Girls Justice Initiative Staff Bios
Gena Castro Rodriguez
Gena Castro Rodriguez is the Director and co-founder of the Girls Justice
Initiative, a partnership between United Way of the Bay Area, the San
Francisco Juvenile Probation Department and 14 community based agencies.
Ms. Rodriguez has worked in non-profit organizations with youth in
dependent care and community based services for more than thirteen
years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's in
Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. In addition,
she is currently working toward a license in Marriage and Family
Therapy. Ms. Rodriguez has developed and implemented several successful
prevention and intervention programs to meet the needs of young women
at-risk or involved with the juvenile justice system.
Maggie Feinstein
Maggie Feinstein is a Program Manager and facilitates the Educational
Mentoring Program and trainings for Alameda County Staff. Ms. Feinstein was
born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, moving to San Francisco over a year
ago. She has worked in the field of youth development for over six years,
ranging from leading service learning programs in other countries to
teaching environmental education with the Student Conservation
Association. Ms. Feinstein graduated with a BA from the University of
Wisconsin in Madison, having studied International Relations with a focus on
Latin America.
Julie Posadas Guzman
Julie Posadas Guzman is the Director of Advocacy and Alameda County Programs
for the Girls Justice Initiative. Before joining GJI in 2005, Ms. Guzman
was the Director of Girls Services for the San Francisco Juvenile Probation
Department and a victim advocate with the San Francisco District Attorney's
Office. She has over 12 years of experience in developing specialized
programs, trainings, protocols, and system reform for youth in the juvenile
justice system. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Ms. Guzman earned a
bachelor's degree in Sociology from San Francisco State University and holds
a J.D. from New College of California School of Law. Ms. Guzman is the
co-founder of the Girls Justice Initiative.
Kaina Walker
Kaina Walker, Program Manager of the Girls Justice Initiative, was born in
Tijuana, Mexico and immigrated to the United States as a child. She was
raised in the Mission District of San Francisco and has worked with youth at
Youth Guidance Center since 1998. Mrs. Walker earned her AA degree in
Liberal Studies from the College of San Mateo and a bachelors degree in
Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from San Francisco State
University. Mrs. Walker is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, aged
twelve years and nine months.
Rosaura Ramos
Rosaura Ramos is a Program Manager for the Girls Justice Initiative.
Ms. Ramos was born and raised in the Mission District of San Francisco,
California. She has been working with non-profit organizations and
youth for 7 years. Ms. Ramos has received her bachelor's degree in
Sociology at the University of San Francisco. She has recently received
her Master's Degree at the University of San Francisco and is working
toward her license in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Margaret Dagovich
Margaret Dagovich is a case plan developer working with girls in detention.
She was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States with her family at
age seven. She graduated from San Francisco State University where she
received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in
counseling. Previously, Margaret worked as an advocate for the Victim
Services Unit at the District Attorney's Office in San Francisco. There she
helped victims of violent crimes access programs and resources. After
several years of working with the adult population, Ms. Dagovich is now
focused primarily on the youth of San Francisco county. To further her
education Margaret hopes to apply to the Social Work Graduate Program at San
Francisco State University as well as continue her work with youth for years
to come.
Robin Morales
Robin Noel Morales is a Case Plan Developer and works with the girls
detained in San Francisco's Juvenile Hall to assess their strengths and
needs in order to best provide them with community services as well as
advocate for them through the probation system. Robin was born in Los
Angeles and raised in Santa Cruz County. She has been working with girls on
probation in
San Francisco for over three years and has a Bachelor's degree in Social
Justice from New College of California.
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