Our Team
Meet the team at CalCAPA!
David Knight
Executive Director
BIO
David’s experience includes 20 years of non-profit management including 17 years in Community Action & Head Start management. David is the Executive Director for the California Community Action Partnership Association (CalCAPA) and has served in this role since December 2020. He began his career in Community Action in 2008 in Pikeville, KY as a business service representative under the WIA (Workforce Investment Act), then a Special Projects Coordinator in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and then to Community Services Director under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). At the age of 29, David became the youngest executive director in Arkansas state history as the Executive Director for Pine Bluff Jefferson County EOC. David also worked with the National Association for Community Services Programs (NASCSP) out of Washington, D.C. as the Community Services Director for the entire US before becoming the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Hinds County Human Resource Agency, the CAA in Jackson, Mississippi.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Social Work in August 2004 from the University of Mississippi. From there, David has completed over 300 hours of direct sales, leadership and marketing training; has over 150 hours of training in the Certified Community Action Management Program, and is a nationally certified Results Oriented Management & Accountability (ROMA) Master Trainer in which he trained at Community Action Agencies all over the United States. He also holds a certificate in Public Management and Leadership from the Institute of Government at Jackson State University.
Jillian Keegan
Associate Director of Strategic Operations
BIO
Jillian began at CalCAPA in February 2024, growing from Projects Coordinator into her current role as Associate Director of Strategic Operations in 2026. Her current work centers on strengthening the relationships that make CalCAPA’s mission possible: partnering with associations, agencies, nonprofits, and other local organizations across California to uplift the Community Action network. Through this work, she helps connect Community Action Agencies with the resources, partnerships, and training they need to support low-income Californians in their communities, providing pathways to economic mobility.
She also supports the oversight of federal grant awards, including the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium (RPIC), and the Diaper Distribution Demonstration Research Pilot (DDDRP) program, helping to translate federal resources into meaningful impact for the Community Action Agencies and low-income Californians. Alongside this work, she helps advance the priorities of California’s Community Action network in state and national forums.
Jillian received a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Alabama. Outside the office, Jillian enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog. She is an avid Alabama Crimson Tide sports fan, and enjoys traveling and reading in her free time.
(916) 443-1721 ext. 120
jkeegan@calcapa.org
Jordan Ames
Engagement and Events Coordinator
BIO
Jordan joined the CalCAPA team June 2021. She is a graduate of BYU-Idaho, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and Advocacy. Jordan brings experience in nonprofit work as she served with the AmeriCorps VISTA program and various nonprofits throughout her community, assisting with internal and external communication, social media management, and event planning.
In her free time, Jordan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and finding hidden gems in NorCal with her husband. Some of her hobbies include karaoke, finding local happy hour and brunch spots, and taking (and generally regretting) Pure Barre classes.
(916) 443-1721 ext. 110
james@calcapa.org
Aurora Tanaka
Member Capacity Building Coordinator
BIO
Bringing a deep passion for learning, Aurora joined CalCAPA as the Member Capacity Building Coordinator in 2026. With a foundation in education and a master’s degree in educational technology from Cal State Fullerton, Aurora specializes in bridging the gap between instructional design and community empowerment.
She has dedicated her career to creating engaging, accessible learning experiences that translate into practical, real-world solutions, and now applies that expertise to developing training and technical assistance for CalCAPA’s network of member agencies. Aurora is passionate about empowering community action professionals with the tools and resources they need to better serve their communities.
At CalCAPA, Aurora looks forward to collaborating with a team that values innovation, equity, and growth.
atanaka@calcapa.org
Molly Hanrahan
Operations and Compliance Coordinator
BIO
Molly Hanrahan serves as the Operations and Compliance Coordinator for CalCAPA, where she supports the organization’s operations, compliance, and administrative functions to strengthen and advance the work of California’s Community Action Agencies. As the first point of contact for the association, she is committed to building efficient systems, fostering collaboration, and creating an organized, welcoming environment that supports both staff and partners.
With more than 25 years of professional experience spanning nonprofit operations, higher education, athletics, and administration, Molly has built a career centered on leadership, service, and helping organizations thrive. She believes that strong organizations are built through meaningful relationships, thoughtful processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Before joining CalCAPA, Molly spent 10 years at Folsom Lake College, including seven years as Head Women’s Volleyball Coach and three years as the inaugural Head Beach Volleyball Coach. She played an integral role in developing and launching the college’s intercollegiate beach volleyball program while overseeing all aspects of both programs, including strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling, compliance, recruiting, fundraising, event operations, and student-athlete development. She continues to serve as an Adjunct Kinesiology Professor with the Los Rios Community College District, where she is passionate about helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
Throughout her career, Molly has led teams, managed complex operations, developed new programs, coordinated large-scale events, supervised personnel, and mentored hundreds of students and student-athletes. Whether in education, athletics, or nonprofit administration, she is driven by a passion for developing people, improving systems, and creating environments where individuals and organizations can succeed.
Molly earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Science from Briar Cliff University, where she competed as a dual-sport collegiate athlete in volleyball and basketball, and a Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University. Her diverse background continues to shape her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to serving communities across California.
(916) 443-1721
mhanrahan@calcapa.org
Eliana Schwartz
Strategic Communications Intern
BIO
Eliana joined CalCAPA as a Strategic Communication Intern in July 2026. She’s currently studying Journalism and Mass Communications at American River College and has a Bachelor’s in Linguistics from San Jose State University. While her career in Communications is just starting, her passion for language and storytelling is lifelong. With a passion for distilling complex topics into something everyone can understand, she looks forward to learning how nonprofits tell impactful stories centered around their clients, how to advocate for the underserved, and the intricacies of nonprofit funding.
In her free time she loves to dance, discuss popular media, cook, and spend time in nature.