About the HKL Foundation
Improving the effectiveness of education and youth development organizations.
The HKL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. It is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of settings that support the education and healthy development of youth. This includes schools and out-of-school time programs.
The HKL Foundation provides educational and training activities that promote the capacity of organizations that support the education and healthy development of youth. Examples of activities include conferences, speaker forums, screenings of relevant films, training sessions, coaching sessions, the awarding of digital badges to acknowledge exemplar programs and the learning that happens within these settings. Activities also include the development and distribution of educational materials (papers, self-assessment tools, videos, program guides, etc.).
The HKL Foundation provides educational and training activities that promote the capacity of organizations that support the education and healthy development of youth. Examples of activities include conferences, speaker forums, screenings of relevant films, training sessions, coaching sessions, the awarding of digital badges to acknowledge exemplar programs and the learning that happens within these settings. Activities also include the development and distribution of educational materials (papers, self-assessment tools, videos, program guides, etc.).
Staff Members
Executive Director, Sam Piha
Sam Piha is the founder and principal of Temescal Associates, a consulting group dedicated to building the capacity of leaders and organizations in education and youth development who are serious about improving the lives of young people. Sam began his career in 1974 as an afterschool worker, an experience that led to 10 years of classroom teaching, and later work as a child and family counselor and school social worker. Between 1989 and 2001, Sam developed and managed school-based youth programs at the regional and national levels.
In 1996, Sam joined the Community Network for Youth Development, to help launch and serve as Managing Director of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, a large public and private partnership dedicated to transforming public schools into vibrant community centers serving youth in the afterschool hours. When California began it’s unprecedented expansion of state-funded afterschool programs, Sam help shape the growing afterschool movement in California. He chaired and served on several key state committees and joined with others to build a state-wide system of support for new programs, align state afterschool policies with youth development principles, and successfully support the launch of the state’s After School Safety and Education for Teens, a large state-wide high school afterschool initiative.
Sam has served as editor and contributing author of several important practice guides and journal articles on afterschool programming. He has received several awards including California Afterschool Network's Innovation in High School After School Leadership and Vision (2010), being named by NAA as One of 25 Most Influential People in the Afterschool Community (2014), and Region 2's Trailblazer Award (2019) Sam holds a Masters Degree in Social Welfare, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the father of Max.
Sam Piha is the founder and principal of Temescal Associates, a consulting group dedicated to building the capacity of leaders and organizations in education and youth development who are serious about improving the lives of young people. Sam began his career in 1974 as an afterschool worker, an experience that led to 10 years of classroom teaching, and later work as a child and family counselor and school social worker. Between 1989 and 2001, Sam developed and managed school-based youth programs at the regional and national levels.
In 1996, Sam joined the Community Network for Youth Development, to help launch and serve as Managing Director of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, a large public and private partnership dedicated to transforming public schools into vibrant community centers serving youth in the afterschool hours. When California began it’s unprecedented expansion of state-funded afterschool programs, Sam help shape the growing afterschool movement in California. He chaired and served on several key state committees and joined with others to build a state-wide system of support for new programs, align state afterschool policies with youth development principles, and successfully support the launch of the state’s After School Safety and Education for Teens, a large state-wide high school afterschool initiative.
Sam has served as editor and contributing author of several important practice guides and journal articles on afterschool programming. He has received several awards including California Afterschool Network's Innovation in High School After School Leadership and Vision (2010), being named by NAA as One of 25 Most Influential People in the Afterschool Community (2014), and Region 2's Trailblazer Award (2019) Sam holds a Masters Degree in Social Welfare, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the father of Max.
Associate Director, Ren (Stacey) Daraio
Ren (Stacey) Daraio brings over 25 years of experience working in the field of youth development as a facilitator, trainer, and coach. She has experience training and coaching diverse audience groups, from afterschool practitioners and parents to funders and technical assistance providers.
As HKL's Associate Director, Ren has conducted many trainings, and learning communities. Prior to her work with HKL, Ren was the Deputy Director at the Community Network for Youth Development and a consultant for the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. She holds a BA in Theater and Psychology and a MA in Drama Therapy.
Ren (Stacey) Daraio brings over 25 years of experience working in the field of youth development as a facilitator, trainer, and coach. She has experience training and coaching diverse audience groups, from afterschool practitioners and parents to funders and technical assistance providers.
As HKL's Associate Director, Ren has conducted many trainings, and learning communities. Prior to her work with HKL, Ren was the Deputy Director at the Community Network for Youth Development and a consultant for the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. She holds a BA in Theater and Psychology and a MA in Drama Therapy.
