Lilia Arellano, Administrative Specialist, ext. 200/204

Lilia has over 20 years experience working in the non-profit sector. She joined AND in 2000 as Office Manager, eventually becoming Administrative Specialist in charge of all essential administrative, human resources and payroll functions. Lilia’s wears many “hats” for the organization, which allows her to interact with everyone from clients to staff members. Most importantly, she maintains a sense of humor despite the day-to-day challenges of working at the front office.  In her free time, Lilia enjoys trips to casinos, playing mahjong, and spending time with her grandson, Jovani.

 Frank Ahn Baumgartner, Project Coordinator, ext. 207

Frank Ahn Baumgartner was born in San Francisco, and raised across the bay in Oakland, CA. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an accredited Master's degree in Architecture from California College of the Arts. Along with a commitment to improving disadvantaged communities, Frank believes in a responsible design ethos that produces sustainable and efficient projects from conception to completion. Frank has recently been Certified "Green Building Professional" through Built It Green, a membership supported non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient homes in California.

Jamie Brewster, Employment Training Center Site Manager, ext. 201

Jamie has over 9 years of experience in case management, conflict resolution, group and addictive processes. He is a Certified “Roots of Success” Environmental Literacy Trainer (a nationwide Environmental Justice green curriculum), and holds certificates in Dual Diagnosis, Criminal Justice, Domestic Violence, STEP Parenting, Anger Management, Relapse Prevention, and HIV Awareness. Jamie is ideal in this pos ition as he comes from a social and economic background similar to our client population. Most recently, Jamie accepted a seat on San Francisco’s Workforce Investment Community Advisory Committee. I spent the majority of my 20's incarcerated because i was addicted to drugs. After 5 trips to prison, I finally ws able to put my demons behind me. I was released from Corcoran state prison on Aug. 9, 2000, and at that time decided that i wanted to commit my life to assisting at risk youth to avoid the pitfalls life has to offer. I began my social work career at Walden House in February 2001 and have never looked back. The satisfaction that I get from helping young people is immeasurable. My hobbies include: skateboarding and making music. 

John Cothran, Carpentry Instructor, ext. 205

John Cothran combines over 10 years residential building experience (Certified Green Building Professional and CHEERS certified HERS rater) with over 10 years counseling education expertise and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has developed curricula and taught in residential treatment programs, and has solid experience in case management and mentoring with economically and culturally diverse individuals with barriers to employment. John obtained his MS in Counseling from San Francisco State University and BA in Social Psychology from New College of California, and is the Owner and Operator of JConstruction in Fairfax, California (www.jconstruction.4t.com). John views training AND students for employment in the Green Collar Economy as social, environmental and economic justice. He personally finds his role at AND a unique and rewarding opportunity to synthesize carpentry, green building, and counseling skills.

Diane Katz was born in New York City and has been living in the Bay Area for the past 22 years.  Diane received  her Bachelors in Business Administration degree in Accounting from Bernard Baruch College and her Masters in Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University.  Before joining Asian Neighborhood Design in 2008 as Controller, Diane served as Interim Director of Financial Services at UC Berkeley managing the daily accounting operations of the UC Berkeley Foundation.  She was also employed by an accounting consulting firm working on various assignments consisting of systems implementations, Y2K testing and interim management roles.  Diane enjoys traveling and reading.

Max Kwok, Senior Project Coordinator, ext. 227

Max Kwok is originally from Hong Kong but has been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 20 years. Both fluent and literate in Chinese, Max received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Degree from UC Berkeley in 2000 and his accredited Master of Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona in 2004. Before joining Asian Neighborhood Design in 2005, he had worked at different community based agencies such as the Community Youth Center and Community Design Center in San Francisco. He currently serves as Senior Project Coordinator at Asian Neighborhood Design. Max is also an avid tennis player who is active with the local tennis community.

Fernando Marti, Director of Community Planning, Architect, ext. 228

Fernando has been with AND since 2004, where he is Director of Community Planning.  His work at AND includes community-based plans for San Francisco's Eastern Neighborhoods; affordable housing and community economic development policies; and urban design for the Mission BART Plazas and the Chinatown Central Subway Station.    He has over 15 years of experience working on custom green homes, affordable multi-family residential, and structures for spiritual communities. Fernando is the recipient of the Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship, and taught design studios at UC Berkeley and USF.  He works with local community organizing efforts as a board member of PODER and of the Center for Political Education.  He is also an exhibiting printmaker and installation artist.  Fernando was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and has made the Bay Area his home since 1990.

