Our Staff

Daniela is a Redwood City native who has long been connected to Generations United programming. She and her family have been an integral part of our community for many years. We were thrilled to welcome her as an intern last year and now she has a permanent role as an AEC Associate. She is engaging with students and a hard-working student herself. We are so proud to have her on the team.

Enrique is from Redwood City. He is currently in his first year of college at Canada community college. He dreams about becoming a future business owner to be able to give back to his community. He’s very passionate about helping others and tries his best to help those in need. Enrique enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family.

Martha Celis is the founder, enthusiastic and creative Director of “Danza Colibrí”. Martha started dancing at a very early age in her city of birth, Guadalajara, she dance in Grupo Folklórico de la Secretaría de Turismo and later was a founder member of “Grupo Folklórico Ciudad de Guadalajara''. She graduated from the School of Arts of the University of Guadalajara as a professional dancer and started her career as a teacher. She has had the opportunity to travel around North America, Central America and Europe taking her art to all kinds of different audiences. Martha migrated to the USA in 1998 and dreamed of being able to share all the love she feels for her culture and willing to keep learning and teaching all the amazing dances and traditions among the Mexican culture. A few years later she obtained a Bachelors of Art degree in Human Development from CSU East Bay. Martha has worked with different organizations and schools around the bay area as a Mexican Folk Dance teacher and Choreographer. In 2013 Martha founded, “Viva el Folklor Mexicano” an after school educational enrichment program. Later in 2016, her love for community propelled her to found her dream project, “Danza Colibrí” a Mexican traditional music and dance community group for children, youth and adults in Redwood City. Martha Celis also teaches traditional, mestizo dances and zapateado de tarima.

Our chairwoman of the board, Rica Ruiz, as a real estate professional, is privy to the inflated housing market that has been the San Francisco Bay Area, and the peninsula in particular. While she serves a broad clientele with their dreams of homeownership, she grieves the lack of access for so many, particularly among immigrant, working families. Her long-term vision is for affordable housing for this community, a reality that is integral to her understanding of economic justice. Her heart for the poor comes from an intimate place. Born in the Philippines, and raised by a single mom in Contra Costa County, Rica has firsthand experience not only with financial hardship but the emotional duress of marginalization, an existence that remains largely true even to this day. Working hard her whole life, Rica paid her way through college, graduating with a degree in media at San Francisco State. Her greatest joy is being with her husband and watching her son play baseball. She also has been a volunteer with Generations United, Inc weekly for several years. This has changed her life in ways she never imagined and her heart has been moved to action.

Stanley Johnson is the father of three young adult children and married to his wife and friend of 30 years Karen Johnson. Stanley is a native of the Redwood City. He graduated from San Diego State in 1981, with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in marketing. Stanley has worked with Pepsico, and its Frito Lay brand of products, in a sales and marketing capacity and for three decades. He has also served in regional sales in a managerial capacity for ERICO International Corporation, a company that provides electrical solutions for construction projects all around the globe. Stanley has a passion for outdoor adventures, but more importantly, a heart for the vulnerable and marginalized. Over the past two decades he has served on the boards of community-based organizations, including the American Youth Soccer Organization of San Carlos, and Peninsula Covenant Community Center in Redwood City.

Benita Hopkins is known by all as an “agent of change,” a reputation she earned while serving as the director of community engagement for Love Never Fails, a nonprofit committed to aiding the trafficked population. She seeks to bring hope to children around the world who have suffered from shame and abandonment, for example, Ghana, where she has advanced efforts in violence prevention and aftercare programs for trauma victims. She was awarded “2015 Abolitionist of the Year” by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, and the “Working Women’s Award” by the Dr. MLK Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley. These distinctions reflect her competence as a cross-cultural educator and a champion for social justice in communities like the ones she serves through GU. Prior to joining the Board, Benita served faithfully as our Director of Education and led our AEC at Schaberg Library. In the Summer of 2021, she will join us in a support role to continue to put her expertise to work for our families.

Peter Morris was born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. He grew up as a young boy in Redwood City, and received his public education in the Redwood City’s classrooms. Fond of this experience growing up, Peter has a special heart for local schools, and the families that attend them. As he always has enjoyed, he has great love for physical fitness and outdoor activities of every kind. He also has a love of music, and now performs the trumpet with the San Jose Wind Symphony as one of its principal brass players. Peter serves as a investment advisor with Lincoln Financial, where he helps clients achieve their financial goals and plan for their retirement. Married for over 40 years, Peter and Fredda have four adult children and five grandchildren. They are active members of Peninsula Covenant Church and the Peninsula Community Center. Peter’s wife Fredda has been instrumental in developing relationships with children and families through tutoring weekly with Generations United.

Dr Kylie Billingsley specializes in psycho-diagnostic testing and therapy for children and adolescents with complex developmental and diagnostic presentations through Sequoia Counseling Services in Redwood City. She works with children, teens and families with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD, as well as trauma, attachment disorders and rare medical conditions. Prior to private practice she was the developmental specialist at Kaiser RWC for 8 years. She uses CBT, play therapy and family systems approaches.

Steve is a community builder, pastor, justice advocate and mobilizer. He brings two decades of pastoral experience in a wide variety of roles at two churches and is currently building a network of innovative, small, missional spiritual communities. A resident of East Palo Alto, along with his wife Amy and two girls, Steve shares a passion for bringing thriving to under-resourced communities and bringing people together for the common good. Steve loves spending time with his family, baking bread, making bacon, creating music, and is obsessed with all things soccer (God's greatest gift).

Edwin Guzman is the lead pastor and one of the founders of Iglesia Cristiana SE, located in Rohnert Park, CA. He has been serving in ministry for over 20 years. He was ordained Pastor and graduated in Theology with a major in Bible Studies from Liberty University. He also completed his studies in Behavioral Science, and has accreditations as a Master Coach in Neurolinguistic Programming, Neuropsychotherapy, and Neuroscience.
In 2024 and after 17 years of service working as a Counselor Supervisor Edwin retired from the County of Sonoma/Human Services Department. Edwin has been married for 29 years to Sandra and they have one young adult child.
Edwin is a visionary who beiieves in empowering and uplifting others for a better future. He actively works to enable individuals within the church and community to reach their full potential, fostering a sense of self-worth, value, and positive change through support and encouragement.

Katrina Valera is a home and family manager, homeschool teacher to her two children, and small business owner based in North County San Diego. Her experience in community service and leadership started in the Bay Area, where she was born and raised. Katrina’s background includes involvement in fundraising and event planning, along with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. She has led educational programs for children and served as a member of the Parent-Teacher Association. Katrina has a longstanding passion for serving others, dedicating her efforts to community, education, and health. She prioritizes nurturing family and community connections and creating supportive environments that foster learning and growth. Katrina loves creating art and going on nature walks with her family.