Our Team

David Cowan

David is the Founding Director of Bonafide. David has been helping to support the justice-impacted community post-release since 2012 shortly after he was released from incarceration himself in 2011. He was an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist in the U.S. Air Force. He earned an associate degree from Patten University through the Prison University Project, (now Mt. Tamalpais College). He continued his education at San Francisco State University earning a B.A. in Criminal Justice Studies. For the last ten years, he has served as the director of operations for Mount Tamalpais College, where he is responsible for the organization’s audit readiness and key systems. David is a recipient of the 2019 Uncommon Hero’s Award.

Clinton Martin

In Memoriam

Clinton’s professional journey is distinguished by a unique trajectory, evolving from youth incarceration to adulthood with a commitment to community service. His fervent dedication to societal betterment began within prison, where he founded the San Quentin Diabetes Program. Post-release, Clinton remains actively involved, notably as a volunteer youth mentor at Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) in the “Black Male Circle.” Additionally, he played a pivotal role as one of Bonafide’s inaugural welcome home drivers at San Quentin, finding genuine joy in facilitating positive transitions for others.

Clinton’s narrative reflects resilience and an unwavering commitment to community welfare, illustrating the transformative power of redemption. His diverse engagements underscore the importance of mentorship and community support in catalyzing positive change, portraying a story of personal growth and meaningful societal contribution within the justice-impacted community.

Becca Carter

Becca has professional experience in strategic planning and data analysis from her work as a former McKinsey consultant and as a Data Scientist at eBay and the cloud-based payroll and HR platform, Gusto. Becca earned her doctorate from UC Berkeley in 2009. During her graduate studies and beyond, she was a volunteer instructor of science and math topics for the Prison University Project (now Mt. Tamalpais College), and also worked with incarcerated men at San Quentin to found a financial literacy program and to help manage the data for  the 70+ rehabilitative programs occurring on grounds. She and David grew what would eventually become Bonafide out of their own experiences reintegrating and helping others reintegrate following long sentences.

Alexis Jones

Hailing from West LA, Alexis is passionate about giving back and assisting others in rebuilding their lives. She has a personal connection to this work, having personally witnessed the impact of incarceration on her family members. For Alexis, Bonafide’s mission is deeply personal, and she is grateful for the chance to contribute. Her aspirations extend to establishing a transitional home for individuals seeking to reintegrate into society, particularly focusing on lifers and women aiming to reunite with their children and families. Alexis also works for the City of Los Angeles and in her leisure moments, she finds joy in riding motorcycles.

John Windham

John Windham is a formerly incarcerated citizen who works as a driver and serves on the Board of Bonafide as a way of giving back to others that which he wanted for himself when he came home: love, respect, dignity, patience, understanding, care, and most importantly empathy. He gives all of this to the people he transports from the prison gate because he believes love changes people. John is also the CEO of the We All We Got JMW Foundation, a California non-profit dedicated to housing the formerly incarcerated.

Marcus Lowe

Marcus grew up in Central Los Angeles. Presently, he has attained mastery in the art of mechanics and is skilled in constructing cars and Harley-Davidsons. As a devoted family man, Marcus cherishes his time with his four children and finds joy in fishing, particularly when catching halibut and white sea bass. His journey to Bonafide is fueled by a desire to contribute and support the reintegration of returning community members.

Zarinah Agnew

Zarinah is a scientist by training and now runs two non-profits. One dedicated to the study of social science in the wild, and one dedicated to engineering experimental spaces where humans can ‘be otherwise’. Together these allow Zarinah to both prefigured new social configurations, as well as study them. These experimental spaces projects range from radical reading rooms, co-living spaces, to prison abolition and The Alternative Justices Project. The Second Life Project is a community centered around the needs and wisdoms of returning citizens, that centers collective emancipation and stewarded autonomy at its core. They have recently helped to start two intentional community houses centered around the experience of returning citizens. Zarinah stewards Haight Street Commons, a Bay Area organization that brings together people from different co-living spaces and helps them cross-pollinate, collaborate and create a parallel economy. Together all of these diverse endeavours fall into the realm of helping humans be and live otherwise.

