Waterside Staff
The creation of Waterside Workshops served a two-fold purpose, addressing the need for alternative approaches to education as a part of a healthy community and revitalizing highly under-used buildings in an urban park. Our staff and board members are artisans, tradesmen, mechanics, and teachers from a variety of backgrounds whose lives have all been greatly influenced by their exposure to handcrafts and skills.
Board Member
Our executive director believes that the only way to lead is from the ground-level. Born and raised in rural North Carolina by traditional artisans, she spent her young life getting her hands dirty working in a blacksmith’s shop and on the family farm. Upon going to college, she chose to study architecture, because it seemed to fuse her passion for preserving the environment, and inspiration as an artist, but quickly found it required too much time quietly working in an office. At Waterside, she oversees fundraising, budgeting projects, organizing staff and interns, and ensures the activities of the organization serve the community to the fullest extent possible. She is committed to going the extra mile for young people in need, even if that means walking most of the way.
Former Intern
Former Intern
Former Intern
Gio is a former youth interns who is now a full time staff member. An Oakland native, he serves as a mentor to our younger staff and interns, and brings a passion for local bicycle culture to Waterside.
Former Intern
Former Intern
Former Intern
For those of you who knew Henri as a boat shop intern a few years ago….. you probably won’t recognize him now! He’s grown at least 3 feet since coming to Waterside, and his skills have grown right along with him. He was trained by Justin, and now pours artful latte art of his own.
Board Member
Neil brings five years of fundraising and nonprofit administration experience. Prior to joining Waterside, Neil worked at Bike Works, a similar youth focused nonprofit in Seattle, and Pacific Forest Trust in San Francisco. Neil believes that the bicycle is a vehicle of empowerment, an amazing tool for experiential education, and the key to building sustainable communities.
Former Intern
Justin started as a boat shop intern when he was just a youngin’, shortly before his 13th birthday. Over the years, he has worked in our cafe, and has become a very skilled third-wave barista. He is now one of our bicycle mechanics at Street Level Cycles.
Danny has worked in the bicycle industry for 12 years. He enjoys bicycling of all kinds from commuting to cruising, but his passion is racing. Most Saturday’s he can be found in the far-reaches of California competing in mountain bike races. He is excited to be working in a shop that is built around re-use, education, and community.
Former Intern
Former Intern
Board Member
Born and raised in the Azores Islands, Helder developed a love of traditional boats as a very young child. Helder is a UC Berkeley alumni holding a degree in Archeology. His academic studies took him around the world studying ancient cultures and often studying their watercraft. Tiring of academic pursuits, and craving working with his hands, Helder moved back to California to study traditional wooden boat building, but continued his connection with is homeland. Helder has worked in the Azores not only as an underwater archaeologist, but has also apprenticed with one of the last master Azorean whaleboat builders. His passion “for all things maritime Portuguese” has also taken him to mainland Portugal where he has worked with traditional bateira builders of the Aveiro region of northern Portugal. He hopes to educate people young and old, as well as further his own knowledge of the time-honored craft, and to establish a community of people who are passionate about wooden boats.
Former Intern
Chaco is head of security at Waterside. He tirelessly patrols the perimeter and protects the ducks from passing dogs. He also assists with boat rentals, and is a good listener when someone is having a bad day. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with Cricket, going to the beach, and taking long walks.
Cricket is vice president of security at Waterside. She also helps keep all of the basketballs put away in the courtyard, and is happy to help if someone can’t quite finish what they brought for lunch. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with Chaco and her friend Hank. She doesn’t want money for her work at waterside, but instead prefers to be paid in “schnackey”.
Board Members
Petrina Alexander
WorkAbility I Site Director & CaPROMISE Program Manager, TSA, Oakland Unified School District
Petrina brings over a decade of experience in the Oakland public school system.
Erika Weissinger
PhD, UC Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy
Board Treasurer
Erika brings years of experience in Public Policy regarding Foster Care and Youth Services. Her professional experience includes extensive research and evaluation of outcomes from the Child Welfare System, and her personal life is reflective of her passion for making sure children of all backgrounds have access to their basic needs. Erika is also a successful fundraiser and has already helped Waterside procure many in-kind donations.
Charles Hammond
PhD, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education
Board President
Both in his doctorate studies and at Waterside Workshops, Charles focuses on childhood education in alternative learning environments, specifically as it pertains to bicycle mechanics. Charles helps with structuring and planning the bicycle mechanics program and raising funds from private foundations and corporations.
Neil Larsen
Assistant Director, Waterside Workshops
Neil brings five years of fundraising and nonprofit administration experience. Prior to joining Waterside, Neil worked at Bike Works, a similar youth focused nonprofit in Seattle, and Pacific Forest Trust in San Francisco. Neil believes that the bicycle is a vehicle of empowerment, an amazing tool for experiential education, and the key to building sustainable communities.
Andrew Murray
Project Manager, SAP
Andrew brings an extensive background in sailing and a passion for all things nautical. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for boating with youth. He lives in Albany with his family.
Amber Rich
Waterside Workshops Executive Director
Our executive director believes that the only way to lead is from the ground-level. Born and raised in rural North Carolina by traditional artisans, she spent her young life getting her hands dirty working in a blacksmith’s shop and on the family farm. Upon going to college, she chose to study architecture, because it seemed to fuse her passion for preserving the environment, and inspiration as an artist, but quickly found it required too much time quietly working in an office. At Waterside, she oversees fundraising, budgeting projects, organizing staff and interns, and ensures the activities of the organization serve the community to the fullest extent possible. She is committed to going the extra mile for young people in need, even if that means walking most of the way.
Helder Parreira
Berkeley Boathouse Program Director
Board Secretary
Born and raised in the Azores Islands, Helder developed a love of traditional boats as a very young child. Helder is a UC Berkeley alumni holding a degree in Archeology. His academic studies took him around the world studying ancient cultures and often studying their watercraft. Tiring of academic pursuits, and craving working with his hands, Helder moved back to California to study traditional wooden boat building, but continued his connection with is homeland. Helder has worked in the Azores not only as an underwater archaeologist, but has also apprenticed with one of the last master Azorean whaleboat builders. His passion “for all things maritime Portuguese” has also taken him to mainland Portugal where he has worked with traditional bateira builders of the Aveiro region of northern Portugal. He hopes to educate people young and old, as well as further his own knowledge of the time-honored craft, and to establish a community of people who are passionate about wooden boats.
