Our Staff

Savlan brings over a decade of experience in urban design and development in Mexico City and the San Francisco Bay Area to her role as Executive Director of the Jack London Improvement District—Oakland’s geographically largest business improvement district. Prior to her role in Jack London, Savlan worked on multifaceted revitalization efforts through two major Area Specific Plans as consultant to the City of Oakland. Savlan holds a degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley, is a LEED AP, and Urban Land Institute's Chamberlin Public Sector Leader Fellow 2017-2019. By the age of 6, Savlan was in love with vibrant, urban environments as a busker, playing her fiddle on the streets of great West Coast Cities while on family vacations. Savlan also serves as chair of the Oakland BID Alliance. Representing over 3,000 businesses and property owners, the BID Alliance communicates best practices, ideas, and resources, connects with key City and agency representatives, and advocates on behalf of its members to further the goals of growing and maintaining Oakland’s vital commercial districts.

After years of working in the neighborhood, Rachel joined the JLID Team in late 2022. With her experience in marketing, social media, charitable fundraising, and event production, Rachel brings a diverse set of skills to the non-profit. Prior to this, she worked as the Head of Marketing & Events for Jack London-based, award-winning brewery, Original Pattern Brewing Co. The past three years, she has organized the annual Jack London Brewing District Block Party, featuring six of the neighborhood’s breweries, local food vendors, music, & more. The event, proudly sponsored by JLID, has become a signature event in our neighborhood.

In her free time, you can find her onstage singing her heart out, indulging in Oakland’s vegan cuisine, organizing benefit parties for charitable causes, or camping at a music festival. She's grateful for the opportunity to give back to this awesome community and the hardworking folks that make this neighborhood thrive!

Josh bridges the gap between our nationwide partners, Block By Block, and our local neighborhood. By overseeing our Ambassadors, Josh ensures that our team in the field upholds our high standards for cleanliness, hospitality, and safety. Joshua’s experience encompasses many industries including engineering, youth services, and other non-profit work. Previously, he worked as a Project Manager for Double AA Corporation in San Francisco, where he supervised all construction, renovations, and development, while simultaneously managing the company’s service department of 40 gas stations across the Bay Area.

Richie is a Latinx bilingual professional with a background in sociology from the University of California, Merced, where he began developing an interest in community engagement. His work centers on improving public spaces through beautification, public art, and cross-sector coordination, creating spaces that feel clean, welcoming, and easy to navigate.

Richie also supports JLID’s social media and storytelling, helping highlight the people, places, and small wins that shape the Jack London community.

He is an alum of the COOP Careers fellowship and Leadership Oakland, and serves on the board of Keep Oakland Beautiful.

Outside of work, Richie enjoys spending time with his cats, cheering on the Roots and Ballers, enjoying coffee in the district and beyond, and exploring public art and good eats, especially Mexican and Southeast Asian food.