended specific adaptive equipment and modifications to reduce potential injuries and facilitate independence. Alyssa was awarded a Certified Aging in Place Specialty from National Association of Home Builders in March 2019. She works for Stanford Healthcare in their Injury Prevention Department ”Farewell to Falls” program and, over the years, has provided care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and private residences for people of all ages and abilities.
Denis Fastert (Director)
geCKo Materials, COO
Denis Fastert has been a part of the RTSV Board since January 2023, has volunteered on projects since 1999, met his wife of 20 years on a RTSV project, and looks forward get the word out far and wide about all the great things that RTSV does to help people’s lives better. Professionally, Denis is currently the COO at geCKo Materials and is interested in operations, finance, marketing, culture building, and collaborating to solve big problems. When he isn’t working or serving the community as part of the board, Denis likes to travel, hike, golf, do photography, build stuff, and make memories with his wife and daughter.
Aladrian Hillmon (Director)
Hillmon Notary Services, Owner/Notary Public
Aladrian Hillmon worked her way from a front line airline employee to trainer, committee member, and finally Vice President of her local Flight Attendant Union. During the pandemic, she left the airline industry and jumped into local politics, working as communications representative for a success School Board campaign. This had a huge impact on her. Once the election was over she decided to open up her own small business. As a Notary Public and owner of Hillmon Notary Services, she travels the entire Bay Area as a Certified Loan Signing Agent.
Aladrian felt the need to work with and give back to her community. Hearing about and joining Rebuilding Together of Silicon Valley gave her the exciting opportunity to help and empower people.
Helping to care for her mother who had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996, she understands the need homeowners have. It’s not easy paying for home repairs and handicap conversions. She is grateful to be able to help people that are need, as she once was.
Anns Joseph (Director)
Anns Joseph has been a part of the RTSV Board since Nov 2022 and looks forward to contributing to finance and operations optimization. Professionally, Anns was Associate Vice President of Transformations at Genpact and recently graduated with MBA from The Wharton School. Anns is interested in technology innovation to enable aged population to live independently at the comfort of their own homes. When she isn’t working or serving the community as part of the board, Anns likes to spend time in the park with her 2 kids, travel internationally and participate in performing arts events.
Terry Keisic (Director)
Applied Materials, Sr. Operations Manager
Terry Keisic is a Senior Operations Manager at Applied Materials and has been with the company for 25 years. His current focus is on Supply Chain issues and operations in the Research & Development laboratory. Previously he served in the U.S. Navy as a submarine officer and he continued his military service in the Navy Reserve while working at Applied only recently retiring from the Navy after a combined 30 year Active/Reserve career. Terry’s passion is hands-on work and he was drawn to the Rebuilding Silicon Valley mission of directly revitalizing the homes of those in need in the local area. He also serves on the Board of The Cost of Courage Foundation and is an avid blood donor to the American Red Cross. Terry holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit and a Masters of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. He joined the Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Board in 2022.
Mick Penn (Director)
Swinerton, N. CA Regional Community Relations Mgr
Mick Penn works for Swinerton as the Northern California Regional Community Relations Manager. Mr. Penn spearheads Swinerton’s workforce development, small, diverse, veteran business outreach and community engagement in Northern California. Mr. Penn currently serves on the board of directors of the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, Cypress Mandela Training Center, Mission Hiring Hall, Construction Industry Education Foundation Board of Trustees, AGC of CA DEI Steering Committee and is a Founder of BuildOUT California. In 2021, Mr. Penn was named the Western Regional Minority Development Council’s Supplier Diversity Leader of the Year and the Associated General Contractors of California’s Construction Education Foundation Friend Award winner. Mr. Penn has a BA from San Francisco State and a Master of Public Administration from University of San Francisco.
Xavier Reyes (Director)
Director of Youth Ministry, Grace South Bay Presbyterian of Silicon Valley (PCA)
Xavier Reyes has been a part of the RTSV Board since December 2022 and looks forward to playing a role in serving with our operations committee, but also with our BAHN initiative in the Seven Trees Neighborhood. Professionally, Xavier is the Youth Director and Compassion Coordinator at Grace South Bay Church in his home city of San Jose. His work interests are in developing emotionally and spiritually healthy youth, and challenging the church to live for a story greater than their own by meeting the practical needs of the community. When he isn’t working or serving the community as part of the board, Xavier likes to take his wife Camille on date night, go fishing along the California coast, or spend countless hours watching the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ravi Shah (Director)
Ravi Shah is a senior member of the corporate strategy team at Cisco. In his role, he collaborates with executive leadership and senior stakeholders throughout the company on formulating long-term strategic priorities and plans around driving profitable growth, addressing emerging industry trends, and evaluating competitive dynamics. Ravi holds a M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California a MBA from Wharton school of business at University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with majors in Strategy, Operations and Organizational Leadership. Outside work, Ravi likes to go on hikes with family, and play sports. Ravi joined RTSV board in 2022 and is excited about serving the community as an active board member to bring tangible housing solutions to the underserved and help ensure a safe and hospitable housing for everyone in the community.
Deanne Everton
RTSV, Executive Director
Interested In Joining The Board?
Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley is seeking strategic and results-oriented leaders to assist the organization’s growth. We are recruiting Board Members to our governing body who are interested in taking a leadership role to ensure the organization’s sustainability. For more information, contact Executive Director, Deanne Everton at 408-578-9519 or .
