A Team Effort

Our Employees

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Our employees with and without disabilities work together to bake, carry, sell, brew, count, pour, greet, repair, clean, drive, program, and ride on behalf of Purple Tree Café. 

Our Supporters

Purple Tree Café is grateful for the financial and in-kind support it has received from many generous individuals and organizations over the years, including:
  • ​Davis Community Church
  • UC Davis MIND Institute
  • Excelerate Foundation
  • ​Dermody Properties Foundation
  • Coffee Time
  • Bet Haverim Congregation
  • Mariani Packing Company
  • 4imprint 
  • ​Ink Monkey
  • Davis Food Co-op
  • Trader Joe's
  • Phoong Law
  • Disability Advocacy Services
  • Bridges of the Mind 
  • Moore Flooring
  • HMW Construction
  • The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Davis Lodge
  • The City of Davis Arts and Cultural Affairs Program

Supporter Spotlight

In August 2025, Purple Tree was awarded the first All Things Right & Relevant Grant from the Yolo Community Foundation, administered through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. 

This grant will provide Purple Tree with $55,000 per year, renewable for up to 5 years, to provide supported employment and job development to people with mental health diagnoses in Davis and Sacramento through 2030.

Through this project, Purple Tree will continue the legacy of All Things Right & Relevant, which operated a beloved thrift store in Davis for over 30 years that raised $500,000+ for local nonprofits and provided supported employment to more than 50 Yolo County residents living with mental illness until its closure in 2024.

​Our Management

Jason Sullivan-Halpern

Executive Director

Jason is the Director of the California Long Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA) and joined the Purple Tree Café team in July 2023. As Director of CLTCOA, Jason is a current member of the CA Elder & Disability Justice Coordinating Council (CEDJCC), the CA Elder Justice Coalition (CEJC), and the CA Aging & Disability Alliance (CADA). He works on a daily basis to support older and dependent adults -- including adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities -- through providing legislative advocacy and technical assistance to CA's 35 regional long-term care ombudsman programs. Jason obtained his B.A. in Philosophy & Political Science from UC Davis in 2014, received his J.D. with concentrations in Advocacy and Public Interest Law cum laude in 2021 from Penn State.

Kelsey Fortune

Associate Director & Operations Manager

​Kelsey recently received their PhD in economics at UC Davis where their research focused on energy and transportation policy. They have degrees in mathematics and economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They also volunteer as a board member for two other local nonprofits, Bike Davis and Cool Davis. Their passion for creating community brought them to Purple Tree, and Purple Tree has changed their life. As a person with disabilities, Purple Tree has provided an opportunity to grow in that identity and introduced them to the thriving disability community in Davis.

Jacob Amato

Head Chef

A long time Davis, CA resident with a baking career spanning over a decade, Jacob leads our baking operations at Purple Tree. He provides tangible support to the disability community through his compassionate mentorship and commitment to providing meaningful support to individuals in and out of the kitchen. His experience as a person with disabilities in the food industry has helped facilitate novel and individualized training for each employee. He fosters an inclusive environment where everyone can learn, grow, and contribute their unique talents. 

Pamela Cohen

Board Chair & Founder

Pam is the Board Chair, founder and former Executive Director of Purple Tree Cafe. Her professional background is in disability rights law and civil rights mediation. From 2014 to 2024, Pam was co-leader of the Team Davis Singers, a disability-inclusive music group that participates in Purple Tree's Hootenanny events. Pam currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland where she works as an Employer Outreach Specialist at SEEC, a nonprofit that helps people with intellectual and developmental and disabilities live lives of their choosing.

Jesus Mata

Board Member & Development Director

Jesús ​has worked in development and community relations for other local nonprofits and currently works for Everyday Impact Consulting. He has also volunteered as an interpreter for court cases in San Francisco.  Jesús holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political and Latin American Studies from the University of San Francisco.

Jeremy Billiel

Treasurer

Jeremy has over 25 years of senior finance executive experience and is currently the President and CEO of the company he founded, TriPoint Advisors. Prior to starting TriPoint Advisors, Jeremy was the Treasurer of Talcott Financial Group, a $140B international life insurance company. Prior to Talcott Financial Group, Jeremy managed the FP&A and Strategy functions at Hartford Investment Management Company, a $100B insurance investment management company. Jeremy has his undergrad in Finance from The University of Connecticut and is currently pursuing his MBA from Bryant University. In his free time, Jeremy volunteers as the Scout Master of the local Boy Scout Troop and holds positions on multiple boards.

Elaina DaLomba

Secretary

Elaina has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years, working with individuals with disabilities in the neonatal intensive care unit through adulthood. She is currently Associate Professor and Associate Program Director for the U.S. Army Baylor Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. She has worked all over the country and world, teaching and practicing as a clinical therapist. Her prior volunteer work includes the City of Benicia Human Services Board, the American Occupational Therapy Association's Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section Editor, Royal Air Force Lakenheath's Special Families Support Group Leader, and Operation Homefront. Elaina has a PhD in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Science in occupational therapy from Tufts University, and a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University.

Ama Biremba Ghartey

Board Member

Ama is an experienced Treasury Professional with over 15 years of experience. She was the General Manager, Treasury and Investments at National Investment Bank in Ghana until 2023 when she took a career break. Prior to that, she was the Treasurer of First Atlantic Bank. She has also worked in various capacities at Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd including Deputy and Acting Treasurer.  Prior to pursuing a career in Banking, she worked in different roles and organizations including Gold Coast Securities (Ghana), City of Yorke Council, Croydon Council and SwapStream (Subsidiary of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange) all in the United Kingdom.

Luke Scavotto 

Board Member

Luke brings over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked in nearly every role within full-service restaurants. His expertise includes serving as the general manager for multiple locations in the Washington, DC area. In addition to his hospitality background, Luke has experience in the music industry and holds a degree in audio engineering from Full Sail University. He is currently the Assistant General Manager at Olive & Vine Catering at UC Davis. 

...And you!

Are you interested in joining the Purple Tree team as an employee or Board member? We'd love to hear from you! Please leave any questions or comments below, and we'll get back to you soon.

Board Member Position Description