We are proud to introduce you to our talented team of trainers. These dedicated individuals deliver a broad range of programs and services, which include:
- powerful, interactive and inspiring trainings, workshops and seminars;
- dynamic, informative and motivating presentations;
- program development, individualized consultation and hands-on support.
Our independently contracted trainers are united in their quest for empowering youth and creating restorative environments that are safe, inclusive and welcoming to all.
Alejandro Vilchez, B.A.
Alejandro Vilchez a seasoned leader in the field of violence prevention, youth engagement, community and organizational development. As a trainer, facilitator and public speaker, he has the ability to capture audiences in a fun yet focused manner, in both English and Spanish.
Alejandro delivers presentations that equip people to communicate effectively, prevent conflict and transform their agency or school culture. Alejandro is certified through Community Matters to deliver the following trainings: Safe School Ambassadors®, Empowering Athletes as Upstanders, Restorative Practices for students and educators, A.T.O.D. Peer to Peer Prevention; as well as small and large conference presentations and keynotes. In addition to his work with Community Matters, he manages his own consulting practice working with schools, local governments, non-profit and social service agencies.
Alejandro is native to the San Francisco Bay Area, and holds degrees in Child Development, Cross-Cultural Communications and Human Services. He loves baseball, classic Chevy’s and reading all things C.S. Lewis.
Carolyn Placente
Carolyn began training for Community Matters in 2013. She brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, scholar, facilitator, advocate, and consultant. Through her community work, she fosters leadership development and civic engagement, promotes activism, advocacy, and service-based learning, and cultivates critical and creative thinking skills. Dedicated to culturally responsive restorative policies and practices, she served as a Commissioner for the Marin County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, where she helped to lead the Commission’s efforts in developing a countywide approach to addressing racial and ethnic disparities and implementing restorative practices in juvenile justice in partnership with schools, community-based organizations, community members, and the County’s Probation Department. A common thread throughout all of her work has been the intentional and thoughtful urging for deliberate dialogue around human rights, civil rights, and social equity, as well as active participation in public policy debate and decision-making.
Carolyn’s work with children and families and her passion for social justice are grounded in the belief that our youth represent our greatest blessing and that it is our collective responsibility to support youth in recognizing and developing their unique talents so that they may grow and excel while living consciously, productively, and sustainably as active members in thriving communities. A nurturing, empathetic, and dynamic trainer, she provides meaningful educational opportunities for people of all ages to connect with their power to stand up, speak up, and co-create equitable, inclusive communities. Carolyn’s work stems from a deep appreciation of diversity, a sincere faith in the potential of democracy, and an unwavering commitment to lasting and positive social change. She is a mother of two and lives in coastal West Marin, enamored of the natural beauty, incredible wildlife, and amazing people that surround her.
Evan Phillips
Evan Phillips is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and social change, with over a decade of experience as an expert trainer for Safe School Ambassadors, the flagship program of Community Matters. Throughout his career, he has trained thousands of students across the U.S.—from Guam to New York, Texas to Illinois, and all of California—equipping young people with the skills to foster inclusive, safe, and supportive school environments.
As a father to a middle schooler and a youth sports coach, Evan brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s young people. His professional journey spans a diverse range of fields, including organic foods, music and entertainment, and digital media. An international DJ and producer, he leverages his experiences in cultural exchange and creative expression to connect with students in meaningful and relatable ways.
Evan identifies as a humanist, committed to bridging divides and fostering understanding across diverse communities. With a passion for social justice and cultural awareness, he approaches his work with humility, sensitivity, and a commitment to amplifying the voices of young leaders. He believes that the work done at Community Matters is a powerful catalyst for positive change, shaping a future where empathy, respect, and action are at the forefront.
Helen Calabria
Helen Calabria brings great passion and experience to her work as Trainer for the Safe School Ambassador Program. Helen has years of experience as a classroom teacher, parent educator, and educational leader. She believes and knows that students and educators can play a vital role in effecting positive change in their school communities when given the tools and support.
A native of California, Helen received her BA in American Studies and Journalism from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1998. She completed her California English Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from San Francisco State in 2004.
While in graduate school, Helen taught English and Social Studies at a charter middle school in Oakland. As part of her leadership role at the school, Helen facilitated the school’s cultural reform process, with the particular goal of reducing the level of violence and bullying at the school. For her Masters Field study, Helen developed and taught curriculum that empowered students to research and positively address problems of ‘gang culture’ in their community.
