Staff

NANCY MINTIE, J.D.

Uncommon Good’s Executive Director, Nancy Mintie, is an attorney and a successful nonprofit leader with many decades of experience working with low-income clients. In 1980, Mintie founded the Inner City Law Center (ICLC) in Skid Row, Los Angeles. For twenty years, Mintie successfully represented low-income and homeless clients, and the ICLC gained national recognition for its outstanding work. However, Mintie wanted to work closer to the root cause of poverty and to effect lasting change for people aiming to break out of the intergenerational cycle of poverty. So in 2000, Mintie followed the migration of low-income families into the Pomona Valley—where very few resources existed—and founded Uncommon Good. Since then, Mintie has grown the organization into an education, health, and environmental success story—helping thousands permanently break the cycle of poverty by attaining a college education, leadership skills, and better health. Mintie has received many awards for her work, including being honored on Capitol Hill with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, being honored by the American Bar Association, and being featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Mintie is also a poet. Her book, Poems For A World Yet To Be, is available on Amazon. It chronicles in poetry her life’s pursuit of social justice, love and spirituality. Proceeds from sales are donated to Uncommon Good.

MEGAN RAINEY

Megan Rainey, Uncommon Good’s Associate Director, has worked in education and the nonprofit industry for several decades. As a college writing instructor, Rainey specialized in working with developmental writers. Finding few quality resources for helping adults reach proficiency in writing and reading, Rainey authored one textbook and co-authored another. After finding out that two of her daughters are dyslexic, Rainey became a Dyslexia Specialist and started a nonprofit to serve dyslexics in northern California. Rainey also has served as the Executive Director of a workforce training nonprofit and then as the Business Administrator for a large social service nonprofit. Impressed with the extraordinarily successful programs at Uncommon Good, Rainey joined the staff in 2016 as Development Director where she has merged her commitment to education with her skills as a writer and nonprofit administrator.

CARLOS CARRILLO

Carlos Carrillo, Uncommon Good’s Educational Programs Director, has earned a bachelor’s degree in History & Spanish from the University of Redlands, and a master’s degree in Latin American History from UCLA. He is a member of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling, an annual guest presenter and workshop leader at Adelante Young Men’s Conference, a member and mentor of The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project, Inc., and a recipient of the CORAZON Award from the University of La Verne. Carrillo is an immigrant to this country and was honored by the California Legislature Assembly for providing our community’s youth with a model of good decision-making and success, and for his dedication to preparing young Latinos to be future leaders. Carrillo has made the Uncommon Good education program into the incredibly successful program it is today, through which 100% of its graduates attend college.

JOHANNA TEISSERE

Johanna Teissere is the Farm Director at Uncommon Good. She is a first-generation Mexican-American who is the first in her family to earn a graduate degree and a teaching credential, which she earned from Loyola Marymount University. She became an L.A. County Master Gardener in 2003 and this started her interest in helping low-income families have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. While teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District, she began taking horticulture classes at Mount San Antonio College and that led her to her present career. She volunteered with Uncommon Good as a youth mentor for 3 years before joining the team in early 2019. Prior to this, she was the Garden Manager at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ award-winning Garden & Culinary Arts Program for 7 years. During her time off she enjoys growing vegetables and rare fruit trees at her Pomona home.

ELIZABETH PRECIADO

Elizabeth Preciado is the Office Manager and a Parent Leader at Uncommon Good where she helps to design and deliver educational programming to the parents of Uncommon Good students. She also is a Leadership Coordinator at Our Lady of the Assumption Church for its Spanish language congregation. She volunteers regularly at citizenship clinics and she herself also is an immigrant.

ALICIA BURLEIGH

Alicia Burleigh is Uncommon Good’s Director of Finance and Operations. Prior to coming to Uncommon Good she worked with a CPA firm as a bookkeeper and payroll specialist, interned with Senator Hertzberg in the San Fernando valley, worked at UCLA Library, and volunteered with the LA LGBT center. She graduated from UCLA with degrees in both Political Science & Middle Eastern Studies and continues to keep up with regional and global politics. She loves the our fresh produce, the Claremont Farmer’s Market, and the Pomona Art Walk!

BOBBIE JO HOLGUIN

Bobbie Jo Holguin (née Thunderface), a Teacher and Volunteer Coordinator at Uncommon Good, is a Native American college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Journalism from Biola University. Holguin joined our team in 2021 after serving as an English teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Prior to teaching, Holguin was employed with KNBC News and Fox Television Stations. Having spent twenty-three years residing in the Aliso Village public housing projects in East Los Angeles and teaching students in the Pico-Union and Korea Town areas of LA, Holguin is fluent in Spanish and has firsthand knowledge of the everyday hardships that low-income families face and the positive changes that are generated when students, parents, and educators are supported by effective community programs.

JENNA PECK

Jenna Peck, Senior Dyslexia Associate at Uncommon Good, has an Associates Degree in General Education and a Bachelor’s in Social Science. They worked at a Montessori school for six years in Maine, aiding and teaching students from pre-k through eighth grade and directing the school’s yearly theater productions. They’ve worked one-on-one with students who struggled in class due to dyslexia and/or ADHD. They enjoy making their kiddos feel seen and heard — making them smile! In their free time, Jenna enjoys reading and writing fiction, crocheting, and many other creative hobbies.

NICOLAS REZA

Nicolas Reza is one of Uncommon Good’s farmers. Prior to joining Uncommon Good, he was the lead farmer for the community garden Huerta del Valle.

