OUR TEAM

Elaine Abelaye-Mateo

she/her/hers

Founder

Elaine Abelaye-Mateo is our visionary and accomplished leader who is also the Founder of EIC. As an innovative social change executive with a passion for building meaningful relationships to create social good, Elaine is recognized for her forward-thinking and collective approaches towards solving social issues.

Her portfolio includes California’s largest philanthropic institutions and complex, multi-sector statewide initiatives. Elaine has founded several organizations in addition to EIC, including Sacramento Building Healthy Communities and the APIs RISE Fund, a grantmaking organization that has contributed nearly $200,000 to local organizations. She has received awards from OCA Sacramento (Women of Influence Award), Sacramento Cultural Hub (Exceptional Woman of Color) and Sacramento Housing Alliance (inaugural Equity Award). Elaine earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Systems and holds an MA in Management and a BA in Communications.

Cristiana Baik

she/her/hers

Deputy Director of Strategy and Growth

cristiana@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Cristiana Kyung-Hye Baik serves as EIC’s Deputy Director of Strategy and Growth. As a first generation immigrant from a working class family, Cristiana has long been committed to a radical vision of the future, one where everyone has the resources to not only survive, but thrive.

Prior to EIC, she worked in the nonprofit sector in development and fundraising, including serving as the Director of Development and Communications at East Bay Community Law Center, Deputy Director of Development at the Low Income Investment Fund, and as Director of Development at Richmond Area Multi-Services. Cristiana also is deeply committed to writing and the arts; she serves as the Board Chair of the Kearny Street Workshop. She holds a BA in Gender Studies and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa.

Doua Thor

Chief Impact officer

doua@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Doua’s previous experience includes serving as the Vice President of Strategy and Influence at Sobrato Philanthropies, where she spearheaded impactful programs on education, racial equity & justice, and climate to name a few. Before Sobrato, Doua served as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under President Obama, championing AAPI communities across the nation. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center focused on supporting refugee communities from Southeast Asia for almost a decade.

As Chief Impact Officer, Doua plays a pivotal role in shaping EIC’s strategic direction, driving innovation, and maximizing our reach and impact. She supports our firm’s commitment to engaging and building alongside visionary leaders and organizations that advance equity and drive transformative social change.

Megan Sapigao

she/her

Director of Special Projects

megan@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Megan Sapigao is a third generation biracial Filipina daughter, mom, and community leader, who was born and raised in Sacramento. With her background in both Ethnic and Women's Studies, most of her adult life has been focused on community organizing and systems change. She was a co-founder, and later stepped on as a Co-Executive Director, of the Asian American Liberation Network (AALN). Megan spent the last three years developing the non profit organization's grassroots mission to build power in the regional Asian American community. There, Megan led AALN's administration, operations, fund development, and media work. She also helped to usher in and advance some of AALN's most critical programming, including their COVID health equity and vaccine ambassadorship projects, and their fiscal sponsorship and mentorship initiative.

Currently, Megan serves on the executive board for the Sacramento Filipino Political Action Committee (Sac Fil PAC), is a current Board Director for the Pacific Rim Heritage Foundation (PRHF), and is the immediate past President of the Philippine National Day Association (PNDA). She has co-chaired the Ethnic Studies Now initiative in the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) resulting in the adoption of their high school Ethnic Studies elective course, and just completed two terms as an appointee for the EGUSD Finance Committee.

Chloe Azurin

she/her/siya

Program Assistant

chloe@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Chloe Azurin serves as an EIC Program Assistant across several portfolios. As a 1.5-generation Filipina, her lived experience informs her educational and professional goals. As the first of her family to attend college in the United States, Chloe graduated with a BA from UC Davis in 2021 and departmental honors in Anthropology. Along with her cultural anthropology major, she also minored in Global International Studies with her research focus on Pilipinx Feminist Expression Within the Diaspora’s Values. Chloe also served as an intern for the Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies where she worked on the Mental Health and Education team, developing soft research proposals to disaggregate data on the acculturative differences across siblings in immigrant families.

While in undergrad, Chloe worked as an early childhood educator at an elementary school in East Sacramento. She created cultural diversity curriculum and learning materials for young learners not yet present at the school. With each step forward, Chloe aims to amplify the voices of the invisibilized and work towards equity for all.

George Vang

Program Assistant

george@everydayimpactconsulting.com

George Vang serves as one of EIC’s Program Assistants. As a second-generation Hmong American. George was born in North Sacramento and after graduating middle school, moved to Twin Cities, Minnesota. During his 15 years in Minnesota, George gained crucial life experience that shaped his desire to work with communities.

Right before the COVID-19 outbreak, George decided to move back to California and pursue higher education. He first attended Sacramento City College to get his Associate Arts for Transfer in Communications, and then California State University Sacramento, where he graduated this past May with a Bachelors degree in Public Relations with Cum Laude Honors. While at Sac State, George had the honor of becoming a national debater in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, co-founded Allied Students for Justice, and participated in the Cal State DC Scholars Program this past spring.

His combined lived and academic experience continues to fuel his passion for community and power building, encouraging others, and spreading kindness especially for youth.

Ruthie Alvarado

Intern

Ruthie Alvarado currently studies at Cosumnes River College majoring in Biology and hopes to transfer to UC Davis for her last two years of college. After attending UC Davis, Ruthie wants to pursue a career in the medical field.

At Everyday Impact Counseling, Ruthie hopes to help communities to her best ability, aiming to help underprivileged communities get their necessities to live to their full potential. Ruthie joined Everyday Impact Counseling with these goals in mind and is confident she can help.

Madysen Locke

Intern

Currently working towards her degree in business and human resource management at UH Manoa, Madysen hopes to expand her knowledge of working with a social justice-based firm.

