Staff
Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside is managed by a streamlined team of professional staff who work year round to design and implement programs for youth, ensure the accessibility and safety of our shared facilities, and raise funds and awareness to ensure our long-term success. Staff report to the Executive Director, who is hired and supervised by the Board of Directors. Programs are delivered by part-time youth development professionals, coaches, and screened, qualified volunteers.
Mark Newton
Executive Director
Education
- BA in History, University of California @ Davis
- Masters of Arts, Independent School Leadership, Klingenstein Center, Teacher’s College, Columbia University in NY, NY.
Work Experience
- Executive Director, BGCC, 2025 - present
- Executive Director, Riekes Center, 2022 - 2025
- Upper School Head and Principal, Oakwood School, 2020 - 2022
- Commercial Real Estate Broker, Cushman & Wakefield, 2018 - 2020
- Dean, Teacher, Director, & Coach, Menlo School, 2003 - 2018
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started in 2025
- I wasn’t a part of a Boys & Girls Club as a kid, but I’ve been so impressed by the awesome impact BGCC plays as a keystone to youth development on the Coastside.
Key Responsibilities
- Guiding BGCC’s operations, programming, finances, safety, and community partnerships to ensure we meet our mission
- Supporting our staff and board to help provide life-changing experiences for all kids on the coastside, especially those who need us most
Creating a vision for BGCC as the leader of youth development on the coastside now and into perpetuity
One reason you love working here.
Helping kids find the light and strength they hold within themselves to reach their greatest potential in life!
Sandra Sarabia
Program Director
Education
- BA Psychology, California State University- East Bay
- Family Development Credential- University of Connecticut
- Associate of Arts and Sciences AAS, Psychology
- Emerging Leaders Program, Leadership Council San Mateo County
Work Experience
- BGCC – Youth Development Professional, October 2015-2017
- BGCC – Assistant Site Manager, June 2017- October 2019
- BGCC – Site Manager for Middle School Site, October 2019- September 2023
- BGCC – Site Director, September 2023- April 2024
- BGCC – Program Director, May 2025- Present
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- 10 Years of youth development & BGCC Club member Alumni
- Mother of one
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of BGCC’s youth development programs. This role ensures that programs align with BGCC’s mission to enable all Coastside youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The Program Director will supervise program staff, coordinate with community partners, and ensure a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
One reason you love working here.
As an alum of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside, I know firsthand the impact this organization has on young people. Being a Club kid helped shape who I am today by providing a safe space, supportive mentors, and opportunities to grow. That experience drives my passion for giving back and supporting the next generation. I’m proud to now be part of a team that creates the same positive, lasting impact for our youth.
David Aliamus
Operations Director
Education
- AS Canada College
- Certificate of Early Childhood Education
Work Experience
- Operations Director, 2021 – Present
- Site Supervisor, Coastside Children’s Programs 1996 – 2021
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started in 2021
- Lead project based curriculum with 5th grade classroom
- Assist as needed with academic support and projects in different grade classrooms
Key Responsibilities
- As part of BGCC Leadership, I work to provide after school programming and enrichment to students, especially in academics and athletics, to foster their continued physical, social, and emotional growth.
- Oversee student athlete participation in Cunha Middle School afterschool sports program, including BGCC membership of all student athletes
- Coordinate with CUSD (Cabrillo Unified School District) on facilities permits and maintenance and repairs of athletic facilities
- Support Cunha Athletic Director and Coaches
One reason you love working here.
The opportunity to have a positive impact in the lives of Coastside Youth on a daily basis and support youths’ families
Diana Cariaga
Middle School Manager
Education
- Pursuing B.A. in Child & Adolescent Development- SFSU
- Early Childhood Education, A.S.- Skyline College
Work Experience
- Middle School Manager-2024-present
- Youth Development Professional @BGCC- 2016-2024
- Preschool Teacher @Starlings Preschool- 2016-2022
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Starter working here since 2016
- I was not a club kid but I was always around the club since 2007. Caitlen (who was the director) would always be so welcoming and try to have my friends and I join. I would stop by a lot; sometimes to do homework, grab snacks and play sports.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversees the programs to run smoothly
- Lead, supervise and mentor the YDPs
- Manage daily program operations
- Promote a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment
- Building positive relationships with families, schools and the community
One reason you love working here.
What I love most about working here is being there for the kids. Knowing they have someone they can count on and someone they can look up to makes this work meaningful. Being a positive role model and supporting them as they grow is the reason I enjoy coming to work everyday
Kerri Beffa Conlon
Development Director
Education
- B.A. Hospitality Administration/Management
- Northern Arizona University
Work Experience
- Table of Plenty Program Director February 2024- Present
- K&L Wine Merchants, Event Director 2010- August 2024
- Type A Events Scottsdale Principal 2004-2010
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started in 2024
- Son played HMB Club Soccer and was on the Board in charge of marketing/events
- Son was a Summer CIT in 2025
Key Responsibilities
- Donor Engagement and Stewardship
- Events
One reason you love working here.
