Amplify Communities is committed to unlocking the opportunity of places and advancing social, economic, and environmental justice.

Our team collaborates with diverse cross-sector partners to devise innovative solutions that center community needs, leverage existing resources, and strengthen opportunities for collective impact.

Valley Senior Village architect rendering

About Amplify Communities

Mission

Amplify Communities is a women-led nonprofit dedicated to driving systems change and solutions to advance housing, education, and economic opportunity.

Pillars

Thought Leaders • Advisors • Partners

Approach

Our community-centered approach to planning builds on community knowledge, elevates diverse community voices, and raises awareness about the costs and benefits of potential solutions.

Meet Our Team

Alexa Washburn

awashburn@amplifycommunities.org

Alexa Washburn is Senior Vice President of Planning and Acquisitions at National CORE. She has over 20 years of policy and development expertise …

Sandra Espadas

sespadas@amplifycommunities.org

Sandra Espadas is a community development manager with National CORE. She brings over 20 years of experience advising on public outreach strategies …

Sarah Walker

swalker@amplifycommunities.org

Sarah Walker is a senior project manager at National CORE with over 15 years of experience in land use planning, housing policy, and community development …

Taylor Libolt Varner

tliboltvarner@amplifycommunities.org

Taylor Libolt Varner is a planning and acquisitions manager at National CORE, with experience in land use entitlements, project development, housing and …

Cynthia Mejia

cmejia@amplifycommunities.org

Cynthia Mejia is an assistant development manager at National CORE, where she is responsible for helping guide projects through various stages of …

Creiselda Terpoorten

cterpoorten@amplifycommunities.org

Creiselda Terpoorten (she/her/Ella) brings a wealth of experience in community engagement to her role as Assistant Project Manager. With a background rooted …

What We Do

The quality of our work is measured by our ability to enhance the sustainability, health, and vibrancy of communities to promote access and opportunity for all. We see ourselves as community partners in delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits. We firmly believe in the importance of cultivating relationships and strategic investments that catalyze positive community change. We offer a breadth of experience across:

Land Use + Planning
Advisory Services
Outreach + Engagement
Climate Change + Environmental Sustainability
Grant Writing & Management
Technical Assistance

Our Client Partners

Let's Collaborate

GET STARTED TODAY

Alexa Washburn

awashburn@nationalcore.org

Alexa Washburn is Senior Vice President of Planning and Acquisitions at National CORE. She has over 20 years of policy and development expertise, including general plans, master plans, specific plans, and affordable housing development projects. She applies her in-depth understanding of progressive policy and implementation strategies to effectively enhance the feasibility, livability, and sustainability of National CORE’s communities. Alexa is responsible for acquisitions, forward and advanced planning, environmental, entitlements, and community outreach. She established National CORE’s consulting practice, providing public and private sector clients across the state. In this capacity, she has worked with advisory committees, commissions, and councils to develop long-range goals, policies, and programs, and to craft the regulatory implementation tools. Her projects have been recognized with 13 awards from the American Planning Association and Southern California Association of Governments. Alexa holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration and bachelor’s degrees in Geography and Environmental & Urban Studies. Alexa is a fitness and outdoor enthusiast; she enjoys hiking, traveling and adventures with her dog.

Sandra Espadas

sespadas@nationalcore.org

Sandra Espadas is a community development manager with National CORE. She brings over 20 years of experience advising on public outreach strategies and leading community engagement efforts across Southern California. Prior to joining National CORE, Sandra worked for several nonprofit organizations, designing and leading community campaigns in partnership with public agencies and community leaders across Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. Most recently, her work has focused on leading placed-based initiatives to further human capital, economic development, and neighborhood development goals. She has extensive knowledge adopting culturally competent engagement methods and building collaborative relationships with community stakeholders. Sandra is currently enrolled at USC and is pursuing an Executive Master’s in Urban Planning, expected Spring 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish Literature from the University of California, San Diego. For fun, Sandra enjoys walking and cycling with her family.

Sarah Walker

swalker@nationalcore.org

Sarah Walker is a senior project manager at National CORE with over 15 years of experience in land use planning, housing policy, and community development. She specializes in housing elements, affordable housing strategies, and redevelopment/comprehensive community revitalization plans. With experience working for government agencies, private consultant roles, and more recently affordable housing development, Sarah has worn many hats, giving her a unique understanding of how to manage projects effectively and efficiently. She has overseen and prepared a variety of urban planning projects, including general plans, community revitalization plans, specific plans, corridor studies, housing elements, and development entitlements across California. Her projects have been recognized with awards from the American Planning Association and Southern California Association of Governments. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor’s degree in History from Macalester College. In her free time, you can find Sarah shuttling kids to and from activities, walking her fluffy Labradoodle, or planting dahlias in her garden.

Taylor Libolt Varner

tliboltvarner@nationalcore.org

Taylor Libolt Varner is a planning and acquisitions manager at National CORE, with experience in land use entitlements, project development, housing and community development policy, and government affairs. She is an embedded member of the Coachella Valley community in eastern Riverside County and maintains a rich network of relationships throughout Riverside County. She has held positions on the City of La Quinta Planning Commission, Board of Directors of the Desert Valleys Builders Association, and other community advisory committees organized by Riverside County cities. Prior to joining National CORE, Taylor served as the Regional Affordable Housing Planner for the Coachella Valley at Lift to Rise, a regional collective impact organization. Taylor earned her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with a concentration in affordable housing and community economic development, from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Sociology. In her free time, Taylor enjoys tending to her houseplants and chasing around her toddler.

Cynthia Mejia

cmejia@nationalcore.org

Cynthia Mejia is an assistant development manager at National CORE, where she is responsible for helping guide projects through various stages of the development process, including conceptual, design, entitlements, community engagement and approvals. With a background in government relations and public affairs, Cynthia is skilled in coordinating community outreach programs to advance housing and planning goals. As a project planner, Cynthia also collaborates on a range of planning and community development efforts including local plans and documents, policy analyses, and legislative tracking. Cynthia earned a certificate in Affordable Housing Development from UCLA and holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside. In her spare time, Cynthia enjoys taking her family on adventures near and far and listening to audiobooks on the way.

Creiselda Terpoorten

cterpoorten@nationalcore.org

Creiselda Terpoorten (she/her/Ella) brings a wealth of experience in community engagement to her role as Assistant Project Manager. With a background rooted in fostering relationships as a trusted messenger within underserved communities, Creiselda has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with elected officials, agency staff, and diverse stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Her expertise in public policy analysis is instrumental in identifying strengths, bridging gaps, and cultivating collaboration using best practice methods. As a self-starter, Creiselda has independently spearheaded various community initiatives, specifically highlighting the immediate and long-term needs surrounding homelessness, housing stability, and inclusive economic development in Inland SoCal. Her skill set spans strategic planning, power mapping, implementation, and comprehensive program evaluation. Creiselda holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, San Bernardino, and a master’s in public policy from the University of California, Riverside.