Derrie Eugene McClure VI, Employment Training Center Case Manager, ext. 202

Derrie was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and comes from a family of four brothers and two sisters. He has 5 years of case management and counseling experience with emphasis on substance abuse and mental health from Walden House, and is a certified drug and alcohol counselor with various certificates for at-risk populations. My favorite colors are Silver & Black, you know what’s up. My favorite food is that down home, deep-fried, put yo foot in it, fried chicken. I’ve been married once, divorced once and have no children. The one thing that I truly love the most is the LORD. The Lord has brought me a very, very, long way. He has brought me out of the darkness and into the light. I have been clean and sober for over 8 years now. Give it up for me now……Amen.

Lori Higa, Development Director, ext. 216

Lori is an award-winning communications practitioner, with over 25 years’ experience in marketing, fundraising, development, grant writing, publishing and program management.  She has worked for Fortune 25 global technology firms to grassroots nonprofits, providing leadership across a spectrum of markets and industries.  At Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, she served as lead consultant, capacity building assistance and program manager for the Banyan Tree Project, a five-year, $2.2 million social marketing campaign fighting HIV/AIDS stigma in API communities funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Lori’s nonprofit consulting experience includes Purple Moon Dance Project, SF Community Power, the US Census Bureau, La Cheim Schools and Golden Gate Audubon Society.  She has served on the boards of, and volunteered for health and social justice nonprofits such as Asian AIDS Project, Asian Women’s Shelter, DowneFX Dance Company, SF AIDS Foundation and GAPA Dance Company, among others.  A journalist, Lori’s articles have appeared locally in the Potrero View, Mission Dispatch, SF Public Press, Sunset Beacon, SF Bay Guardian and the Center for Asian American Media.  She holds a BA in literature/writing from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA in global technology management from the University of Phoenix.  A native of Hawai’i, Lori is descended from immigrant plantation workers from Okinawa, Japan and Korea and enjoys backpacking in the Sierra Nevada.

 Ann Panopio, Senior Project Coordinator, Associate AIA, ext. 221

Ann Panopio joined AND’s Architecture and Community Planning department in May 2008 after working on housing, university and commercial architectural work over the years at firms in Houston, Chicago and Oakland. She has a B.S in Environmental Design from the University of Houston and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon. Her current projects include construction administration for 401 Fairmount, project designer for the Native American Health Center 80 Julian, and team member for the Northeast Waterfront Alternative Plan. Additionally, she is working with ETC on participating in The GREEN Initiative, hosted by Wider Opportunities for Women and in The Green Equity Cohort, hosted by Applied Research Center. Ann has recently been Certified "Green Building Professional" through Built It Green, a membership supported non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient homes in California.

Susan Sakuma, Senior Project Architect, LEED A.P., ext. 220

Susan Sakuma joined Asian Neighborhood Design in 1995. Her experience includes housing for developmentally disabled adults at Kodama Associates; senior housing at Backen, Arrigoni & Ross; participation in nationwide housing development at Fisher-Friedman Associates; and design of convalescent homes in Los Angeles at Widom/Wein & Partners, Inc. Susan has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from University of Southern California. She is a registered architect in California, and has been active in many community organizations such as the Asian Pacific Islander's Legal Outreach, and the Buddhist Church of San Francisco.

Steve Suzuki, Executive Director, Architect, ext. 225 

 Steven Suzuki has been with Asian Neighborhood Design since 1982 beginning as a project manager, then architect and eventually Principal Architect; he currently serves as its Executive Director since 2008. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley’s Department of Architecture, he has over 25 years of professional experience on a variety of projects including low-income housing renovation, new construction, community facilities design, and supportive housing projects. Steve was Board President of Kokoro Assisted Living Inc. from 1998-2006, and served on the boards of the Japanese American Religious Federation – Housing Inc., Break the Silence Coalition on Anti-Asian Violence, African-Asian American Roundtable, Nihonmachi Little Friends, the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California, and the Chinatown Beacon Center. In 2005, he was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco's Immigrant Rights Commission. Most recently, Steve was selected as one of 11 honorees for the 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival – Senior Appreciation Brunch for his work for the Japanese American community as Board President of Kokoro Assisted Living. An Oakland-native, Steve now lives in San Francisco with partner Esther Leong of Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach and their two children. 

Harry Ja Wong, Director of Architecure, Architect, ext. 211 

Harry Ja Wong has over twenty years of professional experience with a variety of project types, including several multi-family residential structures, special user housing, and office tenant improvements for community agencies. He has been with Asian Neighborhood Design since 1984. His recent projects include the South of Market Urgent Care Clinic and Residential Treatment Program, 8,000 s.f. modular childcare building at SFSU known as the Children's Campus, Friendship House Healing Center and South of Market Child Care. Harry graduated from UC Berkeley in 1977. He thereafter joined the Pratt Institute travel workshops in Finland, Spain, and France. He is currently the Director of Architecture at Asian Neighborhood Design. His hobby is collecting original popular culture and cartoon art.