Our People
New Seneca Village is supported by many leaders who share their affinity for this work. They partner with the NSV team to co-design and implement projects and initiatives that amplify our collective vision.
We are honored by their support of NSV, for the power of their crucial work in the world and for their joy!
Ain Bailey is a philanthropic and nonprofit strategist and thought partner, a justice grant maker, and a healing and energy centered coach whose work is grounded in infinite possibility - proven by the very existence of this abundant, life-giving (and gorgeous planet) and the limitless potential of humanity.
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Compelled by the promise of a Just Future, inspired by generative conversations and connection to spirit and grounded in the power of integrating personal and professional selves - Ain is committed to advancing human evolution and Right Relationship with the planet and others in all of her work.
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​Ain is most energized by her role as the Founder of New Seneca Village, an emergent retreat and visioning center designed to connect women of color social justice leaders to nature, healing, and each other such that their leadership and work is grounded in restoration, community connectedness and expansive vision.
Aldita Gallardo (she/they/ella) is an organizer, facilitator, and resource mobilizer based in Oakland, CA, on unceded Ohlone Land.
Currently, she serves as the Program Officer for the Fund for Trans Generations at Borealis Philanthropy. She has been organizing at the intersections of racial and gender justice, trans/queer liberation, immigrant rights, and youth leadership development for over a decade.
Prior to organizing within philanthropy, she trained trans/queer youth of color to end the school-to-prison/deportation pipeline and organized healing spaces for movement leaders.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Aldita serves on the advisory board of El/La Para Trans Latinas and enjoys going on walks in nature with her dog, Peppers.
Gillian Bergeron
Community Organizer
Gillian Bergeron co-leads New Seneca Village's fundraising effort. She brings 12+ years experience in organizing, advocacy and movement-building to this work, and lives in the Bay Area with her partner and dog.
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Served in leadership roles on both President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaign field teams
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Led housing justice movement capacity building efforts at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
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Developed unprecedented field program and led international expansion at Nextdoor.com
EDUCATION
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BA from University of South Carolina
Naomi Yu
Self & Community Care as Liberation
Naomi Yu (she/her) is a healer, facilitator, and consultant. passionate about destigmatizing mental health and wellness (especially for BIPOC) and making it more accessible for all.
As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist, Naomi helps clients build a practice of self-care as liberation. This process includes building a stronger sense of self, practicing self-compassion, and developing skills to create a meaningful life. She integrates many pathways to healing that exist outside of the Western therapy models, such as spirituality, psychedelics, and the power of being in right relationship.
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Naomi also facilitates groups and workshops to encourage this process while in community. She has worked with major corporations across different industries to cultivate a healthier workplace culture and provided spaces for employees to show up as their full selves.
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Naomi is Taiwanese-American and based in the the Bay Area, California. Outside of work, you can find Naomi trail-running in the mountains, reading, and making or enjoying live music. She is devoted to the pursuit of self-growth and things that set you free.
Taina Jones (she/her) supports New Seneca Village with development and implementation of processes and timelines to directly elevate the mission of New Seneca Village through wide-ranging research, development of strategic materials, and administration of retreats and communication. She is motivated by the opportunity to create and provide systems and services that can maximize change and achieve lasting equitable and inclusive societal impacts. Taina is committed to racial equity as a strategy for transformation and social change for all people of color, with a focus on low-income women.
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Prior to joining New Seneca Village, Taina worked for Hirsch Philanthropy Partners where she consulted with individuals and families on how to best maximize the impact of their giving on the neighborhoods and issue areas they support, with a focus on community engagement and trust-based philanthropy. She has also worked for the Partnership for HOPE SF and Great Communities Collaborative at the San Francisco Foundation.
Taina's career began in the service industry, where she learned firsthand the importance of providing excellent customer service while being adaptable in a fast-paced environment. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Mills College and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in International Business from San Francisco State University. She is a native of the Dominican Republic and is fluent in Spanish.
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During her free time, you can find Taina enjoying hikes in the Redwoods, practicing yoga, and spending time with her friends and family.
2022 Advisory Circle
Akaya Windwood
Brilliantly facilitates transformation.
Akaya advises, trains, and consults on how
change happens individually, organizationally and societally.