Yaphette Geiger

A Sacramento native, Yaphette exudes energy, spontaneity, and a caring spirit. Personally impacted by incarceration, she channels her experiences into her work at Bonafide, aiming to support others as they steer their lives away from negativity and guide them towards transformative paths despite challenges. Committed to making a positive impact, she embraces her role with dedication, aspiring to contribute to the journeys of those seeking to turn their lives around. She dreams of owning a ranch to raise horses. Yaphette is passionate about fishing and finds joy in moments by the water as well as crafting culinary delights.

Terah Lawyer-Harper

Terah joined CROP in January 2022. She is the former Associate Director of Impact Justice’s groundbreaking reentry program – The Homecoming Project – a $3.5M housing innovation that matches eligible returning citizens with rooms for rent with compatible hosts. Over three years, she developed and led the program which has received national and state awards and provided nearly 70 formerly incarcerated individuals with sustainable housing in the Bay Area.

Terah brings deep program development experience, reentry housing expertise and a passion for investing in people. Her lived experiences as a formerly incarcerated woman who spent 15 years in prison informs her work and approach to rehabilitation and reentry. She has received multiple fellowships and scholarships, and over the last ten years has launched programs and organizations that invest in the leadership development of justice-involved professionals in all trades and careers.

While incarcerated, Terah became a certified peer health educator, a drug and alcohol counselor and earned two associate degrees. She developed the Offender Responsibility program, which is still offered at Central California Women’s Facility. Terah also developed the program curriculum to launch a nonprofit, CORE (Criminal Offender Reform Establishment), which provides rehabilitative correspondent courses nationwide to people incarcerated in prison. The organization has served 2500 students since 2012. From 2012-2013, she was the elected chairperson of the Beyond Incarceration Panel and led an organization of 20 members to gain certifications as Congressionally Recognized Youth Diversion Specialists.

After returning home in 2017, Terah has dedicated her life to her community. She is the spokeswoman for the Drop the Life Without the Possibility of Parole campaign and has been featured in A New Way of Life testimonial series. Her work has been profiled in major media outlets such as NPR, CNN Great Big Story, The New York Times, The Atlantic and Mother Jones. Terah is a Young Professional of Color Fellow with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and was a 201X Next Generations Fellow with the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.

Terah is a San Francisco State University graduate and holds three undergraduate degrees in business administration, management, and social and behavioral sciences.

De’jon Joy

De’jon, a dedicated father and husband, is currently enrolled at SF State University, where he finds purpose in providing assistance to individuals during their most challenging moments. On the basketball court or immersed in design projects on his computer, De’jon channels his energy towards both physical and creative pursuits. His commitment to helping others is not only a personal passion but a guiding principle that shapes his academic and professional endeavors. With a focus on empathy and creativity, De’jon navigates his roles as a student, family man, and individual who seeks to make a positive impact in the lives of those around him.

Taribu Cooper

Born in San Bernardino to young parents, Taribu brings a unique journey to the table. Living in Compton and Watts starting at the age of four, his formative years were shaped amidst the complexities of urban life, leading to socialization in gangs. Amid soul-searching in incarceration’s dark places, Taribu transitioned from a gangster lifestyle to a more enlightened path, embracing Islam in 1991 and adopting progressive thinking.

Taribu is passionate about working with youth and justice-impacted individuals and has achieved significant milestones such as obtaining a passport, overcoming parole, and actively helping others. His personal experience allows him to empathize with the challenges of reintegration. As a proud member of the Bonafide team, Taribu finds fulfillment in welcoming people home, supporting them as they navigate the transition from incarceration to freedom, and serving as a living example of success.

Dr. Seemay Chou

Dr. Seemay Chou has a longstanding interest in finding ways to increase access to opportunity. She is the Chief of Strategy at Astera Institute, a non-profit foundation that funds and operationalizes a broad range of projects that accelerate societal progress. Dr. Chou is also the co-founder and CEO of Arcadia Science, a research and development company focused on leveraging biological diversity for technological innovation. A scientist herself, Dr. Chou is a Pew Scholar, former Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Biophysics at UCSF, and received a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology from UC Berkeley. 

