BAYCAT is modeled after Manchester Bidwell Corporation, a ground-breaking social enterprise based in Pittsburgh, PA and founded by Bill E. Strickland, Jr. in 1972. We acknowledge with deep gratitude the affiliation we share with Bill and his organization.
BAYCAT’s ongoing success results from the efforts of our students, their families, and the networks of support and encouragement we forge together. None of this would be possible without the dedicated efforts of a core group of individuals who have worked on the BAYCAT team.
- Villy Wang
President & CEO - Ariel Dovas
Video Producer & Instructor - Tim Harrington
Art Director & Instructor - Marco Castro-Bojorquez
Educational Program Director - Will Hammond
Video Instructor - Wesam Nassar
Studio Director - Andrew Esch
Development Associate - August Zajonc
Accountant - Ya-Hsuan Huang
Digital Media Arts Instructor - Amber Yada
Animation Instructor - Katie Cruz
Administrative Assistant - Ebony Sparks
Program Assistant
Villy Wang
Villy brings a unique 20-year background in education, arts programming, nonprofit business and law. Villy has a BA in Engineering and Economics from Brown University and a JD from Northwestern.
Ariel Dovas
Ariel is an independent filmmaker who brings to BAYCAT both his technical skills and passion for youth education. Prior to BAYCAT he co-founded the nonprofit youth Shakespeare theater company "No Holds Bard."
Tim Harrington
Tim has an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and over ten years experience as a graphic designer for local and national clients. He has also taught at City College of San Francisco.
Marco Castro-Bojorquez
Marco’s commitment to youth development comes from his experience in youth leadership program planning, advocacy, curriculum development, and program management. He comes from Community Bridges Beacon and the Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
Will Hammond
Will has more than 10 years of experience in music, theater and the digital arts, including a RIAA gold certified record. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA in Music.
Wesam Nassar
A documentary filmmaker and long-time community activist, Wesam has travelled extensively to document various crises in the world. He can accommodate the most challenging production conditions while maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
Andrew Esch
A graduate of Goshen College in northern Indiana, Andrew came to BAYCAT from a background of grant writing and fundraising. He spends his free time sailing the Bay.
August Zajonc
A graduate of Pomona College, August worked as a Program Finance Officer for 4 years at a Social Finance Foundation supporting a portfolio of $38 million. He has a passion for turning the accounting function into a source of support for nonprofits in their missions.
Ya-Hsuan Huang
Ya-Hsuan is committed to creating documentary video and graphic design around social issues. She was trained in Art History and Media Studies at Yale Univeristy and the New School University and has taught video-making through The Video Lab and WITNESS.
Amber Yada
Amber brings more than a decade of media studies and experience to her work at BAYCAT. Her heart beats for animation, women in power, and young people telling their stories.
Katie Cruz
Katie is a graduate of SFSU with a BA in Theater who brings over 5 years of Executive, Personal and Administrative experience to BAYCAT. When she isn't at work she's either volunteering at an after school program or working in the Theater.
Ebony Sparks
Born and raised in Bayview Hunters Point, Ebony is a community activist, writer and the parent of a BAYCAT graduate. She has nearly ten years experience in media and marketing and a passion for building strong connections with youth and their families.
Board
Cameron Douraghy, Charles Patton, Herbie Hancock, Joe DeLucchi, John Ringgenberg, Keith Kappmeyer, Lauren Bell, Linda Pettus, Steve Shaw, Villy Wang
Advisors
Barb Crist, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Edwards, Bill Strickland, Jr., Delroy Lindo, Dixie Horning, Jaime Durr, Joy Hoffmann, Peter Bratt, Roger Bulosan, Will Rosenzweig
THANK YOU for helping us be who we are today
Aaron Ackerman, Adam Langton, Alia Curtis, Andy Donner, Atiba Phillips, Barb Crist, Ben Landers, Bill Strickland, Carole Bailey, Carolyn Alexander, Chad Grochowski, Charles Ward, Dan Brandon, Dan Perkel, Dave Yanofsky, David Waisman, Debra Dunn, Dolores Gray, Erica Deiparine-Sugars, Ernest Jackson, Fedele Bauccio, Gemmie Jones, Gina Guttierez, Hollis Pierce, Isabel Yrigoyen, Jade Green, Janet Davis, Jennifer Severin, Jesse Madway, Jim Losi, Joseph Mouzon, Joseph Pinto, Joseph Simon, Julie Obbard, Judd Antin, Kenya Davis, Kimberly Brandon, Kyle Salyer, Lorelei Goll, Lynette Sweet, Mari Mielcarski, Mark Habib, Marty Ashby, Morry Hermon, Ray Hildreth, Rene Govanucci, Sandra Geiger, Shane King, Sharon Wamble-King, Sonali Joshi, Sophie Maxwell, Sue Sacks, Suzanne Di Bianca, Tara Beyhm, Walter Johnson
