Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellows Profiles

Placement: San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing

Carmalita Johnson is a senior at San Francisco State University majoring in Social Work. She is passionate about equity, public service, and creating meaningful opportunities for marginalized youth. Through her academic work and community involvement, she has gained experience in outreach, mentorship, and case management. As a recipient of the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship, Carmalita is eager to build her leadership skills and deepen her understanding of how local government can be a force for social change. She hopes to use this experience to better advocate for youth who face systemic barriers in education, housing, and mental health services. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Master’s in Social Work or Public Administration and work in a career that allows her to develop programs and policies that uplift vulnerable youth populations. She is committed to making a lasting impact through empathy, advocacy, and service

Placement: San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

Louis Calvin, 65, is majoring in Public Health after transferring from Mount Tamalpais College.

In 2006, after an unfair trial, Mr. Calvin received an unjust sentence of 43 years to life in prison. Our criminal justice system failed him at every step of the legal process. In his pursuit of freedom, he took community college courses at Prison University Project (PUP) in San Quentin. There, despite struggling with life-long learning disabilities and many hardships of incarceration, Mr. Calvin learned skills to craft his persuasive plea for justice which he submitted with an application for clemency to California Governor Gavin Newsom. In his proclamation commuting the sentence, the governor cited the interest of justice as his reason for granting clemency.

While earning his Associate Degree from Patten University, Mr. Calvin discovered his passion for education and renewed his solemn commitment to serve at-risk communities and afflicted individuals.

Placement: San Francisco Public Defender's Office 

Vittorio is a senior at San Francisco State University, pursuing a major in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) with a strong interest in business. His goal in this fellowship is to develop his communication and leadership skills, and gain experience working with underserved communities. His educational goals are to complete his bachelor’s degree while continuing to grow personally and professionally. He hopes to build a foundation for a future career by the end of the semester. He is interested in exploring a career in community outreach, youth support, or public service, and will be graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in 2026. Formerly incarcerated and overcoming addiction and homelessness, he is rebuilding his life through education. He is passionate about helping others avoid the same path and giving back to San Francisco, the city he loves. This fellowship would support his growth, stability, and long-term goal of building a meaningful, purpose-driven life.

Placement: San Francisco Department on the Status of Women

Roya Formuli is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at San Francisco State University, where she is in her junior year. As part of her fellowship, Roya aims to deepen her skills in designing public spaces that serve as supportive environments for individuals dealing with personal life challenges.

By the end of the semester, she hopes to better understand how thoughtful, empathetic design can contribute to healing environments—particularly for individuals struggling with depression. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career focused on designing innovative and inclusive public service facilities.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Roya enjoys spending quality time with her children and family, listening to music, and taking walks in nature. She believes that a smile is a powerful, free gift that has the potential to brighten someone’s day and change lives.

Roya is on track to graduate with her Bachelor's degree in 2027.

Placement: San Francisco Environment Department

Austin Sanchez is a senior at San Francisco State University majoring in Environmental Studies. A U.S. Navy veteran with two overseas tours, including one combat deployment, Austin is passionate about public service, environmental justice, and using law to hold corporations accountable. His goal in this fellowship is to strengthen his experience in community-centered governance and develop the skills necessary to shape equitable environmental policy. Austin plans to attend law school after graduation, with aspirations of becoming an environmental attorney and, eventually, a law professor. His background in military operations and humanitarian work has shaped his commitment to advocacy and justice. Outside the classroom, he enjoys working on his truck, spending time outdoors, and hopes to eventually settle in a quiet fishing town with his dog.

Placement: San Francisco Department of Public Health

Gabriela Tozlovan is a Junior at San Francisco State University, pursuing a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology and Criminal Justice. Gabriela’s goal in this fellowship is to develop her skills in medicine as advocacy, learn more about how public policies transfer into healthcare services and their experience with community health challenges. Her educational goals are to pursue higher education as a Doctor of Medicine, and she strives to learn more about community health challenges and what has and can be done to address those issues. Gabriela is currently involved in a community engaged biomedical research project. The aim of this project is to address unknown biomedical questions through hands-on research and contribute the knowledge and findings to the community. She is passionate about epidemiology, behavioral health services, health prevention, and public health.

Placement: San Francisco Board of Supervisors, D-10 Office

Thaís Albernaz is a senior at San Francisco State University majoring in Sociology. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she has spent the last eight years in San Francisco. Her experience as an immigrant has fueled her passion for immigration justice and inspired her to advocate for Latinx and immigrant communities. Thaís is excited to gain hands-on experience in public service and deepen her understanding of how policy impacts real lives, especially for underserved diaspora populations. She hopes to use this experience to build a career centered on social justice, cultural understanding, and community empowerment. Outside of her studies, she enjoys traveling, hiking in national parks, listening to Brazilian music and dancing. Thaís believes that empathy and lived experience are key tools in the fight for equity. She is very grateful to San Francisco for welcoming her with open arms and continuing to shape her journey forward.

