Our Team
Diana Espinel
Operations Coordinator
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Diana Espinel is an Electronic Engineer with a Master's degree in Telecommunications Project Management and is committed to continuous learning and professional excellence. Her background has strengthened her analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaborative approach, equipping her to support others with both technical expertise and thoughtful care.
She is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and believes that combining knowledge, empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to serve others creates meaningful connections and lasting positive impact. She brings this perspective to her work each day, striving to support individuals and communities with compassion and excellence.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and has visited eight countries, with many more destinations still on her list. She also loves photography, cooking, spending quality time with family, and listening to a wide variety of music, including Sonora Matancera, boleros, selected tangos, ranchera music, and pop. These interests reflect her appreciation for culture, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Lorena Espinoza
Compañeras & Operations Coordinator
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Lorena Espinoza serves as Compañeras and Operations Coordinator, where she oversees daily operations, organizational communications, and community engagement initiatives. She began her journey with Eden on the Food Security Team, helping distribute more than 1.5 million pounds of food and 150,000 prepared meals to community members. Today, she leads Comida Para Cherryland, the church's twice-monthly food distribution, serving more than 200 families at each event, while also coordinating Compañeras, a volunteer program rooted in community enrichment, leadership, and cultural connection.
A lifelong Cherryland resident, Lorena is deeply passionate about strengthening the community she calls home. She believes that lasting change begins at the local level and is committed to creating opportunities for neighbors to connect, support one another, and thrive. Whether ensuring families have reliable access to nutritious food or building systems that strengthen community life, she approaches her work with compassion, collaboration, and a deep sense of purpose.
Lorena earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems and Technology from San José State University. She also holds an Associate of Science for Transfer in Business and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Chabot College. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings both technical expertise and a heart for service to everything she does.
Outside of work, Lorena enjoys cheering on her favorite soccer and football teams, following Formula 1, exploring Bay Area hiking trails, and planning her next travel adventure. She finds joy in discovering new places and experiences while staying deeply rooted in the community she loves.
Rev. Brenda Loreman
Designated Term Associate Minister of Liturgical Arts & Children’s Faith Formation
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The Rev. Brenda Loreman joined Eden United Church of Christ’s pastoral staff in the fall of 2021, initially offering part-time support. In the summer of 2023, Pastor Brenda was called as Designated Term Associate Minister for Liturgical Arts and Children’s Faith Formation.
Brenda’s vocational journey began in the theater. She earned a B.A. in Drama from San Diego State University and later completed a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. For nearly 15 years, she brought creativity and compassion to the classroom as a high school English teacher, often describing the work as “five shows a day.”
A lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, Pastor Brenda discerned her call to ministry while a member of Eden UCC. She earned her Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion, was ordained at Eden in 2013, and served for a decade at Niles Discovery Church (UCC/DOC) in Fremont, California. She also holds certificates in Interfaith Spiritual Direction from the Chaplaincy Institute and in Trauma and Spiritual Care from the University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology.
Outside the church, Pastor Brenda sings in a community choir, gardens and cooks with joy, travels widely, and delights in music and theater. An accomplished textile artist, she is often surrounded by creative projects at home, which she shares with her partner, Mike, and their two feline companions.
Rev. Ashley Wai'olu Moore
Designated Term Associate Minister of Music & Evangelism
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The Reverend Ashley Wai’olu Moore was ordained at Eden Church in April 2024, when she immediately joined the pastoral staff. In addition to her leadership in worship and congregational life, she offers support in pastoral care, worship technology, and media.
Pastor Ashley has been an active member of the UCC and serving in music ministry since 2000. She founded the Transcendence Gospel Choir in 2001 and was a member of Praise and Worship teams for the City of Refuge UCC, Congregational Church of San Mateo UCC, Saint Paulus Lutheran Church of San Francisco, Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, New Revelation Church of Berkeley, and the Pacific School of Religion before becoming part of the First Congregational Church of Oakland community in 2012. Additionally, she has directed a special music program at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, San Francisco and served as choir coordinator for the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. In June 2023, she relaunched the Singers of the Street choir, a Bay Area ensemble comprised of unhoused and formerly unhoused singers, artists, musicians, and advocates.