ERICK SANTIZO

Erick Santizo is one of Uncommon Good’s farmers. He also is an experienced carpenter. His two children went through Uncommon Good’s education program and completed college. His daughter was a Rhodes Scholar. His son, Eric Santizo, now works for Uncommon Good as well, as a data analyst.

ERIC SANTIZO

Eric Santizo is Uncommon Good’s Medicine for the Economically Disadvantaged (MED) Program Director. He is a graduate of our education program. He attended college at Sonoma State University and graduated with a degree in business. His father, Erick Santizo also works for Uncommon Good as one of its farmers.

MICHAEL FRENCH

Michael French, a Teacher/Youth & Volunteer Coordinator at Uncommon Good, received a master’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona in English and Literature and worked in education for over fifteen years, both as an elementary and middle school teacher and as a college writing instructor. In between teaching assignments, he lived in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he worked in communications and sales, providing two-way radios, signal boosters, and other transmission devices to local agencies and Native tribes. Michael joined Uncommon Good in 2022 and currently works with community members, UG students, and college students on mentoring, college preparation, and writing skills as part of Uncommon Good’s Connect to College Program.

ALEJANDRA CARRILLO MAGANA

Alejandra Carrillo Magana is the Director of Reading and Dyslexia Services at Uncommon Good. She has a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, in Mexico, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M, with an emphasis in reading. She has over 10 years of experience as an educator in Title I schools. Alejandra has worked in different positions, including Bilingual Teacher, Reading and Math Interventionist, Literacy Coach, and Dyslexia Specialist. She is also Certified as a Reading Specialist by the state of Texas and is pursuing additional course work to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT).

SHIANNE FREEBAIRN

Shianne Freebairn, Dyslexia Associate at Uncommon Good, has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education. She also has a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has spent the last 5 years working as a teacher among different grade levels in Fairfield, CA and has transitioned out of teaching- as well as out of northern California- to work at Uncommon Good. Working with children is her passion and she loves helping kids realize all of the potential they have within them. In her spare time she enjoys taking her two dogs to different places, reading, collecting sneakers, and building Lego sets.

LAURA COLHAN

Laura Colhan, Education and Wellness Specialist at Uncommon Good, earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Bryn Mawr College, and her master’s degree in engineering from USC. She worked as an engineer for over 5 years and has been actively tutoring students in the Claremont area since 2014. Laura went on to study health and wellness coaching at The Mayo Clinic–Rochester, MN, allowing her to fully integrate holistic well-being as part of her students’ education. In 2022, she became a Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach, and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC–HWC). Laura values building a genuine connection together with her students and their families. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, snuggling with her doggies, and learning Spanish.

NICHOLAS ANCHONDO

Nick Anchondo, Uncommon Good’s Urban Farm and Pantry Assistant, is a Southern California native raised in La Verne. He discovered his passion for music while attending Bonita High School. After high school as a touring upright bass player, he had the opportunity to travel the world and connect with people from diverse backgrounds, inspiring a strong desire to connect with and provide help for his own community. Developing a fascination with self-sufficiency, protecting the local environment, and utilizing available spaces for urban farming, he hopes to incorporate these passions into his journey of giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

JUSTIN APRESA

Justin Apresa, Uncommon Good’s Data Analyst and Events Coordinator, earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While attending the university on a full-tuition leadership scholarship from the POSSE program, he conducted research and contributed to projects in engineering labs, focusing on the study and design of micro-nuclear reactors, acoustic paneling, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer materials. Justin is also a graduate of Uncommon Good’s Connect to College program! Despite his commitment to the sciences, Justin loves to engage and work within the community. Before beginning his college journey, he started a tutoring program to provide support to students in STEM subjects.

GAIL RUSSO-LARSSON

Gail Russo-Larsson joined Uncommon Good in 2024 as Development Director, drawing upon more than two decades across the nonprofit, education and private sectors with experience in fundraising and strategic development; project management and operations; communications, community engagement and stakeholder relations; branding, marketing, and digital content production. Gail is excited to apply her analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communications expertise to her work at Uncommon Good.

Gail was awarded her bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA and has studied survey research, marketing, and educational psychology. Her primary language is English, and she is fluent in Swedish. In addition to her professional work, Gail has volunteered with a variety of organizations and community initiatives focused on education and literacy; hunger and homelessness; arts and culture; and women’s health. A native Californian, she treasures the diverse beauty of her home state, and is grateful for the many ways her life has been enriched through travel and time living in NYC, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. In her free time, Gail enjoys food culture, visual and performing arts especially live Jazz, urban architecture, and outdoor time whether hiking, skiing, or sailing.

EDUARDO GONZALEZ

Eduardo is a first-generation Mexican-American, born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of La Verne, Eduardo has built a diverse career spanning roles in accounting and sales. Currently serving as the MED Data Manager at Uncommon Good, Eduardo plays a crucial role in managing and analyzing data for the Medicine for the Economically Disadvantaged (MED) Program.

XIMENA ALBA BARCENAS

Ximena Alba Barcenas is Uncommon Good’s Tutoring & Enrichment Specialist. Prior to joining the team, Ximena graduated from Uncommon Good’s Connect to College program in the year 2020 then moved on to earn her bachelor’s degree in U.S. History and Classical Studies at Pomona College. During her time at Pomona, Ximena supported various research projects within the topic of Latin American history and became involved with the Draper Center as a student coordinator for the Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) program. As an alum from both programs, Ximena always seeks ways to give back to the communities that have supported her throughout her academic journey and continues to support students from similar backgrounds as her own so they too can achieve their academic dreams/goals.