OUR TEAM

Ziem first joined Project Cornerstone of the YMCA of Silicon Valley in 2011 as a volunteer, and then became its Director of School Partnerships in 2015, before assuming her current role as the Executive Director in 2019. Ziem brings over 20 years of experience as an educational leader in the public school system, having been a classroom teacher, Educational Services coordinator, assistant principal, and principal.

As Executive Director, Ziem leads volunteers and staff in driving the vision and fundraising to empower youth in Silicon Valley and beyond. She collaborates with school and community partners to build Developmental Assets and Relationships, creating a positive and nurturing climate in order for all youth to become caring, responsible adults.

She holds a Master of Arts in Education (Administration and Supervision) from San Jose State University, a K-12 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Music from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

When she is not working, Ziem enjoys Pilates, weight training, cooking, music, and spending time with her family, including her husband and two children. Most of all, Ziem loves learning and is always working on being a better person while attaining that priceless balance.

Angie comes to Project Cornerstone after being introduced to the program in 2020. Having just moved to California from New York City, she was pleased to participate in meaningful discussions with her son’s class, despite the challenges of online learning. She is passionate about teens and tweens, and is thrilled to be coordinating Project Cornerstone’s Middle School program.

Angie grew up in Canada and came to the United States for University. She received a Bachelor of Social Work from Brigham Young University, and a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia.

Her substantial volunteerism encompasses many community settings, including schools, advisory boards, and educational programs. After 14 years of living in Brooklyn, Angie, her husband, and three kids, find living in California delightfully pleasant. You can’t beat the weather (but they do miss the pizza).

Debbi is thrilled to be a part of the Project Cornerstone team as the School Partnerships Director. She has been involved in education for the past 25 years as a high school math and science teacher, an administrator at the high school level and district office, and a mentor to student teachers through the Stanford Teacher Education Program.

She is passionate about social and emotional learning and helping students, staff members, and the caring adults in their lives thrive. Debbi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and a secondary teaching credential. She also has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from San Jose State University and an administrative services credential.

Debbi and her husband have a full and joyful life with their four school-aged children. She loves being in classrooms and on school sites. Debbi is grateful that her volunteer work as an ABC reader and school lead brought her to her current role as a Project Cornerstone staff member.

Diana started her journey with Project Cornerstone as an ABC reader when it became available at her kid’s school in 2016. She enjoyed learning how to be a caring adult. Following her volunteering years, she stayed in the education field working with preschoolers with special needs for the Cupertino Union School District.

Always involved and committed to the Spanish speaking community around her to help. Becoming Los Dichos Coordinator is a dream come true for her. She is now fully committed to work with the Spanish Speaking Community to make a difference.

Diana was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public accounting in The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). After school, she worked in Marketing for many years until she found her mission. When she had kids, she got involved in their education as a volunteer and love to be/make a difference in their life.

For Diana, family provides a sense of identity, community, and support. She visits Mexico every opportunity she gets. Diana enjoys having delicious homemade Mexican cuisine with her husband and two teenage kids. She loves spending time drinking coffee with friends and considers traveling an excuse to enjoy life.

Kavita is an avid school volunteer who has a passion for service and a dedication to making a positive impact in her community.

Growing up in the vibrant and culturally diverse city of Miami gave her a unique and enriching experience, including becoming fluent in Spanish - a skill that would prove valuable in future endeavors.

In her earlier professional life, Kavita gained valuable experience in business management by owning and managing several retail locations on Miami Beach. In 2000, she moved to the Bay Area, where she embraced the fast-paced environment of start-ups, showcasing her adaptability and willingness to explore new opportunities.

Kavita first became aware of Project Cornerstone when her kids were in elementary school, where the ABC readers made a lasting impact on her family inspiring kindness and empathy with every story. Becoming a part of the Project Cornerstone team has been a dream come true, being able to contribute in the betterment of our community.

With two teenagers now, Kavita’s most enjoyable moments are spent with her family enjoying activities like baking, hiking, yoga and traveling.

Leticia fell in love with the mission of Project Cornerstone when her oldest son started elementary school and she became a reader for his class in 2019. After co-leading the school’s ABC program, she is so excited to join Project Cornerstone as the Youth Services Coordinator.

