Our Team

Core Staff

Jessica (she/her) serves as lead program coordinator for OGO (and also holds the auspicious title of first full-time staff member!)
Prior to joining Oakland Goes Outdoors, Jessica taught high school biology, chemistry, physics and public health in Oakland Unified School District for 11 years, lectured at San Francisco State University in the Department of Public Health, and taught dual enrollment humanities courses through Peralta Community College.
During her time as a high school science teacher, Jessica coached cross-country where students ran on the beautiful trails of Joaquin Miller Park and Redwood Regional Park, and led several outdoor trips with OUSD high schoolers including 5-day backpacking trips, 14-day bicycle touring trips to Avenue of the Giants, and local rock climbing trips.
Jessica left the classroom to complete a Masters of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences and focused on increasing equity and access to outdoor nature areas for K-12 students living in urban settings. She brings her academic background and time as a classroom teacher to Oakland Goes Outdoors.
Anywhere with really great rock climbing or is accessible on a bicycle! Climbing along the Marin Coast and biking through the roads and trails of the East Bay Regional Parks.
Hiking, rock climbing, and cycling with her family.
jessica.oya@ousd.org

A self-described outdoor enthusiast, Zotunde (he/him) is an educator who is committed to youth and nature.
He has spent the last 20 years creating equitable access to green spaces for Oakland youth, and is currently most passionate about the work he is doing to support Bay Area Wilderness Training & Oakland Unified School District in getting youth outdoors.
As an after-school coordinator recently turned elementary specialist, Zotunde has developed a unique perspective when it comes to engaging youth with nature.
Clem Miller Environmental Education Center at Point Reyes National Seashore
Hiking or trail running.
zotunde.morton@ousd.org

Kaitlin (she/her) serves as OGO's first Executive Director, focusing on strengthening internal infrastructure & external partnerships in order to ensure sustainability and scalability.
Kaitlin comes to OGO with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders, communities and movements through fundraising, strategic partnership building, community organizing, and story-telling. From developing programming at the Girl Scouts to her most recent role at the East Bay Community Foundation advising & organizing donors to invest in local organizations like Acta Non Verba, Community Resources for Science, and Planting Justice, she has helped foster meaningful connections and increase access to nature throughout her career. She also brings a personal passion for this work, having experienced firsthand the benefits of spending time outdoors from a young age - including attending school on the grounds of her local zoo during 6th grade!
These days you are most likely to find her at a local park, trail or shoreline, running after her energetic toddler.
Anywhere with water/beach access! Sequoia Bayview Trail in Joaquin Miller Park is also a favorite due to proximity, redwoods access and views of the surrounding area.
Spending time near, on or in any/all bodies of water, especially sunset chasing.
kaitlin@oaklandgoesoutdoors.org

Sofia (she/her) manages OGO’s administrative, fundraising, and operational systems as the Operations Assistant. Most recently, Sofia was a Senior Program Assistant with Prevention Institute’s Safety and Wellbeing team where she supported state-wide and national projects focused on community safety and domestic violence prevention. In her earlier work, Sofia facilitated health education workshops, was a soccer coach and advocate for Bay Area autistic youth, and served as a policy intern for The Period Project.

Sofia holds a BA in Cognitive Science and minors in Disability Studies and Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

When not in the office, she enjoys playing Overcooked with friends, knitting, and volunteering with Green Latinos and Prisoners Literature Project.
Martins Beach, located just south of Half Moon Bay.
Experiencing the “magic of music in nature” at Stern Grove Festival!
sofia.betteo@ousd.org

Joya’s administrative and creative skills have strengthened OGO’s mission since 2022. As a resident of Oakland and a parent of OUSD children, Joya (she/her) is continually inspired by her work with Oakland Goes Outdoors.
Wellness and food access have always been her passion. While earning a Master's in Health and Nutrition Education, she was the Senior Editor for ENJI Daily, an online health platform. She previously dedicated her time and skills to senior communities throughout Oakland as the Program Assistant and Volunteer Manager of the Meals on Wheels program.
Growing up between the Bay Area and the Midwest, some of Joya's fondest memories are camping trips with her dad in Joshua Tree.
Given its proximity, you'll most likely find her hiking and collecting sticks with her kids on the trails of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park.
All activities that include water.
joya.myer@ousd.org

Scout (she/her) is a Data Analyst from Oakland Unified School District’s Department of Research, Assessment, and Data. She supports OGO with survey development and processing, data visualization and analysis, and all things data!
Scout’s academic background is in environmental sciences. Eager to contribute her quantitative skills to work that supports environmental justice and public health, Scout pivoted from the lab to more public service roles in OUSD, including work supporting OUSD school gardens.
Her favorite data tool is R, and she loves developing tools that OGO trip facilitators and the OGO team can use to gather insights and expand programs to more students.
I have two! I love hiking the San Pablo Ridge in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.
Also, since I work from home, I love walking the Ohlone Greenway when I need to step away from coding and move about. It makes me happy to see everyone biking and walking to work and school along the paved paths
Bike riding - I've been riding a bike my whole life, and I hope to always be riding one!
scout.leonard@ousd.org