About OTL

Meet the Staff

Contact specific members of the driving forces behind OTL's success.

Sarah Beckman, Executive Director


 
Sarah Beckman is an accomplished and collaborative nonprofit leader with a proven track record of sustaining and growing high-profile organizations. She is known for her agile approach, data-driven decision-making skills, and visionary thinking. Before joining Outside the Lens, Sarah was Vice President of Advancement for Forever Balboa Park. She previously worked for UC-San Diego, The New Children’s Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art. Sarah earned her JBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied journalism, advertising, and gender studies—providing a strong foundation for working at the intersection of critical social issues, informed communication, and creative expression.
Sarah@outsidethelens.org

Jessie Stein, Director of Advancement


 
Jessie is an equity-driven nonprofit leader with a passion for youth development. With a background in team management and experience as a Speech Language Pathologist, she brings a unique and compassionate perspective to her role. Jessie holds a Master's degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and has expertise in all facets of philanthropy. Making great use of local trails, Jessie enjoys hiking, camping, playing the flute and visiting local museums.
jessie@outsidethelens.org

Brooke Newman, Director K8 Programs


 
Brooke is a dedicated learner and educator with a passion for social-emotional learning and project-based learning that bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world, exploring issues important and relevant to youth. She earned her B.A., multi-subject teaching credential and M.A. in Teaching and Learning from UC San Diego and taught elementary school for 16 years. Brooke is an advocate for youth and teachers alike, promoting storytelling, youth voice, and teacher development. In her free time, Brooke enjoys being with her family, exploring outdoors, cooking and gardening.
brooke@outsidethelens.org

Tyler Hodgson, Director Teen/Tay Programs


 
Tyler was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She received her BA in Sociology from University of California at Davis, and her MEd and teaching credential from DePaul University. She taught in Chicago, IL for five years and in Seattle, WA for one year before moving to San Diego. Through her years of teaching she led social and emotional learning as well as restorative justice curriculum and practices. Tyler believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to digital media in education allows for both lifelong learning and social change. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, and being outdoors.
tylerhodgson@outsidethelens.net

Kevin Tung, Director of Media Makers


 
Kevin was born and raised in New York City. He has a B.A. in Sociology from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography. He has a passion for storytelling, and using photography to tell those stories. When not behind a camera you can find him on the golf course, the theater, or playing bar trivia.
kevin@outsidethelens.org

Tim Lawrence, Director of Operations


 
Tim is an experienced operations & administrative professional with over 20 years serving San Diego-based nonprofits and schools. From classroom teacher to operations manager, Tim has helped non-profits and schools grow by overseeing program development, finance, grants, HR, strategic planning, and community engagement. In his free time, Tim loves spending time with his family and dreaming about spreadsheets.
tim@outsidethelens.org

Jana McBeath, Associate Manager, K-8


 
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Jana graduated with her M.A. and B.A. in photography from the Manchester School of Art in the North of England. She has extensive experience as a freelance photographer and as a teaching artist for young people and is hugely passionate about both. When not taking photos you can find her dreaming about the ocean or watching sci-fi movies with her husband.
jana@outsidethelens.org

Jeff Valenzuela, Manager, Teen/TAY


 
Jeff Valenzuela Garcia is a bi-national photographer, educator, and community organizer. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, he has spent the last several years living and working along the Tijuana-San Diego border. His photography focuses primarily on documenting his immigrant rights movement work in San Diego and with migrant communities in Tijuana. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys drinking coffee, listening to records, and playing guitar.
Jeff@outsidethelens.org

Natalie Devitt, Media Educator


 
Natalie received her B.S. in Television, Film and New Media from San Diego State University. Prior to coming to Outside the Lens, she worked in schools throughout San Diego county. Natalie is thrilled to be combining her studies in media with her love of working with youth. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting records, playing guitar, catching screenings of midnight movies, and attending fan conventions.
natalie@outsidethelens.org

Melanie Kaplan, Media Educator, Media Makers


 
Born and raised in Chicagoland, Melanie received her B.A. in Studio Arts with a focus in Photography from Illinois State University in 2013. Since her first job as a summer camp art instructor, Melanie discovered she had a passion for working creatively with youth in underserved communities. She continued her work in the non-profit sector serving as an Americorps LISC member at Outside the Lens in 2019. She has also spent time serving homeless and runaway youth while co-running an arts empowerment program that allowed them to freely express themselves through the arts, in an effort to destigmatize mental health. When Melanie isn’t out exploring with her camera, you can catch her enjoying nature via camping or hiking, chasing sunset views, attending concerts and daydreaming of the next place to travel and discover.
melaniekaplan@outsidethelens.org

JC Núñez, Instructional Aide


 
JC is a multi-media artist born and raised in Barrio Logan and Logan Heights. JC dedicates their time and passion for social justice matters and involves themselves in Xicanx activist spaces. JC focuses their personal and professional career on Special Education healthcare and social-emotional teaching. Jc has worked and taught in multiple schools in San Diego County with specialization in SpEd and behavioral intervention and therapy. They are an activist and advocate for peers and students alike. They believe that change starts in the classroom and the work done at OTL can create long-lasting positive experiences in our students. On their days off JC loves taking long walks with their dog Tenoch and creating art while exploring new music.
jc@outsidethelens.org

