Planting Seeds: Resilience, Response, and Regrowth in Emergency

RIOS's Social Impact Initiative would like to invite you to our first community panel of the year, focused on Resiliency, Response, and Regrowth in Emergency. As part of an ongoing series titled Planting Seeds: Cultivating Community Conversations, this panel will explore how various individuals and organizations identify, collaborate, and mobilize to respond to emergencies.

In light of the Los Angeles fires that took place earlier this year, we want to take a broader look at natural disasters such as fires, flooding, and extreme heat or cold to understand how communities are adapting and coming together in new profound ways.

This community panel series will serve to encourage a dialogue on critical urban social issues important to RIOS and our neighbors, featuring insights from local voices and experts. By fostering diverse conversations related to design and beyond, we aim to learn from community stakeholders, shape shared social aspirations, and promote a more informed, connected community.

The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and happy hour mingling.

This event will also be livestreamed as a Zoom webinar. Please tune in at the link below, and feel free to RSVP as a digital attendee.

https://rios.zoom.us/j/96985418035

Panelist Bios

Moderator: Matthew Tinoco

Founder, LA Public Press

Matt Tinoco is the Publisher & Founder of Los Angeles Public Press, a community centered nonprofit newsroom serving residents of LA County. Before starting LA Public Press, he reported on his hometown, Los Angeles, as a staff and freelance reporter. He published reporting in Mother Jones, LAist, Politico Magazine, the LA Review of Books, LA Weekly, Jezebel, Capital & Main, Curbed Los Angeles, and broadcast on NPR, KPCC-FM, and Marketplace. When not tapping away on his laptop on a local-news-related task, you can likely find him on a walk visiting his favorite trees in Griffith Park.

Melissa Acedera

Founder & Director, Polo's Pantry

Melissa Acedera is a Filipino-American activist and community organizer focused on food justice & homelessness, living and working in Los Angeles.

She is the founder & director of Polo’s Pantry, a non-profit focused on nourishing and caring for food, housing and resource insecure communities throughout Southern California. She is also the co-founder of Home-y Made Meals, a 100% people-powered initiative adapted to the safety measures required during Covid-19. Within the safety and comfort of their homes, volunteers from all around Southern California prepare, deliver, and serve homemade meals every day to shelters and coalitions.

Tyone Nance

Founder & CEO, It's Bigger Than Us

Tyrone Nance is a dynamic force in community impact, celebrated as a seasoned community organizer, researcher, public speaker, trainer, and outreach expert. With over a decade of experience, he has consistently led transformative initiatives and spearheaded impactful programs throughout Los Angeles County and beyond.

As the Founder & CEO of It’s Bigger Than Us (IBTU), Tyrone has organized over 500 community-led events and activated long-term fire relief and equity-focused programs that support thousands of families. His work spans school partnerships, health and resource distributions, and culturally rooted campaigns for justice and belonging.

Tyrone’s expertise includes program development, strategic planning, volunteer management, and cross-sector collaboration. His research and community listening work spans qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches, with a focus on health equity and culturally responsive care.

Known for his engaging public speaking and his heart-forward leadership, Tyrone continues to build movements rooted in connection, healing, and action—anchored in a vision for long-term, community-driven disaster response and social impact.

Mario Valenzuela

Senior Vice President of Social Impact, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Mario Valenzuela serves as the Senior Vice President of Social Impact for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, leading initiatives that break down systemic barriers and promote equity across Los Angeles County. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and raised in LA, Mario’s immigrant experience fuels his passion for community empowerment.

With a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University, Northridge, Mario has dedicated over 20 years to advancing the Y’s mission. He oversees programs that address education equity, economic stability, civic engagement, and social belonging through the LA Y’s 28 centers, three camp sites, and more than 210 program locations. His leadership ensures that initiatives are community-driven, place-based, and responsive to LA’s diverse neighborhoods.

Previously, as Executive Director of the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, Mario spearheaded an emergency food distribution program that expanded to 15 Y locations, delivering over 6.6 million meals to families in need. He also led a $2.4 million capital campaign to establish a state-of-the-art community development center, providing critical mental health and social services.

His commitment to community transformation has fostered cross-sector partnerships and earned him the prestigious Waller Taylor II "Exceptional Service Award"—a rare honor recognizing extraordinary contributions to the YMCA mission. Additionally, he serves on two national YMCA steering committees and trains professionals on the role of volunteer engagement in driving social impact.

As the LA Y evolves into the Center for Community Well-Being, Mario’s leadership continues to inspire change, ensuring all Angelenos have the opportunity to thrive.

Host or Publisher RIOS