Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellows Profiles

Chloe Jaquette will graduate from San Francisco State University in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. The social work program has been an invaluable experience, sparking a sense of belonging through meaningful connections and a “home” within our community. With their degree, Chloe plans to challenge the inequitable systems among us through community mobilization and policy change. In the upcoming semester, they look forward to learning from leaders in restorative justice, advocacy, and policymaking. Chloe is not only excited, but honored, to bring their passion for equity and positive change to the fellowship.

Brinn Iseri-Ramos is a junior at San Francisco State University majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation. Raised in a rural, low-income community in eastern Oregon, her multiracial background and lived experiences drive her commitment to environmental justice and addressing environmental disparities.

As a Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellow, Brinn hopes to integrate her previous professional experience with public service, learn the inner workings of local government, and learn from community-centered leaders. By the end of the semester, she aims to gain hands-on experience in public service and contribute to efforts that support more equitable environments.

Brinn plans to graduate in 2027, pursue a master’s degree, and work for a public agency in a role that combines fieldwork, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Brinn enjoys hiking, birding, tide pooling, and exploring the outdoors

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Melani McNeal is a senior at San Francisco State University. She is pursuing a major in Environmental Studies with a strong interest in social and community-based work. Through this fellowship, Melani hopes to develop her skills in housing management and expand her experience working with the unhoused community, a population she is passionate about supporting. She is eager to learn how housing systems operate, how resources are delivered, and how effective coordination can improve long-term stability for individuals experiencing homelessness. Melani is interested in exploring a future career as a housing coordinator and will be graduating with her Bachelor's degree in 2027.

Alyssa Jenkins is a Junior at San Francisco State University pursuing a double major in Physiology and Biochemistry, with minors in Public Health and Feminist Health Justice. She aspires to become a physician, specifically an OB/GYN, and will graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in Spring 2027. Alyssa is dedicated to learning how to best advocate for her patients and be meticulous through every care plan. She strives to integrate her public health and community service experiences into her growth as a future physician. Alyssa aspires to become a leader, educator, and advocate for every patient she’ll serve throughout her career. She is passionate about addressing and dismantling health disparities that limit access to quality care, especially for marginalized communities. Above all, Alyssa is devoted to ensuring each patient feels heard, valued, safe, and comfortable, believing that exceptional medical care extends far beyond diagnosis and rests on compassion, understanding, and advocacy.

Jackelyne Carrillo is a Sociology major with a minor in Management at San Francisco State University and a proud graduate of Lowell High School and City College of San Francisco. She currently serves as an Occupancy Specialist with a private property management company partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to provide Below Market Rate housing and support long-term housing stability. Previously, Jackelyne worked with the Latino Task Force, where she casemanged clients, connected them with resources, service linkages, and coordinated economic relief efforts to immigrant families. Her experience also includes youth advocacy roles with Boys & Girls Clubs, JVS, and CHALK, where she supervised outreach teams and facilitated life skills and job readiness training. Jackelyne seeks to deepen her understanding of public policy and leverage her leadership experience to create systemic solutions that promote equity, empower underserved communities, and wants to ensure that communities are invested in.

Kirsten Teo Tiu is a senior at San Francisco State University, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Urban Studies and Planning. They were born and raised in the Bay Area, having grown up across the East Bay. With experience in grassroots organizing and community building, Teo is passionate about uplifting underserved communities—inspired by their experiences as a child of immigrants and after moving to the Philippines for a brief period. Their goal in the Willie L. Brown Jr. Fellowship is to gain hands-on experience in the public sector and deepen their understanding of community involvement in local governance. Outside of school and organizing, Teo is a foodie who enjoys trying local restaurants and exploring the city bus lines.

Ronisha Sharde grew up in Richmond, CA and moved to San Francisco, CA in 2024 to pursue higher education at San Francisco State University. Ronisha loves art, music, writing, and philosophy. And she has a passion for cultivating structure to promote healthy communities. She has served as an emotional welfare mentor for elementary school aged children, and she completed the Presidents Leadership Fellow’s Program at San Francisco State in November 2025.

