Our Staff
Cynthia Chase, co-founder & executive director
Cynthia Chase is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years’ experience in juvenile and criminal legal system reform as a Social Worker, Probation Officer, Corrections Director of Programming, and the Executive Director of the original Gemma Program. Cynthia has been recognized as a dedicated leader and tireless advocate in her work at the intersection of justice and gender. As a subject matter expert, Cynthia has worked to improve systems and outcomes for marginalized individuals at the city, county, and state level. Cynthia has also created and advocated for policy change as a City Council member and Mayor of Santa Cruz CA. Cynthia is committed to creating more equitable and just outcomes for women, families, and communities because when women lead, individuals and communities thrive. Chase lives in Oakland, California with her husband, Howard and their menagerie of animals and plants.
Amy Siegel is very excited and honored to be part of The Gemma Project team as the Pretrial Care Coordinator. Amy’s first career was working as a pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. She spent 14 years providing care to seriously ill children. She was inspired from her work as a nurse to start her own non-profit, Give One Dollar A Day, which provides critical resources to families with a hospitalized child as well as justice-involved moms wishing to maintain, heal, and grow their relationships with their children. In addition, Amy serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Okizu, a summer camp for children and families affected by cancer. She is also an ambassador for the non-profit Bridge Meadows, a multigenerational housing community that offers affordable apartments to seniors, foster youth, and their families. Amy is a lover of documentary films, making playlists, and running. She lives in the East Bay with her partner, daughter, one dog, and lots of plants.
Amy Siegel RN, pretrial care coordinator
Joey Lariz, data & operations coordinator
Joey Lariz is excited to build on years of experience supporting juvenile justice initiatives and non-profit organizations. He was most recently co-director of Stanford's 5-SURE Safe Rides program. He holds a BA in Linguistics & German Studies and an MA in Linguistics from Stanford University. In addition to English, Joey speaks Spanish, German and Mandarin (sort of). An internship during his time at Stanford in Berlin with the German NGO Moabit Hilft, which provided social and humanitarian support to refugees, inspired him to pursue a career supporting non-profits and social justice initiatives. As a Mexican American from Southern California, he is passionate about improving outcomes for Black and Brown people across the state. Joey currently lives in Oakland and has cats.
Sylvie Wilson, MSPH serves as Day Program Coordinator at The Gemma Project. She has a background in neuroscience and public health and brings an empowerment oriented and evidence-based lens to her work. Her previous roles have involved advocating for reproductive justice and health equity for Black and brown women, and she is excited to provide support to women who are incarcerated to feel prepared and empowered throughout the day program. Sylvie was born and raised in San Francisco, and after almost a decade in Los Angeles she is excited to be back in the Bay. When she is not working, she loves to practice and teach yoga, read, garden, and be in the sun.
Sylvie Wilson, day program coordinator
Breehana Leffall, continuing care coordinator
Breehana brings a background in psychology, community work, and tech, with a strong commitment to supporting women impacted by systems not built for their success. She began her career working with underserved youth in New Orleans and earned her B.A. in Psychology from Dillard University. After several years in the tech space helping people create flexible income opportunities, and becoming a mother, she felt called to return to work rooted in care, healing, and justice. In her role as a Continuing Care Coordinator, Breehana is passionate about walking alongside women as they navigate reentry and reclaim their lives. She is planning to pursue her Master of Social Work to deepen her ability to serve with intention. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, beach days, family game nights, long walks, and the occasional spa day. This work is deeply personal to her, driven by the life she’s building for her daughter and the change she wants to help create for other women.
Cinthia Sanchez Diaz, continuing care coordinator
Cinthia Sanchez Diaz holds a B.A. in Social Welfare with double minors in Education and Public Policy from UC Berkeley. With a background in community advocacy and organizing, she brings a deep personal commitment to supporting and uplifting all marginalized people. Cinthia is a byproduct of her community. Raised in Richmond, CA, she brings with her lived experience of the injustices and hardships that come with limited access to resources. Cinthia previously served as a Resource Specialist for at-promise youth at an alternative high school in Oakland and supported incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison in earning their GEDs through the Teach in Prison program. She continues to be driven by the belief that access to education and culturally & gender-responsive care can truly be transformative. As a bilingual advocate, she is especially passionate about expanding gender-responsive, trauma-informed support for Spanish-speaking justice-involved women.
Talannie Richardson, continuing care coordinator
Talannie Richardson is a U.S. veteran and dedicated advocate passionate about supporting women through every stage of healing and growth. After her military service, she committed her career to working with women impacted by trauma, homelessness, and systemic barriers. From counseling women in crisis to coordinating community resources through nonprofits, Talannie’s work has centered on creating safe, empowering spaces where women can access dignity, compassion, and hope. Her mission is rooted in the belief that when women are supported, entire communities are strengthened.
