Our Team – Humanity Quest

Chi-Ching Woo

Founder & Executive Director

As a native San Franciscan and a first-generation resident of the Sunset District, I bring a unique perspective to our city’s evolution. Witnessing its transformations and resulting disparities profoundly shaped my purpose and sparked the idea of uniting different neighborhoods with a shared purpose: to revitalize our City.

The echoes of my family’s restaurant days and my father’s print shop in the Sunset, coupled with my involvement in a Chinatown art gallery, instilled in me an enduring entrepreneurial spirit. My father, a local artist in Chinatown, also immersed me in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture and its profound emphasis on balance. Navigating my heritage’s traditions at home and the distinct environment of an American school meant I was constantly morphing two different worlds into my understanding of who I am.

San Francisco’s distinct beauty emanates from this shared entrepreneurial ethos and its many cultural currents. This mindset, rooted in the pursuit of the American Dream, has guided my path of self-discovery. My journey led me to Wing Chun Martial Arts Training, where I found both skill development and a community of remarkable individuals. This training, steeped in the philosophy of balance and inner harmony, profoundly shaped my understanding of the essential relationship between the health and wellness of one’s self and the broader “yin and yang” of life—how strength is balanced by flexibility, and outward action by inner peace. These experiences not only shaped my personal journey but also ignited a passion to seek opportunities for positive societal impact.

My profound understanding of San Francisco’s history, culture, and challenges provides a unique vantage point. I channel this valuable asset into initiatives that address pressing issues, celebrate culture, and empower the community. My core motivation lies in cultivating a nurturing network and inspiring individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles, all while engaging in meaningful community contributions. This endeavor is profoundly influenced by my San Franciscan heritage and the harmonious blend of cultures that defines me. I firmly believe a city’s prosperity hinges upon the well-being of its communities. With a vision to foster unity through diversity, I am dedicated to creating vibrant and healthy communities that thrive in harmony.

Ronnie Ruffo

Co-Founder & Director of Community Engagement & Development

A San Francisco native, born at San Francisco General Hospital and nurtured across its various neighborhoods, this city has gifted me the opportunity to engage deeply with an array of cultures and experiences. Driven by a deep respect for people from all walks of life, I recognize the inherent worth in everyone. My purpose is to ensure that every person gets visibility, a voice, and respect—and to offer the guidance and support needed so others can fulfill their potential. My life journey has equipped me to stand firm in my values, carving a path toward meaningful community impact.

Over the decades, I have worn the hats of businessman and entrepreneur, making lasting contributions across the Mission and Bayview neighborhoods. My passion for giving back led me to join the Godfathers of San Francisco, an organization dedicated to supporting St. Vincent’s School for Boys, where I served as President. This lifelong commitment continues to fuel my determination to forge ahead, continually fostering, fortifying, and advocating for robust communities.

Rosa Bernes Bio

As a native San Franciscan, my connection to this city is deeply personal, inspiring a lifelong commitment to serving the community I proudly call home. I wholeheartedly believe that well-crafted moments of connection, combined with consistent action, can inspire meaningful and lasting change across our neighborhoods.

I’ve naturally gravitated toward roles that allow me to bring people together, and I’ve found joy in creating experiences that spark inspiration. This passion is what drew me to Humanity Quest. As Event & Production Lead, I serve as the bridge between vision and reality—overseeing every phase of planning, logistics, and care to ensure our fundraisers and community gatherings come together smoothly from start to finish.

Driven by a keen eye for detail and a deep love for our community, I am honored to lend my expertise to nurturing transformative spaces that advance our mission and honor the diverse people of the Bay Area.

“When we hold space for connection, we cultivate the heart of our community.”

Tereza Iniguez

Director of Holistic Wellness & Community Initiatives

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in San Francisco’s Portola District, my lived experience navigating systemic adversity deeply shaped a lifelong understanding of trauma, resilience, and community well-being. Rooted in a family lineage of community leaders and healers, an early calling emerged to support others on their journey of self-discovery. Reconnecting with my Indigenous roots in my late 20s further centered this path around reclaiming innate wisdom and ancestral medicine.