As an intern for Everyday Impact Consulting, she is hoping to sharpen her skills in administration and support the vital work that the entire team does on a daily basis.

Vince Sales

he/him

Chief Executive Officer

vince@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Vince A. Sales serves as EIC’s Chief Executive Officer at EIC. He has 30 years of experience in creating long-term sustainability for higher education institutions, non-profit organizations and philanthropic foundations. At EIC, he has raised funds for Improve Your Tomorrow, Council on American-Islamic Relations–SV/CC, My Sister’s House, Foster Youth Education Fund, Asian American Liberation Network, UC Davis Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies,California Hmong Advocates Network/Building Our Future, Little Manila Rising, among other organizations.

Vince has also served on the board of directors of San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento nonprofits and civic organizations, and nationally through the Asian and Pacific Americans in Higher Education. He is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum, Mountain Valley Chapter. Vince earned his BA in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley (with high distinction) and an MPA with an emphasis in nonprofit administration from San Francisco State University. .

Lio Saephan

Director of Human Resources and Finance

lio@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Lio Saephan is EIC’s Director of Human Resources and Finance. She has over two decades of experience providing executive management and leadership team guidance and delivering strategic functions in human resources and operations management in diverse fields within both the public and private sectors. Lio is a deeply trusted leader in all HR functions in promoting diversity, transparency and inclusion in the workforce and communities.

Beyond her professional work, Lio has volunteered her time and services to support underserved communities. While working at the Mutual Assistance Network, a non-profit organization, she started the Adopt-a-Child gift program, which delivers gifts to children and families. She has also served on the boards of multiple organizations, including Sacramento Metro Lions Club,serving as President, as well as a member of the California Advisory Counselor for the State Fair. Lio holds a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology.

Maikhou Thao

she/her/hers

Director of Movement-Building Initiatives

maikhou@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Maikhou Thao Maikhou Thao serves as EIC’s Director of Movement-Building Initiatives. Maikhou is deeply passionate about and dedicated to social justice and activism. As a first-generation college graduate and Hmong American, she has experienced firsthand the importance of supporting underrepresented and marginalized communities. Maikhou began her leadership journey while serving in various advocacy and leadership roles throughout her educational pursuits and career. As a proud alumna of Upward Bound Trio program, Maikhou remains dedicated to giving back and creating leadership pipelines and opportunities for low-income, first generation college students to thrive. Maikhou holds a BA in Sociology from California State University, Chico.

CaseyAnn Carbonell

she/her/siya

People & Culture Consultant

caseyann@everydayimpactconsulting.com

CaseyAnn Carbonell serves as a Consultant who works on EIC’s community engagements and coalition work. She is a community advocate and change-maker from Stockton, California. CaseyAnn is deeply committed to her community and her career, and has pursued social justice through her work with community-based nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and in human resources. CaseyAnn is a grassroots community organizer; working on issues related to ethnic studies, justice, policy, immigrants’ rights and organizing in the Filipinx and Southeast Asian communities. CaseyAnn currently serves on the board and is a co-founder of Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities. Beyond movement-building work, CaseyAnn is passionate about community healing and our collective wellness. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior and a minor in Economics.

Katie Valenzuela

she/her/hers

Policy Consultant
katie@everydayimpactconsulting.com

For more than 25 years, Katie Valenzuela has empowered communities, organizations, and coalitions to engage in state and local policy. She has built legislative campaigns for education justice, civil rights, food access, public safety, public health, housing access, and environmental justice. Recognizing that systemic change requires deep partnership with affected communities, she uses the tools of policy advocacy and community organizing to fight for social justice. She is excited to continue this work with clients at EIC.

Katie’s experience includes serving as a member of the Sacramento City Council from December 2020 to 2024, as Policy and Political Director for the California Environmental Justice Alliance, as Principal Consultant for the California Legislature’s Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies, and as founding board member of the Sacramento Community Land Trust. She has shared her expertise as an invited speaker and training session leader at venues across the country, including Yale University, Stanford University, and the University of California at Berkeley. Katie holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in community development from UC Davis.

Doug Eglin

Executive Administrative Assistant

doug@everydayimpactconsulting.com

Doug was raised in Oakland, went to Oakland Public Schools, and Peralta Community Colleges. His experience as an administrative professional has allowed him to support entities ranging from corporate to non-profit organizations. Notable highlights include his work in biotech on the President's PEPFAR Initiative, the Prop 65 clean water Act, and working with Oakland Public Schools to implement their George Floyd Resolution. He is excited to be of service to EIC and the opportunity to give back to the community.

Tyler Brion

he/him

Intern

Tyler Brion is currently a Chemistry major attending Sacramento State University. He hopes to grow a deeper passion for chemistry and has a great desire to become an anesthetist in the future. During college, he hopes to apply his scientific knowledge to make positive impacts on people’s lives, whether it be through medical programs or helping the environment to thrive.

At Everyday Impact Consulting, Tyler wants to experience what it’s like to work in an office space with others and learn how to do essential tasks like calling businesses, sending e-mails, or making spreadsheets. He hopes to utilize these skills to become more professional in his future career as an anesthetist.

Jaime D. Sales

Intern

Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Jaime Miguel Sales is a recent high school graduate, graduating in May 2023 at Coláiste Phádraig. In August 2023, he moved to the United States in hope of gaining new experiences, exploring many opportunities and being closer with family. Currently he is majoring Biology Pre-Nursing at Cosumnes River College and hopes to transfer to Sacramento State and become a licensed nurse in the future.

Jaime's aims and goals within Everyday Impact Consulting is to advocate for peace, change, and support the Laban Group ethnic media collaborative. He is excited and determined to be involved in EIC and continue making a change.