CONNECT with the CityStaff Bios
Grace Bagunu (Grace)
Grace Bagunu is a Program Manager for DRE and has been with the City since June 2023. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Grace is happy to call San Diego home after living here for almost 2 decades.
As a Program Manager, Grace focuses on Equity Centered Coaching and trainings for city employees. As an educator and lifelong learner, Grace feels one of the best parts of the job is the personal growth that comes from empowering and developing others. This role requires staying up to date with what’s happening around San Diego and keeping an eye out for opportunities to make San Diego an equitable place for the diverse groups of people who call this City home, an aspect of the role that Grace appreciates.
When not working, Grace enjoys sunsets, foodie adventures, and walking Luke and Leia, two rescue dogs from Tijuana. Grace also likes taking care of plants, playing the ukulele, and every year looks forward to Comic-Con and chances to travel the world.
Lisa Ann Kim (she/her)
Lisa Ann Kim joined the City of San Diego's Department of Race and Equity in July 2023. She currently serves as a Program Manager leading the department's Learning and Development work, to create and facilitate a portfolio of trainings that equip City employees and departments to move equitable systems change.
Lisa Ann is a native of Baltimore, where she started her career as a middle school math teacher. Most recently, she was a project manager with the Baltimore City Public Schools District, working in strategic planning, curriculum writing, teacher coaching, and youth engagement. She also brings previous experience in policy research and analysis with the Maryland General Assembly. Outside of work, Lisa Ann enjoys exploring new restaurants with her husband and doing CrossFit.
Yey Morales (they/them)
Yey Morales is a Program Coordinator with DRE, joining the team in June 2023. They received a Master’s degree from UCLA in Higher Education and Organizational Change, and a double Bachelor’s degree from UCSD in Ethnic Studies and Urban Studies & Planning.
They share the same mission and passion as their colleagues for promoting consciousness around systemic racism and social justice. They previously led the Youth Services Team at the San Diego LGBT Community Center and served as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Life, Diversity, and Leadership for Claremont Graduate University.
For Yey, much of this drive can be traced to lived experience and academic exposure. They come from a Latinx immigrant family where their parents encouraged them to pursue higher education and meaningful work. Their older brother shared that inspiration, currently working as a municipal employee for their hometown of La Puente. As a non-binary trans masc person, advocacy for gender inclusivity is another guiding passion in their work and personal life.
Salina Villegas
Salina is a dedicated systems thinker who comes from at least six generations of family born and raised in the city of San Diego. With a deep understanding of the local community and its unique challenges, Salina has dedicated her life to understanding power and its relationship to the “isms” we created to practice supremacy over each other and our land.
Currently, Salina’s role in the Department of Race & Equity as a “Data, Evaluation, and Community Impact Manager” involves developing content and facilitating trainings, workshops, and programs focused on advancing racial equity and inclusion for city departments, Mayoral appointees, and City Council offices. Salina also works closely with City departments to collect, analyze, and use data to inform decision-making, evaluate programs and initiatives, and track progress toward achieving equity goals.
Folks can find Salina frequenting community-based coffee shops and sharing resources with her village on social media. Salina is a mother to two growing humans, a partner to a hard-working civil rights advocate, and a sibling to anyone in/of struggle.
Helen Gaim Weldeghiorgis (she/her/hers)
Helen’s parents arrived on Kumeyaay land in the mid-1980’s as Eritrean refugees; she and her 3 older siblings grew up in Oak Park and Encanto. Helen’s career has spanned classroom teaching, student affairs and non-profit management – but no matter the sector, public service has always been at the heart of her work. As such, in July 2022, she was honored to join the City of San Diego’s Department of Race & Equity as a Program Manager. As the lead for Policy & Systems Change, Helen uses her time and talent to (re)design processes to mitigate disparities and yield more equitable outcomes.
Helen enjoys doing the same things at work as she does outside of work- making connections and meaning with people she cares for, in service of her community. Her favorite hobbies include playing tabletop games, visiting the Pacific Ocean and any other creative pursuit (especially in nature!)
Andrea Marie "Andie" Ongaco (she/they)
Andie joined the Department of Race and Equity in April 2024. A San Diego native and daughter of immigrants, she brings a deep commitment to fostering equity and sustainability for the city she grew up in. Currently, she is earning degrees in Urban Planning and Real Estate at UC San Diego, where their senior capstone project explored solutions to the binational sewage crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Andie’s vision focuses on collective care and the transition to sustainable and economically viable systems. Andie has actively engaged students and community members through initiatives at the City of San Diego, UC San Diego, and other local government offices. She enjoys going around their hometown like a tourist, trying new places to eat, and visiting local libraries and parks.
Le Khuong Vo (he/him)
Le Khuong Vo joined the City of San Diego’s Department of Race and Equity (DRE) in August 2024. As a DRE intern, he assists in compiling training site resources and standardizing processes to facilitate training sessions.
Le is a business administration major at San Diego State University. He shares that his experience at the DRE has been incredibly rewarding, allowing him to meet passionate individuals dedicated to equity implementation within the city. Le looks forward to further contributing to the team and advancing their objectives. Outside of work, Le enjoys relaxing at home and spending time on personal interests.
Marley Porter
Marley Porter is a student intern with the Race and Equity department, working with the city since 2023. Originally from Northern California, she’s spent the past four years studying in San Diego. In her role, Marley has been excited to assist with training sessions, data collection, and brainstorming creative ideas for future designs and reports. She’s passionate about contributing to the vital work that helps make San Diego the vibrant city it is today.
Outside of work, Marley enjoys relaxing with her cat, taking walks along Sunset Cliffs, and spending time with friends.
Mark Altherr (he/him)
Mark Altherr is a Management Information Systems major at San Diego State University with a strong interest in project management and technical projects. Originally from Park City, Utah, Mark grew up skiing at Park City Mountain Resort, which fostered a love for outdoor activities. At the Department of Race & Equity, Mark is contributing to the development of a San Diego timeline to enhance information sharing and publicity. On weekends, he enjoys playing pickleball and staying active.