Our Team
Sam Piha
Founder and Co-Director
Sam Piha is the founder and principal of Temescal Associates, a consulting group dedicated to building the capacity of leaders and organizations in education and youth development who are serious about improving the lives of young people. Sam began his career in 1974 as an afterschool worker, an experience that led to 10 years of classroom teaching, and later work as a child and family counselor and school social worker. Between 1989 and 2001, Sam developed and managed school-based youth programs at the regional and national levels.
In 1996, Sam joined the Community Network for Youth Development, to help launch and serve as Managing Director of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, a large public and private partnership dedicated to transforming public schools into vibrant community centers serving youth in the afterschool hours. When California began it’s unprecedented expansion of state-funded afterschool programs, Sam help shape the growing afterschool movement in California. He chaired and served on several key state committees and joined with others to build a state-wide system of support for new programs, align state afterschool policies with youth development principles, and successfully support the launch of the state’s After School Safety and Education for Teens, a large state-wide high school afterschool initiative.
Sam has served as editor and contributing author of several important practice guides and journal articles on afterschool programming. He has received several awards including California Afterschool Network's Innovation in High School After School Leadership and Vision (2010), being named by NAA as One of 25 Most Influential People in the Afterschool Community (2014), and Region 2's Trailblazer Award (2019) Sam holds a Masters Degree in Social Welfare, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the father of Max.
Founder and Co-Director
Sam Piha is the founder and principal of Temescal Associates, a consulting group dedicated to building the capacity of leaders and organizations in education and youth development who are serious about improving the lives of young people. Sam began his career in 1974 as an afterschool worker, an experience that led to 10 years of classroom teaching, and later work as a child and family counselor and school social worker. Between 1989 and 2001, Sam developed and managed school-based youth programs at the regional and national levels.
In 1996, Sam joined the Community Network for Youth Development, to help launch and serve as Managing Director of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, a large public and private partnership dedicated to transforming public schools into vibrant community centers serving youth in the afterschool hours. When California began it’s unprecedented expansion of state-funded afterschool programs, Sam help shape the growing afterschool movement in California. He chaired and served on several key state committees and joined with others to build a state-wide system of support for new programs, align state afterschool policies with youth development principles, and successfully support the launch of the state’s After School Safety and Education for Teens, a large state-wide high school afterschool initiative.
Sam has served as editor and contributing author of several important practice guides and journal articles on afterschool programming. He has received several awards including California Afterschool Network's Innovation in High School After School Leadership and Vision (2010), being named by NAA as One of 25 Most Influential People in the Afterschool Community (2014), and Region 2's Trailblazer Award (2019) Sam holds a Masters Degree in Social Welfare, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the father of Max.
Ren (Stacey) Daraio
Co-Director
Ren (Stacey) Daraio brings over 25 years of experience working in the field of youth development as a facilitator, trainer, and coach. She has experience training and coaching diverse audience groups, from afterschool practitioners and parents to funders and technical assistance providers.
As a Temescal Associate, Ren has conducted high school trainings and learning communities based on Temescal’s Bedrock to Rooftop framework. Prior to her work with Temescal Associates, Ren was the Deputy Director at the Community Network for Youth Development and a consultant for the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. She holds a BA in Theater and Psychology and a MA in Drama Therapy.
Co-Director
Ren (Stacey) Daraio brings over 25 years of experience working in the field of youth development as a facilitator, trainer, and coach. She has experience training and coaching diverse audience groups, from afterschool practitioners and parents to funders and technical assistance providers.
As a Temescal Associate, Ren has conducted high school trainings and learning communities based on Temescal’s Bedrock to Rooftop framework. Prior to her work with Temescal Associates, Ren was the Deputy Director at the Community Network for Youth Development and a consultant for the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. She holds a BA in Theater and Psychology and a MA in Drama Therapy.
Samantha Fasen
Office Manager
Samantha is the newest member of Temescal Associates and helps with all the daily office duties. She enjoys painting and creating art. She works as a videographer and graphic designer on the side. Her work can be viewed at www.behance.net/soanti.
Office Manager
Samantha is the newest member of Temescal Associates and helps with all the daily office duties. She enjoys painting and creating art. She works as a videographer and graphic designer on the side. Her work can be viewed at www.behance.net/soanti.
Rozel Cruz
Project Consultant
Rozel Cruz has a long history in working with non-profits. She joined Temescal Associates in 2010 and currently serves as a consultant focusing on Project Management. In her other life, she is a licensed Nail Artist.
Project Consultant
Rozel Cruz has a long history in working with non-profits. She joined Temescal Associates in 2010 and currently serves as a consultant focusing on Project Management. In her other life, she is a licensed Nail Artist.
Max Piha
Graphic Design, Event Photography, and Media Consultant
Max graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in communications. He serves as a Temescal Associate responsible for the design of our digital badges and the use of social media. Max is also a very successful club DJ, using the name DJ Mackswell, and you can view his work and hear unique mixes by clicking here.
Graphic Design, Event Photography, and Media Consultant
Max graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in communications. He serves as a Temescal Associate responsible for the design of our digital badges and the use of social media. Max is also a very successful club DJ, using the name DJ Mackswell, and you can view his work and hear unique mixes by clicking here.