Alongside her music ministry, Pastor Ashley has served in a variety of pastoral roles: as a pastor-in-training at Saint Paulus Lutheran Church, on the Pastoral Triad at Tapestry Ministries (Disciples of Christ) in Berkeley, as a pastoral caregiver with Welcome Ministries in San Francisco, and as a hospital chaplain during two units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek. She earned her Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 2019 and has served on the UCC’s Northern California Nevada Conference Committee on Ministry for the past several years.
Javier Orea
Director of Finance & Operations
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Javier Orea serves as the Director of Finance and Operations, partnering with team members across the organization to ensure operational success and support the delivery of programs and services tailored to our community. As a member of the Administrative team, Javier plays a key role in overseeing financial operations, organizational processes, and cross functional initiatives that advance the organization's mission.
Javier earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside, and has continued to expand his expertise in nonprofit management and finance through professional development at California State University East Bay, as well as BDO accredited training. He is committed to continuing his educational journey and plans to pursue further education in the nonprofit sector to further strengthen his administrative leadership.
Outside of work, Javier enjoys a wide range of hands-on and recreational activities, including building and creating projects, exploring new destinations and cuisines, and automotive activities.
Julian Orea
Community Care & Resilience Coordinator
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Julian serves as Community Care Coordinator, helping community members understand their rights, connect with essential resources, and stay informed about current immigration enforcement developments. He is committed to ensuring that individuals and families have access to accurate information, compassionate support, and trusted guidance as they navigate complex systems.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from San José State University. To better serve the community, he has continued his professional development through accredited trainings with BDO and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), strengthening his ability to support immigrant families with reliable information and referrals. He is currently continuing his educational journey toward becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Outside of work, Julian enjoys exploring the many hiking trails and parks throughout the Bay Area, attending sporting and recreational events with family and friends, and discovering the region's rich cultural diversity through its food. His curiosity and love for community are reflected in both his personal and professional life.
Margarita Orea
Lead Case Manager, Newcomer Navigation Center (NNC)
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Margarita Parker Orea is a first-generation Mexican American born and raised in the East Bay Area, is passionate about supporting immigrant and newcomer communities. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with double majors in Latin American and Latino Studies and Legal Studies. Her educational background has strengthened a deep commitment to advocacy, social justice, and community engagement.
Through her work, she strives to connect individuals and families with vital resources, empower them to navigate complex systems, and advocate for equitable access to opportunities. She values building meaningful relationships and creating welcoming spaces where people feel supported, respected, and heard.
Outside of work, she enjoys watching horror movies and spending quality time with family and loved ones. These moments help them recharge and reinforce the importance of connection, culture, and community—values that guide both her personal life and professional work.
Evelin Oseguera
Bookkeeper
Pamela Penado
Newcomer Navigation Center Case Manager & Mentes Fuertes Coordinator
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Pamela Penado believes meaningful change begins with connection. As a bilingual Case Manager and Community Health Worker, she is passionate about walking alongside individuals and families, helping them navigate challenges, access resources, and build stronger, healthier futures. Her goal is to create welcoming, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed spaces where every person feels seen, heard, and empowered.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Development from California State University, East Bay, and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Palo Alto University with a clinical focus. In her role, she coordinates community wellness initiatives, facilitates psychosocial support groups, individual interventions, and workshops, and collaborates with community partners to expand access to care and support.
Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new coffee shops and spending quality time with family and friends. She is continually inspired by the resilience of the communities she serves and is committed to making a lasting impact through compassion, advocacy, and meaningful relationships.
Jonathan Victorio
Financial Empowerment Coordinator
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Jonathan Victorio serves as Financial Empowerment Program Coordinator, where he is passionate about helping individuals and families build greater financial stability, confidence, and opportunity. A longtime resident of Cherryland, he attended local schools before earning a degree in Political Science at University of California Berkeley. His personal experiences, combined with his professional background, have shaped his commitment to creating pathways for economic empowerment and giving back to the community that helped raise him.
