The Team

Davy Zepusanbu, Founder and Chief Executive Director of Samiya Sanctuary, brings over 15 years of nonprofit experience focused on sustainable practices, community development, and environmental restoration. Under his leadership, Samiya Sanctuary has assisted in managing USDA and Forest Service grants, while also assisting other organizations in obtaining NRCS grants for conservation. Davy's nonprofit work extends across numerous faith-based and environmental nonprofits in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Counties, as well as internationally. His global contributions include hundreds of community support projects across Tibet, Nepal, southern China, Taiwan, and Australia. Before founding Samiya Sanctuary, Davy developed his financial expertise at international firms, leading initiatives that generated over $150 million in annual revenue. His extensive experience continues to drive impactful environmental and community-focused efforts, both locally and internationally.

Deeply committed to working with mission-driven organizations that contribute to meaningful social impact in their communities, Barbara has over 20 years of experience delivering strategic guidance to foundations, NGOs, corporations, governing bodies, nonprofits, and public agencies. 

As an executive at one of the twenty largest foundations in the U.S., The California Endowment, she spearheaded major public policy reforms in public safety and education, and managed annual budgets of $20-$30M. Barbara has expertise in program development and evaluation, having created community policing initiatives with the Seattle Police Department, managed the King County Drug Court, and served as a social policy researcher with the RAND Corporation.

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Barbara has deep domain expertise in public safety and community resilience, both in the U.S. and internationally. She has served as volunteer lead in her local community in developing fire safe councils and neighborhood resilience networks.

Barbara holds a B.A. in Government from Pomona College and an M.A. in Education with high honors from Seattle University, as well as certificates in Organizational Change from UCLA Anderson School of Business and Positive Psychology from University of Pennsylvania.

Kristin M. Schilling is a skilled financial professional with extensive experience in nonprofit financial management and grant funding. She has overseen multi-million-dollar annual budgets for foundations, managing grant allocations, payroll, bill payments, reconciliations, and audits. Kristin has also handled all aspects of federal and state-funded grants, financial reporting, and audits for an organization supporting low-income families. As a controller for a historic client founded in 1912, she collaborated with board members and auditors to maintain financial integrity, prepare budgets, and support grant acquisition and compliance, showcasing her commitment to transparency and organizational growth.

With over 20 years of international experience in Italy, China, Guatemala, and Japan, Michelle Myra has developed and implemented project-based learning programs that integrate American Common Core Standards. She has organized initiatives such as guest speaker events and student-led fundraisers, connecting workshop learning to community involvement. Michelle has also collaborated with administrators to enhance educational programs and managed HR functions, including recruitment, conflict resolution, and staff development. Her expertise in strategic planning and community outreach has made a significant impact on educational and organizational growth.

Ada Zhou brings over a decade of experience managing high-profile pharmaceutical projects both domestically and internationally, successfully coordinating multi-million-dollar funding for research and development initiatives in countries such as Japan, Singapore, China and the United States. Her expertise includes overseeing clinical trials, navigating complex regulatory environments, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. In addition, Ada has four years of experience working on environmental and government projects, including leading a sustainable water management initiative in California and contributing to policy development for renewable energy projects in partnership with local governments.

Claudia Vanessa Gamez serves as the Program Coordinator for Samiya Sanctuary, bringing extensive expertise in community relationship operations across San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. She has successfully coordinated infrastructure and team-building projects, effectively managing community inquiries and responses related to grant leadership. Claudia holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Brand Management from Anahuac del Sur University.

Karen Braveheart is a seasoned attorney specializing in civil litigation, business law, and compliance, with expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, and risk management. She has held key positions at The Sanders Firm, Heidell Pittoni Murphy & Bach, and Travelers Insurance, where she managed complex cases and achieved successful outcomes. Karen has also taught at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and UCSD, sharing her knowledge to inspire future legal professionals.

Miguel Cotero brings extensive experience in office operations and team management, with a strong background in marketing and promotion. He excels in onboarding and offboarding team members, tracking expenses, and ensuring staffing efficiency. With a keen eye for detail, Miguel analyzes financial data to identify opportunities for operational improvement, making him a vital asset in optimizing team performance and supporting organizational growth.