Help us welcome our new team members!

Please join us in welcoming four new members to the California Preterm Birth Initiative Team! We could not be more honored to have such visionary and passionate people help us achieve our mission of eliminating racial disparities in preterm birth!

Kiya Clary

Chakiya "Kiya" Clary

Chakiya "Kiya" Clary was born and raised in San Francisco enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She became interested in the medical field due to coming from such a large family. She joined the SOLARS team as a Clinical Research Coordinator/ Phlebotomist. Prior to joining she worked as a phlebotomist for Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation and a mobile phlebotomist company.  Being apart of SOLARS means being able to learn more about women's health services as well as pediatrics.

Jaontra Henderson

Jaontra Henderson

Jaontra Henderson, who will be joining our PTBi-CA team as a Project Analyst, is a native of Oakland. She attended Saint Mary's College of California where she graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. While Jaontra was at Saint Mary's, she worked for the Intercultural Center, where she deepened her passion for social justice and diversity work. Jaontra served as the Data Coordinator and a Group Facilitator at San Francisco Black Infant Health, where she developed a passion for reproductive health and justice. She is very excited to join the PTBi team and learn what she can to move the mission forward.

Nannette Nemenzo 

Nannette Nemenzo

Nannette Nemenzo will be joining the team as the Program Analyst. Nanette has worked at UCSF for many years with the School of Nursing and School of Medicine, so she is very knowledgeable about our systems. She holds an Executive Data Science license from Johns Hopkins and is a certified Project Manager. She has great technical skills as well as being an accomplished artist.

Gabriela Negrete 

Gabriela Negrette

Gabriela Negrete was born and raised in the Bay Area. After 5 years at Sutter Delta Medical Center, she is joining the SOLARS team as a clinical research coordinator, combining both of her passions in medicine & social justice. Gabriela received her Bachelors of Science in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology at Cal State University East Bay (CSUEB) and is dedicated to making a difference in the communities in which she serves.

Carly Ritter 

Carly Ritter

Carly Ritter is a proud Bay Area native and grew up in both Benicia and Vallejo, CA. She is joining SOLARS as a Project Manager after working in digital advertising, sales, and operations in the baby industry. Prior to this, Carly organized with Black Women Birthing Justice, an organization in Oakland rooted in community research and advocacy of birthing access. Carly has always been passionate about bridging the gaps between research and community-based activism. She received her Bachelor’s degrees at UC Santa Cruz in Anthropology and Feminist Studies and wrote her thesis on historical trauma, U.S reproductive policy, and Black motherhood.