Placement: San Francisco Human Rights Commission

Fayez Jodeh is a senior at San Francisco State University, majoring in Economics. A proud Arab American, born and raised in San Francisco’s Sunset neighborhood, Fayez draws inspiration from his family and community’s resilience through the 2008 Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. These formative experiences deepened his passion for public policy—especially housing equity, public health access, and environmental justice. His academic background in economics has strengthened his understanding of systemic inequities and the policy tools needed to address them. He is particularly passionate about advocating for affordable housing solutions and combating homelessness in the Bay Area. Fayez hopes to continue working in the public sector to create inclusive and sustainable urban policies. Through his lived experience and academic journey, he is committed to building a more just and equitable future for all San Francisco

Placement: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

Tammy Fung is a senior Urban Studies and Planning major at San Francisco State University. She is a quadriplegic with limited use of her left hand and has visual impairment. To gain as much independence as possible, Tammy uses a powerchair and a laptop with a speech to text software called Dragon Naturally Speaking. Her coursework has given her a strong foundation in sustainable and equitable urban planning. Tammy collaborated with the SF Planning Department to assess the impact of the Shared Spaces Program on small businesses, gaining experience in project management and civic engagement. She also works with a community group advocating for accessible streets, helping seniors and disabled residents report sidewalk hazards and engage with city agencies. Passionate about housing as a human right, Tammy is especially focused on accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. Personal experiences and peer stories have deepened her commitment, leading her to complete additional coursework on housing policy. Her academic and community work reflect a strong drive to create more inclusive urban environments.

Placement: San Francisco Board of Supervisors, D-9 Office

Tryphena Arthur is a Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellow and a student at San Francisco State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is completing a Master of Public Administration at California State University, East Bay. With professional experience in housing policy, case management, and urban planning, Tryphena is dedicated to advancing effective, equity-driven public policy. Informed by her own experiences with housing insecurity and limited transit access, she brings a grounded perspective to complex planning challenges. Her current focus includes zoning reform, affordable housing, and transportation equity—key pillars of a more inclusive and responsive approach to urban governance. She is committed to a career in public service, helping shape policies and programs that build more just, livable communities.

Placement: San Francisco Public Defender's Office

Donovan Castillero is a junior at San Francisco State University, majoring in Computer Science and a minor in Video Game Studies. As a formerly incarcerated student, Donovan is passionate about working with community organizations to advocate for justice reform. His goal in this fellowship through this fellowship, his goal is to strengthen his social leadership skills and learn how to better apply them in service of his community. Donovan’s educational goal is to graduate from the Computer Science program and pursue a career in the Video Game industry. While video games are a huge passion of his, he believes that working in the public sector with community organizations will always be a part of his life. Donovan’s community involvement includes being a graduate from and mentoring for the Community Youth Leadership Corps at DeAnza Community College, and serving as a Campaign Ambassador for the “Yes on Prop 6” Campaign.

Graduate Fellow Placement: San Francisco Grants for the Arts Department

Raysean Jones Jr. is a proud native of Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco, CA, born to Raysean Jones Sr. and Yolanda Jones (Walker). With a family of around 12 siblings (though he often loses count), he embraces his identity as Black, Queer, and fully capable.

Raysean’s life is fuller now than it has been in years, a testament to his commitment to both himself and his community. His journey speaks not only to his resilience and tenacity but also to the grace that has carried him through. He moves forward with gratitude, embracing each opportunity for growth. Raysean earned his bachelor's degree in Africana Studies with a minor in Race and Resistance, completed the President’s Leadership Fellowship, and was accepted as a Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellow. He fulfilled his community work-study at Youth 1st, an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.

His passion for community extends across generations. From mentoring young people to advocating for the elderly, Raysean works to ensure that equity and care remain at the center of policy and service. Whether through civic engagement, policy reform, or culinary arts, he believes in the power of nourishment, of the mind, the body, and the community. His work embodies the vision of driving policy reform with equity and civic engagement, embracing creative leadership, community advocacy, and public policy to empower youth today and shape San Francisco’s tomorrow.

Graduate Fellow Placement: San Francisco Board of Supervisors Office, District-10

Candice Branner is pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration from San Francisco State University, where she also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and a Minor in Africana Studies. Her journey into Public Administration was ignited by personal experiences that deeply resonate with her. Her son's diagnosis of Autism in 2018 was not only a personal challenge but also a catalyst for her pursuit of knowledge and action. Navigating the complexities of the public special education school system exposed her to the inequalities that many families face, especially in urban communities like the ones she grew up in and currently resides in. This personal journey has fueled her passion to delve deeper into the policies and governance structures that shape daily lives. She aims to equip herself with the necessary knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions to the public sector. In line with this, she applied to the Willie L. Brown internship, where she hopes to gain hands-on experience and insights into the workings of the public sector. Her ultimate goal is to establish a nonprofit agency dedicated to supporting families of individuals with disabilities. She aspires to pursue a career in analyzing policies for a government agency. She believes that by doing so, she can contribute to being a part of change that influences policies that are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all members of society

Graduate Fellow Placement: Port of San Francisco

Alondra Mora is the proud daughter of two immigrants who moved their whole lives to the United States. As a first-generation Mexican American, she is still learning to navigate her life in a new country with her family—creating a pathway her younger siblings can follow. She has struggled her whole life with the language barrier, as her first language is Spanish. Learning the language was a massive struggle throughout school; she would fall behind because of the language barrier and it also started to affect her confidence. Although she struggled throughout school, she has learned how to manage fears, anxiety, and barriers. Her experiences have shaped her and will continue to shape her. For her bachelor's degree, she focused on Environmental Studies; the environment is a significant part of our life and will only get more critical. Throughout the four years, she also learned the importance of policy and how it goes hand in hand with the environment. The environment relies on policy because change will only be made with it. This led her to pursue a master's in Public Administration