I love the mission and the BGCC staff!
Lou Gilberto
Office Coordinator
Education
- Airframe & Powerplant certified from College of San Mateo
Work Experience
- General Manager – MTC Management 1990-2005 (restaurant management)
- Operations Manager – Crothall Facilities Services 2007-2016
- Operations Manager – Cushman and Wakefield 2016-2019
- Facilities Manager – Eurest Services 2019-2023
- Office Coordinator – Boys and Girls Club 2024-Present
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started in 2024
- This is my first experience working with children and I am having a good time.
Key Responsibilities
- Memberships
- Registrations
- Navigating My Club Hub (internal computer platform)
One reason you love working here.
Watching the local kids learn and grow. Telling them dad jokes that they don’t understand
Zitlali Huerta
High School Manager
Education
- Cañada College
- AA – Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Social & Behavioral Science
- AA – Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Natural Science & Mathematics
- AS – Allied Health
- AA – Psychology
- California State University, Long Beach
- BA – Religious Studies with a Minor in Chicane & Latine Studies
- Back in school with the plan to apply to a Masters Entry-Masters of Science in Nursing program in 2027
Work Experience
- Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside – Since 2016
- Youth Development Professional, 2016-2024
- Teen Center Manager, 2024-Present
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- 10 years of youth development with the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside – since 2016
- Former Club Kid, 2006-2009 (Cunha Middle School)
- High School volunteer, 2009-2010
- When I was a student at Half Moon Bay High School, I volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside—unfortunately, there was no Teen Center at the time
Key Responsibilities
- Provide mentorship and guidance to youth, supporting academic success and emotional well-being
- Assist in training and onboarding new new high school volunteers, modeling professionalism, communication, and adherence to safety protocols
- Recognize and respond to behavioral and emotional concerns, utilizing de-escalation techniques
- Organize and facilitate workshops on college readiness, prevention strategies, and life skills
- Collaborate with school staff and community partners to support student development
One reason you love working here.
I love being able to give back to my community! I make it my mission to never forget what it felt like to be a kid/teen so that I am able to support our students not only academically, but emotionally as well. The most rewarding part of my role is to be able to connect with our students and be able to help guide them into finding their voice and becoming the best version of themselves. It’s awesome to have former students now be part of our team as youth development professionals! I love seeing them continue to pay it forward by using the leadership skills we taught them to mentor our current students.
Birgitta Istock
Marketing and Communications
Education
- BA, University of Michigan
Work Experience
- Communications, Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside
- Community Leader Volunteer, including Boys Scouts, Makerspace, and PTA
- Vice President, Corporate Communications, Trust Company of the West
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Joined the Club in 2019.
- Inspired by how Jill Jacobson led the organization in pivoting to support children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Grateful to blend my communications background with my personal experience to help kids!
Key Responsibilities
- All things Communication, including:
- Impact Report
- Enews Content and Creation
- Social Media Graphics
- Marketing Materials (Flyers, etc.)
- Website
- Special Project Support for annual events (e.g. Coastside Gives, Gala)
One reason you love working here.
I love working with such wonderful people and helping children build bright, successful futures!
Jill Jacobson
Strategic Advisor
Education
- BA in History and Political Science, U. of Michigan
- Masters in Secondary Education, San Jose State
Work Experience
- Executive Director, BGCC, 2019-2025
- Development Associate at Charles Armstrong School and San Mateo Public Library Foundation, 2012-2019
- Owner, Dream Dinners Belmont, 2005-2012
- Educator, Stanford University, 1995-2005
- Also a former teacher, legislative aide, and campaign worker. Yes, it’s a lot and I’m old!
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started in 2019
- My twin sons participated in Cunha Sports (tennis, flag football, basketball, cross country, track and field) in 2007-2010 before BGCC took over managing these programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Building our Legacy Society
- Representing the Club in the Community
- Supporting our Board and Leadership Staff with Key Projects
One reason you love working here.
The kids! It’s all about the kids. Watching kids try something new or getting to experience something they couldn’t on their own brings me so much joy!
Maria King
Development Team: Grants
Education
- BA and MA in Industrial Design, SFSU
Work Experience
- MNK Consulting LLC, 2020 – current
- Former operations leader for tech companies for 25 years
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Started as a grant writer in 2024
- Kids attended BGCC while at Cunha and participated in Surf Club (then part of BGCC) for 7 great years!
Key Responsibilities
- Finding grant opportunities, building relationships, grant writing
One reason you love working here.
I’m passionate about supporting people in our community and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive, especially the kids.
