About Us

WHO ARE WE?

The LCA formed in 2011 when a group of neighbors got together to beautify the landscaping along with the media on 40th Street. On these “Weedian Days” neighbors would get together to weed the median. Since then, the group has grown to encompass more neighbors and take on issues of interest to the community.

We’ve held meetings featuring speakers on several topics such as racial justice, the City’s planned public works projects and resources available to residents of our community. We’ve also hosted candidate forums and ballot measure reviews so neighbors can make more informed voting choices.

Popular in-person events have included a Fall Festival & Chili Cook-off, neighborhood yard sales, Longfellow bike rides, social hours at local businesses, and more. We’ve also taken on projects to tell the stories of longtime Longfellow residents, created trash can mosaics and drought-tolerant planters, and helped facilitate major improvements to Linden Park.

One of our most successful efforts was the 2020-21 COVID-19 Relief Grant program in which we raised $25,000 from Longfellow community members and distributed it to 30 neighbors in need due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic.

Board Members

The Longfellow Community Association elects members to serve on its board on an annual basis. Board members run projects and guide the organization during their 2 year terms.

Treina Alexander · President

Serving since 2020, President since 2023

Treina has lived in the Longfellow area for 15 years. She joined the board to serve the needs of small business owners and neighbors.

Treina is the Founder of YogaLove and enjoys the camaraderie of the yoga community. She enjoys her victory garden, sewing, crocheting and House Music.

DOna Gomez · Treasurer

Serving since 2016

A Bay Area-native, Dona was born and raised in the Mission District of San Francisco. She moved to Longfellow in 2012 and has been active with the LCA since day one, organizing social events and working on numerous beautification projects, with the main goal of connecting the community.

In 2018, after over 20 years in commercial real estate development, Dona began working at Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley allowing her to connect her interest in the affordable housing crisis in Oakland to her work.

Scott Wintner · Secretary

Serving since 2018

Scott has lived in Longfellow since 2013. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he has lived in six states and has enjoyed his time in Oakland the most. By day, Scott is a Deputy Director of Aviation with the City of San Jose. When he’s not working (or sitting on 880), you’ll most likely find him on his bike, on the lacrosse field, or in the kitchen.

Jean Walsh

Serving since 2019

Jean moved to Longfellow in 2012 and has lived in the Bay Area since 2004. She holds a master's degree in City Planning and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua. Jean has worked for the City of San Francisco and several micro-mobility startups doing communications and community outreach. She currently serves on the AC Transit Board of Directors. Her focus has been on growing membership and participation in the LCA and using multiple communications channels to engage neighbors.

ERIN LA NINFA

Serving since 2021

Erin joined the LCA Board to directly contribute to building a better community. She enjoys meeting neighbors (and their pets), supporting local businesses, and eating vegan pizza. Erin is the Director of Operations for My New Red Shoes, a nonprofit that provides basic needs items to Bay Area youth and their families.

NISHA SUDARSANAM

Serving since 2021

Nisha is a recent transplant to the Longfellow neighborhood having moved here in late-2020. She immigrated from India 21 years ago and she joined the LCA to help other new migrants grow roots in this community. Besides helping maintain the LCA website, she enjoys writing, gardening and learning how to live a car-less existence in Oakland.

Anne keller

Serving since 2024

Anne Keller has lived in Longfellow since 2005 and is native of Germany with a Bay Area family history. Her mother’s family are the descendants of the Bowen and Co., San Francisco and Oakland merchants during the previous turn of the century.

Anne’s background is in journalism. Her husband Josh has been in the neighborhood since 1997. Josh is a UCSC graduate with a history in furniture design and building. Together they have been working in Real Estate since 2010. Along with their daughter they enjoy cooking, hiking, biking and exploring the greater Bay Area. The Keller family has recently built and become a little free library steward at their home and are looking forward to contributing to the Longfellow community!

If you are interested in serving on the board, the best thing to do is participate in events and volunteer on projects in order to ensure you are a voting member. Nominations are generally open in November–December, but may be desired at other times as well—talk to a board member for more information.