Playspace Staff

Maricela Ordoñez Turner
Exploration & Engagement Associate

Hi, my name is Maricela! I was born in Oakland, raised in San Leandro, and I am currently attending SFSU. I am majoring in Race and Resistance Studies, minoring in Early Childhood Education, and my goal is to become a dual immersion elementary public school teacher.

Rachel Parrish
Exploration & Engagement Associate

Hi! I am a Bay Area native born in Oakland and currently residing in San Leandro. I have over 15+ years of experience working with children in a myriad of ways including mental health support, counseling, autism behavior services, and play based preschool development support. I love spending time with my daughter and husband adventuring around California and the Hawaiian Islands.

Jacqueline Wong
Exploration & Engagement Associate

Hi Everypony! I’m Jackie! I’m a San Leandro local, currently attending Chabot College! I love working with kids, getting involved in the community, and trying new food spots around the Bay Area. I hope to see you at the coolest corner in San Leandro soon!

Christian Harris
Exploration & Engagement Associate

Hello! My name is Christian! I recently moved to San Leandro last year and I've fallen in love with the area and community! I'm excited to support Juniper's Corner and all the families that come in to play!

Tori Chiu
Intern, Graphic Design & Party Support

Hii, my name is Tori and I am a senior at San Leandro HS. I joined Juniper Corner’s journey because I believe life-long learners and their ingenuity are shaped through immersive play! Outside of school, I love playing badminton, running, and building legos.

Bri Best
Intern, Special Event Support

Hi, my name is Bri. I have lifelong experience working in child development and school settings, and I love to contribute my bright spirit and imaginative personality. I feel Juniper Corner contributes to a fun play time learning environment that will bring children memories and space to be free.

Eve King
Executive Director

Hi friends, my name is Eve. I founded Juniper Corner is 2023 because I believe that play is foundational for child development, and that parents thrive when they find community. I grew up in San Francisco and am a proud San Leandro mom of three! I like basketball, painting and juggling.

Board of Directors

Eve King
Founder & Executive Director

San Leandro mom of three and longtime youth programs leader excited to bring the community together through play.

Caitlin Kent
Board President

Director of Curriculum at Visa. Former bilingual educator, mountain wanderer, veggie grower and Oakland mom.

Cynthia Gonzalez Garcia
Board Vice President

School Counselor in Hayward Unified School District, San Leandro mom of three.

Marty Espe
Board Treasurer

MBA, entrepreneur, tech startup CFO, local dad.

Alfredo Guardado
Board Secretary

Community Programs Director at the Bayview-Hunter’s Point YMCA (SF).

Jen Heth
Board Member

Public relations professional, neighborhood association and Parent-Teacher Association volunteer, San Leandro mom.

Lauren Fischer
Board Member

San Leandro small business owner, former data analyst, mom of three.

AaLeiyah DeSimas
Board Member

Montessori educator, DEIB practitioner, founder and principal consultant at Ubuntu Consulting, local mom.

Celan Beausoleil
Board Member

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Director of Youth Chance High School (SF), San Leandro mom.

Buildout Team

Brian Barneclo
Muralist

Eve King
Founder of Juniper Corner

Laura Hughes
Perennial Architecture

Lead architect and local mom

Kasey Elliot
Perennial Architecture

Lead project designer

Jeff King
Jeff King & Co Construction

General Contractor

Max Chao
Jeff King & Co Construction

Project manager

Allie Traschel
Collaborator

Project support

Yingbo Paul Qiao
Collaborator

Signage and visuals

Operations

Ava Elliott

Data and impact consultant, systems and operations support. Local mom.

Marte Espe

Operations, compliance, financial oversight. Local dad.

Volunteers

Student Volunteers!

We have partnerships with student service organizations at San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Arroyo High Schools, and welcome any young people who’d like to contribute their time! Volunteer roles including helping with setup or cleanup, facilitating activities, checking in families, playing with kids, and running the snack station.
Volunteering with Juniper Corner is a great way to earn community service credit and gain work experience.