About the Initiative

A dedicated martial artist for over 45 years, Renel has trained extensively in multiple disciplines and has earned the rank of 8th Grade Black Belt in Kajukenbo Escrima, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and 1st Degree Black Belt in Shorinji Kenpo. Through decades of training, teaching, and mentorship, he has developed a deep passion for empowering others through self-discipline, personal growth, and practical self-defense.

As a Board Director for Warrior Spirit Training Initiative (WSTI), Renel brings a wealth of professional expertise, martial arts knowledge, and a lifelong commitment to helping individuals build confidence, resilience, and the warrior spirit within.

Renel Amante is an accomplished professional with more than 35 years of multidisciplinary experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. His extensive career reflects a commitment to excellence, leadership, and continuous learning across diverse professional environments.

Corinne is passionate about empowering women and children through self-defense education and safety awareness.

 As a dedicated member of Warrior Spirit Training, she is committed to helping others build confidence, develop practical safety skills, and discover their inner strength.

By day, Corinne serves as the Director of Finance for a Film and Television lighting equipment rental company in Emeryville. Outside of her professional career, she is a devoted mother of two and an enthusiastic martial artist. She has been training in Kajukenbo for the past two and a half years and continues to grow her skills while embracing the discipline, confidence, and community that martial arts provides.

Jeanna Coursey is a Development Officer at NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services, in Napa Valley, where she works to ensure survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse have access to the services and support they need. Her work spans grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, donor engagement, and data systems, the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that keeps mission-driven organizations running. 

A self-described justice warrior with a voracious appetite for learning, Jeanna came to the nonprofit sector through years of hands-on advocacy work before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management – summa cum laude, Outstanding Undergraduate Student, and Senior Address Speaker. She is a credentialed Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Counselor and a California Notary Public. 

Known for taking initiative and following through, she has helped manage 100+ grant and reporting deadlines annually, led agency-wide systems  improvements, and built tools that strengthen staff capacity. She keeps the people being served at the center of every decision, from grant proposals to database design. 

Off the clock, Jeanna is adventuring with her family and dogs, cuddling her cats, or diving deep into whatever she's learning next.

Sophie Borgeaud is the founder and president of The Inclusion Effect (TIE), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering inclusion for neurodivergent, disabled, and neurotypical individuals. A passionate advocate, she is committed to creating safer, more inclusive communities through education, collaboration, and service. Sophie is proud to support Warrior Spirit Training’s mission of empowering people with life-saving skills.