RTP Staff

Executive Director

Melissa is a well known and respected nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience supporting traditionally under-served communities. Prior to RTP, Melissa served for nearly 15 years as the Executive Director of San Mateo County’s only domestic violence services agency, CORA and provided training and consulting on governance-related issues to local nonprofit boards. Melissa knows San Mateo County well, and has a track record for building strong relationships with local and regional funders and creating strong partnerships with a wide variety of community leaders.

Estimator / Repair Technician (Contract)

Justin comes to us with a background in construction estimation, cost control, and insurance adjustment. He’s managed multiple projects simultaneously, including site damage estimates and summarizing scopes for restoration work. And perhaps, most key, he’s got a great sense of humor!

Justin currently lives in the East Bay.

Controller (Contract)

Hani is an accomplished financial professional, blending a CPA qualification and an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas with entrepreneurial acumen. Formerly an export-import business owner, Hani brings a strategic edge to accounting management, navigating complexities with ease.

Beyond the ledgers, Hani’s proficiency extends to consulting on worker compensation matters and regulatory landscapes. A lover of hiking and swimming, Hani’s tenacity in outdoor pursuits mirrors his dedication to precise financial management.

ReBuild and Special Projects Manager

Darrell Ford brings a variety of repair experience, including 13 years in property and construction management, including tiny homes, and as a Program Associate for the California Wellness Foundation in their Violence Prevention Initiative.

He lives in Oakland, where he enjoys teaching and training in the martial arts.

Client Intake Specialist

Volunteer Engagement & Community Outreach Coordinator

A native of Davis, CA and a graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Jamie comes to us with a background in supporting international populations-in-need and in communications, through work at non-profit, government, and journalism stops.

On board at RTP to support our volunteers and program awareness, Jamie has a passion for international history and guitar playing, and currently lives in San Francisco.

Grants Manager (Contract)

Joy has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, primarily serving health and human services related organizations. Joy guides nonprofits to solve organizational problems, plan for the future, and improve their financial sustainability. Her consulting work has helped nonprofits to expand services for vulnerable populations, build new buildings, develop staff capacity, improve donor relations, maneuver executive transitions, increase grant revenue, merge, explore new service models, set strategic goals, and more. Joy’s work is founded in her belief that better nonprofits make a better world. Joy has her bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Sacramento State University.

Lead Prevention Program Manager

After rebuilding together with us on intake and program services roles, Star (Daija) leads management of the Unleaded Homes San Mateo County program. Launched in 2024, this program helps residents live in lead paint-free homes throughout the county.

When not helping our clients live in safer homes, Star can be found pursuing her interests in plant design and art.

Environmental Compliance Project Manager

Jason began working with nonprofit organizations in 2015. He’s very passionate about helping others and contributing positively to his community. He’s also a strong advocate for civil and equal rights. His free time is spent volunteering, traveling, and attending concerts. He’s been to all 50 states, most cities in North America, several countries, and three continents. However, he always loves returning home to the great state of California.

Jason comes from LA, most recently as Vice President of Renovations for Fieldstone Construction where he was responsible for residential and commercial property rehab throughout the country. He’s experienced in managing contractors from bidding through project completion. He’s also managed financial reporting and grants for a neighborhood association in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio.

Director, Marketing and Community Engagement

Robert has built a career in partnership marketing, growing and servicing client relationships across various programs spanning advertising, sports marketing, tourism and more. For RTP, Robert is focused on engaging sponsors on key projects and driving marketing engagement.

Away from the office, you can find him planning a trip, looking for a good meal, or following some sort of obscure sport. Robert is back in the Bay Area after long stays in Los Angeles and New York, and lives in Belmont.

Volunteer Engagement and Community Outreach Coordinator

Dom’s experience in volunteer, outreach, and admin responsibilities across various non-profits, local government agencies, and the military – including his own anti-litter start-up initiative – has him well-suited to coordinate our efforts to engage key volunteers and drive program awareness. He is a San Jose State graduate and has returned to the Bay Area after a spell in the Sacramento region.

