Sonja Schappert is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over a twenty-year career in the faith-based, urban nonprofit sector. A graduate of Biola University, she earned a degree in Christian Education Ministry with an emphasis in Children’s Ministry and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies with an emphasis in Urban Ministry. Complementing her formal education, Sonja’s early ministry training was in urban African American and Asian American churches, developing multicultural competencies at Faithful Central Bible Church and NewSong LA. Sonja developed a philosophy of urban Children’s Ministry, co-led seminars at Urban Youth Workers Institute and received an award for best practices in Children’s Ministry. Influenced by the principles of the Christian Community Development Association, Sonja lived in South Central LA for several years.

Sonja has an entrepreneurial spirit, having owned a specialty retail store for several years. Sonja’s Scrapbook Spot was voted best in LA for two straight years and was the only remaining independent scrapbook retailer in the city of Los Angeles when she closed in 2012. In addition to showcasing creative talent, Sonja displayed marketing and negotiation skills and keen business intuition.

Returning to San Francisco, Sonja joined the team at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in the Tenderloin, first as an After School Program teacher and Human Resources Assistant and later as Education Director. There, she significantly narrowed the program deficit, increased program visibility in the community, and successfully secured a five-year grant from the City’s Department of Children Youth and Families. She established herself as a strong community liaison and served on the community advisory board for the Tenderloin Community Benefit District’s Safe Passage program.  

Sonja completed another Master’s in Nonprofit Administration at University of San Francisco in 2019.  She focused her research at USF on relationship based theory of change program logic models for use in the faith based sector.  Sonja currently serves as the Director of Operations at Because Justice Matters, an extension of YWAM San Francisco. She excels in strategic planning, program development, and fundraising and has led organizational change in streamlining processes, implementing new systems, scaling fundraising efforts, and developing impact models and evaluation strategies. 

Sonja is a native of San Francisco, an avid traveler, #purplekayakgirl, and spends her free time on urban hikes. With three nephews and three nieces, Sonja adores being Aunty Awesome and spends as much quality time with them as she can.  Sonja is also a primary caregiver for her parents which is another avenue of ministry close to home.  Sonja helps lead worship at her home church, New Beginnings Community Church. She has a long-time association with the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination and has served on the boards of Alpine Christian Center and Great Exchange Covenant Church of San Francisco, and most recently Youth With a Mission San Francisco.  Sonja is the principal consultant and educator at Rooted.to, committed to the ministry of Operations.