After 4 years teaching in Oakland, Helen lived and taught in Spain for a year, where she became fluent in Spanish. She then returned to the San Francisco Bay Area where she worked as a trainer, classroom teacher (middle and high school), private instructor, and administrative lead.
Helen now lives in Seattle with her family, including two daughters (ages 8 & 10). In additional to being a mom & a Trainer for Community Matters, Helen provides parent education to members of the Seattle area community via her role as a Parent Education Instructor for North Seattle Colleges.
Helen enjoys facilitating group work, community building, and cooperative social skills among people of all ages and backgrounds. She is proud and honored to be a member of the Community Matters Team!
Jacqueline Keywood
Jacqueline Keywood is a mediator and facilitator with more than 10 years of experience working with youth and adults. She is driven by a desire to resolve conflicts non-violently and to create deeper understanding between parties, one conversation at a time.
Jacqueline served on the board of Recourse Mediation Services in Santa Rosa, CA. until 2010, and continues to volunteer for the non-profit regularly. She is a community mediator in addition to coaching and training for various mediation organizations.
Jaquiel Bullock
Jaquiel decided to get involved in community advocacy programs at an early age. During his adolescence, he and his childhood friends collectively struggled through the growing pains of a city lacking in resources, motivating Jaquiel to advocate for the well-being of his community.
Over time, Jaquiel found his purpose in inspiring his fellow students, teachers, and colleagues. He worked to actively enhance education programs in schools throughout New York State as he pursued his education. Over the course of his college career, he would serve as a youth enrichment specialist, youth counselor and community organizer, becoming a full-time student advocate in not only the community he grew up in but communities around the world. After several years of student advocacy he moved on to become the director of a Mindfulness Center in Westchester, NY. His passion for service, access to education and leadership development has led him to speaking engagements with founders of multinational organizations, governors and mayors. Most recently, he published a TEDx talk in February 2019.
Jaq continues to use his gifts as an orator, writer, and community advocate to guide students in the next phases of their lives and hopes to inspire those passions early in the students he works with as a trainer with Community Matters.
“Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”
John Linney, M.A.
John Linney holds an M.A. in Communication and is Executive Director of Impact Coaching and Speaking, Inc. He is considered a master speaker and trainer with a participatory approach to learning and a speaking style described as engaging, authentic and energizing. Impact Coaching & Speaking provides services that develop the clarity, powerful skills, and positive relationships needed to create a positive and productive working environment.
As a “climate control specialist,” he has provided services and training on organizational climate issues and youth development to over 375 educational institutions, community partnerships, businesses, and not for profit organizations throughout the United States and Mexico. His international experience has equipped him with a high level of cultural competence and the ability to be effective in diverse environments. John has also served as a staff member in public and private schools and colleges and as a youth development educator since 1997.
John is passionate about creating positive, healthy and safe youth climates that tap into young people as allies in preventing cruelty and violence in schools. He has been the keynote speaker at several events and conferences and has been a featured guest on numerous local and national television and radio programs in the U.S. and Mexico including C-SPAN, Univision, and National Public Radio. As a Senior Trainer for Community Matters, he has worked within the Safe School Ambassadors model since 2002. John has developed several publications on the subjects of youth development and organizational improvement and is co-author of the book, Safe School Ambassadors: Harnessing Student Power to Stop Bullying and Violence.
Kristi Trader, M.S.
Kristi Trader designs custom experiences for all ages with the intent of embodying kindness in ourselves, others, and our communities. She uses an integral approach including personality profiling, communication tools, storytelling, embodiment practices, and play. In her years of experience, she has facilitated personal & relational development, workplace engagement, and community building services to diverse industries including education, finance, government, healthcare, spiritual, and technology.
Kristi graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Administration. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University, and an Associate of Arts from North Central University.
Laurie Stanton
Laurie is a highly experienced educator with 34 years in K-8 teaching and administration, including five years coordinating a county-wide safe school initiative across 64 sites and supervising student teachers. Currently, she focuses on higher education, teaching in liberal studies and the teacher credential programs. Her expertise in Restorative Practices was honed through getting trained by the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP), which is essential in her current work. She has been involved with Community Matters since 2008.
Laurie leverages her extensive experience with diverse student populations to help participants develop fluency in Restorative Practices, enabling them to apply these strategies effectively in their own classrooms, sites, and small groups. She models these Restorative Practices with her university students, in hopes of cultivating a future generation of teachers who prioritize relationship-building and community-building circles to foster safe and inclusive learning environments.
