Meet our Core Team!
Supriya Golas
Executive Director
From running beekeeping trainings in rural Kenya to developing large scale ed tech programs at Fortune 500 companies, Supriya is driven by creating meaningful impact. She began volunteering with Vincent and UCP in 2021 and believes deeply in fighting on behalf of underserved communities, especially within one’s own.
After moving to Oakland, California in July 2020, Supriya became increasingly concerned about the state of the Bay Area, one of the most expensive regions in the world yet marked by extreme inequality between the richest and poorest populations in the country. At the time, she was pursuing her MBA at UC Berkeley Haas but found herself unable to focus on anything other than the growing crisis around her. The rampant disregard for unhoused residents and the illegal dumping on encampments deeply troubled her. She felt compelled to take action for the most vulnerable and to help restore dignity to unhoused communities across the East Bay. Vincent’s story inspired her to get involved, and she has been an integral part of UCP ever since.
In her free time, Supriya enjoys exploring the outdoors with her pup, playing scrabble, cooking up a storm, and listening to funky music.
Lee Heward
Director of Operations
Lee Heward is our Director of Operations. He started as a volunteer upon moving to Oakland from Ohio in 2022. Giving back to our community and helping those in need is something he highly values and that motivates him every day.
In college Lee studied physics and astronomy, then Japanese pedagogy in grad school, having spent 9 years living in Japan.
In his free time he enjoys reading books & manga, hiking, and travel.
Lee is very excited about the future of UCP and all the initiatives we have planned to make the Bay Area a better place. Please reach out to him at lee.h@urbancompassionproject.org with any questions you may have regarding volunteering, donations, distribution, and cleanups.
Meet our Staff!
Eliza Drinker
Partnerships & Events
Eliza grew up in Oakland and strives to make positive contributions to her hometown. Community driven, she has been profoundly affected by working with UCP and is excited to be a part of further nurturing the organization.
She is heavily involved in the local DIY event space and likes to plan elaborate food gatherings with her friends. Eliza has worked as a software engineer and educator and is a sculptor and cake-maker.
Meet our Board!
Danielle Rose
Vice Chair
Danielle Rose is an Oakland native who believes in the resilience of the beloved Town. Her personal stake—rooted in a relentless love for Oakland and a reckoning with its dynamic transitions—brought her to Urban Compassion Project.
With 20+ years of experience designing and building operational systems for national organizations through periods of significant growth and transition, she is committed to advising and measurably supporting UCP’s continued growth in ways that honor the community-centered work Vincent, Supriya and team have built.
Paige Voorhees
Secretary
Paige Voorhees is a Bay Area native and proud Oakland resident who has been a dedicated volunteer with Urban Compassion Project since 2021, helping support its mission to connect community members with their unhoused neighbors through compassionate service.
She is an estate planning and tax attorney at the San Francisco-based law firm of Sideman & Bancroft, where she advises individuals and families on preserving wealth and planning for the future, bringing her legal expertise and deep community commitment to her role on the board of directors.
Ethan Choy
Treasurer
Ethan supports the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability and is proud to support UCP's work in fostering compassion and connection across Oakland and the Bay Area.
Ethan Choy is a native of the East Bay and practices law with a focus on state and local tax controversy matters. His work has included service with public agencies and community-focused organizations, shaping his commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship.
Andy MacKay
Member at Large
Originally from the UK, as CEO of 20/20 Productions, Andy has many years' experience in event and video production, specializing in logistics and project management for corporates and non-profits.
Volunteer experience includes delivering humanitarian aid to Kosovo and Bosnia in the early 2000s with Edinburgh Direct Aid. Andy loves making a difference to people’s lives through fundraising or direct assistance. Oh, and he loves rugby, soccer, cycling, driving big rigs, and playing the bagpipes.
Laurie Marie Roberts
Member at Large
Laurie Marie Roberts is a marketing and design professional specializing in visual storytelling, brand development, and digital communications for mission-driven organizations. In her free time she loves to garden, read and make art.
John Geleynse
Member at Large
John Geleynse is a Canadian-born technology professional who recently retired from Apple after 25 years, concluding a 40-year career in tech. John loves new ideas, electronics, aviation, EVs, modern farming, the trades, sustainability, recology, heavy equipment, and other fascinating advancements that power our world, move things forward, and improve people's lives.
At Apple, John served as Senior Director of Technology Evangelism, helping to shape the experience of third-party developers on Apple’s platforms, encouraging app developers around the world to build innovative and well-designed apps. He played a pivotal role in leading the annual Worldwide Developer Conference and managed and co-hosted the prestigious Apple Design Awards, which recognized excellence in software innovation and design. Much of John’s career was focused on people, and his commitment to and care for others now extends beyond the Apple developer community as he dedicates his time and energy to mentoring, advising, supporting, and helping with interesting ideas and opportunities.
Meet our Committee Members!
Kirill Yantikov
Web Team
Kirill Yantikov began volunteering with the Urban Compassion Project with the goal of connecting with his community. What started with showing up at weekend cleanups grew into a consistent commitment to community care, operational excellence, and long-term impact.
Kirill oversees the systems that keep UCP organized, visible, and scalable, from volunteer coordination tools to the digital platforms that support community engagement. He continues to work hands-on in the field while building the technical foundation that helps UCP grow and serve more communities across the city.
Pete Babb
Grants Committee Lead
Pete moved to Oakland in 1998 from the east coast and immediately felt that it was the place to put down roots. The whole Bay Area felt like it was brimming with opportunities, and the vibes were exactly what he was looking for to start his post-college life. Once he got situated, he started his career as a writer and editor and has plied his trade in both the publishing and tech industries.
Oakland has been an amazing place to be, and he’s motivated to give back to his home city of the past 25-plus years. Pete was raised on the importance of applying your talents toward boosting your community, so he took an interest in grant writing as a way to do that. He writes grant proposals and letters of interest to help UCP gain additional funding to continue its mission.
Pete is a longtime DJ and record collector, and he enjoys gardening and playing basketball when he’s not wordsmithing.
Team up with UCP
We are dedicated to improving the lives of the unhoused, not just in Oakland and the Bay Area but way beyond. Your involvement with UCP helps in building a future where homelessness isn’t a life sentence. Please volunteer, donate, and spread the word. UCP is committed to a better, more compassionate tomorrow. We envision a world where everyone, regardless of their current circumstances, has access to a life of safety, dignity, and self-sufficiency.