Letitia Henderson, a native Oaklander, is a powerful, skilled, and connected community leader who has an exceptional ability to bring people together for community building and mutually enriching outcomes. Letitia launched Exceptional Community Connections in 2015 to expand her ability to help human service systems authentically partner with traditionally marginalized communities. Letitia’s goal is to create and facilitate spaces that increase social capital and equity for the common good. Her project leadership experience includes more than 20 years of professional experience in the field of Human Services. She holds an MSW from the University of California, Berkeley, and is an alumna of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. As the Principal of the C4ES Project, Mrs. Henderson will lead the project design, planning, data collection efforts, and provide support to all other aspects of the project that contribute to the final plan.

Lazandra Dial is a Consultant, Executive Coach, Speaker, and Author with 20 plus years’ experience working in government and supporting the nonprofit industry. She is recognized and known for her expertise in helping organizations secure government funding, strategic advising, planning, and organizational development. Lazandra is the former Executive Director of the City of Oakland Workforce Development Board. She also worked for the Alameda County Workforce Development Board. Today, Lazandra is the Principal Consultant and C.E.O. of L. Michelle Development Group, LLC where she helps nonprofit leaders, and their teams make their vision and mission fundable through one-on-one consulting, coaching, and training. Lazandra will co-lead the non-profit learning sessions for the C4ES project; and will provide coaching services to cohort participants.

Kate Lesta is a Cultural Practitioner & Consultant dedicated to fostering emergent creativity through grassroots community organizing. Kate’s consultancy offers full-charge bookkeeping, project management, grant writing and event production to small, independent businesses, nonprofits and impact-based organizations, with priority focused LGBTQIA2+, BIPOC and Womxn led endeavors.