Lewis Keys
Lewis J. Keys, a proud native of Dallas, Texas, is a dynamic leader and youth advocate with over 14 years of experience in program development, mentorship, and community engagement. A graduate of Wiley University, a historically Black college in East Texas, Lewis is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University. His academic background reflects his dedication to education, spiritual growth, and fostering environments where youth can thrive.
Throughout his career, Lewis has held pivotal roles in renowned organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and Sacramento, the California Army National Guard Child and Youth Program, and the American Red Cross. Notably, he has designed and executed impactful youth conferences, trained thousands of young people in resilience and leadership, and overseen multimillion-dollar program budgets. His expertise in strategy, staff development, and community building has consistently resulted in measurable successes, such as increased program engagement and enhanced youth retention.
Currently, Lewis serves not only as an independent contractor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where he’s been instrumental in developing the National Youth Council and empowering young leaders through workshops and fostering connections between council members and organizational leadership, but also as a Senior Trainer for Community Matters where his work includes conducting nationwide training sessions on restorative practices and conflict resolution, equipping educators and youth with tools to build healthier communities.
A devoted husband and father of nine, Lewis’s passion for empowering the next generation is both professional and personal. Supported by his loving family, he continues to inspire youth to unlock their potential, embrace resilience, and pursue their purpose with confidence. His work stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to creating transformative opportunities for young people across the nation.
Lidia Lopez, M.A.
Lidia López was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Believing strongly in education, she studied one year in Spain and graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Spanish and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology.
Lidia’s passion and commitment arise from her personal experiences as a low-income and first generation student, and have guided her to work with youth. She has taught at both the elementary and high school level. She has also served as a Peer Advisor, Bilingual E.S.L. and Special Education Teaching Assistant, Residential Group Home Counselor, Seminar Facilitator, Ropes Course Facilitator, and Summer Academy Supervisor. She has additionally worked as the Executive Director to the Latino Student Congress at Sonoma State University where she conducted high school student outreach promoting higher education through the planning and administration of cultural and educational events, seminars, and discussions.
Lidia has worked as an Academic Counselor for the 3-1-3 & Upward Bound Programs at Sonoma State University where she supported 9-12th grade students from thirteen Sonoma County high schools in their preparation for, transition to, and graduation from a four-year college/university. She has presented workshops to students, parents and community members on personal development, college preparation and the college application process. Lidia has worked as a Community Outreach Consultant and Organizer in Sonoma County and has additionally supported the efforts of various community organizations.
In her work, relationships, and life, Lidia models an openness to learning new ways of thinking and seeing while at the same time honoring her own lived experiences and perspectives. A proud Chicana, her life purpose is to continue to support all youth and to empower them to achieve both their personal and educational goals. She has worked as a Consultant, Senior Trainer and Parent Educator for Community Matters since 2004.
Mario Cossa, M.A., RDT-MT, TEP, CAWT
Mario has worked with children and adolescents as a teacher, theatre arts instructor, and psychodramatist/drama therapist for nearly four decades. He specializes in work with adolescent groups and trauma survivors, and is certified by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama and by the National Association for Drama Therapy. He travels globally offering trainings in the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Mario currently resides in Bali, Indonesia, for a major portion of the year, returning to the San Francisco Bay area in the fall to provide trainings for Community Matters’ programs and services.
In 1989, Mario created ACTINGOUT, a program for youth in New Hampshire that combined expressive arts group therapy with training and performance opportunities in issue-oriented theatre. Mario developed its unique brand of issue-oriented, audience-interactive, improvisational theatre focusing on contemporary issues like substance abuse, violence prevention, and HIV. In 14 years of Mario’s direction, ACTINGOUT offered over 1,000 performances, presentations and workshops.
Mario is recognized by his peers as a leader in the fields of adolescent development, education, and therapy. He has conducted workshops around the world on utilizing action methods with adolescent groups, and is a trainer in a number of other science-based prevention curricula in the areas of violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, and HIV prevention. His book, REBELS WITH A CAUSE: Working with Adolescents Using Action Techniques, was published in 2006 by Jessica Kingsley Press, in London.
“Working with Community Matters as a trainer in the Safe School Ambassadors® Program excites me to no end. It combines all the best features of a successful youth prevention program with sound structures for community development and sustainability. It provides me the opportunity to bring all of what I believe and all of who I am into the work. I am delighted to be on the team.”