Fedella Simonson, Media Educator


 
Fedella Lizeth is a Nicaraguan and Italian analog photographer born and raised in San Diego, California. Her perspectives within her photographic work showcase her fascination with the true authenticity of everyday life, community, and multicultural perspectives and influences in what is one of the country’s most significant cities neighboring the U.S./Mex. border. She has been published in works such as the contemporary archival book, La Tierra Mia, as well as have been interviewed for ABC10, “Latin In America” and for the San Diego Union Tribune, “A New View of Home: Fedella Lizeth rediscovers her love for her native San Diego” . Her passions have created a deep sense of pride and adoration for her community. With a camera in hand, she aims to document aspects of local culture typically in marginalized communities that often go unrecognized in mainstream media.
fedella@outsidethelens.org

Isaac Levy, Media Associate


 
Isaac is a filmmaker born and raised in Chula Vista. He went to San Francisco State for film school and fell in love with the process and collaborative aspects of the art form! During his time with OTL, Isaac has been mainly working in Juvenile Court and Community (JCCS) schools and a multitude of other programs all across San Diego County. Isaac believes being creative within your community is essential to claim agency and fight for what’s right.
isaac@outsidethelens.org

Eiram Torres, Media Educator


 
Eiram is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, passionate about arts integration and Social Justice. Growing up in Tijuana, the border has inspired them to challenge their own culture. They strive to inspire others to speak out against discrimination and discover themselves through artistic expression.
eiram@outsidethelens.org

Brandon Johnson, Media Makers Education Manager


 
Brandon Johnson is an alumnus of Full Sail University gaining a Master of Art In Media Design and Instructional Design. Prior to Outside The Lens, Johnson was an Adjunct Instructor at Kennedy King College, a college in the media communication space. Previously, he was a Content Creator and Producer at Creative Architech and Maurice Brandon Jointz. He has contributed to a number of different industry organizations, including OWN Network, Free Spirit Media, and Pulitzer Crisis Center. In his/her spare time, he blogs about food and tech reads books and Tik Toks with his daughters.
brandon@outsidethelens.org

Sydney Birakos, Media Educator, Media Makers


 
Sydney was born and raised in La Habra, CA. She attended UC Santa Cruz where she received her B.A. in Art & Design: Games and Playable Media. With extensive experience in digital media education, Sydney is thrilled to bring her passion for nurturing others' artistic endeavors to Outside the Lens. In her downtime, she enjoys exploring podcasts and tackling puzzles, embracing a spirit of continuous growth and creativity.
sydney@outsidethelens.org

Melanee Garls, Special Education Specialist


 
Melanee is dedicated to supporting individuals with diverse needs. She was born and raised in San Diego and holds a degree in Child Development from Point Loma Nazarene University. Her background includes experience in ABA therapy and working in Special Education classrooms which helped her discover her passion for making a positive impact on those around her and creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for those she serves. Outside of work, Melanee enjoys attending San Diego Wave soccer games, listening to true crime podcasts, and going to concerts.
melanee@outsidethelens.org

Ed Gahbler, Media Educator, Media Makers


 
Thanks to Media Makers Eduardo has found his passion for educating others about the media arts. He is constantly finding new projects to engage with students including pixel art, AI art generators & more.
eduardo@outsidethelens.org

JR Galindez, Media Educator, Media Makers


 
Born and raised in Chula Vista, JR graduated from San Francisco State with a degree in Cinema and began a career as a local freelance videographer and photographer, creating music videos and social media promotions. JR’s first position as an educator was teaching youth Martial Arts. Bringing his freelance and media background to the classroom, he shares his passion for creative storytelling and art through the lens.
jr@outsidethelens.org

Mary Rodriguez, Office Administrator


 
Mary is a devoted student, caregiver, mother, and joy spreader, born and raised in Southern California. She wholeheartedly loves her community and expresses this love by volunteering her time to provide basic needs and resources through her Instagram resource page & actively volunteering with local organizations. She has a profound appreciation for the arts and finds immense joy in the creative processes of writing, storytelling, and poetry & believes in creative development and shedding light on its positive impact. In addition, she cherishes spending time with her children & family. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in social work with a minor in creative writing.
mary@outsidethelens.org

Luisa Martínez, Communications Specialist


 
Luisa is a cultural organizer, artist, and educator from the border region of so-called Tijuana-San Diego. She looks to understand and question borders beyond the constraints of geographical parameters, exploring tensions of belonging as elements of solidarity and world building. She is currently the Communications Specialist at Outside The Lens, a San Diego media arts youth-centered nonprofit. And is also part of the founding board for Dignity Across Borders. Luisa co-founded Tijuana Zine Fest, a cross-border arts festival that promotes self-publishing as a form of collaboration, and has build dozens of artists spaces and opportunities in the Tijuana-San Diego region. She was one of Otros Dreams en Acción’s (ODA) inaugural Artivists in Residence in 2019, and continued to collaborate with ODA as Program Director for Florecer Aquí y Allá–a two year program that centers migrant-led community narrative change and creativity across borders–and leading their inaugural Florecer Fellowship. She was the 2021 California Arts Council Administrators of Color Fellow for the region of San Diego. And in 2023 she co-facilitated Transnational Border Lab with faculty at The New School and was a guest speaker at The Hemispheric Institute in New York.
luisa@outsidethelens.org

Jessica Ballenger, Grants and Communications Manager


 
Jessica Ballenger has worked with nonprofit organizations for more than two decades, accelerating outreach and engagement to serve children and families in her community. She previously worked for the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and California CASA Association and serves on the Board of Directors at Mounarath Powell Dance (Visionary Dance Theatre). She actively advocates for a more equitable world and for increasing access to education and the arts. As a communications and development professional, she works to strengthen strategic growth and build a sense of community with diverse audiences through collaboration, sensitivity, and trust. Jessica studied Germanic Languages at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and holds a B.A. degree in Visual Art from the University of California, San Diego. She is currently an MBA candidate at the University of Kansas.
jessica@outsidethelens.org