Wendy Royston

Wendy comes to Bonafide with extensive knowledge and experience working with databases, office management, payroll, and accounting. Previously she worked at a public school system in North Carolina for more than 15 years before deciding to move to San Francisco to be closer to her son and his family. Wendy has long been an advocate for social justice and is excited to join the Bonafide team supporting back-end operations as the organization builds lives together.

Autumn Kruse

Autumn Kruse is a Certified Financial Planner™️ at her firm, Kruse Financial Strategy, where she specializes in Socially Responsible Investing and works with individuals on an hourly and per-project basis. She grew up in a family that believes strongly in social justice and has followed her father’s interest in helping people who are working against the United State’s barriers to reentry after incarceration. Previously, she helped develop and volunteered for a financial literacy ILTAG group at San Quentin State Prison.

Sam Johnson Sr.

Mr. Sam W. Johnson Sr. was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up with four other siblings, two brothers and two sisters. Sam grew up as a Baptist and a follower of the teaching of Jesus Christ. He started working at Churches Chicken at seventeen, was promoted to manager, and eventually transferred to Oakland, California, managing 40 people. In Mr. Johnson’s former position as the Men’s Advisory Council (MAC) Representative, he worked tirelessly to “speed up the momentum for justice reform” for thousands of incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison.

More recently, as a Program Coordinator at Arsola’s Reentry Program, he passionately shows a desire to gain homes for formerly incarcerated people to aid in their transition to society, combat the homeless crisis in the Bay Area, and reduce recidivism by assisting in a job opportunity, education, and other positive program resources available through Impact Justice. His 26 years of experience within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation serves as his daily motivation to support, encourage, and improve the chances of success of reentry for those formerly incarcerated. He knows that his participation is crucial to doing this well while also rebuilding trusting relationships in our communities.

Samantha Epstein

Sam’s passion lies in helping individuals navigate critical transitions as a compassionate and steady compass. Whether those transitions are rooted in higher education, career development or reentry, she is committed to designing reciprocal support systems and relationships that help marginalized individuals navigate change so they know they’re never alone in their journey.

Sam has continued her work in reentry by building mentorship communities at San Quentin State Prison since 2010. She currently works as a People Business Partner at Hazel Health, a healthcare start-up focused on bringing mental and physical healthcare to schools so kids who need to be seen and cared for don’t lose valuable time in schools in the process! Formerly, she was the People Operations Manager at Landed and Head of People, Culture & Operations at Root & Rebound, a criminal justice and legal aid and advocacy organization committed to restoring power and resources to the families and communities most harmed by mass incarceration. 

Sam received her BA from the University of Michigan and her MBA at the Lorry I. Lokey School of Business and Public Policy at Mills College. She is a proud Evanston, Illinois native who can be seen playing competitive soccer and trying to live every day with balance alongside her partner and two fierce daughters.

Eric Muhammad

Eric Muhammad graduated from with a BA in Psychology. Successfully discharged parole. Co-founded Project PEACE for at-risk offenders.

LaQuisha Holley

LaQuisha Holley is a mother of two who has been in customer service for 16 years. Her experience includes call centers and retail. She was recently a bus operator for Metro in Los Angeles. She loves to meet new people and share information that leads to success as people take the next steps in their lives.

Katie Belflower

Katie is a dedicated Critical Adventure Leader specializing in transformative outdoor experiences for formerly incarcerated individuals. With a deep understanding of the challenges of reentry, Katie leverages the power of adventure, mentorship, and resilience-building to support personal growth and successful reintegration.

Drawing from personal experience, Katie designs and leads programs that challenge participants physically and mentally—through activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and survival training—while fostering reflection, teamwork, and leadership. Passionate about creating spaces for healing and empowerment, Katie is committed to guiding individuals toward confidence, self-discovery, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Ken Brydon

Ken is a skilled writer and published author. He was the first new editor-in-chief of the reinstated San Quentin News after the paper had been out of print for 20 years. Ken was also the San Quentin News Journalism Guild founder and contributor. He graduated from Patten University with an associates of arts degree and from Golden Gate Seminary.

