Who We Are
At Viridian, we specialize in trust-building strategies for public, private, and AI-driven innovation. We live and breathe meaningful community engagement, effective communications, and social impact. Viridian bridges communities with developers, businesses, and government to build collective prosperity. Our work supports positive change by creating products, programs, and practices that you can operationalize.
Meet Yvonna
Founder & CEO
With two decades of experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and social impact, Yvonna has worked across government, nonprofit, and tech sectors to bridge diverse stakeholders. She has collaborated with over 300 business, government, and community leaders on policy innovation, AI governance, and public-private partnerships.
As a Governor’s Office appointee and Deputy Director at CalEPA, Yvonna led communications, environmental justice, public engagement, and tribal affairs, overseeing a team of 54 FTE and managing over $10.2M in regulatory programs. She played a key role in the $500M Clean Up in Vulnerable Communities Initiative (CVCI), influencing funding decisions through policy recommendations and multi-stakeholder engagement. Yvonna spearheaded efforts to modernize public engagement through digital tools, which contributed to a 40% reduction in community engagement costs. She worked closely with state regulators, businesses, and community leaders to align policy objectives with economic and environmental regulatory and legislative priorities.
At the City of Oakland, as Director of Community Engagement in the Mayor’s Office, she developed and led inclusive engagement strategies that shaped citywide policies and programs. Additionally, she led several cross-sector efforts, partnering with philanthropic organizations, corporate social responsibility teams, and local businesses to secure and direct over $50M in funding for education, social impact initiatives, housing, and business recovery grants. During the pandemic, she coordinated and directed 34 City of Oakland staff and Disaster Service Workers, ensuring their work aligned with her community outreach efforts that mobilized 535+ community volunteers. This large-scale response connected 20,000+ low-income seniors and families with essential resources, strengthening government efficiency and responsiveness during a crisis. She also managed a team of 15+ staff and fellows, implementing citywide engagement strategies that built public trust and supported inclusive policy initiatives.
Yvonna is a recognized speaker and trainer in digital transformation, AI governance, and public engagement strategies. She has lectured at Code for America, ELGL, and MMANC, sharing insights on responsible AI, civic technology, and modernizing government engagement through digital tools. To date, she has trained over 645 public servants and health care staff across North America, helping them navigate digital innovation, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory adaptation in an AI-driven world.
With experience spanning state, local, and nonprofit sectors, Yvonna has advised on policy and public-private partnerships at California Volunteers (Governor’s Office) and beyond. Her expertise in responsible AI, governance, and digital transformation makes her a trusted voice in bridging technology, policy, and stakeholder trust.
Meet Debbie
Special Projects Advisor
Debbie is an experienced strategist, organizational leader, speaker, facilitator and program manager committed to helping companies and organizations reach their full potential. In leadership roles for seven years, Debbie has been the catalyst for business and program growth. Debbie is well-versed in project management approaches, business analytics, as well as research and risk management. She has expertise in IT governance as well as cybersecurity risk management and has helped organizations navigate compliance frameworks, GDPR, data protection policies and AI security best practices. Debbie also has experience developing and implementing strategic business plans for startup, mid-sized, and Fortune 100 global companies.
Who We've Worked With
Viridian Management Group has supported projects in technology, government, social impact, and corporate responsibility. We have provided strategy, stakeholder engagement, and policy guidance to organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups, universities, and public agencies.
Our experience spans:
Technology & AI: Emerging startups, enterprise software firms, and digital engagement platforms
Government & Public Sector: Federal, state, and municipal agencies focused on innovation and community engagement
Social Impact & Nonprofits: Philanthropic initiatives, higher education institutions, and mission-driven organizations
Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability: Health systems, climate and energy firms, and companies prioritizing ethical business practices
Yvonna, Founder of Viridian Management Group at 8
Our Origin Story
Viridian’s story began 30 years ago when our founder, Yvonna, was just a young girl exploring her local community park for a science project. To her shock, the park was bulldozed to make way for a golf course—with no warning and no opportunity for residents to weigh in. That moment sparked a lifelong mission: ensuring that communities have a voice in shaping the world around them—whether in city planning, corporate decision-making, or the technologies that shape our daily lives.
From public policy to emerging technologies, the challenges may have evolved, but the need for trust, transparency, and inclusive decision-making has never been greater. Yvonna founded Viridian to be a bridge between communities, businesses, and technology, helping organizations engage stakeholders, mitigate risks, and shape a future where AI, governance, and innovation work for everyone.