SANDRA AINSLIE
Executive Director
Having been born in Mexico and drawing from two cultures I learned to navigate diverse social landscapes and adapt and to my surroundings, although at times it created a philosophical schism, “who am I today”? Studying Anthropology at the University of San Diego California provided the foundation from which to draw and think about how experiences and belief systems create our “identities”. From College I went directly into the non-profit sector, working in: public policy, the arts and youth development, all while crafting a hobby in photography, which gave me the ability to see what the busy mind does not often recognize; the beauty the pain and most of all the singularity of the human experience. I have always believed in intuitive living and cultivating clear intentions. It was with this philosophy that I went to Uganda in 2005 where I worked with former child soldiers and realized that the camera was far more powerful in their hands than it was in mine. Finding the AjA Project in 2006 was truly the culmination of all those experiences. As I complete my masters in Education and Non-profit leadership from USD, I am inspired by the potential the AjA Project has to make a lasting impact on our students and those that they affect beyond.
SHINPEI TAKEDA
Co-Founder/Creative Director
Mr. Takeda has initiated and taught participatory photography programs in refugee camps in Thailand, Colombia and San Diego. He is a published photojournalist and experienced videographer. Mr. Takeda graduated from Duke University with a B.S. degree and received his M.A. in Leadership Studies with a focus in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
Co-Founder/Creative Director
Mr. Takeda has initiated and taught participatory photography programs in refugee camps in Thailand, Colombia and San Diego. He is a published photojournalist and experienced videographer. Mr. Takeda graduated from Duke University with a B.S. degree and received his M.A. in Leadership Studies with a focus in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
ASHLEIGH STARKE
Program Director
When a photograph of moving traffic became the catalyst for a conversation about how a child with special needs calmed herself down at night when she was having nightmares, Ashleigh took a second look at the power behind participatory photography. This was one of many conversations illuminated during a participatory photography project that Ashleigh designed and implemented with Boston youth living with special needs, as part of her M.A. program in Intercultural Relations. Prior to this work, Ashleigh had earned a B.J. in Photojournalism and worked at several newspapers in Missouri, Michigan and Maine, but shifted her focus to participatory photography after becoming concerned about issues surrounding visual representation in the media. In 2008 Ashleigh joined AjA as the program director, where she designs, delivers and evaluates participatory photography programs for the agency.
Program Director
When a photograph of moving traffic became the catalyst for a conversation about how a child with special needs calmed herself down at night when she was having nightmares, Ashleigh took a second look at the power behind participatory photography. This was one of many conversations illuminated during a participatory photography project that Ashleigh designed and implemented with Boston youth living with special needs, as part of her M.A. program in Intercultural Relations. Prior to this work, Ashleigh had earned a B.J. in Photojournalism and worked at several newspapers in Missouri, Michigan and Maine, but shifted her focus to participatory photography after becoming concerned about issues surrounding visual representation in the media. In 2008 Ashleigh joined AjA as the program director, where she designs, delivers and evaluates participatory photography programs for the agency.
JUSTIN APGER
Director of Operations & Finance
Justin has over nine years experience working in the non-profit sector. From a young age, he possessed an interest in creating community, an outlet for expression and safe spaces for displaced populations. As a teenager, he volunteered for a Latino HIV/AIDS service organization, where he met his future mentor, Marilyn Rodriguez. After hearing Marilyn’s story of losing members of her family to AIDS, Justin realized the many ways in which the disease affects communities and committed to a career path of creating awareness around the issue. After graduating with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Business Administration, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he received his M.A. in Intercultural Relations, with a focus in training and consulting. While in Cambridge, Justin worked with GLSEN Boston and the Latino Health Institute, to further understand program design and facilitation within community-based organizations. After moving to California, Justin worked at Family Health Centers of San Diego as a prevention counselor and coordinated a community level intervention. Today, Justin continues his commitment to providing youth with safe spaces to express themselves and re-create their sense of community at The AjA Project, where he oversees the financial, grant, staff development and contract needs of the organization.
Director of Operations & Finance
Justin has over nine years experience working in the non-profit sector. From a young age, he possessed an interest in creating community, an outlet for expression and safe spaces for displaced populations. As a teenager, he volunteered for a Latino HIV/AIDS service organization, where he met his future mentor, Marilyn Rodriguez. After hearing Marilyn’s story of losing members of her family to AIDS, Justin realized the many ways in which the disease affects communities and committed to a career path of creating awareness around the issue. After graduating with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Business Administration, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he received his M.A. in Intercultural Relations, with a focus in training and consulting. While in Cambridge, Justin worked with GLSEN Boston and the Latino Health Institute, to further understand program design and facilitation within community-based organizations. After moving to California, Justin worked at Family Health Centers of San Diego as a prevention counselor and coordinated a community level intervention. Today, Justin continues his commitment to providing youth with safe spaces to express themselves and re-create their sense of community at The AjA Project, where he oversees the financial, grant, staff development and contract needs of the organization.
SENEM GOCTU
Communications & Design Manager
Senem Goctu has worked in the Marketing & Advertising field in Montreal, Canada and participated in the creation of several international advertising campaigns and branding projects. Throughout her studies and her professional practice, she has concentrated on various disciplines including visual arts; print, web & object design and her work has been showcased in a number of exhibitions and design blogs. She currently leads the Communications & Design department at The AjA Project where she conceptualizes the visible components of the organization's work as well as designs and implements exhibits. Senem holds a BA in Psychology and a BFA in Design & Computational Arts.
Communications & Design Manager
Senem Goctu has worked in the Marketing & Advertising field in Montreal, Canada and participated in the creation of several international advertising campaigns and branding projects. Throughout her studies and her professional practice, she has concentrated on various disciplines including visual arts; print, web & object design and her work has been showcased in a number of exhibitions and design blogs. She currently leads the Communications & Design department at The AjA Project where she conceptualizes the visible components of the organization's work as well as designs and implements exhibits. Senem holds a BA in Psychology and a BFA in Design & Computational Arts.
JENA OLSON
Lead Photography Instructor
Jena Olson is an award-winning professional photographer specializing in editorial photography and wedding photojournalism. In addition to her work as a photographer, Jena worked for several years as a group facilitator, particularly around the exploration of social identities such as race, class and gender. She has presented at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity and was a participant in the Social Justice Training Institute.
Lead Photography Instructor
Jena Olson is an award-winning professional photographer specializing in editorial photography and wedding photojournalism. In addition to her work as a photographer, Jena worked for several years as a group facilitator, particularly around the exploration of social identities such as race, class and gender. She has presented at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity and was a participant in the Social Justice Training Institute.
BEAR GUERRA
Lead Photography Instructor
Bear Guerra is a photographer who focuses on humanitarian, environmental, and social issues around the world, with a focus on Latin America. He works regularly with indigenous and immigrant populations, as well as with progressive non-profit organizations working for human rights and the environment. His photo essays and images have been published and exhibited widely, both in the United States and abroad. Most recently, Bear was a finalist for a prestigious National Magazine Award in Photojournalism (2010), and has been the recipient of funding from the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and the Christensen Fund/Project Word. A native of San Antonio, TX, he is now based in Southern California.
Lead Photography Instructor
Bear Guerra is a photographer who focuses on humanitarian, environmental, and social issues around the world, with a focus on Latin America. He works regularly with indigenous and immigrant populations, as well as with progressive non-profit organizations working for human rights and the environment. His photo essays and images have been published and exhibited widely, both in the United States and abroad. Most recently, Bear was a finalist for a prestigious National Magazine Award in Photojournalism (2010), and has been the recipient of funding from the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and the Christensen Fund/Project Word. A native of San Antonio, TX, he is now based in Southern California.
PROGRAM INTERNS AND SUPPORT
Carla Reyes, Emily Goodrich, Connie Phan, Sarah Swasey, Irish Grzanich, Jenelle Raynowska
Carla Reyes, Emily Goodrich, Connie Phan, Sarah Swasey, Irish Grzanich, Jenelle Raynowska
MISTY MOORE
Chair
A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Ms. Moore has been in commercial real estate for 12 years. Ms. Moore specializes in corporate tenant representation, and today works for Jones Lang LaSalle, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the world. She serves on the board of The AjA Project and The Downtown San Diego Partnership, and serves on the Steering Committee of the Herb Klein Leadership Roundtable.
SUZY BRAMZON
Co-Chair
Suzy Bramzon was born in Mexico City. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School. After practicing real estate law for ten years Suzy now runs a family owned real estate development business.
Co-Chair
Suzy Bramzon was born in Mexico City. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School. After practicing real estate law for ten years Suzy now runs a family owned real estate development business.
WILLIAM R. CRAWFORD, M.D.
Secretary
Dr. Crawford served for the United States Navy as a test pilot where he also earned a medical degree. After retiring from the Navy, Dr. Crawford became an entrepreneur establishing a successful Land Development company as well as successful agricultural businesses.
Secretary
Dr. Crawford served for the United States Navy as a test pilot where he also earned a medical degree. After retiring from the Navy, Dr. Crawford became an entrepreneur establishing a successful Land Development company as well as successful agricultural businesses.
AMY PAN, PhD
Director
Dr. Amy Pan is a senior research scientist and faculty associate at the Institute for Public Health (IPH) at San Diego State University. Dr. Pan provides program evaluation and grant writing support for the IPH. Her primary research interests include violence prevention and other preventative health issues in immigrant and refugee communities. Prior to working at the IPH, Amy worked at the Center for Community Solutions, the Tahirih Justice Center, and the Center for Child Welfare at George Mason University.
Director
Dr. Amy Pan is a senior research scientist and faculty associate at the Institute for Public Health (IPH) at San Diego State University. Dr. Pan provides program evaluation and grant writing support for the IPH. Her primary research interests include violence prevention and other preventative health issues in immigrant and refugee communities. Prior to working at the IPH, Amy worked at the Center for Community Solutions, the Tahirih Justice Center, and the Center for Child Welfare at George Mason University.
LARRY STEIN
Director
Mr. Stein earned his Engineering degree in 1980 from California State University at Northridge. After a 20-year career as an Electronics Engineer he now works as a professional photographer and printer.
Director
Mr. Stein earned his Engineering degree in 1980 from California State University at Northridge. After a 20-year career as an Electronics Engineer he now works as a professional photographer and printer.
HEATHER LATTIMER, Ed.D.
Director
Heather Lattimer is an assistant professor in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego. Prior to coming to USD she was a middle and high school teacher. She earned degrees from Harvard, Stanford, and the University of California, San Diego.
Director
Heather Lattimer is an assistant professor in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego. Prior to coming to USD she was a middle and high school teacher. She earned degrees from Harvard, Stanford, and the University of California, San Diego.
CLYDE "BUD" BECK, M.D.
Board President Emeritus
Board President Emeritus