Tim Malone

Tim has served as a hospice volunteer caregiver, a youth mentor, a dog trainer, and a public speaker to the United States Air Force. He has earned several Associate of Arts degrees from Palo Verde College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Tim accomplished all this while spending over two decades incarcerated as a juvenile serving a life sentence. Through resilience and faith in Christ Jesus, Tim strove to make amends and to help others along the way. The purpose and meaning of his system impact have provided the lived experience to relate, heal, and support others—and he continues to do so as the Program Associate of Bonafide. Tim will further his education by pursuing a Masters in Public Administration.

Laverne Taylor

Laverne Dejohnette Taylor, Founder of Sisters Keeper Dignity Trucks, is a dedicated advocate providing essential services to unhoused women and youth in the Bay Area. Formerly the Assistant Director at Five Keys overseeing homeless housing operations and currently facilitating Victim Offender Dialogues at Mend Collaborative, Laverne’s journey includes 26 years of incarceration, culminating in a sentence commutation. Transitioning from prison to freedom, she grappled with anxiety but found solace in a welcome from a Bonafide Welcome Home Driver. A Welcome Back Pack with supplies and a phone opened a world unknown to her. Now, as a Bonafide Welcome Home Driver herself, Laverne extends care to fragile individuals in their transformative moments, embodying the power of resilience and second chances.

Alicia Nolan

Alicia, hailing from a close-knit family, is known for her warm and caring nature. During her incarceration, her compassion led her to become a healthcare educator for over 19 years. Leveraging her lived experience, she worked as a reentry navigator and is now a commercial truck instructor with a strong passion for family reunification. She is also a life coach with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.  Alicia’s strength and resilience are rooted in prayer and self-worth. A dedicated mother, grandmother, and new great-grandmother, she enjoys assembling 1500-piece puzzles, roller skating, and spending quality time with her family. Alicia is grateful for life’s daily opportunities and remains committed to helping others.

Steven Gonzales

Steven Gonzalez is a passionate advocate for at-risk youth and adult reentry programs. An alumnus of Loyola Marymount University, he continues to further his education. After nearly 29 years of incarceration as a juvenile, Steven has been off parole for over a year and is dedicated to giving back to his community. His personal experiences drive his commitment to helping others overcome challenges. In his free time, he enjoys restoring his vintage 1947 Chevrolet, drawing, and crafting jewelry boxes. Steven’s journey highlights resilience and the power of education and community support.

Precious Johnson

Precious Johnson is a respected mentor, seasoned leader, and passionate advocate for prison reform. Precious has accumulated 15 years of direct experience within the prison system, offering invaluable knowledge and firsthand insights. During her incarceration, she earned an Associate degree in Business Management and played a pivotal role in a youth diversion program, steering young people towards constructive futures. Precious also facilitated self-help classes, earning recognition as a profound mentor within the prison community. Since her release, Precious has continued to champion transformative changes in the system, leveraging her personal journey and professional expertise to advocate for comprehensive reform and support for incarcerated individuals.

Kenyatta Leal

Kenyatta Leal is the Executive Director of Next Chapter, an organization creating pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals into tech careers. His journey of personal transformation fuels his passion for social innovation and second chances. Under Kenyatta’s leadership, Next Chapter has successfully placed numerous apprentices into full-time roles at major tech companies, fundamentally changing lives and reshaping industry perceptions. As a board member of Bonafide, Kenyatta brings expertise in reentry services, workforce development, and building inclusive cultures. His unique perspective and commitment to equity guide Bonafide’s mission to create lasting impact. Kenyatta is also a compelling speaker, sharing insights on resilience, leadership, and social change, inspiring others to challenge the status quo and foster more equitable communities.

Marielle Smith

Marielle Smith is a seasoned People and Talent Leader who specializes in growth-stage technology businesses. Marielle has built and scaled the HR and Talent Acquisition functions at companies like Apigee (acquired by Google), GoodHire (acquired by Checkr), and Narvar. Her professional passions include developing and designing scaling organizations, building a culture of engagement and accountability across distributed teams, mentoring HR/talent professionals, coaching leaders, and building manager support programs. Marielle is a SHRM volunteer member, and has served as the chair of the first US SHRMTech conference, the first Chair of the SHRMNorCal Volunteer Advisory Committee, and an advisor for the SHRMLabs Accelerator Program. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, scuba and making ceramics.

