By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond Promise has welcomed two new staff members onto its team, including Director of Development Maya Kamath and Director of Communications Ben Enos.
Executive Director Chris Whitmore welcomed Kamath and Enos to the team in a statement and said that each brings “a wealth of experience in their respective fields that represent important growth in our effort to promote a college graduating culture in Richmond.”
Kamath brings approximately two decades of experience to her role as director of development, most recently having served in a similar position at Children Now—an organization that promotes children’s well-being statewide. Previously, she also worked in communications and fund development for another community based organization, San Francisco Village, which serves older adults.
Kamath’s earlier work was spent on both the agency and in-house side of corporate communications, where she worked for more than a decade. She holds a B.A. in mass communications, with a minor in political science, from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).
The new director of development said she’s thrilled to join Richmond Promise. “I have great respect for the work they’re doing here in Richmond, and look forward to partnering with this talented team to grow the organization and deepen its impact in the community.”
For his part, Enos—a Richmond native—joins the Richmond Promise as its first full time director of communications, most recently performing media relations work at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga.
Enos’ background also includes time serving as press secretary for U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier when the congressman’s district encompassed Richmond. The U.C. Berkeley political science grad also worked for the Bay Area News Group for about a decade, and has spent many years in college athletic communications and as a local sports writer.
If Enos’ name sounds familiar, it may because his family has strong ties to the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). His father, Randy, was not only a high school teacher and administrator, but also served on the WCCUSD’s school board. Enos’ mother, Tamea, was an instructional aide at a number of district schools and his sister, Courtney, taught at various district high schools.
“My family has a long history of working with West Contra Costa students, and I am so pleased that my career path has led me back to Richmond to hopefully do my part as well,” said Enos.
Richmond Promise launched in 2016 via a $35 million, 10-year investment by Chevron Richmond. The funds are part of a $90 million community benefits agreement between the City of Richmond and Chevron related to the $1 billion Refinery Modernization Project.
For more info about Richmond Promise, click here.
