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.
Sylvie Wilson, grants & operations coordinator
Sylvie Wilson is a public health researcher and community educator. She is passionate about advancing holistic health and reproductive justice for women, particularly those impacted by incarceration. She has facilitated Gemma’s programming for women at West County Detention Facility, and is deeply supportive of creating spaces centered on healing, education, and self-determination. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Pitzer College. Sylvie is committed to bridging research and community impact to ensure that women have access to culturally affirming, accessible health information and the resources needed to thrive.
Amy Siegel RN, pretrial care coordinator
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.
Taylor Jones-Martin, day program coordinator
Taylor holds a Master’s in Social Work and is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker. She brings over a decade of experience supporting diverse populations including: survivors of sexual assault, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, developmentally disabled persons, and patients navigating medical and mental health challenges. As a Day Program Coordinator at The Gemma Project, Taylor provides trauma-responsive support and connects justice involved women with the resources they need to thrive during and after incarceration. As an advocate and proud mother, Taylor is passionate about empowering women through their journey of healing and growth. In her free time, she enjoys singing karaoke, spending quality time with her family, and exploring good food.
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, bringing 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 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.
Edinna Obaseki, continuing care coordinator
Edinna Obaseki, MS, is a full-spectrum community Doula, health advocate, and researcher with a background in Global Health, Biology, and Women’s/Gender Studies. Raised in East Oakland by Nigerian and Tanzanian immigrant parents, she is deeply grounded in community care, mutual aid, and collective liberation. Her work lives at the intersection of science, social justice, and ancestral wisdom, centering the needs and voices of those most impacted by systemic oppression. With experience across reproductive care, trauma-informed healing, and global health sectors, Edinna is passionate about expanding access to affirming, culturally rooted care. Her efforts extend into grassroots organizing, health equity education, and co-creating spaces for healing, resistance, rest, and joy. Outside of her Doula practice, she co-leads a nonprofit focused on menstrual justice and community-based advocacy [Grace Period Now].
Nadia Vargas, continuing care coordinator
Nadia Vargas is a proud first-generation Mexican American and UC Berkeley alum who holds a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Chicanx Latinx Studies. Originally from Los Angeles, she is now growing roots in the Bay Area while continuing her commitment to community care and holistic support. As a single parent and advocate for educational equity, Nadia’s lived experience informs her compassionate approach to this work. Before stepping into her role as a Continuing Care Coordinator, she worked in student advocacy, human resources, and community engagement, creating inclusive spaces for families and underrepresented students. Nadia believes in investing in and supporting women, recognizing that they are at the core and foundation of strong families and thriving communities. Rooted in empathy and cultural understanding, her work is guided by the belief that access to education, healing, and opportunity can be transformative. Outside of work, she loves to travel and experience new cultures.
Breehana Leffall, continuing care supervisor
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.
Nicole Green, 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.
Joey Lariz, data systems consultant
Joey Lariz is excited to build on years of experience supporting justice initiatives and non-profits. He was previously co-director of Stanford's 5-SURE program, and holds a BA & MA in Linguistics from Stanford University. Joey speaks fluent Spanish and German and can order food in Mandarin. An internship while at Stanford in Berlin with the German NGO, Moabit Hilft, inspired him to dedicate his career to supporting non-profit 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.
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 Schwartz, board member
Sarah Schwartz is a Retirement Plan Consultant, Registered Investment Advisor, and Head of Financial Wellness at Newfront Retirement Services (now a part of WTW), where she helps companies optimize their retirement plans and drives financial literacy and engagement strategies that improve outcomes for employees. With nearly a decade in the industry, she has been recognized as a NAPA Top Advisor Under 40, NAPA Top Woman Advisor, and named an Influential Woman in Institutional Investing by Pensions & Investments (2025). Sarah's commitment to access and opportunity extends beyond her professional work - she was a Founding Coach at the Oakland Athletic Rowing Society, a nonprofit club democratizing the sport of rowing for East Bay youth. A former NCAA Division I national champion with Cal Berkeley Women's Crew, she brings the same competitive drive and team-first spirit to everything she does. Sarah came to the Gemma Project through The Many Lives of Mama Love, and knew immediately she wanted to be part of this community. When she's not in the office or on the water, you'll find her hiking, biking, or running - she just completed her first marathon at CIM this past December.