Our Team

Marcos Salazar, Co-founder and CEO

Marcos Salazar (@marcossalazar) is a serial social entrepreneur, career coach, speaker, and community-builder. For as long as Marcos has been working in the social impact space, he has also been building businesses.

Marcos has worked in research and leadership development at the American Psychological Association, Girl Scouts, and the White House Project (promoting women to run for office). He is also the founder of two t-shirt companies, a number of social impact blogs, and the author of two books.

Through Be Social Change, Marcos taps into his entrepreneur’s creativity and social good inspiration to help people find and do meaningful work and lead more sustainable lifestyles.

Marcos earned a degree from Amherst College and a masters in Organizational Management and an Executive Leadership Coaching certificate from The George Washington University. You can learn more about him at www.marcossalazar.com.

Jenn Lishansky, Chief Engagement Officer

In 2019, Jenn joined the Be Social Change team officially after spending many years behind the scenes consulting. And, she couldn’t be happier.

In fact, Jenn is happiest when she is meeting with people, figuring out how to support organizations in the social impact space by leveraging Be Social Change’s resources and community. Jenn loves partnerships and has ever since she began working in sponsorship and crowdfunding at nonprofits. Jenn also developed a love for communications at those NGOs, as well as through starting her own business and becoming a youth delegate to the United Nations representing the Federation of Business and Professional Women.

Some of Jenn’s past roles include External Relations Manager for Seeds of Peace; Institute Coordinator at Global Youth Leadership Institute; East Coast and Midwest Chapter Manager at buildOn; a contributor to b*free; and a meditation teacher at institutions across New York City, including at Columbia University, Facebook, the NASDAQ, Journey Meditation, and more.

Jenn earned a Bachelors in Religious Studies and Politics from New York University. When she is not meeting with people or crafting language behind the scenes, Jenn is usually out for a run or trying to teach herself new languages (si! oui! na’am! haan!).

You can email Jenn about partnerships at J@besocialchange.com

Jenn Lishansky, Chief Engagement Officer

In 2019, Jenn joined the Be Social Change team officially after spending many years behind the scenes consulting. And, she couldn’t be happier.

In fact, Jenn is happiest when she is meeting with people, figuring out how to support organizations in the social impact space by leveraging Be Social Change’s resources and community. Jenn loves partnerships and has ever since she began working in sponsorship and crowdfunding at nonprofits.

Some of Jenn’s past roles include External Relations Manager for Seeds of Peace; Institute Coordinator at Global Youth Leadership Institute; East Coast and Midwest Chapter Manager at buildOn; a contributor to b*free; and a meditation teacher at institutions across New York City, including at Columbia University, Facebook, the NASDAQ, Journey Meditation, and more. Jenn also started her own business. In 2015, became a youth delegate to the United Nations representing the Federation of Business and Professional Women.

Jenn earned a Bachelors in Religious Studies and Politics from New York University. When she is not meeting with people or crafting language behind the scenes, Jenn is usually out for a run or trying to teach herself new languages (si! oui! na’am! haan!).

You can email Jenn at j@besocialchange.com

Michelle Santiago Sunga, Operations Manager

Michelle Santiago Sunga is the Operations Manager and Customer Support at Be Social Change since September 2016. As the backbone of the organization’s effective operations and customer service, she makes sure that Be Social Change is running as well as possible through internal business functions that provide smooth and efficient services to meet the expectations and needs of the customers and clients. Her in-depth knowledge of handling administrative tasks and upbeat service about the company’s business growth has made her earned “Top Rated” status on Upwork. Not only is she passionate about project management, but she’s built an impressive reputation with multiple clients across the globe by delighting them with high-quality work.

Prior, Michelle worked as a Technical Assistant for the Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) Project at Louis Berger Group, Inc. under the USAID’s GEM Program for 4 years. In addition to administrative tasks, she was responsible for monitoring the overall implementation of the JEEP program in colleges and universities located in conflict-affected areas in the Philippines.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Southeastern Philippines and plans to study abroad soon to take up the Business Management Post-Degree Diploma for business and career advancement. She used to be a chorister so during her free time she sings with her four kids at their favorite entertainment room at home.

Brenton Gieser, Co-founder

Brenton is a photographer, filmmaker, documentarian, and visual storyteller originating from Half Moon Bay, California, and currently producing the majority of his work in San Francisco. He approaches his work as a personal mandate to help raise questions about social and economic injustice with a desire to move us towards deeper community understanding and social equity. His first short documentary film, Tender Souls, has been screened live for thousands of San Franciscans at SF DocFest, SF Urban Film Festival and at companies like Twitter, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, Zendesk, amongst others. His current project, The 50, unveils the story of the first 50 men to become California certified drug and alcohol counselors while serving either life or long-term prison sentences.

Brenton Gieser, Co-founder

Brenton is a photographer, filmmaker, documentarian, and visual storyteller originating from Half Moon Bay, California, and currently producing the majority of his work in San Francisco. He approaches his work as a personal mandate to help raise questions about social and economic injustice with a desire to move us towards deeper community understanding and social equity. His first short documentary film, Tender Souls, has been screened live for thousands of San Franciscans at SF DocFest, SF Urban Film Festival and at companies like Twitter, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, Zendesk, amongst others. His current project, The 50, unveils the story of the first 50 men to become California certified drug and alcohol counselors while serving either life or long-term prison sentences.

Cat Gieser, Co-founder

Cat Gieser is a real-food foodie, yoga teacher, mama, wife, and a veteran in the natural food space. Prior to working as a freelance brand builder and content producer, she worked at natural food companies Alter Eco and Yummy Spoonfuls where she was responsible for leading digital marketing, brand development, and event production. Currently, Cat can be found leading event production for Real Food Real Stories and creating yoga content for busy moms looking to find strength, peace and balance.

Elizabeth Foggie, Co-founder

Elizabeth is an international filmmaker, writer and user experience (UX) web designer. She is currently producing The Foggie Wanderer, an intimate, immersive documentary travel series focused on locations in and around the Artic circle. Adventurer, photographer and painter, her explorations have taken her to 10 countries and counting. In her spare time, Elizabeth manages and curates socially responsive art installations. Discover more about her work and writing at www.foggiewanderer.com and www.elizabethdfoggie.com.

Elizabeth Foggie, Co-founder

Elizabeth is an international filmmaker, writer and user experience (UX) web designer. She is currently producing The Foggie Wanderer, an intimate, immersive documentary travel series focused on locations in and around the Artic circle. Adventurer, photographer and painter, her explorations have taken her to 10 countries and counting. In her spare time, Elizabeth manages and curates socially responsive art installations. Discover more about her work and writing at www.foggiewanderer.com and www.elizabethdfoggie.com.