Tim Lugo
Athletic Director (BGCC~Cunha Sports)
Education
- Bachelor of Science Sport Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Masters in Athletic Administration, Ohio University
- Certified Athletic Administrator, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
Work Experience
- 2003-2007 Operations Manager, SaveMart Center at Fresno State
- 2007-Present Teacher, Cunha Intermediate School
- 2010-Present Athletic Director, Cunha Intermediate School
Years at the Club/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Been a part of BGCC since they took over the Cunha Athletic Program in 2018. It’s been a great experience seeing my students in the classroom interact with BGCC and all the programs and services provided to our Cunha kids.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the Cunha after school sports program
- Hire and evaluate coaches for the each season and sport throughout the school year
- Manage practice and game schedules, coordinating with league colleagues.
- Hire, schedule, and train scorekeepers for all home athletic events
- Partner with Referee Coordinator to ensure games are covered
- Work in conjunction with the BGCC Operations Director to ensure all fiscal and employee paperwork is complete
One reason you love working here.
I love working in the sporting world. Being an Athletic Director lets me guide our student-athletes to do something they love. With the help of the BGCC, we have the ability to provide every student with an opportunity to play in an after-school sport.
Monica Morgan
Elementary School Manager & Operations Associate
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, IL – 2022
- Master of Science in Kinesiology – Physical Education & Coaching Pedagogy, Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, IL – 2026
Work Experience
- Site Manager – Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Serving Bethalto, IL – March 2025-May 2026
- Program Coordinator – Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Serving Bethalto, IL – 2023-2025
- First Grade Teacher – Brighton Elementary, IL – 2021-2022
- Youth Development Professional – Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Serving Bethalto, IL – 2019-2023
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- 8 years of youth development experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.
- Former Club Kid: I joined a Boys & Girls Club in the Greater St. Louis area when I was 10 years old, this is where I was first introduced to the family-like atmosphere, endless opportunity, and the true impact that the Boys & Girls Club provides to youth and families.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement youth programs focused on supporting members’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Cultivate strong relationships with schools, families, and the community to connect youth to opportunities. - Support learning in a way that encourages youth to grow their perspectives, but also learn important life skills they can carry with them throughout their lives.
- Lead enrichment programs with key focus areas in academic success, arts, athletics, and most importantly FUN!
One reason you love working here.
Having grown up in a small community in Southern Illinois, in a very similar community to Half Moon Bay, I certainly feel right at home. While I haven’t been with BGCC for very long, I can safely say that I love working here in a shared and collaborative environment, and seeing the impact that another small community can have on youth. Coming out to the Coast and getting a chance to be a part of something as impactful as BGCC, is not only rewarding in itself, but brings me pride as a previous club kid to share the love and impact we can have with others.
Michelle Sansot
Accounting Manager
Education
- B.S. Managerial Economics, University of California Davis
Work Experience
- BGCC, Accounting Manager, 2019 – 2025
- BGCC, Accounting Director, 2026 – present
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- 7 years working at the Club
- 5+ years coaching and board member for HMBSC
- All 3 of my children were members, playing for HMBSC and Coastside Basketball for many many many years!
- My eldest son now works for the club and Coastside Basketball
Key Responsibilities
- All things accounting and payroll
One reason you love working here.
It’s great having a job that contributes to making a difference in our local community.
KC Simmons
Development Coordinator
Education
- M.S. in Organization Development, Pepperdine University
- B.A. in Business Management, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Certified Coach in Predictive Index, Hogan and TruScore 360
Work Experience
- 25+ years in Learning & Development, Leadership Development, and Organizational Effectiveness
- Leadership roles at Sony PlayStation, LinkedIn, Cisco, Meta, NetApp, Vodafone, and other global organizations
- Designed leadership programs, employee development initiatives, onboarding experiences, and performance management systems for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies
Years at the Cub/Club Kid Experience/Experience of Your Kids at the Club
- Joined Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside in 2026
- Passionate supporter of creating opportunities that help young people build confidence, discover new interests, and reach their full potential
Key Responsibilities
- Marketing and communications
- Fundraising campaigns and donor engagement
- Community partnerships and sponsorships
- Event planning and special projects
One reason you love working here.
Seeing firsthand how the Club creates life-changing opportunities for kids by providing a safe, supportive place where they can learn, grow, build confidence, and feel they truly belong.
Program team
- Mia Abundis
- Juliana Aguilar
- Naomi Aguilar
- David Billington
- Caleb Galle
- Lily Harrison
- Cynthia Hernandez Avila
- Lisardo Huerta
- Joseignacio “Iggy” Lira
- Sierra Lopez
- AJ Orada
- Melissa Rodriguez
- Maria Romero
- Anabella Sarabia
Careers
Click here to learn about working at Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside!