GreenHouse Staff
Administrative Team
Heather Haight
Executive Director
Heather is thrilled to return to The GreenHouse as Executive Director, after serving as a board member, tutor, mentor, and summer staff in the organizations first decade. With 26 years of nonprofit experience, she has worked extensively with college students, integrating faith and justice through experiential learning programs. Passionate about equity and diversity, she has led nationwide trainings on these topics. Locally, Heather revitalized a PTA, boosted parent engagement, and launched a volunteer arts education program. She lives in South Oak Park with her family and enjoys exploring Sacramento by bike or foot, reading in a hammock, and spending time with neighbors and friends.
Johanna Ledesma Avalos
Office Manager
Born and raised in Sacramento, Johanna has been part of The GreenHouse since its inception. She has a background in Early Childhood Education. Johanna brings a great passion for relational work with kids, teens and families, as well as a deep value for the powerful impact that volunteers can make on young people's lives.
PROGRAMS TEAM
ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS TEAM
Cori Willard
Program Manager
After serving in cross cultural settings in various countries overseas for more than a decade, Cori and her family recently relocated to the Sacramento area. She is thrilled to join the Greenhouse team as Program Manager and be a part of the community here. With a background in cross cultural ministry, counseling and trauma care, Cori is passionate about helping families thrive and holistically caring for those around her well. Cori loves food, exercise and being outside, connecting with friends and family, and exploring new places with good coffee in hand.
Deborah Blanco
Elementary Program Director
Deborah grew up in Salinas and moved to Sacramento in 2008 to attend CSU Sacramento. Deborah graduated in May 2011 with a B.A. in Social Work and soon after began working at The GreenHouse as an Americorps Summer Associate and then as our year-long VISTA. After doing a terrific job with our youth, Deborah was hired back as our Director of Elementary Programs, being recently promoted to Assistant Director of Programs. Deborah enjoys reading, eating, traveling, and spending time with her large family of nine.
Breza Najera
Elementary Support Staff
Breza is an Elementary Support Staff member at The GreenHouse with extensive experience supporting students and staff. She grew up in Sacramento and began her journey at The GreenHouse as a kindergartner. Over the years, she has remained connected to the community as a volunteer, intern, and most recently as a Summer Staff. Her goal is to ensure each day at The GreenHouse is welcoming, engaging, and full of opportunities for growth. Breza is dedicated to fostering a positive, supportive environment where children feel safe, encouraged, and excited to learn.
TEEN PROGRAMS TEAM
Maliya Vaughan
Teen Program Director
Maliya grew up in Sacramento, and then moved to New Orleans to attend Xavier University, an HBCU, from which she graduated in 2019. She was drawn to The GreenHouse because of her strong value for holistic youth development, and served as a GreenHouse Summer Staff member in 2019 and 2020 before coming on board as teen staff in September 2020. She’s a talented track athlete, loves baking, and is learning to play the guitar.
Ghazal Amiry
Teen Support Staff
Ghazal has been living in Sacramento the majority of her life and is so grateful to work in a community that she is familiar with. She’s been a part of The GreenHouse as a participant since 6th grade. She has volunteered for elementary throughout the years and was a summer staff in 2024 with our elementary kids. Now she's on staff as a teen support staff. She loves coming in to work and seeing all the kids that she is familiar with and seeing them so happy with the variety of activities that we offer our teens.
Gabe Benson
Teen Internship Coordinator
Gabe grew up in Elk Grove and has been volunteering with elementary students and teens every chance he gets. In 2018 Gabe attended a discipleship program at Hume Lake called the Joshua Wilderness Institute. Since then he has had a heart for discipleship for all people. Gabe first heard about the Greenhouse in early 2022 and started as Summer Staff before coming on as Volunteer Coordinator and Elementary Support in August 2022, and recently has moved into the Teen Internship Coordinator role. Gabe loves spending time with his friends and family and playing board and card games.
Board of Directors
Anthony Martinez, Board Chair
Senior Key Account Manager, PepsiCo
Dr. David Narita, Secretary
Family Medicine, Aspire Healthcare
Oliver Wong, Treasurer
Intuit, Inc
Dominique Beaumont, Member
Bread of Life, Executive Director
Rey Duque, Member
Sacramento State University Student and Community Resident
Susie Veon, Member
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Global Engagement and Justice Trainer
Kim Vagadori, Member
California Youth Advocacy Network, Project Director
Heather Haight
The GreenHouse, Executive Director