Meet Our Team

We're a team of passionate, community-conscious individuals.

Venessa McGhee
‍Festival Director
‍Venessa McGhee, a proud Oakland native, embodies her family's deep-rooted passion for small business and community engagement. Her journey with Oakland First Fridays began in 2015, where she started out at the front gates, warmly welcoming attendees. In 2016, Venessa played a pivotal role in building and cultivating the event’s first and only pop-up bar, known as the KONO Lounge. This innovative addition quickly became a favorite among attendees, adding a new dimension to the event’s vibrant atmosphere.

By 2019, her dedication and hard work propelled her to the role of Account Manager and Vendor Coordinator. Over the years, Venessa has become an expert in the intricacies of the event, understanding its pulse and rhythm like no other.

Her leadership skills are complemented by her exceptional communication abilities, allowing her to forge strong connections with vendors and the broader community. Venessa's commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere at Oakland First Fridays has made her an invaluable asset to our team. She not only manages logistics with precision but also ensures that every vendor feels supported and every attendee experiences the unique spirit of Oakland. Through her efforts, Venessa continues to enhance the success and reach of this beloved community event.

Driven by a deep desire to protect and preserve positive, safe spaces in Oakland, Venessa dedicates herself to maintaining the event as a welcoming environment for all. Through her efforts, she continues to enhance the success and reach of this beloved community event, ensuring it remains a cherished part of Oakland's cultural fabric.

Michelle Ortega
Marketing/Social Media Coordinator‍‍
Michelle is a Bay Area native who is into anything and everything social media and marketing! As our marketing/social media coordinator, she is in charge of putting together campaigns and post that resonate with our target audience, expanding our reach and impact through our online presence. Her expertise in both fields has been a great help behind Oakland First Fridays' online success.

Shari Godinez
‍Executive Director, KONO Community Benefit District
‍Shari Godinez is a third-generation Oaklander and has served as the Executive Director of the KONO Community Benefit District since 2010. Under her leadership, KONO has been dedicated to enhancing the vitality of the District through safety, beauty, and economic opportunity. The organization is renowned for producing Oakland First Fridays, a celebrated community event that showcases the area's artistic and cultural diversity.

Shari holds a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley. Her extensive career includes roles such as Programs Manager and Executive Director for the Oakland Merchants’ Leadership Forum (OMLF), a member of the Oakland Grown marketing committee, and a retail store owner for 15 years. Additionally, she has over 30 years of experience as a property manager.

A passionate advocate for Oakland, Shari has dedicated the past 17 years to supporting the city and its small businesses. Since KONO took over the production of Oakland First Fridays in 2013, she has successfully overseen its staff and operations, fostering community engagement and promoting the District as a vibrant, clean, and safe destination.

COURTNEY RUSSELL
Executive Assistant to Shari Godinez
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Courtney comes with over 10 years experience as an Executive Assistant for a Fortune 500 company. She also has more than 12 years working in the financial industry as a bank manager, Loan Processor and in Accounting.

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Meet Our Team

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