OUR TEAM
Lisa Smusz - Chief Executive Officer
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Lisa Smusz is a creative problem-solver with a knack for combining data and out-of-the-box thinking to produce measurable outcomes. Lisa brings nearly 25 years of senior-management-level experience in developing, executing, and evaluating community mental health initiatives on local, statewide, national, and international projects. She currently provides consulting services to campaigns across California, with a focus on stigma reduction and culturally responsive approaches to promoting mental health in diverse communities.
In addition to her role as CEO of The Social Changery, Lisa was an Instructor at California State University, East Bay for more than 20 years, where she taught a variety of courses related to mental health, women’s studies, and social justice. She is a subject matter expert in stigma reduction as well as innovative approaches to improving mental health and delivering behavioral health services.
Lisa is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPC 298) with post-graduate training from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and Harvard Medical School / Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology/Counseling from California State University, Hayward, and a Bachelor of Science in Bio-Psychology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
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Nicole Jarred - Chief Operating Officer
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Nicole Jarred is a communications strategist who is passionate about building community-driven campaigns for social change. Nicole brings innovative leadership and marketing expertise to all her projects. A hallmark of her work is the successful engagement of the target audience, particularly underserved and/or inappropriately-served populations (i.e., cultural and ethnic communities in California, youth and young adults, mental health consumers, veterans, and system-involved persons) in meaningful and authentic roles in the campaign development and implementation process.
For more than 15 years, Nicole has lead public health and social justice efforts in the nonprofit and public sectors, both in Washington D.C. and her native California. Nicole’s past work has addressed a diverse array of issues, including youth development, community health/wellness, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, school climate, and mental health.
Camile Duria - Executive Assistant
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Camile is a dedicated Executive Assistant with 10 years of experience supporting C-suite executives across the tech, non-profit, and healthcare sectors. A master of organization and efficiency, she excels at managing complex schedules, coordinating high-stakes meetings, and ensuring seamless operations. Her career includes roles such as Policy Analyst with the California Legislative Black Caucus, where she led initiatives and engaged with constituents, and a key member of the Executive Leadership Team at Just Work.
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Camile's commitment to social justice and equity is evident throughout her career. She has overseen operations and human resources for People’s Action, a national network focused on democracy and economic fairness, and served as the People Team Manager at SigFig, a global FinTech company. She holds a Master’s in Management with a concentration in Strategic Consulting and a Bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies from California State University, Fresno. Camile is also a member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and enjoys spending her spare time with her family and traveling.
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Dayna Barrios - Senior Project Manager
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Dayna Barrios (Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians) is a dedicated social activist and changemaker committed to advocating for social justice by ensuring that community voices are heard and represented. As a trained anthropologist with a focus on Indigenous rights, Dayna is driven by addressing issues such as systemic inequality and structural violence. She has extensive experience managing large-scale projects, providing technical assistance, and delivering direct service to disenfranchised populations.
An enrolled member and former chairwoman of the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Dayna resides in her traditional homelands in Ventura, California. For over a decade, she has worked with Native communities throughout California on critical issues including suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and resource allocation. As a cultural consultant, Dayna has extensive experience training organizations from various sectors on becoming effective allies to Native communities, with the goal of building community and promoting inclusivity.
Emily Gerofsky, MPH - Director of Programs
Emily Gerofsky is a public health, communications, and technology professional passionate about developing programs and interventions that improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. She began her career managing statewide public health campaigns for the California Department of Public Health and working to increase access to education for California Community College students through systems change initiatives. Working alongside industry-leading human-centered design and behavioral science experts, with the support of national philanthropic organizations, Emily served on the advance team for California’s first online community college and led initiatives to redesign the California Community College application experience.
Emily holds a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Science from the University of Florida. She is an experienced project manager and serves as the unofficial Social Changery spreadsheet wizard. Emily is able to see the big picture while simultaneously digging into the details that allow for the successful management of large-scale, complex projects. Emily uses this combination of experience and education to design upstream solutions to big problems while keeping the experience of the communities served at the forefront.
Jasmin Flores - Director of Communications
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Jasmin Flores is a socially-minded communications and marketing professional with a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. She began her career working on social marketing campaigns in the public health space for local government and community-based organizations. Jasmin brings a wealth of experience in project management and in building campaigns that are both equitable and effective.
In addition to her communications and marketing background, Jasmin is a seasoned public relations practitioner who has managed large local and national media relations efforts and developed integrated social media strategies. She has experience from both the private sector and the social justice arena, providing a well-rounded approach to serving The Social Changery’s clients. Jasmin also contributes her expertise to the Equity Council for the City of Sacramento, where she works to advance racial equity and social justice initiatives in the community.
