Our team blends education, youth work, and community connections to make our innovative career exploration and apprenticeship pathways accessible to public schools throughout Northern California.

Our Team

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  • Executive Director and Founder

    Gianna Biaggi founded the Magnolia Project through a High Tech High New School Creation Fellowship in 2021. She is a social entrepreneur, former teacher and administrator.  She has a B.A. in International Studies from Kenyon College, an M.Ed. from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, and a CTE Credential. Gianna has had professional fellowships from Future Founders and the Watson Institute, and is the 2017 winner of the Samuel Huntington Award for Public Service.

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  • Director of Schools & Students

    Monica implements educational programs that integrate career-focused learning into the school day. She develops curricula, manages program logistics, and ensures the success of both students and educators.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Latino Studies from UC Santa Cruz and pursued her Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. With 16 years in education, Monica has fostered learning and literacy across multiple disciplines with students in middle school, high school, and college, as well as with adults. Inspired by the transformative impact of supportive educators during her own schooling, Monica champions initiatives that equip students to discover and pursue their passions beyond high school.

  • Program Associate

    As a Program Associate, Skyler supports the daily operations of program initiatives and office functions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Sonoma State University, during which time she joined Alpha Omicron Pi. She gained experience working in classrooms across Sonoma County during her college years. Through this work, she witnessed the powerful impact that strong mentorship and supportive educational programs can have on students, inspiring her ongoing commitment to educational equity and her work with the Magnolia Project. In Skyler's free time you can find her reading books or watching the sunset. 

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  • Program Coordinator

    As our Program Coordinator, Isabel Maciel supports the day-to-day operations of both program activities and office functions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Sonoma State University and spent much of her college experience working in classrooms throughout Sonoma County. During this time, she saw firsthand the difference that positive mentorship and supportive programs can make in students’ lives. These experiences inspired her passion for educational equity and continue to motivate her work with the Magnolia Project.

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  • Director, Strategic Operations

    Sophie DeWitt is a program strategist and community builder with a background in training, advocacy and operational support. Before joining The Magnolia Project she supported training initiatives at Form Energy and led the international travel program at Moment. With a passion for making complex programs feel clear, human and actionable, Sophie is drawn to work that builds power through trust, care and collective problem solving. 

Board of Directors

With deep expertise in education and career development, the Magnolia Project board of directors helps to guide our strategic decision making as we serve the Northern California community.

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  • Content Manager and Instructional Designer

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  • Associate Provost of Career and Professional Development, Loyola Marymount University

    Dr. Audra Verrier became the Associate Vice Provost of Career and Professional Development at Loyola Marymount University in January 2023. She has been a leader in higher education for the past 20 years. She has managed departments and teams that focus on career preparation, leadership development, experiential learning, and community engagement for Sonoma State University, California Institute of Integral Studies, Brandeis University, and University of Maine. She has coached and advised 1,000’s of students and professionals to pursue their passions, create careers they love, and complete degree programs while developing themselves as active citizens and engaged leaders.

    Verrier is a facilitator and educator on topics such as strategic planning and organizational development in the non-profit sector, the psychology of leadership, ecopsychology and systems thinking, professional development, and entrepreneurial skills for leaders in education. She is passionate about equity and inclusion advocating for programs and services that provide access for all with a focus on antiracist program development and first-generation students. Dr. Verrier also supports women and professionals to develop a deeper connection to nature as a means of strengthening resilience and moving beyond self-preservation.

    Verrier holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Master of Science in Organizational Management, and a Doctorate in Psychology. Her research focuses on women and BIPOC communities overcoming bias and adversity, career and leadership development, and first generation students. She is married to Rick Verrier and they have three children, Julia (3) and twins Logan and Layla (7 months).

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  • VP Branch Manager @ Bank of Marin

    Twenty-four years of banking and community engagement experience.

  • Superintendent, Geyserville Unified School District

    Born with an inherent passion for education, my journey in shaping young minds commenced in 1996 when I stepped into the world of teaching high school mathematics. Transitioning into an administrative role in 2015 as the Superintendent of Geyserville Unified School District was a pivotal moment. It allowed me to broaden my impact, not just within a classroom but across an entire school community. As a high school administrator, I sought to innovate and implement progressive educational strategies that would empower both students and faculty. In 2023, my efforts were recognized and honored with the prestigious NorCal Public Media Food and Wine Award for Farm-to-Community Leadership. This accolade not only acknowledged my professional contributions but also highlighted the importance of connecting education with community and real-world experiences. My approach to education is focused on innovation, constantly seeking ways to blend traditional knowledge with contemporary tools and methodologies.


