Francesca Costa
About Francesca Costa
Francesca Costa serves as the Associate Program Director at Code for America, where she has worked since 2019. With a background in American Studies and Geography from UC Berkeley, she has held various roles in community outreach and program management across several organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Work at Code for America
Francesca Costa has served as the Associate Program Director at Code for America since 2019. In this role, she manages a year-round volunteer program aimed at optimizing resources for a small team. Her work focuses on enhancing community engagement and improving program effectiveness within the organization. Code for America is known for its commitment to using technology to improve government services and promote civic engagement.
Previous Experience
Before joining Code for America, Francesca Costa held several positions that contributed to her expertise in community outreach and program management. She worked as a Program Manager for CalFresh Outreach at the SF-Marin Food Bank from 2013 to 2019, where she coordinated outreach events and recruited community-based organizations. Earlier, she served as Lead Farmers' Market Manager at the Ecology Center in Berkeley from 2008 to 2013. Her internships at AFSCME and Embassy English further developed her administrative and organizational skills.
Education and Expertise
Francesca Costa earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in American Studies with honors and Geography from the University of California, Berkeley, completing her studies from 2004 to 2008. This educational background has equipped her with a strong understanding of social issues and community dynamics, which she applies in her professional roles. Her expertise includes program management, community outreach, and bilingual support services.
Volunteer Coordination and Outreach
In her current role, Francesca Costa is responsible for managing a volunteer program that enhances the operational capacity of her team. She coordinates outreach events designed to increase enrollment in the CalFresh program, focusing on diverse community settings such as pantries, health fairs, and schools. Her ability to design outreach materials using InDesign and Adobe Illustrator supports effective communication and engagement with the community.
Bilingual Support Services
Francesca Costa provides bilingual application and case assistance in both English and Spanish. This service is essential for reaching a wider range of clients, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder access to vital resources. Her commitment to inclusivity enhances the effectiveness of the programs she manages and supports.