We are thrilled to introduce the three newest members of JBAY’s Housing & Economic Mobility team, a trio whose combined talent, dedication, and heart is truly off the charts. We could not be more grateful and inspired to work alongside these individuals to improve the lives and well-being of young people across our state every day.
Imelda Islas-Olivo, Project Manager
In 2019, Imelda graduated with a degree in philosophy and linguistics from UCLA, where she then went on to pursue her Master’s of Public Policy, focusing her studies on youth policy, social policy, and data analysis. She launched into a career dedicated to addressing city and county-level challenges in LA.
Before joining JBAY, Imelda served as the Interim Housing Solutions Analyst at the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office under Mayor Karen Bass. During her time there, Imelda opened the biggest interim housing site in the city with 294 rooms. “I knew that I wanted to work on issues on a bigger scale,” she says. “I had not heard of JBAY before I applied, but the more I learned about the organization, the more I wanted the job. I love that we are involved in every step of projects—from research, to legislative changes, to implementation.”
Imelda is the oldest child and grandchild in her family. “I always think about what I want the world to be for my siblings and cousins,” she says. Growing up in Los Angeles, Imelda, her brothers, and her parents contended with underfunded schools, lack of affordable housing, and bouts of unemployment throughout her childhood. “My family motivated me to influence policies that benefit younger generations and underserved communities.”
Imelda continues to honor her culture and her roots in her work and carries her community with her wherever she goes. On her desk sits a framed quote from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: “The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.”
Outside of work, Imelda loves to bake lemon blueberry scones, lemon raspberry cheesecake cupcakes, and brown butter espresso chocolate chip cookies. She challenges herself to keep up with contestants on the Great British Bake Off. “I have nightmares about soggy bottoms and under-proofed bread!” she says.
Valerie Lynne Kane, Senior Project Manager
Valerie first encountered JBAY eight years ago while she was working as a policy analyst at Alameda County Social Services Agency. She noted an overlap in her policy positions and JBAY’s advocacy. “JBAY impressed me in that they do not necessarily consider a policy effort ‘won’ when a bill is signed into law. JBAY goes that critical next step to work with implementing agencies and ensure new programs and services actually serve young people. They balance the 10,000-foot balcony perspective with what’s happening on the ground.”
In her role as Senior Project Manager, Valerie brings both firsthand experience as a participant in public programs and professional expertise she’s honed by working across the social sector. Valerie is committed to building a society that fosters well-being and expands opportunity for all, whether through grassroots organizing, developing innovative approaches to community engagement, advocating for affordable housing for youth, veterans, and teachers, or defending the rights of immigrant families.
“The best part of my job is the encouragement to approach challenges with creativity,” Valerie says. “In the effort to reach functional zero for youth homelessness, we need a myriad of strategies, some of which may not yet have been designed or are limited in reach. JBAY recognizes this and along with sustaining and enhancing existing resources, constantly works hard to envision new solutions.”
Originally from a bayou in the South, Valerie attended San Francisco State for college before receiving her Master’s in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Today, she is happiest at home in California with its varied landscape of ocean and forest, desert and hot springs. “I feel my heart open in nature and find my deepest source of wisdom there,” she says.
Brandon Torres, Project Manager
Project Manager Brandon Torres studied sociology and gender studies as an undergraduate at CSU San Marcos before earning a Master’s of Public Administration from San Diego State. “Early in my career, a mentor told me every person experiencing homelessness on our streets reflects a public policy failure,” he says. “The data confirms this. It shows that the majority of adults experiencing homelessness were homeless as young people, are former foster youth, or have a history of juvenile justice system involvement. This continues to be a call to action for me and a reminder that good policy saves lives.”
Before joining the team at JBAY, Brandon spent over a decade analyzing and improving public programs related to homelessness and housing. He helped allocate over 2,000 emergency housing vouchers throughout L.A., oversaw homelessness outreach for the City of Santa Monica, managed three Project Homekey programs at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worked with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to pass policy behind a Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool.
At JBAY, Brandon focuses on expanding housing opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. “During my time with JBAY I’ve had the privilege of being able to research critical issues related to juvenile justice and behavioral health,” he says. “The opportunity to better understand the political landscape of these social concerns alongside a team of dedicated and brilliant professionals who are equally passionate about creating innovative solutions to challenging problems is one of the most rewarding aspects of this job.”
Outside of work, Brandon is an avid reader, beachgoer, and firm believer that moving one’s body maintains a healthy mind. He’s a lifelong soccer player who has won a dozen trophies in adult rec dodgeball, kickball, and pickleball leagues.