The Pride Center wouldn’t be on the map today (literally) without our incredible team. We’re grateful for every one of them.
Working both nationally in the US and provincially in Ontario, Canada, Frankie has been entrenched in social justice advocacy and programing for over 20 years. His career began facilitating workshops around intersectionality, leadership, advocacy, equity, and anti-oppression. Advocating for the expertise of people with lived experience, he coordinated peer education programs around HIV prevention, substance use, and harm reduction. He later worked as a Capacity Building Assistance Specialist partnering with Indigenous communities supporting with the design and implementation of their own HIV prevention campaigns and educational events. He also supervised and operated a peer-run Ontario-wide LGBTQ phone/chat support line.
Most recently, Frankie co-directed a province-wide harm reduction capacity building program to support networks of frontline workers, their managers, and public health units around overdose prevention, best practices regarding equipment use, and advocating for extremely marginalized and silenced communities. This work included education and training both in-person and online in the form of webinars, an online course, and the development of standardized web-based toolkits.
Frankie implements his work through a lens of intersectionality, is deeply connected to his Filipino roots, and has a complicated history with the messiness between gender and sexuality. He has worked as a consultant to nonprofits, been featured as a plenary speaker at conferences across Ontario and the US, is an excellent baker, and brings his humor and life experiences with him everywhere he goes.
Alex Golding
he/him/his
Health Equity Coordinator & Clinical Program Analyst
alex.golding@sanmateopride.org
650-465-6795
Born and raised in Fremont, Alex has lived in the Bay Area his entire life. Driven by his passion and dedication to help improve the lives and well-being of fellow LGBTQIA+ individuals, Alex earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2016. Since then, he has gained valuable experience serving local community-based nonprofits and has specialized in work with homeless and at-risk youth. As the Pride Center’s Case Manager, and a member of the queer community himself, Alex brings his knowledge, enthusiasm, and creativity to the forefront of his work. By cultivating the unique strengths and abilities of the those under his care, and by connecting them to any resources and services they may need, he aims to help individuals achieve wellness and autonomy while meeting their goals. Outside of work, Alex enjoys unwinding by spending time with his loving partner and family; staying fit through yoga, dance, and kickboxing; rocking out on the drums; and binge watching his favorite shows with his cat.
Andrea Roth
she/her/hers
Mental Health Clinician
Registered Associate MFT#117800
Registered Associate PCC#7880
andrea.roth@sanmateopride.org
650-207-6499
Supervised by Ralph Notor, LMFT
Andrea is a Hapa, born and raised in the Bay Area. Her passion for helping those with complex intersectional backgrounds led her to get her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco’s social justice orientated MFT program and to work with ethnic-, sexual-, and neuro-diverse adults, children, parents, and families combined for over 3.5 years. She is dedicated to making therapy a truly healing space, one in which one’s true self can be discovered after clearing away the distorted lens that the world, others, or even that one may see oneself through.
During her spare time, she loves testing out new baking and cooking recipes with her friends and family, dancing, and rock climbing. She also enjoys listening to stand-up, picnicking in the park, and trying her hand at DIY projects.
Azisa Todd
she/her/hers or they
Lead Trainer & Events Coordinator
Azisa.Todd@sanmateopride.org
650-554-1234
Azisa (Zi) Todd was born and raised in Oakland, and uses she/her/hers/they pronouns, or simply Zi. Much of their community work started young when Azisa was a Girl Scout and continued into high school. While in high school, she did the usual queer things like co-organize the Queer Straight Alliance and Feminist Club. After, Zi went on to undergrad, served as a member then director of BlaQue, UCLA’s Black LGBTQ+ organization. Zi hosted events, workshops, and study sessions up until the pandemic hit. Having since graduated from UCLA, she decided to jump back into academia and pursue a master’s in public health at San Francisco State University with an emphasis in community health education. Azisa’s long-term goal after completing the MPH program is to pursue a DrPH or PhD in public health and teach what they have learned to college-level students.
Azisa is excited to be the Lead Trainer and Events Coordinator position at the San Mateo County Pride Center because of their background in organizing and hosting events for the queer community in LA and the various workshops Zi helped develop; doing this form of work is both rewarding and joyful for Zi. Outside of academia and work, she is learning how to roller skate and watch a lot of anime.
Devon (Trans FTM) is the Peer Group and Volunteer Coordinator for the San Mateo County Pride Center. Having grown up part-time in Northern California and part-time in Southern California he is a “Cali” boy through and through. Having spent 3 years at California State University San Marcos as a volunteer for their pride center, Devon has a diverse background in the LGBTQIA+ community. Freedom to be oneself has always been a staple in his personal mantra which is why he not only volunteered at the pride center but was also active in the Black Student Union (BSU) and mental health and awareness campaigns on campus. By 2024 Devon should have his MA in psychology and plans to use it as a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT). He currently travels with his 3 dogs and wife who is pursuing her career as a travel nurse.
Having grown up in Guangzhou, China, Jet has been influenced by the diversity of cultures throughout his life. With Jet’s involvement in Guangzhou, he has made friends from all over the country as well as from other countries, which inspired him to open his eyes and mind to connect with others. Jet believes that love can transcend ethnicity, culture, geography, and all other barriers, as his friends have shown him.
With regard to psychological practice, Jet is more aligned with transpersonal and humanistic perspectives. His areas of expertise include trauma healing, emotion processing, shy/social anxiety processing, shadow work, dream analysis, and guilt/shame processing.