Maya Linney
Maya Linney earned a BA in Music with a minor in Art from Texas State University while in training to be a music educator working with students in grades K-12. She grew up in a bicultural community and is bilingual (English and Spanish). Maya began working with young people as a teenager, when she worked as a horseback riding instructor for disabled youth at an equine therapy ranch. She has mentored disadvantaged students in the Tocando music outreach program as a member of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra. Maya has taught both group classes and private violin, viola, and cello lessons to students of all ages and ability levels in the Texas State String Project. Maya provided coaching and guidance in youth character development as the drum instructor for “You Rock,” an inclusive girls’ rock music camp in her hometown of El Paso. She continues to teach private music lessons and is pursuing her teaching certification to become an orchestra teacher. Maya is driven by her passion for youth development and forming positive relationships with her students and their parents. As a student, Maya has attended and served as a table group facilitator in many Safe School Ambassadors trainings and is excited to follow in her father’s footsteps as a Safe School Ambassadors trainer.
Rick Phillips
Rick Phillips is the founder and former Executive Director of Community Matters. He is the lead author of Safe School Ambassadors: Harnessing Student Power to Stop Bullying and Violence. Rick has been interviewed on The Today Show, CNN, and many print, radio, and regional/national interview shows as an expert on violence prevention and empowering youth. Rick also brings his knowledge and experience to designing and conducting Restorative Practices trainings as well as providing coaching for Administrators responsible for implementing restorative practices for schools and districts.
As the creator and co-developer of the Safe School Ambassadors® Program, Rick has become a nationally recognized educator, speaker, facilitator, and trainer who brings years of expertise and practical experience to schools and communities across the continent and abroad. Rick has been a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at more than 500 national and state conferences.
Shay Olivarria
Shay Olivarria has worked with youth in a variety of settings. While in Los Angeles, she worked directly with youth through the city’s Recreation Department. In Philadelphia, she developed and managed a 21stCentury after-school program and a truancy intervention program for a local community service agency. Her professional and personal experiences drive her to work with students considered to be “at risk,” and she enjoys and excels at creating a space for safe and open dialogue among students and teachers.
Shay’s other work is in financial education advocacy. Her company, Bigger Than Your Block, has worked with individuals across the country in schools, conferences and business settings since 2007. She has written three books on personal finance, one of which is an Amazon.com bestseller. Encouraging youth and adults to learn more about personal finance and use their agency to improve their lives is a passion.
Shay earned a B.A. in anthropology from California State University Dominguez Hills with a minor in business management. Her desire was to merge anthropology with management principles. As a candidate for her M.A. in anthropology from the University of North Texas, she traveled to the Dominican Republic to study international micro loan programs. Shay has traveled to more than twenty countries on five continents and looks forward to continue engaging with the world.
Shaylene King
Shaylene King is an educator with a huge heart for girls. She is the founder of The Mean Girl Extinction Project, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization created to address the rise in relational aggression among girls and Girltough.co, a resource for parents and educators to help navigate online safety. She teaches girls how to not only survive girl world but to make a difference and thrive in girl world.
She speaks at schools across the country and internationally, equipping students with the tools they need to develop self-confidence and practice and promote healthy communication with their peers which can positively change the social climate on their school campuses.
She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Liberal Studies as well as her teaching credential from California Baptist University in Riverside, California, and has taught in both public and private schools.
Knowing positive change takes place through positive relationships, Shaylene has been a part of the Community Matters family for the last 10 years. She has trained their Safe School Ambassador program as well as their newest program, Safe School Buddies!
Shaylene is the author of several books. Her latest book, Girl Tough, Identity is a guided interactive journal for teen girls.
Sue Perkins
Sue’s strong backgrounds in Adult Education, Training Methodologies, Youth Development and School-Age Care have all merged together with her role as a Restorative Practice trainer. Sue finds leading sessions fulfilling as they allow her talents, interests and commitment to her community to all blend together for rewarding outcomes.
Sue has a Masters Degree in Education and over 30 years’ experience working with families, children and adults as a Child Development Director, a Community College Faculty Member, COVID Coordinator and a published author of various articles and resource books. Her dedication to her ever improvement in the field of education keeps her motivated as a life-long learner.
Sue enjoys time away from work exploring the world and cheering on the San Francisco Giants. Her three adult children and five grandchildren keep her heart full and fuel her dedication for creating a more inclusive, safe and happy world for all of us as her top priority.