Meet the founders

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  • Email Dionté

    Dionté leads UPLA's organization & team towards achieving our mission to restore community everyday. As an edu-activist, he is passionate about expanding opportunity and equity to low-income children and youth from marginalized communities. Dionté obtained his bachelor’s degree from Tusculum University in Sports Management and his Master’s Degree at California State University - Northridge in Diverse Community Development and Leadership. Dionté enjoys teaching and sharing his expertise from his 10+ years spent developing youth of color. He also enjoys Summer Camp - it’s his Super Bowl.

    Learn more about Dionté or book him to speak at diontegrey.com

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  • Email Meg

    Meg handles all things marketing and programs at UPLA. As an entrepreneur, she enjoys the creative freedom to build solutions to the needs she sees! Meg currently leads the StreetLeader & Alumni Support programs developing teens in their leadership and helping them pursue college. She is passionate about providing opportunities and coaching to kids, teens, and young adults in overlooked communities. A mom of 2 girls herself, Meg closely resonates with our mission to holistically support kids as they grow.

meet our Board of Directors

Rev. Bruce Main, PhD | Board Chair

President & Founder UrbanPromise Ministries


Alejandra Sandoval-Pachon | Board Secretary

Prevention Program Manager, Strength United


Jim Gewert | Board Treasurer

Business Consultant, JMG Consulting


Craig T. Nelson | Founding Board Member

Actor, Writer, Producer

Hear from Board Member Craig T. Nelson on why he chose to use his gifts to serve at UrbanPromise Los Angeles!

Heather VanRheenan | Founding Board Member

Innovative Marketing & Communications, Infor


Chalak Richards | Board Member

Dean of Students Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law


Natasha Piñero | Board Member

Director of Development, Major Gifts, Prison Fellowship


Roger Avila | Board Member

School Operations Coordinator, Los Angeles Unified School District

meet the Streetleaders

Since 2019, UrbanPromise has been working to create jobs and spark economic mobility for teens in the Canoga Park community. So far, we’ve created 60+ paid jobs in the neighborhood!

LEGACY BUILDERS:

UrbanPromise Los Angeles empowers local leaders to shape our programs to meet the needs in their neighborhood. We are so grateful for the contributions of each of these incredible emerging leaders.