“I’m here because I should be here.”
-Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco
GREGG ZAIRE, Executive Director
Gregg brings over 25 years of experience working in partnership with private and public institutions to improve outcomes and advance opportunities for vulnerable populations. His extensive background leading capacity-building initiatives at the organizational, systems, and regional levels, coupled with his experience managing cross-functional operations and development projects, has enabled institutions to launch their strategic priorities.
As Senior Advisor, Policy and Programs in Redwood City, Gregg spearheaded County-wide assessment and capacity-building to improve program infrastructure across collaboratives. This endeavor enabled the Sequoia Unified High School District, San Mateo County’s Behavior Health and Recovery Services, and the City of Redwood City to partner more effectively on system-wide efforts to identify and eliminate structural Social Determinants of Health within the school system.
Gregg received a Master’s Degree in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
LISSETTE MALIZA, Student Services Coordinator
Lissette received a B.A. in Sociology from The City College of New York and an A.A. in Sociology from the Borough of Manhattan Community College.Lissette Maliza has worked as an educator in various capacities. Lissette brings a significant amount of experience to SFA. She has served as a Success Coach at Let’s Get Ready, a Behavior Therapist at Songbird Therapy, and an Assistant Teacher at Winston Preparatory School New York. Lissette has guided cohorts of 40+ freshman and sophomore students at the City College of New York, and brings a strong passion and commitment to working with young people with different learning abilities. She is excited to join the team!Lissette’s personal experience of growing up an Ecuadorian immigrant in the New York City Public School system has given her an immense sense of urgency around how students navigate education and social communities. Lissette feels a great commitment to uplifting under-resourced communities through education and mentorship.
DEVON BANKS, Senior High School Advisor
Devon Banks is a San Francisco Achievers Alumni and is super excited to be a part of the team. He was born and raised in Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco. He graduated from Sonoma State University, with a major in Business with a concentration in Management. Being the first person in his family to graduate from college, he recognizes how SFA helped him throughout his college years and beyond and he hopes to be that pillar of support for the next generation.In his off time he loves spending time with his fiancée and two children, Lil Dev and Deshawn. He is also a huge sports fan and an ardent follower of the niners.
KELVIN SANDERS, High School Advisor
Kelvin Sanders III was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. He grew up in a family oriented household and served at the church from a very young age. As he got older, he began to grow love and passion for sports, helping others, and serving the community. Towards the end of 2014, he was diagnosed with End Stage Renal disease, which caused his kidneys to fail and required to be placed on dialysis everyday. Ultimately in the year of 2015, he received a kidney transplant from the assistant principal of his alma mater, Sacred Heart Cathedral. This experience further assured the importance of giving back and helping others. Post recovery, he started working with the youth. Since 2017, he has been working with students of all ages as a student aide in both elementary and middle school for the San Francisco Unified School District. He has also been a high school football coach for Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory and helped multiple students receive full ride scholarships at Division-1, 4-year universities and win a state championship. He believes that his experiences paved the way and led him to SFA. He was drawn towards SFA because of the opportunity it provides for the youth and looks forward to making a positive impact on both the youth and the community.
SABRINA FOSTER, Administrative Assistant
Sabrina is a San Francisco native with a passion to create positive changes in under resourced communities. She is a mother of two and has first hand experience of how lack of adequate resources can discourage individuals from obtaining their goals. Her mother, a San Francisco native as well, instilled strong dedication to helping those in need and being an active listener. She has over 15 years of experience serving the community in the healthcare field and understands how challenging it can be to not be heard or receive the support one seeks. She brings high attention to detail and a strong organized mentality to the SFA team.In her spare time she enjoys exploring every inch of Golden Gate park with her family, cooking and traveling.
