Vision
To cultivate a thriving, globally-recognized, youth-centered community with a passion for creating a sustainable, kinder, and more just world.
Mission
Bayha Group provides core professional workplace skills development, co-designed with youth and industry partners, with livable wages, in a kind, ethical, and respectful environment to challenge the global talent shortage.
Our values
- We collaborate with youth by asking and acting.
- Too many programs intended for youth are designed without prioritizing their voices. What sets our programming apart is an equal commitment to seeking out youth feedback and applying it to what we create–treating youth as our partners and co-designers in the process.
- We work with wonder, pursuing growth.
- Our life’s work is ongoing–and we see that as a good thing. We find the joy in learning that makes the fun of proficiency and the ecstasy of mastery even more rewarding.
- We build community on transparency and authenticity.
- Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels safe and confident to give open and honest feedback. We see cultivating relationships with respectful candor as a shared responsibility.
- We make informed decisions and own them.
- We each have the agency to do what we think is best based on the best information we have, knowing there’s always room to improve. We instill in ourselves and each other the confidence to act without being afraid to fail.
- We prioritize kindness.
- As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” We strive in our work to make people feel valued, respected, and that their voice matters.
- We do good and have fun doing it.
- It’s thrilling to see how giving people a boost can change their future trajectory. We delight in helping people reach beyond what they believed was possible and exploring what brings us joy makes us even better at what we do.
- We’re driven by equity.
- Bayha Group was created with the belief that education can and should be a force for equity. We work to level the playing field for youth not only by giving them internship opportunities, but by planting the seeds for their financial freedom. We approach this work with a mindset of abundance, knowing that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
Our Team
June Bayha
Founder, CEO
Harlen Bayha
CFO/CTO
Since 2019, Harlen Bayha has managed the finance and technology teams at Bayha Group, an educational consulting and grant support firm based in San Diego, California. Prior to this, he designed reporting, compensation, incentive, compliance, and retail sales systems applications in his 20-year career at Wells Fargo, a large financial institution with operations across the continental United States.
Harlen has also been an active member of the board of directors of Pacific Arts Movement since 2010, where he held the positions of President, Vice President. He is currently Treasurer.
Cindy Wijma
Data Specialist
Joanna Banks
Grants Specialist
Barbarella Fokos
Creative Director
Barb brings over a decade’s worth of award-winning story telling and filmmaking expertise to the team. Her background in journalism and television informs her ability to get at the crux of a story and communicate it in a way that will resonate. As head of video production, Barb is there from concept to creation of each compelling video that incorporates information and emotion to effectively convey the heart of a message.
Monica Nishimoto
Experience Director
Monica is driven by working with young people and connecting with them. She feels fortunate to hear their story and be given the opportunity to have a positive impact. Monica loves working on events, connecting with attendees, and leaving them with an unforgettable event.
She gets to work on a little bit of everything at Bayha Group including events, human resources, legal, merchandise, and anything she can help out with. Monica’s goal is to have a positive impact on anyone she connects with and be both human and kind.
Sandy Lee
Global Partnerships Director
Sandy’s professional journey has been centered on her dedication to driving social impact. She has collaborated with the likes of the World Health Organization, UN Agencies, and The Global Fund, orchestrating and launching global campaigns that champion the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These educational awareness campaigns have been endorsed by Christiana Figueres and UNEP (Climate Change), Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and David Beckham (World Malaria Day), Sir Elton John (HIV Awareness), Prince William and The Royal Foundation (Protecting our Wildlife), and the late
Stephen Hawking (Rare Diseases), distributed through The Guardian, The Telegraph, and New Scientist. Drawing from her background in fostering collaborations between private and public partnerships, Sandy channels her expertise in content marketing, business development, and strategic planning to advocate for youth empowerment, project-based learning, and equity in the workplace at Bayha Group. Sandy is also a Mindfulness Practitioner, committed to nurturing personal and professional well-being, where joy and compassion in life and work thrive harmoniously.
Marcella Wiggan
Relationship Manager and Grants Specialist
Just completing her BA in sociology and disability studies from Georgetown University, Marcella Wiggan is beginning her pathway in education and community organizing. Building on a diverse background in advocacy work, Marcella is deeply passionate about social justice. In college, she researched and wrote extensively on social movements, earning honors on a thesis examining the intersections of prison abolition and disability justice. She has translated this academic work into grassroots organizing of community events, affinity spaces, mutual aid networks, and other direct advocacy work on campus.
At Bayha Group, Marcella is leveraging her background to support youth-driven initiatives and strengthen community connections. Alongside supporting grant-writing efforts, she is working on Sending Kites, a storytelling project and podcast for formerly and currently incarcerated people. Always foregrounding a lens of equity, Marcella is excited to work with Bayha Group and expand our ability to support our communities.