Sean Gonzales is a transgender man committed to advocating for marginalized individuals and creating safe, supportive environments for those he serves. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing a second Master’s in Clinical Counseling. With a service-oriented approach rooted in empathy and respect, Sean is dedicated to equipping clients with the tools they need to lead proactive, empowered lives. His work is driven by a deep belief in personal growth, dignity, and the transformative potential of compassionate support.
Sean Gonzales, therapy intern
Nicole Green, MSW, ASW is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker at The Gemma Project, specializing in providing trauma-responsive and gender-responsive therapy to formerly incarcerated women. Informed by her own lived experience with incarceration, Nicole brings a unique depth of understanding and empathy to her work. Her clinical practice includes facilitating therapeutic workshops, leading supportive group therapy sessions, and offering tailored individual therapy to address the complex behavioral health needs that can arise from incarceration and trauma. Nicole's commitment lies in utilizing evidence-based practices to promote resilience and empowerment among the women The Gemma Project serves.
Nicole Green, therapy intern
Maike Bohm is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Welfare at UC Berkeley and is excited to join The Gemma Project as an intern. Maike holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Child Development from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Prior to beginning her Master’s program, Maike worked as a case manager in voluntary prevention services in San Luis Obispo County Child Welfare supporting families within the community who were at significant risk of child welfare involvement. Maike also served as the Motivational Interviewing trainer and as a Safety Organized Practice trainer for San Luis Obispo County. Maike is deeply passionate about prevention and harm reduction services and works to provide these services in an equitable and trauma responsive manner. Maike currently lives in the East Bay with her partner and her two cats.
Maike Bohm, day program intern
Our Board
Lara Love Hardin, co-founder & chair
Lara Love Hardin is a literary agent, author, and president of True Literary. Lara is a formerly incarcerated woman with lived experience navigating the obstacles, bureaucracy, and stigma of incarceration and reentry. She is a graduate of the original Gemma Program. Lara has a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and is a four-time New York Times bestselling writer. In 2019 she won a Christopher Award for her work “affirming the highest values of the human spirit.” In 2019 she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award and short-listed for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Lara is the author of The Many Lives of Mama Love chronicling her time in jail and the decades spent rebuilding her life. Love Hardin currently lives on the Big Island of Hawaii. She has four children, two step-children.
Sarah Hainstock, vice chair
Sarah Hainstock, with a Master’s in Education specializing in Counseling and Guidance, a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, and a commercial pilot’s license, has worn many hats throughout her life. From flight instructor to Life Coach to running a computer-assisted learning center, her passion has always been connecting with people. But her favorite role of all was being a full-time mother. In her mid-50s, with no history of drug use and only a speeding ticket to her name, Sarah was sentenced to 24 months in an Ohio prison for transporting cannabis across the country. Her time behind bars exposed her to the deep inequities in the justice system and the generational harm caused by incarceration, particularly for women. Now, she serves as a vocal advocate for judicial reform, amplifying the voices of incarcerated women nationwide. She was part of the inaugural class of the New York-based Reform Alliance Advocacy Institute, which works to transform probation and parole systems, and she currently serves on an advisory committee for Carceral Food Services, pushing for healthier nutrition options in prisons. Today, Sarah lives in Carmel, California – without pets for the first time ever!
Tess Korth, secretary
Tess Korth is a nationally recognized prison reform advocate with over 25 years of service as a former federal correctional manager at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. Known for her compassion and commitment to rehabilitation, Tess developed one of the first gender-specific release preparation programs for incarcerated women, which was adopted nationwide by the Bureau of Prisons. Her career was marked by efforts to foster respect and support women's personal growth within correctional facilities.
After courageously reporting misconduct and abuse, Tess faced retaliation and ultimately resigned in 2022. Since then, she has emerged as a powerful advocate, highlighting systemic abuse and advocating for trauma-informed corrections, staff accountability, and humane treatment of incarcerated women. Featured on 60 Minutes and other national media, Tess’s journey underscores the transformative power of integrity and advocacy.
Shelley Winner, treasurer
Shelley Winner is a passionate advocate for restorative justice. As a formerly incarcerated individual, Shelley is committed to breaking the cycle of recidivism, where 76% of those released from prison re-offend. She educates the public and advocates for justice by highlighting the benefits of hiring individuals with criminal records. Shelley believes that societal stigma is one of the greatest barriers to change, and she has dedicated her life to challenging those perceptions. As the founder of Winners Circle, Shelley equips formerly incarcerated individuals with rehabilitative and vocational skills to succeed in business and beyond. She actively participates in the restorative justice movement, working to create opportunities and promote equity. Shelley has shared her message on prestigious platforms, including a TEDx Talk on hiring the formerly incarcerated, and was featured in a PBS special, *Searching for Justice.* Her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to empowering others demonstrate the transformative power of resilience and inclusion.