Jazmine Clark - Senior Communications Manager
Jazmine Clark, also known as Jhae, is an energetic advocate and digital creator with a passion for creating meaningful change through public health and content strategy. With over 15 years of experience in video production and seven years in content creation, she develops innovative communication strategies that support marginalized communities and promote racially informed policy changes. Jazmine also brings three years of experience in cannabis manufacturing and education.
Jazmine’s commitment to social justice began at a young age and her dedication to making change through public health communication has been a driving force throughout her career. She is known for her skills in creating engaging content across various platforms and leading marketing strategies for diverse campaigns. She focuses on dismantling oppressive systems and preventing adverse childhood events through creative communication strategies. She is currently obtaining her Master's degree in Public Relations to enhance her impact in public health and digital strategy. Jazmine is also a member of the Black Health Equity Advisory Group for the California Department of Public Health.
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Jeanine Gaines - Director of Partnerships
Jeanine Gaines (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) is a seasoned communications professional specializing in outreach and stakeholder engagement in unserved and underserved communities. With a strong integrated communications background, she has successfully served diverse audiences through targeted events, collateral development, and various media channels. With over 10 years of experience, Jeanine has led cross-cultural behavioral health and suicide prevention projects at a statewide level.
Jeanine's commitment to community empowerment led her to co-author "Ignite: Sparking Community Change Through Social Marketing," a culturally responsive social marketing curriculum for tribes and tribal organizations in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center. In addition to her work at The Social Changery, she actively contributes as a board member for Earth Mama Healing, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and mentoring black youth. Furthermore, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Parks and Community Enrichment Commission for the City of Sacramento.
Montana Weekes - Associate Creative Director
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Montana is a socially conscious visual designer with over seven years of experience in the nonprofit and public health sectors, focusing predominantly on underserved communities of color. With a background as a social marketing and communications consultant, in-house designer, and project manager, Montana has worked on local programs across California. His expertise blends creative design with organizational skills to advance projects in collaboration with community, municipal, and statewide stakeholders.
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Specializing in the development of public health campaigns, reports and publications, and branding for nonprofit organizations, Montana adopts a flexible yet process-driven approach. His work emphasizes effective collaboration and adaptability, ensuring that the diverse needs of partners are met with both creativity and precision.
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Noelani Dennis - Project Manager
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Noelani Dennis is a seasoned project manager specializing in youth development, youth justice, and substance use prevention. With a solid background in state-wide digital marketing campaigns, social media management, event planning, community outreach, and media relations, Noelani now focuses on managing projects that address critical issues impacting youth and their communities.
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Noelani’s career began with a local government agency, where she played a key role in advancing equity and inclusion initiatives. She then contributed to a team dedicated to enhancing state-wide education funding for California students. Committed to improving community outcomes, Noelani brings a service-oriented approach to her work, ensuring that projects align with the values of inclusion and diversity. Her experience spans nonprofit work, client relations, and strategic communication, all of which support her current role at The Social Changery.
Riley Casentini - Communications Specialist
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Riley Casentini is a communication specialist with a talent for effective written delivery. Beginning her career with The Social Changery as an intern, she loved it so much, she decided to stay! With her passion for literary accessibility, culturally competent analysis, and attention to detail, Riley ensures that every writing project is clear, concise, and impactful.
Riley brings to The Social Changery, experience in event management, research, and social media content development. In addition to her passion for professional writing and a dedication to social equity, Riley assists in a variety of roles and projects to close gaps and ensure project success.
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Sarah Dominguez Powell - Senior Health Education Specialist
Sarah is an experienced learning designer with a background in health education, program planning, and participatory research. Holding a Master’s degree in Learning Technology and Experience Design, she brings a unique perspective to public health initiatives.
At The Social Changery, Sarah leverages her multifaceted background to develop user-centric solutions that address complex social issues. Her approach is rooted in a deep respect for community voices and a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change. Before joining The Changery, her work centered on youth development, reproductive and sexual health, and LGBTQ+ issues.
At Planned Parenthood, she led innovative, youth-centered programs. She piloted and facilitated a peer education program, a youth advisory board, and a youth participatory research project. Her expertise in LGBTQ+ subjects is demonstrated in the curriculum she has created and the trainings she has facilitated on topics like gender-affirming language. At NYU she co-facilitated an LGBTQ+ service-learning program for freshmen.
Outside of work, Sarah is passionate about dance and theater. She has performed with a queer Latin dance team, reflecting her creativity and her dedication to inclusive, diverse communities.
Interested in partnering with us or joining our team?
Contact us using the form below or email us directly at info@thesocialchangery.com