Kira/Ki Willow
ey/she/he/they
MFT/PCC Trainee
k.willow@sanmateopride.org
Supervised by Ralph Notor, LMFT
Kira/Ki (some days just Kira, some days just Ki) grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and originally pursued a career in software development. They earned a BS in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and have lived in the Bay Area since 2012.
Kira volunteered as a peer group facilitator at the San Mateo County Pride Center from 2018 to 2020 and through that role discovered a passion for supporting the mental health of her community. She enrolled in the MA in counseling psychology program at the Wright Institute, working toward becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. She is excited to be back at the Pride Center as a trainee and grateful to be able to continue working with this amazing community.
Ki makes sure to reserve time each week outside of school and work for self-care. Some of his favorite activities include hiking, reading, meditating, and baking sweet pastries. Ey is also constantly exploring different hobbies and finding new creative outlets.
Marilyn-Rose Calosing Fernando
she/her/hers
Marketing & Community Engagement Lead
marilyn.fernando@sanmateopride.org
650-465-6789
Marilyn is the Marketing and Community Engagement Lead for the San Mateo County Pride Center. She is a First-Generation Filipina-American who graduated with BA in Women and Gender Studies from San Francisco State University in 2017. She has been an organizer with the San Francisco Dyke March for the past 5 years and has served as the co-chair for the past 2 years. Her experience as an organizer with the Dyke March and identity as a QWOC has emphasized her devotion to creating safe, accessible and inclusive spaces for Queer folks to gather and build community. She is originally from Salinas and moved to San Francisco 10 years ago. If the Golden Girls were zodiac placements, she describe herself as a Rose Sun, Blanche Moon & Rose/Dorothy cusp rising. Outside of work, you can find her karaokeing to George Michael, watching cooking shows, and thrifting or re-watching episodes of Bob’s Burgers on her spare time.
Men Chun Wong, AMFT
he/him/his or they/them/theirs
Clinical Program Coordinator
Registered Associate MFT #117496
menchun.wong@sanmateopride.org
650-618-9499
Supervised by Ralph Notor, LMFT
Men Chun is a Hong Kong Chinese, born in The Netherlands, who is determined to make a difference in the communities, and extended communities he identifies with. He has lived in and around the Bay Area for over 16 years. His passion for the creative process, and curiosity for the human psychology steered him towards obtaining a BA in Psychology and Art from UC Davis. He obtained his Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Expressive Arts at JFK University in Pleasant Hill. He trained with Star-Vista’s Crisis Center in 2018 and worked with children and youth struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. At the Pride Center, Men Chun works with a wider variety of the population in categories such as age, LGBTQ+, and any intersectional identities that come with them. While also trained in traditional psychological approaches as a foundation, he believes Expressive Arts Therapy can be a perfect holistic modality for working with the LGBTQ+ community, known for their expression of colors, resilience, diversity, and strengths. Furthermore, when working with individuals, groups, couples, and families, Men Chun follows the Pride Center’s lead by using a strengths-based, and client-centered application of therapeutic interventions. He is extremely thrilled to be a part of a community center that embodies the resilience, strengths, and beauties of the communities they serve.
Verna Barrientos, LCSW #106867
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
she/her/hers
Mental Health Clinician & Intake Coordinator
verna.barrientos@sanmateopride.org
650-644-1632
Verna is a Bay Area native. She is a lover of both formal and informal education and received her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from San Jose State University in 2018 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2022. By Verna obtaining her MSW degree and becoming an LCSW, she is living proof that it is important for people with mental health challenges to dream big because they can accomplish amazing things in their lives.
Verna has lived with depression and anxiety since she was a teenager, and several of her family members also live with mental health challenges. Verna strongly believes that some of the ways to end stigma around mental illness are by creating spaces for open and honest conversations about mental health and wellness, having unconditional love and support from peers, friends, family, and chosen family, and for service providers to be knowledgeable and empathetic about mental health, mental illness, and everything in between. Verna is a strong believer in the importance of self-care. She practices self-care by reading thought-provoking books, playing card games and ping pong, practicing mindfulness, having deep and meaningful conversations, and going for walks on the beach with her pound puppy Zero.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The San Mateo County Pride Center is an innovative and ongoing collaboration between four local nonprofit organizations and San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), each with strong community roots and a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, these four organizations created the Pride Center as a means to provide a safer space in which the LGBTQ+ community can truly thrive with faster, easier access to direct services. Along with providing guidance and support, each of the collaborators meet together as one staff for case consultation, cross training, and the sharing of resources.
Learn more about our partner organizations
Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services empowers Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQQ+) youth and builds safe and accepting communities through support, education, and advocacy. Outlet envisions a world that embraces, empowers, and celebrates LGBTQQ+ youth.
Peninsula Family Service strengthens the community by providing children, families, and older adults the support and tools to realize their full potential and lead healthy, stable lives. They envision a community where opportunity, financial stability, and wellness are secured for all.
StarVista delivers high impact services through counseling, skill development, and crisis prevention to children, youth, adults, and families. Their vision is for all children, youth, and adults to receive quality services to support them in reaching their potential.
Additionally, we are proud to work with other local LGBTQ+ organizations such as the PRIDE Initiative and the LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County, PFLAG, Queers Have a Higher Power Alcoholics Anonymous, Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network, and the UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center Clinic.