Sharon Fennix

David Rey

David holds a background as a life coach and Area Manager. He recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management from William Jessup University. In his profession, he has made significant contributions to designing and leading training programs, as well as guiding teams through management, team building, and effective communication. 

David’s philosophy is all about putting people first, finding solutions, and enjoying the journey while giving back. After 17 years of incarceration, he has successfully transitioned to a fulfilling professional and personal life, demonstrating remarkable resilience and dedication. His life experiences connect with those he helps, driving his commitment to paying it forward. In his free time, David enjoys social gatherings with friends and fishing, finding relaxation and joy in these activities. His biggest joy and success is being a devoted husband and father.

Mike Renteria

Mike volunteers his time to help men and women transition after a long period of incarceration. Navigating can be overwhelming and sharing his journey with those previously released gives them hope that anything is possible. He also volunteers by going into the prison for events and shares with the community that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Mike is also a strong supporter of individuals who are facing deportation by uplifting them through campaigns in hope’s of giving them a second chance to stay with their family in the United States. He also supports them while in detention centers until they’re home with their families.

Hisham Ali Bob

A native of Richmond, California, Hisham Ali Bob brings a deep personal commitment to advancing opportunities for people impacted by incarceration. With extensive experience in nonprofit development, grant writing, and community engagement, Hisham is passionate about building relationships and securing resources that help Bonafide’s participants thrive. He believes in the power of connection, dignity, and long-term support to transform lives and communities.

DeShawn McDougal

A committed member of his community, deeply dedicated to social and economic justice, particularly for those in the re-entry population. He is passionate about building meaningful connections with diverse communities and advocating for marginalized individuals. With a solid understanding of the resources available in Northern California, Deshawn strives to address the challenges faced by tenants, immigrants, and individuals with low incomes. Deshawn believes that a strong mindset is crucial for achieving success and personal fulfillment. When discipline, strength, confidence, and ambition come together, they create a powerful force capable of overcoming any challenge. With this mindset, he knows that anything is possible.

Ronnie Rogers

While incarcerated, Ronnie served as a certified facilitator for the Alternative to Violence Project (AVP), where he helped coordinate and lead group sessions focused on empathy, communication, and personal accountability. As part of the facilitation team, Ronnie assisted the program coordinator in planning session themes and ensuring that participants were encouraged—not forced—to explore their own behavior and recognize the connections between choices and consequences.

After his release, Ronnie continued his commitment to personal growth and community through his passion for cooking and technology. He completed the Farming Hope program, a San Francisco–based nonprofit that provides transitional employment and training opportunities in culinary arts and urban farming for individuals overcoming barriers to work and housing. Through Farming Hope, Ronnie trained in culinary arts, earned his food handling license, and became a prep cook apprentice, developing both professional kitchen skills and a strong sense of purpose in serving others.

Today, Ronnie brings his experience in leadership, peer support, and culinary arts to every space he’s part of—continuing to grow, mentor, and give back to the community that supported his own transformation.

Paul Loutzenhiser

At 71 years old, Paul is pursuing his certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor while taking courses at Berkeley City College. He recently completed the CalMHSA Peer Support program and is awaiting certification testing. A participant in the CROP reentry program, Paul has found stability and opportunity after 25 years of incarceration.

Deeply committed to community service, Paul has volunteered with Uncommon Law and the Excel Network through the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Before his incarceration, he worked for 19 years as a gas serviceman with PG&E and built three homes in Santa Rosa, reflecting his lifelong love of craftsmanship and working with his hands.

During his incarceration, Paul participated in over 120 self-help programs, facilitated Turning Point distance learning courses, and contributed to charitable initiatives such as raising donations for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and supporting Relay for Life events. He continues to embody perseverance, compassion, and the belief that personal growth and service can transform lives.

Sophia Murillo

Sophia Murillo is a Bay Area native from Berkeley, California, with a deep commitment to community restoration, reentry, and advocacy for system-impacted individuals and families. She brings over two decades of professional experience across finance, business management, and service-driven entrepreneurship, grounded in both lived experience and operational expertise. Sophia’s dedication to reentry work is deeply personal having supported a close family member through 24 years of incarceration and reentry, fueling her passion to support individuals and families returning home with dignity, healing, and hope.