Office Manager, Samantha Fasen
Samantha is the newest member of HKL and helps with all the daily office duties. She enjoys painting and creating art. She works as a videographer and graphic designer on the side. Her work can be viewed at www.behance.net/soanti.
Project Consultant, Rozel Cruz
Rozel Cruz has a long history in working with non-profits. She joined Temescal Associates / HKL in 2010 and currently serves as a consultant focusing on Project Management. In her other life, she is a licensed Nail Artist.
Rozel Cruz has a long history in working with non-profits. She joined Temescal Associates / HKL in 2010 and currently serves as a consultant focusing on Project Management. In her other life, she is a licensed Nail Artist.
Board Members
Bill Fennessy, Board Member
Bill is Director of High School Programs at A World Fit for Kids and is an expert on all aspects of afterschool programs. Prior to joining A World Fit for Kids, Bill created and grew model after-school programs at middle and high schools in the Pasadena Unified School District.
Ronnie Gravino, Board President
Ronnie is currently retired from her position as the Senior Learning & Development Specialist at Alameda Health System. She has a passion for individuals to become lifelong learners. Her specialties include consulting services for leadership development, career management, designing processes to bring leadership to a new level: training delivery and design, train the trainer, coaching, peer learning facilitation, and strategic planning. Her prior positions have included Director of People Development at Goodwill Industries of San Francisco and Senior Learning Consultant of Data Quality Team at Kaiser Permanente.
Lynn Johnson, Board Secretary
Lynn Johnson is a visionary entrepreneur, speaker, girl advocate, and Co-Founder/CEO of Spotlight: Girls – a certified B Corp that inspires, educates, and activates girls & women to take center stage. Lynn serves on the National Advisory Board of Teaching Artists Guild and the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women.
Dr. Michelle R. Perrenoud, Board Member
Dr. Perrenoud is Project Coordinator at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Expanded Learning Technical Assistance Unit. She is recognized as an educational leader and is particularly renowned for her work in the fields of expanded learning, education and youth development. She has extensive experience with research and program design for older youth programs serving middle and high school students. Her scholarly research at UCLA focused on understanding interests of middle school youth in expanded learning programs and youth and practitioner perceptions of the conditions that foster young people’s desires to attend and participate. Michelle is a published author and frequent conference speaker.
Robb Scott, Board Member
Robb is a bay area attorney and has been assisting Temescal Associates/ HKL with legal advice since the beginning.
Carol Tang, Board Member
Carol is the Executive Director of the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco. She leads a team committed to nurturing creativity in all youth and families through their museum exhibitions, programming, and website. Prior to her present position, Carol served as Program Officer for STEM in OST at the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Before her work at Bechtel, Carol was the Executive Director of the Coalition for Science After School.
Bill is Director of High School Programs at A World Fit for Kids and is an expert on all aspects of afterschool programs. Prior to joining A World Fit for Kids, Bill created and grew model after-school programs at middle and high schools in the Pasadena Unified School District.
Ronnie Gravino, Board President
Ronnie is currently retired from her position as the Senior Learning & Development Specialist at Alameda Health System. She has a passion for individuals to become lifelong learners. Her specialties include consulting services for leadership development, career management, designing processes to bring leadership to a new level: training delivery and design, train the trainer, coaching, peer learning facilitation, and strategic planning. Her prior positions have included Director of People Development at Goodwill Industries of San Francisco and Senior Learning Consultant of Data Quality Team at Kaiser Permanente.
Lynn Johnson, Board Secretary
Lynn Johnson is a visionary entrepreneur, speaker, girl advocate, and Co-Founder/CEO of Spotlight: Girls – a certified B Corp that inspires, educates, and activates girls & women to take center stage. Lynn serves on the National Advisory Board of Teaching Artists Guild and the Alameda County Commission on the Status of Women.
Dr. Michelle R. Perrenoud, Board Member
Dr. Perrenoud is Project Coordinator at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Expanded Learning Technical Assistance Unit. She is recognized as an educational leader and is particularly renowned for her work in the fields of expanded learning, education and youth development. She has extensive experience with research and program design for older youth programs serving middle and high school students. Her scholarly research at UCLA focused on understanding interests of middle school youth in expanded learning programs and youth and practitioner perceptions of the conditions that foster young people’s desires to attend and participate. Michelle is a published author and frequent conference speaker.
Robb Scott, Board Member
Robb is a bay area attorney and has been assisting Temescal Associates/ HKL with legal advice since the beginning.
Carol Tang, Board Member
Carol is the Executive Director of the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco. She leads a team committed to nurturing creativity in all youth and families through their museum exhibitions, programming, and website. Prior to her present position, Carol served as Program Officer for STEM in OST at the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Before her work at Bechtel, Carol was the Executive Director of the Coalition for Science After School.