  • Community Outreach Specialist & Public Information Officer (PIO), Sonoma County Fire District

    Karen Hancock is the Community Outreach Specialist and Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Sonoma County Fire District, bringing a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in public safety and law enforcement. Her journey began in 2002 graduating Police Academy as a California State Park Peace Officer Ranger, where she developed a deep understanding of the importance of Crime Prevention programs, particularly for youth in the underserved communities of Imperial and Riverside counties where she was first assigned. Karen was born and raised in Sonoma County and has a bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University in Biophysical Geography.  After a brief hiatus to focus on her family, Karen returned to law enforcement, joining the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. There, she held several critical roles, including as a 911 Dispatcher and Detention Specialist Supervisor in the jail, culminating in her work as a Community Services Officer within the Crime Prevention Unit and Field PIO on the Sheriff’s Crisis Communications Team. Karen's commitment to community engagement and public safety is further demonstrated by her role as the Sonoma County Fire District’s PIO, where she has been pivotal during emergencies and disasters providing information to the public in both English and Spanish. In her current role, Karen continues to leverage her extensive background in public safety, community service, and crisis communication to foster strong community relations and enhance public safety outreach initiatives through prevention programs promoting life safety risk reduction for the communities she serves in Sonoma County.

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  • Owner, Pave the Way College Consulting

    Simplifying the college application process for high school students and their families

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  • Community & Business Partnerships Officer for Workforce Alliance of the North Bay

    Sita Williams BIO Sita Williams is a dedicated workforce professional with a strong background in community and business engagement and program management. Currently, she serves as the Community & Business Partnerships Officer at the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay, the Workforce Development Board for the California Counties of Lake, Marin, Napa, and Mendocino. In this position, Sita focuses on fostering collaborations between local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to enhance workforce development. Sita's career spans multiple roles in workforce and education. She has served as a Project Manager at the College of Marin, overseeing signature programs such as the Mini-Medical School and Marin Career Academies, and was a Business & Education Liaison at the Marin County Office of Education, where she facilitated career exploration and internship opportunities for high school students. Her work has consistently focused on building strong partnerships, enhancing program growth, and promoting equity. Sita holds a master’s degree in psychology from Sonoma State University, along with post-graduate certificates in Teaching in the Virtual Classroom and Evidence-Based Coaching. Sita’s extensive experience in workforce development and education highlights her commitment to creating opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. Her ability to build strong partnerships and manage impactful projects has made her a valuable asset in her field. Sita continues to drive positive change in her community through her strategic initiatives and collaborative approach, most recently with her engagement in the healthcare sector in her region and with the California Jobs First Initiative.

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  • Kyle is a Bay Area native and the COO of Paula Skene Designs.  The company, founded in 1978, designs, manufactures and distributes greeting cards.  PSD has an ecommerce business and wholesales to stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Harrod's and more locally Gump's.  Through Paula Skene Designs, Kyle has provided dozens of students their first job and understands how valuable that initial work exposure and experience can be in shaping their interests and trajectory. Outside of work Kyle loves hiking, travelling and basketball.  He currently coaches Boys Basketball at the College Preparatory School and has also coached Girls Basketball at Albany High School.  As a coach Kyle focuses on goal setting and the process of charting a course, be it on the court or in life. Kyle holds a BA in economics from Kenyon College.  

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  • Director of School Culture and Partnerships, Sonoma County Office of Education

    Sharon has been immersed in the field of education for her entire career, spanning public and private school teaching in 2 countries. After teaching for almost 10 years she transitioned to School Counseling followed by School Administration. Sharon holds 2 bachelor's degrees from Brown University in Biology and Hispanic Literature and Culture, and a Master's Degree from Sonoma State University in School Counseling.  Sharon was an administrator at Windsor's Two-Way Bilingual Immersion School, Cali Calmécac Language Academy, for 9 years and worked one year as Windsor Unified School District's Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services. Currently, Sharon is a Director at the Sonoma County Office of Education in the department of School Culture and Partnerships.