Leticia grew up in the Bay Area, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Stanford University and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She has spent the majority of her career as a Behavioral Health Educator at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, working with individuals who want to improve the quality of their lives.

Leticia is passionate about helping people become healthier in body, mind, and spirit. She finds inspiration in working with kids for their candidness and ability to live in and truly enjoy the present moment.

Leticia enjoys a busy life with her husband, two young sons, and enthusiastic golden retriever. She loves to spend time with family and friends, read with her kids, bake, practice yoga, improve her Spanish skills, and travel. Leticia is passionate about being a life-long learner and fostering the growth mindset in herself and others.

Lisa first learned about the YMCA Project Cornerstone program when she volunteered as an ABC Reader at her children’s elementary school. Inspired by the program’s positive impact on students and families, she became the co-chair and later chair of the program. Lisa also created the Friendship Friday program, a student-led initiative in which fourth- and fifth-grade students designed fun, inclusive recess activities with the goal of helping every child feel welcomed and connected.

Lisa brings extensive facilitation and training experience to her role as a Project Cornerstone Workshop Specialist. She has led numerous workshops and trainings, including preparing ABC Readers on monthly lesson content and onboarding school staff to new volunteer software. Lisa is also a Realtor and has taught classes to new real estate agents on the many facets of building a successful real estate career.

Lisa grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where she earned a BS in Communications and met her husband, Jason. After college, they moved to Chicago, where Lisa launched a successful career in corporate sales. In 2007, Lisa and Jason relocated to Almaden Valley, California, where they enjoy the area’s natural beauty and incredible weather.

Lisa and Jason are the proud parents of three fun and smart adult children and two zany dogs. In her free time, Lisa enjoys exercising, spending time with family and friends, reading, puzzling, and traveling.

Lisa is passionate about empowering parents with the tools and confidence they need to raise children who feel connected, supported, and able to thrive, and she feels fortunate to be part of the Project Cornerstone team.

Rona is excited to be part of the Project Cornerstone team after being introduced to the programs when her children were in elementary school. An active community and school volunteer, she founded a middle school Cornerstone Secret Service Club with the mission of building a caring school climate through random acts of kindness and volunteered for four years at a high school college and career center.

Rona brings an extensive background in public relations and communications. At Project Cornerstone, she supports grant writing, program reporting and evaluation, events, and communications. Rona is also deeply committed to building awareness around and ending incest abuse through her advocacy work with Incest AWARE.

Rona enjoys spending time with her three grown children, quiet evenings with her husband, yoga, hiking, daily walks, crafting, and learning a new language.

Sarah first came to Project Cornerstone as a volunteer at her childrens’ elementary school, and spent several years as an ABC lead. With 13 years of international event management experience, she has planned and executed corporate events in over 20 cities around the globe.

She has also worked as a personal concierge, helping busy people manage their lives. Today, she puts her organizing skills to good use supporting the Project Cornerstone team in both daily operations and special events.

Born and raised in the UK, she left in 2001 to see and experience more of the world. Today, having lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and the US, she appreciates the experiences she’s gained from living in multi-cultural societies. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys traveling, hiking, and cooking.

Stephanie joins the team after seeing the positive influence of the Project Cornerstone program in her children’s classrooms. She grew up in the Bay Area, earned a Bachelors of Arts in English from the University of Utah while playing Division I Volleyball, and then received her Masters of Education in Curriculum Design and Instruction.

She taught Language Arts at the high school and middle school levels for years and, when she took a step back professionally to raise her children, she started a Joy School and outdoor play group for her young children and her community. She continues to volunteer actively in the various communities of which she’s a part.

Stephanie loves hiking with her children and showing them the beauty of the Bay Area and beyond, gardening, and anything else outside. Time with her family and friends energizes her in all the forms from book clubs, hiking groups, to travel.

Stephanie is thrilled to join this amazing team and to further develop the curriculum for children and families. The vision of Project Cornerstone aligns with the values she finds most important, and she hopes to empower more communities, families, and individuals to approach the content confidently.