Our Staff
Francis Calpotura
Founder and Director
Francis has spent the past 26 years working as a community organizer, trainer, administrator, and writer. He worked at the Center for Third World Organizing (CTWO) from 1984 to 1999, where he was a co-director of from 1990-1999. He is also a founding member of the National Organizers’ Alliance (NOA), Californians for Justice, and the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including the Bannerman Fellowship, Gerbode Foundation Fellowship, Fellow at the California Wellness Foundation, a Koshland Fellowship from the San Francisco Foundation, an “Effective Social Changer” by the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, and as a “Leading Innovator” by ColorLines Magazine. Contact Francis: fcalpotura@transnationalaction.org
Lisa Castellanos
Chief Field Organizer
Lisa has over 14 years of experience working in and with social justice organizations on issues affecting immigrants and other low-income communities. She was the Statewide Campaign Director for Californians for Justice, as well as the interim Executive Director for Service County Supervisors in recognition of her work in advancing worker’s rights, immigration reform and access to social services. Most recently, Lisa worked as a Program Officer for the Fund for Nonviolence in Santa Cruz, California where she managed the Fund’s domestic program. Contact Lisa: lcastellanos@transnationalaction.org
Hayden Simmons
Manager of Business Development
and Commuications
Hayden Simmons oversees TIGRA’s accreditation process, business development and communication efforts. Hayden graduated in 2007 from Colorado College, with a degree in Economic Development (in Latin America) and Spanish, writing his senior thesis about the nexus of remittances and development in southern Mexico. As an independent consultant, he has managed projects for Platinum Advisors, the Red Tab Foundation and the San Francisco Carbon Collaborative. Contact Hayden about potential business partnerships, accreditation or media info: hsimmons@transnationalaction.org
Tessa Rubin
Fund Manager
Tessa runs the Transnational Community Reinvestment Fund. She graduated from Vassar College in 2009, where she earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on the cultural and legal aspects of citizenship. Her undergraduate experience also included a six-month stay in India, where she continued her studies of citizenship and identity at the University of Hyderabad. Prior to coming to TIGRA, Tessa worked for the Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz, California and Battered Women’s Services in Poughkeepsie, New York. Contact Tessa about The Fund: trubin@transnationalaction.org
Richard Cavosora
Philippine Project Manager
Richard brings nearly 30 years experience in non- and for-profit program development and management. He started his non-profit career as a media relations coordinator at a civil rights law firm. After working in the US for 16 years, he worked in the Philippines from 1997-2001 to help establish the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc. and to direct marketing strategies of a financial institution. On his return to the US, he directed programs at the Asian/Pacific Islander American Health Forum and then served as a staff member at the Asian American & Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. Contact Richard about our US-Philippines project: rcavosora@transnationalaction.org