HOPE is a collaborative of public agencies, community-based organizations, and Oakland residents. Leadership bodies and individuals within the collaborative work together to pursue our vision of a healthier, more vibrant Oakland.
The Steering Committee is responsible for the leadership of the collaborative and for making all major decisions.
HOPE staff is responsible for the overall coordination of HOPE’s work.
Steering Committee
Beth Teper
Beth Teper – a 25 year Oakland resident and SF native – works on a wide range of interconnected social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues. Beth brings a strong background in and passion for building relationships, visibility and political power with youth, families, communities and movements. Beth currently free-lances as a collaborator, connector, coach and consultant. Clients & partners include Movement Strategy Center, Merritt College Environmental Management & Technology Program/ Institute for Sustainable Policy Studies, Oakland Unified School Garden Education Program, Oakland Climate Action Coalition, among others. Beth also leads seasonal environmental education programs with Stepping Out Stepping In. For nearly a decade prior to consulting, Beth was the Executive Director of COLAGE: the national network of people with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents.Kimi Watkins-Tartt
Kimi Watkins-Tartt is the Director of the Community Health Services Division of the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). During her career, Ms. Watkins-Tartt has developed expertise in the areas of community health and chronic disease prevention and treatment. In her current capacity with ACPHD, Ms, Watkins-Tartt oversees a range of programs including Asthma Start, Health Care for the Homeless, Nutrition Services, Urban Male Health, Tattoo Removal, Tobacco Control, and Medical Marijuana I.D Card. Ms. Watkins-Tartt serves on several community-based and inter-governmenntal collaboratives including the California Convergence, Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative, Eden Area Livability Initiative, East Oakland Building Health Communities, and HOPE Collaborative.
Michelle Oppen
Michelle Oppen is the Program Manager of Coordinated School Health for Oakland Unified School District. She guides the School Wellness Council, the implementation of the School Wellness Policy, and develops programs and systems to move the work forward. Michelle strives to support school sites by creating partnerships and technical assistance opportunities to increase school wellness resources and she serves on HOPE’s Steering Committee to connect her work at OUSD to HOPE, the community, and the city. Prior to working for OUSD, Michelle worked at several government and non-profit agencies to promote nutrition and physical activity and prevent childhood obesity. She completed her Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan and her BA from University of Rochester. Michelle lives in Oakland with her husband and two daughters.
HOPE Staff
Paul Hoàng Nguyễn – Food Justice Innovations Manager
Paul holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine. Before joining HOPE, Paul was organizing a Community Supported Agriculture program that focused on working with Asian Farmers to bring culturally relevant produce to community members in his hometown of Garden Grove, CA. In Los Angeles, he continued to learn and work on Food Justice Issues. Working to expand the CSA program as well as address public health issues in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. During his time in LA, Paul also worked with high school students in the San Gabriel Valley to advocate for better air quality and worked with youth toward becoming leaders in their community. Paul is excited to lead the food work that HOPE has been championing here in the City of Oakland and looks forward to learning more about the Oakland community.
Contact Paul at paul@hopecollaborative.net.
Sarahy Dominguez – Youth Engagement Organizer
Sarahy Dominguez is the Youth Engagement Organizer for HOPE. She was the Youth Leader for HOPE’s Youth Action Board and has been involved with HOPE for nearly three years. After a Youth Leader for the Youth Action Board (YAB) went to her high school to recruit new members and her Medical Chemistry teacher encouraged her to apply, Sarahy joined the YAB and soon enjoyed going to the HOPE office every Thursday and working on the Healthy Corner Store Team/Project. As the YAB year was coming to its summer term Sarahy was invited into the position of Youth Leader. With initial hesitation, she said yes, and started to get the hang of things soon after. She initiated media projects during her time as a YAB leader, including this well-received Food Desert video. On top of all her work at HOPE, Sarahy is attending Laney College where she is studying Sociology.
Contact Sarahy at sarahy@hopecollaborative.net.
