Tara Ryan
Program Coordinator

Tara Ryan brings extensive experience in early education and public administration, including teaching, coaching, program administration and leadership, to the City of San Diego’s Office of Child and Youth Success. She has broad experience designing, planning, and implementing early learning and care programs and large public initiatives.

Prior to coming to the City of San Diego, Tara served as the deputy director for the Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE), focusing on supporting California school districts to better align and integrate early learning and K-12 systems through strong leadership and strategy. Previous roles include senior director of the i3 Institute, director of early education at the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Child Care and Development Planning Council coordinator, and director of operations at the San Francisco Unified School District's early education department. Prior to her various roles in administration and leadership, Tara served as an elementary school teacher and early education teacher on special assignment focused on curriculum development, assessment, and professional learning.

Tara earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in education with a focus on social justice and equity issues from San Francisco State University. She also holds a multiple-subject teaching credential and administrative services credential. Tara has two school-age children who are active San Diego community members.

Brilly (Breejy) Gonzalez
Community Development Specialist II

Brilly (Breejy) Gonzalez brings a dynamic, service-oriented background to the Office of Child and Youth Success, where she serves as a Community Development Specialist II.

Brilly’s dedication to supporting her community spans a range of impactful roles, from coordinating afterschool programs to promoting micro-mobility initiatives. In 2020, Brilly shifted her focus to addressing one of San Diego’s most pressing challenges, housing insecurity. As a Housing Coordinator, she built strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, property partners, and community members while connecting individuals, families, veterans, and transitional-aged youth with stable housing in San Diego’s competitive market. Her ability to collaborate and innovate has left a lasting mark on the collective.

Brilly’s nonprofit sector experience has given her valuable insights into driving creative and tangible solutions to community challenges, regardless of scale. She is committed to making a meaningful impact, one connection at a time. Brilly holds a B.A. in Psychological Studies from California State University, San Marcos.

Denise Amavizca
Associate Management Analyst

Denise Amavizca brings extensive experience in fiscal budget administration, procurement of goods and services, and grant finance support and administration to the Office of Child and Youth Success. Prior to joining OCYS, Denise worked for more than 9 years in various City of San Diego departments, most recently in the Economic Development Department-Real Estate & Airport Management Division (formally Real Estate Assets Department), and the Office of Emergency Services (formally Office of Homeland Security).

Denise’s background derives from budget development and monitoring projections for various budget programs and elements in Real Estate & Economic Development. Denise has assisted with overseeing purchase orders and time sensitive invoice payments in multiple departments and provided onboarding support for hiring of new staff members and interns. Denise also had the pleasure of assisting with the administration of various grants in OHS making sure all federal and state requirements were met prior to expenditure, working directly with fellow senior budget analysts. Denise will now be helping OCYS’ efforts into further developing and implementing the City of San Diego’s Child and Youth Plan.

Denise received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from National University and plans on continuing to expand her educational goals.

OCYS Youth Interns

• Tessa Garrison
• Amy Gianetto
• Kwincy Lambert