Director of Programs

Greg spent twenty years in software working as a back end and systems engineer but traded in fluorescent lights for fencing and computers for caring. He worked for a commercial contractor, and then ran his own home repair business for nearly a decade before joining Habitat for Humanity as a Site Supervisor. Greg joined RTP in 2017 now oversees the various core programs to help homeowners.

Greg is also an avid ice hockey fan (Detroit Red Wings) as well as an old punk music fan (though his days in the mosh pit are long behind him…).

Accountant/Consultant

Jan began her career in the nonprofit world working for Planned Parenthood of San Mateo County. After working in the legal sector and as operations manager for a San Francisco startup, she transitioned to accounting consulting specializing in small businesses and nonprofits. Jan’s first involvement with RTP was as a volunteer on an NRD project in 1993. The experience impressed her greatly, and she stayed connected to the organization as an annual donor. In 2003, she offered her services as a volunteer to modernize the accounting system and take over accounting duties. In 2004, she was hired as an independent contractor/consultant to handle all accounting tasks for the organization, a position she has held since then, making her the longest serving person in the RTP family. As she says, “Why not? RTP people are the best!”

A transplant from the Chicago area, Jan constantly celebrates the beauty and progressive attitude of the Bay Area and her luck in ending up in California. She loves reading, hiking, yoga, and was recruited years ago to take up scuba diving by her husband and son.

ReBuild and Special Projects Program Manager

With commercial and residential project experience spanning landscaping, property management, electrical, and building on the Peninsula under her belt, Dominique is managing the Rebuilding Day and special projects needs of our clients and partners. Born and raised in San Mateo County, she currently lives mid-Peninsula in Belmont.

Project Manager

Josh Woodruff joined Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP) on August 10th, 2018. He is originally from Dayton, Ohio but spent quite some time in Atlanta, Georgia as well before moving to California for his AmeriCorps service. For about four years now, Josh has owned and run his own small urban clothing line called “Rebirth of Royalty”. Prior to RTP, Josh worked at a small credit union corporate office in Dayton called Wright-Patt Credit Union. He also competed once in a Men’s Physique Competition in Cincinnati and placed 3rd in his show! Josh has always had a passion for lending a helping hand and finds Rebuilding Together Peninsula a great way to continue to pursue his passion. RTP feels incredibly lucky to welcome such a warm-hearted and hard-working entrepreneur to the team!

Client Intake Specialist

Originally from the Midwest but in California since 1997, Demetrius has built a career centered on helping others through a variety of nonprofits, including Mercy Housing, Haight Ashbury Medical Clinics, and most recently at Shanti Project as a program manager. He comes to RTP with “an excitement to learn and support in any way”.

Demetrius currently lives in Oakland, and in his free time, you’ll find him with his dog, family, and friends…or cultivating a passion for art in all forms.

Development, Impact, and Database Administrator

Georgia grew up in the Bay Area, graduated from UC Berkeley and is excited to serve some of the vibrant communities that have shaped her. Georgia’s experience includes working for the Stanford Law School assisting with database, website, admin duties and event management; and interning at the Riekes Center Film Barn and Fresh Takes Media Arts Center.

She is dedicated to serving her community and lives by the motto, “Leave things better than you found them.” In her free time, Georgia enjoys going to concerts, scavenging thrift stores for vinyl records, and traveling.

Senior Repair Technician

Frank Tijerina comes to RTP with over 20 years of experience in construction. He loves helping neighbors to stay safe and healthy in their homes and finds his work with RTP very rewarding.

Safe at Home Manager

Rachel is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, and she has always been passionate about social justice and community service, with experience in grassroots canvassing and interning with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. After graduating from N.C. State University with a degree in Anthropology, she worked with Rebuilding Together New York City as an AmeriCorps member, where she ignited a passion for housing justice and equity. She currently manages the year-round Safe at Home minor home repair program for RTP.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys singing, going to the beach, and hanging out with her cat, Muggle.

Office Assistant/Coordinator