Sawmeya Tina Faiyaz, a first generation Afghan, is the eldest of her seven siblings, and the first in her family to pursue higher education within the United States. She is a senior at San Francisco State University, pursuing a double major in Sociology and Race and Resistance Studies, expected to graduate in the Spring of 2026. In 2020, Sawmeya was diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy, which greatly impacted the outlines of her daily life. However, she does not allow for this to become an obstacle in the path of her pursuits rather a marker of what she can overcome. Sawmeya considers herself a prelaw student and following graduation, she intends to pursue law school with an interest in Family and Immigration law. Her goal in this fellowship is to develop her skills in public administration, experience with community and civic engagement, and expand her knowledge on advocating for marginalized communities. When she is not studying, Sawmeya enjoys exploring the vast California nature offered around her, being around family and loved ones and allowing freedom for her creativity to run wild with projects.

Allyson is a first generation college student, pursuing her degree in Social Work. Her goal in this fellowship is to obtain the experience and skills needed to be able to foster a community of love, service, and opportunity for all. She is passionate about helping those in need. Her dream is to open her own community center. She will be graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in 2027. Outside of school, she loves to cook, listen to music, and spend time with her daughter. Another dream of hers is to open a food truck. She is also very spontaneous and loves to go on different adventures.

James Sawley is a Junior at San Francisco State University pursuing a degree in Economics. As part of his Fellowship, James’ goals with the fellowship is to deepen his knowledge of Public Policy, particularly on the subjects of health access, public transportation and urban planning. His academic background in Economics has strengthened his confidence and skills in data analysis and statistics. James is particularly passionate about affordable and equitable access to medicine, compelled by early childhood experiences when his family had to travel great distances to access healthcare. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 2027, James would like to explore a career in the California State Assembly and work to create more liveable communities.

Raysean Jones Jr. is a Bayview Hunters-Point native of San Francisco, CA; He was born to Raysean Jones Sr. and Yolanda Jones (Walker). He has around 12 siblings (I often lose count). He is Black, He is Queer, and he is Capable.

Raysean’s life is more now than it has been in years, and it is because he is of service to himself through the community. His past is riddled with testimony of not only his toughness and tenacity but also to grace of God to fully pull him through it all. He is grateful for the opportunities to progress in life. Raysean graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree, completed his President’s Leadership Fellowship, and has been accepted as a Mayor's Fellow. He finished his community work-study requirement at his host site Youth 1st, which focuses on at-risk youth.

As a fifth-generation Californian, Breanna Barton-Shaw calls the Golden State her home from her childhood in the forests of Humboldt County to the stars of Los Angeles; now in the Bay Area she is loving the weather, people, and possibilities at San Francisco State. Having experienced homelessness on and off her first fifteen years of life, Breanna has a keen sense of protecting the accessibility of public services, as she herself had to rely on them as a child nonetheless, and the battle is uphill with the “convenience” of digitization. With a wonderful job at Project Rebound, Breanna was able to see a new path emerge through a Master's program and with the encouragement of Project Rebound and Associated Students, she continues to take advantage of her opportunities. To Breanna, this feels like a call to action and it simply just makes sense.

Trinity Avalos is a Master of Public Administration student at San Francisco State University (GPA: 3.85) committed to creating equitable policies for working-class communities. The son of immigrants, Trinity left high school at fifteen to support his family, later earning his GED and degrees in Culinary Arts Management and Political Science.

His 25 years in the service sector, currently as Beverage Manager at Canela Bistro & Wine Bar, provide firsthand insight into working families' challenges. During COVID-19, he organized mutual aid for displaced restaurant workers. His community engagement includes volunteering with Daybreak PAC for vaccine equity, DSA's Labor Action Committee, and campaigning for Proposition M.

Trinity focuses on labor policy, housing policy, and immigrant advocacy. The Willie L. Brown Fellowship enables his transition from hospitality to public service, with the goal of ensuring all San Francisco residents can thrive. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.