Who We Are

Emotional Literacy/Garden Liaison Team

Laura McDonnell, *Founder/Executive Director*

Laura is the Founder and Executive Director of the Next Steps Liaison Project. She is the visionary behind the organization, the impetus for which began with the heartache she felt the first day she set foot inside a juvenile prison. In her words, the experience “feels like wading through a sea of tragedy.” She immediately began educating herself about the current juvenile justice system while dedicating herself to the development of an approach that helps and heals.

**Malik Wade**, *Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator*

Malik Wade, founder and Executive Director of Scholastic Interest Group, is a youth advocate, community activist, and author of Pressure: From FBI Fugitive to Freedom. He has been a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley and a participant in Project ReMADE Entrepreneurship program at Stanford Law School. Malik brings vision and hope for the future to the young men with whom he works at the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. His presence and heart go beyond what any curriculum could provide. Helping incarcerated youth change their life trajectory is his life’s work.

**Adrian Lewis,** *Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator/ Liaison Team Member*

Adrian grew up in South Central LA, where he was influenced by gangs, drugs and violence. Today, he has overcome many challenges and no longer subscribes to his former beliefs. Instead, he shares his story with at-risk youth and helps them forge another path despite the odds. In 2022, Adrian joined Farming Hope, a culinary job training and food justice nonprofit organization, where he currently works as the weekend meals program manager. At Next Steps Liaison Project, Adrian co-facilitates Social Emotional Learning classes inside San Francisco’s Juvenile Justice Center and also serves as a Liaison Team member, working directly with court-involved youth in the community.

Juan Colonia, *Environmental Stewards Internship Supervisor*

Juan is currently employed by Legal Aid of Marin as a Housing Legal Assistant where he supports those in the community in need of advocacy. He also volunteers his time to assist families and youth in schools by promoting healthy relationships with parents, peers and caring adults.
Juan is inspired by the belief that connection is key to supporting our most at-risk youth. Juan is a bilingual “credible Messenger” who helps youth envision and create a brighter future.

**Rich Mertes**, *Social-Emotional Learning Guest Facilitator*

Rich Mertes, founder of Waking Bear Therapy, is a credentialed teacher and trained counselor. With over 17 years in the classroom and a background in somatic, mindfulness-based therapy, Rich brings deep empathy and skill to emotional literacy classes. Rich is also a published poet, singer and songwriter, and he occasionally brings the additional gift of music to youth in Juvenile Hall.

Board of Directors

Marney Tenney, Board President

Marney is the founder of Nutrition to Grow On, a nutrition consulting business, which specializes in children’s nutrition. She has a professional background in consulting, website product development, project management, and process definition with Walmart.com, Gloss.com (now part of Estee Lauder) and Compare.net (now part of Microsoft). While Marney’s focus is on marketing and strategy for Next Steps Liaison Project, her effort is fueled by a deep commitment to creating opportunity for every child, demonstrated by her many volunteer roles in the schools and community. She has a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Marney brings a wealth of talent and expertise to the board.

**Lisa Lan,**
***Board Member***

Lisa is the Founder and Principal at Rising Arrow Financial Advisory. Her San Francisco-based independent financial planning firm helps individuals and families develop strategies for how they can live well in the San Francisco Bay Area while still reaching their financial goals.
Lisa’s education and experience make her an integral and invaluable member of Next Steps' board. She oversees the organization’s financial reports, necessary filings and compliance with state regulations. With an approach that is systematic and thorough, she pursues excellence with humble generosity.

Devon Preston, *Board Member*

Devon Danz Preston joined Next Steps Liaison Project in 2023. Preston has served as a grant writer, in-prison volunteer and board member for Insight Garden Program, the inspiration for NSLP, since 2014. For over 25 years, Devon has trained and volunteered with in-prison programs across the country, and with programs supporting victims of domestic violence. Her professional career has primarily focused on the environment, including roles as a program officer for the Rhode Island Foundation and Executive Director of a sustainable development organization. Devon holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College and an M.S. in Environmental Policy from the School of the Environment at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She currently serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth living in foster care in Marin County.

**La Tanya Wiggins,**
***Board Member***

La Tanya is the Founder and President of Wiggins Family Day Care. She has offered quality childcare to Marin families for years. She is passionate about the care of children and social justice. La Tanya shares the steadfast hope that change for children in prison is not only possible, but imminent.
As part of the Liaison team, La Tanya offers hands-on support to youth to face probation with vision and a plan for success. Her enthusiasm and “getting it done” approach energizes the entire Next Steps team, fueling us with the fortitude to be authentic and fearless in our leadership.

Advisory Board

Marlin Jeffreys, *Advisor*

Marlin is the Director of the Opportunity Build job training program at Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, an alumni and member of Insight Garden Program Board of Directors, and a member of Green Life Returning To Community group. Marlin supported IGP’s CalEPA Environmental Justice grant to support the environmental stewardship of people who are formerly incarcerated.
Marlin has a decorated history working in the workforce development, renewables and the environment industry. He is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Strategic Planning, Public Speaking, Management, and Leadership, and he has an Associate’s Degree focused in Social Science from Lassen Community College.
Marlin has lived experiences. He is a social and environmental justice activist who supports Black Lives Matters, solutions to Climate Change, prison reform, education, and career opportunities with living- and family-sustaining wages.

Diane Poslosky,
***Advisor***

Diane has served as the executive director for Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) for over 35 years. ETC makes outdoor adventure accessible to people with disabilities and under-resourced youth, inspiring self-confidence, connection to nature and stewardship of the environment. Diane has grown ETC from a home grown great idea to a nationally recognized pioneer in adaptive and educational outdoor adventure programming. In 1984, Diane transitioned from being a volunteer river guide to becoming ETC’s executive director and she is still at the helm. Under her leadership, their Youth LEAD Program was launched, with multi-week summer courses for underserved youth, and ETC was awarded the Dewitt Partnership Award by the California State Parks. Diane’s experience growing an organization from a tiny seed, along with her passion to connect underserved youth to the healing power of nature, make her an invaluable advisor to Next Steps Liaison Project as we look ahead.

**Rodeo (Afa) Van Bladel,** *Advisor*

Rodeo spent the majority of his adolescence and youth in and out of institutions. He eventually found the strength to change his path and journey out the prison cycle. Once he found success in his life post-incarceration, he became passionate about helping others do the same. For youth suffering many of the same hardships he endured, he is the “credible messenger” they can look to. Today, he helps youth see life from a different perspective and offers insight before it is too late. His experience and compassion make him adept at connecting with our most at-risk youth and disrupting the cycle of incarceration.

Support Team