Barbi Pimentel
Media Director
I am a self-taught lifelong learner who brings visions to life in a cinematic way. At the age of 3, I discovered my creativity through the art of drawing, which led me to develop my visual skills. By the age of 11, I found a love for photography and videography, starting my learning journey by watching videos on YouTube. Today, as a Media Director, I bring my ideas to life, showcasing all my skills to enable people to live a more fun and colorful life.
Juan Giraldo Ramirez
Technical Specialist
I am a competitor dreamer. Since I was little, I loved to compete and dreamed of big aspirations like being a professional soccer player. This drive led me to a lifelong learning journey searching for what successful people do differently to achieve their biggest dreams. I believe in taking ownership of our dreams by competing against ourselves to be our best without blaming external circumstances or others. My mission is to empower individuals to realize their full potential and create a life of fulfillment by being the heroes in their own stories.
Aleyda Tobar
WorkWonder Manager
Hello everyone! I am the project coordinator for the College Admissions Academy. I am currently studying public health at the University of California, Irvine. I work alongside Joyce Yamaguchi to guide students with writing their college essays. I also work with other co-designers to host WorkWonder Con. I was exposed to new diverse perspectives that broadened my horizons. I am passionate about teaching others the skills that I have acquired over the years.
I am incredibly appreciative of being a part of a company that is instrumental in my personal growth and career goals. Bayha Group helps me build strong relationships and resilience.
Co-Designers
Alani Bayha
I am an architecture major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and also a member of the Cal Poly Unicycle Club. Throughout my life, I’ve taken classes on illustration and graphic design. I contribute my artistic skills by developing visual communications, merch, and logo designs. I grew up in project-based learning schools from elementary to college. I believe creative and collaborative education develops versatile and compassionate people.
Rigel Bayha
I am a student of the 2027 class of New York University, and I have been working with the Bayha Group since 2020. I am interested in the visual arts and history, and I enjoy drawing, reading, and cooking in my free time. Being a part of the WorkWonder Summer Internship Program has given me the chance to learn from a wide range of different mentors, fellow codesigners and interns. This community thrives by giving one another the skills, tools, friendships, and experiences to take their goals to the next level, and it’s incredible to see what we can do with each step forward. I am happy to be a part of Bayha Group, and to have the chance to support young people in reaching their goals.
Alani Bayha
I am an architecture major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and also a member of the Cal Poly Unicycle Club. Throughout my life, I’ve taken classes on illustration and graphic design. I contribute my artistic skills by developing visual communications, merch, and logo designs. I grew up in project-based learning schools from elementary to college. I believe creative and collaborative education develops versatile and compassionate people.
Alexis Tenorio
I am a Co-Designer specializing in Social Science and Research. In the past I have worked on gathering information from the surveys from our past summer interns to evaluate their feedback and how we might improve the WorkWonder experience. At this time, I am working with a creative team of individuals to organize an annual convention, WorkWonderCon, in which we hope to promote leadership and growth to our interns as well as give them a space to network. I want to be the change I want to see in the world, in the sense that I want to share knowledge and lift others up so that they may be able to accomplish their goals.
Juan Giraldo Ramirez
I am a competitor dreamer. Since I was little, I loved to compete and dreamed of big aspirations like being a professional soccer player. This drive led me to a lifelong learning journey searching for what successful people do differently to achieve their biggest dreams. I believe in taking ownership of our dreams by competing against ourselves to be our best without blaming external circumstances or others. My mission is to empower individuals to realize their full potential and create a life of fulfillment by being the heroes in their own stories.
Juan Giraldo Ramirez
I am a competitor dreamer. Since I was little, I loved to compete and dreamed of big aspirations like being a professional soccer player. This drive led me to a lifelong learning journey searching for what successful people do differently to achieve their biggest dreams. I believe in taking ownership of our dreams by competing against ourselves to be our best without blaming external circumstances or others. My mission is to empower individuals to realize their full potential and create a life of fulfillment by being the heroes in their own stories.
Aleyda Tobar
Hello everyone! I am the project coordinator for the College Admissions Academy. I am currently studying public health at the University of California, Irvine. I work alongside Joyce Yamaguchi to guide students with writing their college essays. I also work with other co-designers to host WorkWonder Con. I was exposed to new diverse perspectives that broadened my horizons. I am passionate about teaching others the skills that I have acquired over the years.
I am incredibly appreciative of being a part of a company that is instrumental in my personal growth and career goals. Bayha Group helps me build strong relationships and resilience.
Angela Dang
Hello there! I am currently studying Computer Science with a specialization in Intelligent Systems at the University of California, Irvine. I will be a software engineer, specializing in machine learning and AI, creating new and robust projects to improve the efficiency of existing AI technologies. Eventually, I hope to move toward the project management side of software engineering.
