Staff

General inquiries? Contact us at info@helpamotherout.org

Program inquiries? Contact us at program@helpamotherout.org

Lisa Truong, Founder & Executive Director

Lisa is a social entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She has been working across sectors to build public and private partnerships to address diaper need since 2009. Under Lisa’s leadership, Help a Mother Out (“HAMO”) has grown from a grassroots, volunteer-run kitchen table idea to a nationally-recognized, policy-influencing organization with an annual operating budget of $3 million. During her tenure, HAMO established (2015) and operates the nation’s first publicly funded diaper program, the San Francisco Diaper Bank, in partnership with the City and County of San Francisco. Prior to her work with HAMO, she held roles at Tides Foundation, among other nonprofits. Lisa is a 1.5 generation immigrant and grew up in the Bay Area. A first-generation college graduate, she received her B.A. from the University of California, at Berkeley. She currently lives in Oakland with her two boys. In her spare time, you'll likely find her taking a dance class or hiking in the redwoods.

Emily Knight, Chief of Staff and Board Liaison, emily@helpamotherout.org

Emily came to Help a Mother Out from Los Angeles where she worked as the Development Manager for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles. She brings with her over fifteen years of development and operations experience, having previously worked for a local hospice, an international aid charity, the pioneer of venture philanthropy in the UK, and a wraparound youth services provider. Emily received her MS in International Childhood Studies from Birkbeck College – University of London, and her BS in Anthropology from Santa Clara University. She currently lives with her husband and her dog, and in her free time, you will find her reading, cooking, walking, and eating all delicious foods. Emily is passionate about ensuring that all people and all communities have access to the resources that they need to live and thrive, and she is excited to assist Help a Mother Out with leveling up so that they can continue to do good.

Kristen Eaton, Program Director, kristen@helpamotherout.org

Kristen joined HAMO after completing a Master of Public Administration at NYU's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where they specialized in Advocacy and Political Action. Their final Capstone project, partnering with Day One, provided research and developed materials to support a campaign to pass a comprehensive sexual education bill in the New York legislature. Prior to returning to school, Kristen held a variety of administrative positions with clinical, academic, and nonprofit organizations, including UCSF's Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program, Harvard Law School's Islamic Legal Studies Program, and the Center for Community Alternatives' Youth Services Program. Kristen also holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a certificate in Baking and Pastry from the Culinary Institute of America. They spend their spare time hiking and participating in puzzle hunts.

Tennema Sirleaf, Senior Program Coordinator, tennema@helpamotherout.org

Tennema joins HAMO after receiving her Bachelors of Science in Public Health with a minor in Sociology from Northern Arizona University. Tennema relocated to the Bay Area from San Diego, CA. Before joining HAMO, Tennema received her certification to become a health education specialist. In her undergrad, Tennema worked as a resident assistant. This coupled with her background in public health allowed her to help develop intervention projects to teach university students practical steps they can take to lead healthier lifestyles. After graduation, Tennema served as a patient resource coordinator at a primary care and urgent care in San Diego, CA where she helped to create educational materials for patients. In her spare time, Tennema enjoys DIY projects and exploring all that the Bay Area has to offer. 

Lisa's photo: courtesy of In Her Image Photography, Emily’s photo: courtesy of Morgan Shidler Photography