Meet the Team

Walk SF’s work is powered by our passionate staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, volunteers, and members.

Learn more about our:

• Staff
• Board of Directors
• Advisory Council

Become a member, explore volunteer opportunities, or check out job and internship opportunities.

Staff & Interns

Ben Barrett, Operations Manager

Ben is responsible for overseeing the execution and continuous improvement of office operations, financial management, and vendor relations. Ben joined Walk SF in 2015 as an outreach intern, then became a staff member as an operations assistant in 2016.

In addition to his position at the organization, he is a Spanish translator and research assistant at a nonprofit research and advocacy group. Previously, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, where he worked with community-based organizations and rural entrepreneurs to encourage the adoption of sustainable and profitable practices to help curb deforestation. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.

Contact Ben via email.

Cole Brennan, Senior & Disability Outreach Coordinator

This summer, Cole is helping support Walk SF’s outreach programs for seniors and people with disabilities on a part-time basis. Cole is an enthusiastic long-time volunteer with Walk SF, leading walks for events like Peak2Peak and organizing the 49 Mile Scenic Walk series. Prior to joining Walk SF Cole worked on the National Street Service, a program to reimagine community engagement in street design. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Planning from San Francisco State University.

Cole can often be found walking, biking, and busing around San Francisco, looking for the little details that show the human side of the street. She especially enjoys finding tree-lined stairway paths and drawings people have made in the concrete.

Contact Cole via email.

Brian Haagsman, Outreach Coordinator

Brian supports outreach efforts for Walk SF’s annual events, volunteer, and membership programs. Brian joined Walk SF in 2016, bringing a diverse background in fundraising, communications, and campaign management.

Prior to Walk SF, he spent five years in fundraising at Stanford University. At Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, his responsibilities included executing reunion fundraising campaigns, organizing alumni volunteer engagement and development, and managing donor stewardship and communication. Previously, Brian held roles in marketing, communications, development, and social media at organizations including Edible Front Range Magazine and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Contact Brian via email or call at 415.431.9255, ext 5.

Vernon Haney, Family & Schools Coordinator

As a member of the San Francisco Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Partnership, Vernon will be focused on encouraging families and students to walk, bike, take transit, and carpool to San Francisco schools in the SoMa and Bayview neighborhoods.

Before joining Walk SF in June 2018, Vernon was an Environmental Education Associate at Department of the Environment, where he educated elementary, middle, and high school students about water conservation, pollution prevention, and zero waste. A native of Louisiana, Vernon has been an engaged member of the San Francisco community for the past 10 years and is happy to continue to be able to serve San Francisco communities and residents with his work at Walk SF.

Contact Vernon via email or call at 415.431.9255, ext 6.

Marta Lindsey, Communications Manager

Marta oversees Walk San Francisco’s communications. Prior to joining Walk SF, Marta served as the communications director at TransForm, as well as the interim communications director at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. As a communications consultant, Marta worked with a range of nonprofits focused on transportation, land use, social justice, and sustainability.

Marta has lived in San Francisco for almost 15 years. She considers the fact that she can walk almost everywhere a key piece of her daily happiness. You will often see her walking with her husband and two kids in the Inner Sunset and Golden Gate Park.

Contact Marta via email.

Jodie Medeiros, Executive Director

Jodie is responsible for leading Walk San Francisco’s strategic work. She has a long and successful history leading communications, fundraising, and advocacy at urban livability, active transportation, and poverty alleviation nonprofits.

Prior to joining Walk SF, Jodie was Deputy Director at the SF Housing Action Coalition, where her work was critical in passing Home SF, a policy to incentivize building more affordable and family-friendly housing in San Francisco. During her eight-year tenure as Development Director at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, she helped grow the organization from four to seventeen staff and collaborated on the Great Streets Project, which led to Sunday Streets and the now-thriving parklet program. Jodie earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Clark University.

Contact Jodie via email or call 415.431.9255, ext 2.

Candace Brady, Communications & Marketing Intern

Candace is a graduate student at the University of San Francisco studying Professional Communication. She is skilled in non-violent communication, as well as diversity and inclusion work. She is also pursuing a concentration in strategic communication alongside her current major. She is passionate about people which is why has joined the Walk SF team. She is also passionate about cultural diversity, internal operations, and interpersonal communication. She enjoys art and exploring the city of SF in her spare time.

Contact Candace via email.

Board of Directors

Advisory Council

Sophie Maxwell Former San Francisco District 10 Supervisor, 2000-2011
Margie O’Driscoll Former Executive Director, American Institute of Architects, San Francisco
Bonnie Nelson Founding Principal, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting
Rodrigo Santos Principal & Co-Founder, Santos & Urrutia