With 3 years of professional work experience, I have strong communication, leadership, proactiveness, problem-solving, collaboration, and more skills in my toolbox. I’m a generalist. I gain my various skill sets by always jumping in and trying in any situation. I work well with people from all facets of life. I’m willing to roll up my sleeves and work. My “can-do” attitude and perseverance often guide me through obstacles and lead me to new perspectives in my academic and professional careers.
I’m proud to be a part of the effort to mitigate the gender gap in Tech and Gaming. I strive to be a role model and mentor for young females in and out of the field. I believe Tech is for anyone who’s willing to learn. More girls should experience programming and see its fascination. My passion for empowering Youth gives me a sense of purpose and sparks joy in my career journey.
Casandra Martinez
Catherine Quinones
I am currently a student at the University of Southern California, delving further into my interests in cognition influencing both behavior and emotions. Outside the realms of science, I am a zealous writer, constantly searching for stories that amplify unspoken narratives of Latino communities.
Christine Nguyen
I am majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Business at UC San Diego. My passion for tech and love for connecting with people leads to my interest in working as a product or project manager. I enjoy seeing a product go through its life cycle, from the conception of the idea, to the making of the product, to the launch, and repeating the cycle through the different iterations.
At Bayha Group I work as an IT and Project Coordinator, working on many projects where I manage relational databases, perform administrative work, or even plan events. I find that my work is impactful as I get to design programs for the youth and give back to the community that gave me the confidence in myself through my first paid work experience.
I am passionate about building the communities around me because I have learned through my own experience that community is what builds character. I am who I am today because of the individuals, mentors, and communities that I am a part of who have supported me along the way, passing down their knowledge, and fostering a safe environment for my growth. Seeing how much of an impact community can have on people, I strive to create welcoming, supportive, and strong communities through my work.
Emily Brent
I am a proud Co-Designer at Bayha Group. A little about me is that I am studying Engineering at Harvey Mudd College, and I aspire to work in the aerospace industry in the future. My favorite pastimes include hiking, running, binge-watching movie series, exploring beaches and coffee shops, and going on spontaneous drives and adventures. My projects at Bayha Group include working with the WorkWonder Con team and the Merchandise team, as well as any other tasks that I can work on to help. My goal is to positively impact the world through education and sustainability, specifically through the lens of engineering. I hope to utilize my skills to design programs that promote sustainable practices within the industry while also supporting the education of the youth.
Emma Manetta
Throughout my experience, I have been able to dive deeper into my passion for writing as well as strengthening my ability to connect with others through my work. I am either writing poetry or singing in my free time, sometimes both! My passions have heavily influenced my decision to major in comparative literature at UC Irvine as well as compiling my first poetry collection, which will be published. Through my writing I hope to connect with those who have experienced sexual violence, inspiring them to step into their own power as well.
Enrique Llanes
I love helping others out in any way I can, and for better or for worse, have become a jack of all trades. I may not be good at certain things, but it won’t stop me from learning! At Bayha Group I do things such as merchandise design, apparel design, database work, and graphic design, among other things. Although I may just be a cog in the wheel, I do want to have an impact on the world by inspiring others to foster growth within themselves to bloom, chase their dreams, and remain positive. Remember, you don’t have to be great to start following your dreams, but you’ve got to follow those dreams in order to be great.
Felipe Caceres-Fernandez
I am driven by my desire to understand the world. Because of this, I am interested in practically everything and I love exploring new ideas, perspectives, and ways of life. This passion led me to start an interview platform where I can fully pursue my curiosity. Ultimately, I want to use my understanding to solve global problems and one way to do so is through robotics. I have gone after engineering most of my life and I want to combine robotics with entrepreneurship in the future.
Jazmine Gary
I am currently a sophomore at Chapman University. I have been a Co-designer for a year now and it has strengthened me tremendously. At Bayha Group, I am part of the social media team where I assist with content creation, in addition to being a project coordinator where I use my abilities in many aspects of the company. Due to the skills that I have gained, the impact that I want to have on the world is to be of service to people. Im passionate about helping others and in the future, I want to reflect these abilities onto my future career goals.
Juan Giraldo Ramirez
I am a competitor dreamer. Since I was little, I loved to compete and dreamed of big aspirations like being a professional soccer player. This drive led me to a lifelong learning journey searching for what successful people do differently to achieve their biggest dreams. I believe in taking ownership of our dreams by competing against ourselves to be our best without blaming external circumstances or others. My mission is to empower individuals to realize their full potential and create a life of fulfillment by being the heroes in their own stories.
Kimberly Olivares
I am a Co-Designer for Bayha Group. I have various roles at the company, some of which include graphic design, event planning, and supporting our WorkWonder Summer Internship Program. I really enjoy working with youth and helping them grow professionally and personally. I am a very ambitious person who is always striving for personal growth. I am also a third-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, where I am studying Criminology, Law, & Society, and Business Administration. I hope to pursue a career in Immigration law and make a difference in people’s lives. I hope to serve as a voice for those who do not have one and help create more justice in the world.
