Our Team

 
Isaac Buwembo, Co-FounderIsaac is passionate about helping business and society find a better way through market-based mechanisms, localized solutions and social innovation. He has over 5 years of experience in healthcare improvement and the not-for-profit sector focused on organizational development and measurement & evaluation. Since completing his MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts, he’s worked with and advised early stage startups in the medical device and health & wellness space on business strategy, business development and operations.

Isaac Buwembo, Co-Founder

Isaac is passionate about helping business and society find a better way through market-based mechanisms, localized solutions and social innovation. He has over 5 years of experience in healthcare improvement and the not-for-profit sector focused on organizational development and measurement & evaluation. Since completing his MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts, he’s worked with and advised early stage startups in the medical device and health & wellness space on business strategy, business development and operations.

 
Graham Gardner, Co-FounderGraham is passionate about helping communities activate entrepreneurship and creativity to build new, sustainable economies. Graham is passionate about helping communities activate entrepreneurship and creativity to build new, sustainable economies. He combines a journalism and not-for-profit background with an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts. He has consulted with social enterprises and not-for-profits focused on building more sustainable food systems and improving public health. Previously, he co-founded MEDIA One, a not-for-profit based in Cambodia that creates compelling television and radio programs to promote social development.

Graham Gardner, Co-Founder

Graham is passionate about helping communities activate entrepreneurship and creativity to build new, sustainable economies. Graham is passionate about helping communities activate entrepreneurship and creativity to build new, sustainable economies. He combines a journalism and not-for-profit background with an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts. He has consulted with social enterprises and not-for-profits focused on building more sustainable food systems and improving public health. Previously, he co-founded MEDIA One, a not-for-profit based in Cambodia that creates compelling television and radio programs to promote social development.

Siya Green, 2017 Summer Fellow

Siya is the inaugural Civil Labs Summer Fellow and an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley (2018 expected graduation). Click to read Siya's bio.

 
 
 

Our Advisors

Catherine Trujillo
Vice President of Business Development, Rubicon Bakers
In her role as the head of business development for Rubicon, a Richmond-based social enterprise, Catherine develops and manages relationships with clients including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market. She previously served as the Global Project Coordinator for bakery at Whole Foods Market.

Danielle Hamaker
Food Scientist, Kagome Inc.
Danielle is a food scientist with a focus on regulatory and thermal processes. She is a nutrition specialist with years of experience in leading food companies including Kagome Inc. and Mattson.

Konda Mason
Co-Founder & CEO of Impact HUB Oakland
Before co-founding the award winning co-working space in Oakland she co-founded Yoganics, an organic food business in Los Angeles, where she successfully brought to market the first organic produce section in a major grocery store in the LA area.

Marilyn Gardner
Chief Financial Officer, De La Salle High School (retired); Board, John Muir Health (retired)
Most recently managed $20m building development project at De La Salle High School. Served in John Muir board for 9 years and chaired committees on finance and audit.

Paul Gardner
Senior VP of Business Banking, First Republic Bank (retired); School Board Member, San Ramon Valley Unified School District (retired)
Currently sits on the credit committee for First Republic. Over 40 years experience in banking, including with Bank of America and First Republic.

Rick Cronk
Co-Owner & President of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream (retired); National President, Boy Scouts of America (retired); Chairman, World Scout Committee (retired)
In 1977 Dreyer’s was exclusively in the San Francisco Bay Area and had annual sales of $6 million. At the time of his retirement, Dreyer’s was the nation’s largest manufacturer and distributor of premium and super-premium ice cream brands with annual revenues that exceeded $2 billion.

Robert Lattimore
Senior Vice President, Main Street Launch  
In his role as Senior Vice President, Robert provides business advising and financing strategy advising to entrepreneurs, particularly African American entrepreneurs. He formerly served as COO of AnewAmerica Community Corporation and AnewAmerica CDFI. He has over 35 years experience in the public, private and economic development sectors.