Meet the Team

Lonnie Morris

PRESIDENT & CO- FOUNDER
Lonnie co-founded No More Tears in 2002 while incarcerated at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC), alongside other incarcerated men and concerned citizens in the greater Bay Area. He led the design and implementation of NMT's comprehensive Violence Prevention workshop series that examines the roots of violence and methods to end the cycle of violence in our communities. He is also a pioneer of our Real Life Reentry Workshop and Healing Justice Restorative Circles.
As the president, he uses his lived experience to develop and strengthen NMT curricula and programs. He continues to build and nurture lasting relationships with community-based organizations, elected officials, community members, and incarcerated people, expanding NMTs’ restorative justice practices to other institutions and community organizations.
He is a Master Facilitator, Program Consultant, filmmaker, organizer, motivational speaker, mentor, and counselor in organizational settings. His successful endeavors exemplify how adversity can be turned into opportunities for healing, growth, and positive change.
In his free time, he likes to play pool and watch football and basketball.
ALAIA ZAKI

PROGRAMS MANAGER
Alaia joined No More Tears in 2021 as a volunteer and in September 2023 as an Executive Assistant. Now, as the Programs Manager, she supervises our programs at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, reentry team, and youth programs.
After volunteering at NMTs’ violence prevention workshops as San Quentin and gaining a deep appreciation for NMT’s healing centered restorative practice work, as well as developing a strong rapport with our program facilitators at San Quentin, she realized the value of centering the people we serve in guiding strategic vision and problem solving.
She loves being from and caring for the Bay Area community, hiking, and tea.
dOMINIQUE cHESSON

EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Dominique joined the NMT family in February 2024. As our Executive Operations Coordinator, she provides high-level administrative and operational support, coordinates communications with community partners and donors, and leads HR and grant initiatives.
She has a background in nonprofit development and consulting and has worked with various nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area and in her hometown, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Her connection to NMT began in a college classroom, where President Lonnie Morris mentored her, and she knew she wanted to keep learning what it means to transform local communities under his legacy.
In her free time, she enjoys concerts, traveling, and reading.
Cierra Cardenas

REENTRY ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Cierra joined the NMT family in 2024 as a volunteer before stepping into their role as Re-Entry Administrative Coordinator. They work closely with the Re-Entry team to actively support incarcerated individuals who are returning home by ensuring they have access to essential resources and holistic care that will help them build stability during their transitions home.
They studied sociocultural Anthropology and Global Poverty at UC Berkeley, where they were introduced to the UCB Teach In Prison course and began tutoring individuals obtaining their GED’S at San Quentin in 2022.
This experience inspired them to better understand the correlation between early adolescent trauma, and internalized belief systems, within and outside of educational settings, leading them to volunteer with No More Tears. They are deeply impacted by the resilience and dedication of NMT participants, facilitators, and returned citizens to bring forth solutions to harm caused in our communities.
Ana Arias

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Ana joined the NMT family in December 2025 as the Finance and Operations Coordinator, where she oversees the organization's financial operations, including payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and nonprofit compliance.
She brings a strong background in finance and nonprofit operations, with experience spanning higher education, corporate finance, and the insurance industry.
Inspired by President Lonnie Morris's story and commitment to community transformation while in college, Ana was drawn to support NMT's mission through her passion for finance and financial literacy.
In her free time, she enjoys watching movies in theaters, exploring new restaurants throughout the Bay Area, and traveling to experience different cultures and perspectives
MIKAYLA BROWN

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & YOUTH PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Mikayla joined the NMT Family in July 2026. As our Community Engagement & Youth Program Assistant, they serve as a helping hand in facilitating youth programs, supporting correspondence, and strengthening community outreach efforts.
They have a background in communication, youth programming, community engagement, and the arts, earning a B.A. in Communication Studies as a Daniels Scholar, interning with Faithful Fools, becoming a certified yoga teacher, completing a six-month fellowship at GLIDE, and participating in two Skywatchers productions.
Mikayla first connected with No More Tears in 2022 after meeting Lonnie Morris through the Community Empowered Activists program at the University of San Francisco. Inspired by NMT’s powerful story and mission, they continued to build a meaningful relationship with Lonnie and the organization. After participating as a youth in NMT’s YAP programs, Mikayla found their way back to NMT in a new capacity, now helping create the same supportive experiences and opportunities for the next generation.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog Morpheus (who lives in Colorado). She also loves reading, playing games, writing songs, traveling, and exploring in nature!
JAMAINE GURLEY

DIRECT SERVICE SPECIALIST
Jamaine joined the NMT family in 2019. He currently serves as our Direct Service Specialist helping our returned citizens execute their re-entry plan as well as conducting weekly check ins to address any issues that may arise or offer support for whatever situation a client may be facing.
Jamaine has a background in working with at promised youth who are most at risk to join gangs and perpetuate violence. As a seasoned case manager, he offers them wisdom and practical advice through his lived experience and knowledge acquired through college and programs like No More Tears.
His connection to NMT was birthed after he completed the workshop series while serving time in San Quentin. He was offered a chance to become a facilitator in training and never looked back
He enjoys reading books, exercising, and spending quality time with family in his spare time