In his role, he supports community members in navigating financial resources, strengthening financial literacy, and accessing programs that promote long-term economic well-being. He believes that financial empowerment is an essential part of building stronger, more resilient communities and is dedicated to ensuring that people have the tools and support they need to achieve their goals.
Outside of work, Jonny enjoys unplugging from technology, spending time outdoors, and reconnecting with nature. These moments of reflection and renewal help fuel his commitment to serving others with compassion, purpose, and a deep appreciation for the community he calls home.
Kimberly Victorio
Community Empowerment Coordinator
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Kimberly Victorio serves as Program Coordinator for the Eden Power Collective, where she is passionate about empowering community members to recognize their strengths and create meaningful change in their own lives and neighborhoods. She believes that lasting transformation begins with authentic relationships and is committed to cultivating spaces where people feel connected, supported, and equipped to lead.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from San José State University and is also certified as an English Language Instructor by Cambridge University. Her professional background combines organizational expertise with a passion for community engagement, education, and leadership development.
Outside of work, Kimberly is always looking for her next adventure. She enjoys traveling to new places, experiencing different cultures, and spending time outdoors. One of her favorite weekend activities is taking long hikes with her dog, finding inspiration and renewal in nature.
Yuliana Wiser-León
Director, Newcomer Navigation Center (NNC) & Eden Power Collective (EPC); Padres Unidos de Cherryland Grants Manager
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Yuliana Wiser-León is a bilingual and bicultural mental health professional and community leader with a deep commitment to immigrant justice and community-led change. As the Director of the Newcomer Navigation Center at Eden United Church of Christ, she leads programs that empower immigrant youth and families through case management, emotional wellness, leadership development, and community advocacy across Alameda County.
A native of Mexico City, Yuliana holds a master's degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where she specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy and Narrative Therapy. Her professional journey spans education, mental health, and immigrant rights, including work as a school-based therapist with Boston Public Schools and as a coordinator for immigrant rights initiatives in Texas. She is passionate about cultivating community leadership and creating opportunities for people to shape solutions together.
Outside of work, you'll most likely find Yuliana sharing coffee and meaningful conversation, planning her next trip to Mexico City, or introducing someone to the food, history, and vibrant culture of the city she will always call home.
Rev. Dr. Marvin Lance Wiser
Senior Minister and Executive Director
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The Reverend Dr. Marvin Lance Wiser serves as Senior Minister and Executive Director, where he leads a vibrant, bilingual congregation deeply engaged in community-based ministry, migrant accompaniment, and faith-rooted justice. Since beginning his call at Eden in 2018, Pastor Marvin has helped guide ministries with youth, young adults, and families, and has directed major public health and social service partnerships with Alameda County to strengthen community resilience and empowerment.
Marvin earned his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible) from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley in 2022, where his research explored migration, labor, and belonging in Ezra–Nehemiah and Ruth through the lens of Latinx and postcolonial studies. His dissertation is entitled, “Belonging to Work and Working to Belong: Dissimilation and Differentiation among Deportables Beyond the River.” His scholarship and ministry converge around questions of ethnicity, work, and how faith communities cultivate dignity, solidarity, and collective power. He has taught in theological education at the GTU, San Francisco Theological Seminary, Berkeley School of Theology, and the Disciples Seminary Foundation. He has also served in Field Education and Contextual & Immersive Learning at Pacific School of Religion; worked as the archivist for the Sanctuary Movement Oral Histories; organized with in migrant labor justice centers in Texas; and co-founded a language justice company serving social justice nonprofits.
Pastor Marvin earned his B.A. in Psychology. He earned the from Andover Newton Theological School in 2013 and certificates in Interfaith Leadership, Ecumenism, and Religion & Conflict from the Boston Theological Institute. Ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2013 and holding ministerial partner standing in the United Church of Christ, Pastor Marvin brings together pastoral care, academic rigor, and grassroots organizing. He is currently completing a Certificate of Nonprofit Management at Cal State East Bay. He lives in the Eden Area with his bicultural family. He is also a home coffee roaster who enjoys travel, jazz, and holds a deep appreciation for Mexican culture and cuisine.
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