Juan Giraldo Ramirez
I am a competitor dreamer. Since I was little, I loved to compete and dreamed of big aspirations like being a professional soccer player. This drive led me to a lifelong learning journey searching for what successful people do differently to achieve their biggest dreams. I believe in taking ownership of our dreams by competing against ourselves to be our best without blaming external circumstances or others. My mission is to empower individuals to realize their full potential and create a life of fulfillment by being the heroes in their own stories.
Kimberly Olivares
I am a Co-Designer for Bayha Group. I have various roles at the company, some of which include graphic design, event planning, and supporting our WorkWonder Summer Internship Program. I really enjoy working with youth and helping them grow professionally and personally. I am a very ambitious person who is always striving for personal growth. I am also a third-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, where I am studying Criminology, Law, & Society, and Business Administration. I hope to pursue a career in Immigration law and make a difference in people’s lives. I hope to serve as a voice for those who do not have one and help create more justice in the world.
Margot Thompson
I am a Co-Designer for Bayha Group. I am helping with the Filmmaking deep-dive and merch. I hope that I can help people achieve their dreams because I know first-hand how difficult it is to find your direction without a bit of guidance.
Megan Lee
I am passionate about all things creative and ensuring that there is equity and representation within every sector of life. Currently, I am studying American Studies and English at UC Berkeley, and hope to eventually work in the entertainment industry in a creative position. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, listening to music, and taking walks with my dog, Molly. In everything I pursue, I hope to contribute to a future that is one of inclusion, hope, and limitless innovation.
Mia Alvarez
I am a sociology student at California State University Long Beach. I am deeply interested in exploring both social and emotional behavior and am also a co-designer at Bayha Group. Here, I have the opportunity to help contribute to the social media team, creating diverse and unique content for our page.
Nicole Wong
I am studying computer science at UC San Diego. In my free time, I like to brush up on my programming skills or develop my creative side through digital art. As a Co-Designer, I try to incorporate everyone’s thoughts into the fold so that no voice goes unheard. I’d like to work towards a future where creators have the freedom and technology to express themselves without fear of suppression or replacement.
Rigel Bayha
I am a student of the 2027 class of New York University, and I have been working with the Bayha Group since 2020. I am interested in the visual arts and history, and I enjoy drawing, reading, and cooking in my free time. Being a part of the WorkWonder Summer Internship Program has given me the chance to learn from a wide range of different mentors, fellow codesigners and interns. This community thrives by giving one another the skills, tools, friendships, and experiences to take their goals to the next level, and it’s incredible to see what we can do with each step forward. I am happy to be a part of Bayha Group, and to have the chance to support young people in reaching their goals.
Ryan Diaz
Though I don’t like to express it too much, I am very enthusiastic on the inside about the things I like. Soccer, video games, and programming are all things I am passionate about so whenever someone brings these topics up, I’m all for it! At Bayha Group, I do some merchandise design, database creation, event planning, and other things. My goal is to provide a safe working space where my colleagues can also dream and follow their passions.
Rigel Bayha
I am a student of the 2027 class of New York University, and I have been working with the Bayha Group since 2020. I am interested in the visual arts and history, and I enjoy drawing, reading, and cooking in my free time. Being a part of the WorkWonder Summer Internship Program has given me the chance to learn from a wide range of different mentors, fellow codesigners and interns. This community thrives by giving one another the skills, tools, friendships, and experiences to take their goals to the next level, and it’s incredible to see what we can do with each step forward. I am happy to be a part of Bayha Group, and to have the chance to support young people in reaching their goals.
Ryan Diaz
Though I don’t like to express it too much, I am very enthusiastic on the inside about the things I like. Soccer, video games, and programming are all things I am passionate about so whenever someone brings these topics up, I’m all for it! At Bayha Group, I do some merchandise design, database creation, event planning, and other things. My goal is to provide a safe working space where my colleagues can also dream and follow their passions.
Sharon Kang
I am a Co-Designer and music producer for Bayha group. I co-teach the music production internship and I make music for Bayha group events and videos. I’m a singer, cheerleader, traveler, and café lover.
Sophia Rubio
I am a filmmaking enthusiast pursuing my studies in video production. Beyond the classroom, I’m passionate about exploring new horizons and expressing my creativity. With the invaluable support of Bayha Group, I have developed my skills in scripting, editing, storytelling, and live streaming. I thrive on trying new things and embarking on diverse projects to expand my knowledge and unleash my creative potential. When I’m not immersed in my work, you can find me outdoors, indulging in activities like hiking, working, soaking in the sun, and discovering new places with friends. For me, life is all about embracing new experiences, discovering what ignites my passion, and surrounding myself with uplifting individuals.
