We believe every individual deserves a life of peace, hope and power.
01
Hiking & Cycling Groups
If you desire to experience the ultimate outdoor adventure, our hiking & cycling group provides the perfect opportunity.
02
Swimming Group
03
Indoor Sports Group
Conveniently located Indoor Sports Facilities. Join Table Tennis, Badminton, Pickleball or Yoga groups.
04
Team Sports Group
Would you like to join soccer, football, basketball or other popular sports? We are waiting for you.
05
Kids Sports Group
It is our mission to keep kids health by teaching them basic skills and fundamentals through sports.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Community Violence Intervention
UPI is building a powerful community-based public safety infrastructure through capacity building, coalition advocacy, and training and technical assistance. Community intervention workers have the power to save lives and create community safety. The field of community violence intervention (CVI) serves as an effective alternative to law enforcement-only approaches.
Services offered through UPI’s CVI programming include:
- Research & Assessments
- Regional Training
- Strategy Development
To learn more, please contact us.
Justice Transformation
UPI works to transform public systems to disrupt and end the devastating cycle of incarceration that disproportionately impacts communities of color. We partner with system-impacted leaders to reduce the harms of the criminal justice system and build community-led alternatives for safety and justice through training, policy advocacy, and organizing.
Meet Our Team
Our staff collaborates with communities to promote justice, safety, and peace. Through innovative programs and partnerships, we are committed to dismantling systemic violence and fostering transformative change.

Fernando Rejón
Executive Director

Fernando Rejón
Executive Director

Stefanee Alcantar
Justice Transformation Senior Training Associate

Stefanee Alcantar
Justice Transformation Senior Training Associate

Alejandro Banuelos
Justice Transformation Training Coordinator

Alejandro Banuelos
Justice Transformation Training Coordinator

Claudia Bracho
Senior Community Violence Intervention Specialist/Manager

Claudia Bracho
Senior Community Violence Intervention Specialist/Manager

Nicole Brown
Director of Policy and Research

Nicole Brown
Director of Policy and Research

Jessica Canales
Director of Training and Technical Assistance

Jessica Canales
Director of Training and Technical Assistance

Susie Carmona
Grants and Compliance Senior Coordinator

Susie Carmona
Grants and Compliance Senior Coordinator

Andre Christian

Gina Dance
Technical Assistance Coordinator

Gina Dance
Technical Assistance Coordinator

Carlos De Santiago
Capacity Building Project Manager

Carlos De Santiago
Capacity Building Project Manager

Jasmine Desenclos
Capacity Building Project Manager

Jasmine Desenclos
Capacity Building Project Manager

Saul Garcia
Technical Assistance Manager

Saul Garcia
Technical Assistance Manager

Josh Green
Senior Director of Justice Transformation and Strategic Partnerships

Josh Green
Senior Director of Justice Transformation and Strategic Partnerships

Josh Gregory
Research and Evaluation Manager

Josh Gregory
Research and Evaluation Manager

Melvyn Hayward
National Manager of Training & Technical Assistance

Melvyn Hayward
National Manager of Training & Technical Assistance

Eric Lam
Senior Director of Programs & Strategy

Eric Lam
Senior Director of Programs & Strategy

Eunice Lee
Research and Evaluation Associate

Eunice Lee
Research and Evaluation Associate

Shelley MacKay
Director of Development and Communications

Shelley MacKay
Director of Development and Communications

Mia McNeil
Philanthropy and Donor Relations Manager

Mia McNeil
Philanthropy and Donor Relations Manager

Pai Miller
Senior Grants Associate

Pai Miller
Senior Grants Associate

Mark Ohrtman
Director of Capacity Building

Mark Ohrtman
Director of Capacity Building

David Palacios-Galindo
Senior Accounting and Operations Associate

David Palacios-Galindo
Senior Accounting and Operations Associate

Sie Romero
LAYUP Youth Leadership Coordinator

Sie Romero
LAYUP Youth Leadership Coordinator

Catherine Salaiz
Office Manager and Executive Assistant

Catherine Salaiz
Office Manager and Executive Assistant

Olivia Shields
Justice Transformation Policy Coordinator

Olivia Shields
Justice Transformation Policy Coordinator

Addison Tippitt
Communications Manager

Addison Tippitt
Communications Manager

Sophia Ventura-Cruess
Justice Transformation Training Manager

Sophia Ventura-Cruess
Justice Transformation Training Manager

Leah Zeidler-Ordaz
Community Lawyering Manager

Leah Zeidler-Ordaz
Community Lawyering Manager
Timothy Shugrue
Director of Finance & Operations
Timothy Shugrue
Director of Finance & Operations
Board Of Directors
Our Board of Directors guides and supports the organization in its commitment to dismantling harmful systems and creating sustainable community safety. The board provides strategic oversight, ensuring that UPI’s work in justice transformation, community violence intervention, and the empowerment of individuals reflects the core values of peace, hope, and power.
Connie Rice
Board Chair
Paula Litt
Vice Board Chair
Susan Lee
Treasurer
Xavier Morales
Secretary
Gerald Torres
Jane Peebles
Alex Johnson
Priscilla Ocen
Shannon Watts
Jane Peebles
Alex Johnson
Priscilla Ocen
Board Of Directors
We believe that in everything we do, it is an active part
of social, cultural and environmental change.
We touch dozens of lives of everyday people making real differences to people’s physical, mental and emotional health. Here are a few stats:
We are grateful to our awesome sponsors. Thank you!