40 years ago, Tierra Morena Holistic Services was founded to bridge ancestral medicine with modern trauma-informed care. Through teaching programs, workshops, and lectures, this guiding approach helps people find their way to inner empowerment—addressing root trauma, fostering emotional resilience, and honoring mind-body-spirit wellness. Through lectures, trainings, and workshops, this expertise has been shared with leading institutions and organizations, including UC Berkeley, SFSU, CCSF, Mental Health SF, Community Well, and many others.

Driven by a commitment to social justice and collective healing, these efforts proudly align with Humanity Quest. True healing cannot happen in isolation—it takes a village to raise a child, a community to create change, and a collective to sustain it. By bridging diverse communities and honoring traditional wisdom, we can build a foundation of unity, justice, and lasting impact for generations to come.

Joyce Huang

As a natural connector, I thrive on bringing people, ideas, and resources together to drive meaningful outcomes. I’m passionate about supporting mission driven organizations, helping them find clarity and purpose as we work toward lasting impact. My greatest fulfillment comes from building systems and relationships that turn aspirations into reality for both individuals and communities. With a strong commitment to purpose driven work, I bring energy, creativity, and a collaborative spirit to every initiative. At Humanity Quest, I help coordinate cross functional teams to ensure our efforts run smoothly and effectively, transforming bold ideas into tangible results.

My approach to work is deeply shaped by my life experiences. Traveling has taught me to embrace curiosity, adaptability, and the beauty of diverse perspectives. One of my most memorable journeys was exploring the streets of Italy, wandering through ancient alleyways, sharing meals with locals, and discovering the quiet magic of everyday life. That trip reminded me how connection and culture can spark transformation, a lesson I carry into every project I take on.

Food is another passion that grounds me. I have a deep love for sushi, a frequent craving for noodle soup, and a freezer that’s never without dumplings from the beloved ladies on Taraval Street. These small rituals remind me of the importance of community and comfort. And when I need to recharge, you’ll likely find me at a live music show, whether it’s jazz, indie, or something unexpected, letting the rhythm reset my spirit.

I bring this same sense of presence, passion, and purpose to my work. Whether I’m building partnerships, streamlining operations, or helping a team navigate change, I’m always focused on creating space for people to thrive and ideas to flourish.

Rosa Bernes

Event & Production Lead

As a native of San Francisco, I have a firsthand understanding of my community’s needs and a deep seated passion for making a difference right in my own backyard. For me, giving back isn’t just an action, it’s a natural extension of who I am. I wholeheartedly believe that small, consistent acts of kindness and support can lead to meaningful, lasting change for those around us.

This core philosophy is what drew me to Humanity Quest. Inspired by the team’s mission and the tangible difference they make, I’m thrilled to contribute my expertise as a Production Event Manager. With a wealth of experience in event production, organizational management, and a keen creative eye, I’m skilled at turning vision into reality. I’m excited to utilize my skills to create meaningful experiences that advance our cause, all while serving the community I proudly call home.

Gina Kang

Community Experience & Details Curator

I came to San Francisco at 18, drawn by the pulse of the city and a desire to be part of something bigger than myself. Growing up in the suburbs, I craved the energy, diversity, and creativity that only a city like San Francisco could offer. From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep connection to this place, its people, its culture, and its spirit of possibility.

My journey began in the hospitality industry, where I quickly found my footing and discovered a passion for creating meaningful experiences for others. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible teams and building a strong, supportive network across the city. These relationships have shaped me both personally and professionally, teaching me the value of hard work, empathy, and community.

What drives me most is the desire to help others live their fullest, most creative lives. I’m inspired by the people around me, by their stories, their resilience, and their dreams. I believe that when we step outside our comfort zones and embrace our creativity, we unlock a deeper sense of joy and purpose.

Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Creativity isn’t just about art, it’s about how we live, how we connect, and how we build a better world together.